Panasonic TS6 vs Sony S980
91 Imaging
40 Features
45 Overall
42


94 Imaging
34 Features
17 Overall
27
Panasonic TS6 vs Sony S980 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 28-128mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
- 214g - 110 x 67 x 29mm
- Launched January 2015
- Also referred to as Lumix DMC-FT6
- Replaced the Panasonic TS5
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 3200
- 1280 x 720 video
- 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
- 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
- Revealed February 2009

Panasonic TS6 vs Sony S980 Overview
Its time to look more in depth at the Panasonic TS6 versus Sony S980, one being a Waterproof and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Panasonic and Sony. There exists a huge gap among the resolutions of the TS6 (16MP) and S980 (12MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The TS6 was announced 5 years later than the S980 and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before going right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick overview of how the TS6 scores against the S980 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Panasonic TS6 vs Sony S980 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS6 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980. The whole galleries are viewable at Panasonic TS6 Gallery and Sony S980 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic TS6 over the Sony S980
TS6 | S980 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | January 2015 | ![]() | February 2009 | More recent by 72 months |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Panasonic TS6
S980 | TS6 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Very precise focus |
Common features in the Panasonic TS6 and Sony S980
TS6 | S980 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither comes with Touch friendly screen |
Panasonic TS6 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison
If you're intending to lug around your camera regularly, you'll need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Panasonic TS6 comes with exterior measurements of 110mm x 67mm x 29mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.1") with a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs) and the Sony S980 has measurements of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).
Examine the Panasonic TS6 versus Sony S980 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Below is a front view over all size comparison of the TS6 vs the S980.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the TS6 and S980 is 91 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic TS6 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it can be hard to visualise the difference in sensor measurements purely by seeing a spec sheet. The photograph below might give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the TS6 and S980.
As you can see, both the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You should expect the Panasonic TS6 to provide greater detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop photographs more aggressively. The fresher TS6 will have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic TS6 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic TS6 vs Sony S980 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS6 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Panasonic | Sony |
Model | Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS6 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 |
Also Known as | Lumix DMC-FT6 | - |
Class | Waterproof | Small Sensor Compact |
Launched | 2015-01-06 | 2009-02-17 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 27.7mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixel | 12 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4000 x 3000 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Number of focus points | 23 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 28-128mm (4.6x) | 33-132mm (4.0x) |
Maximal aperture | f/3.3-5.9 | f/3.3-5.2 |
Macro focus range | 5cm | 10cm |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3 inch | 2.7 inch |
Display resolution | 460 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 60s | 2s |
Highest shutter speed | 1/1300s | 1/1600s |
Continuous shooting speed | 10.0fps | 1.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 5.60 m | 3.50 m |
Flash options | Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, on, slow sync w/redeye reduction, off | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, AVCHD | Motion JPEG |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | BuiltIn | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 214 gr (0.47 lbs) | 167 gr (0.37 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 110 x 67 x 29mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.1") | 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light score | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 370 photographs | - |
Battery format | Battery Pack | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Price at launch | $300 | $300 |