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Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony S980

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Panasonic ZR1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-200mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 158g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
  • Launched July 2009
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-ZX1
Sony S980
(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
  • Announced February 2009
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Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony S980 Overview

The following is a extended assessment of the Panasonic ZR1 versus Sony S980, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by brands Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the ZR1 (12MP) and the S980 (12MP) is relatively similar and they feature the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The ZR1 was announced 6 months after the S980 which means that they are of a similar generation. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving straight into a complete comparison, below is a simple summary of how the ZR1 scores vs the S980 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR1 over the Sony S980

 ZR1 S980 

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Panasonic ZR1

 S980 ZR1 
Manual focus Dial exact focus

Common features in the Panasonic ZR1 and Sony S980

 ZR1 S980 
AnnouncedJuly 2009February 2009Similar generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing2.7"2.7"Equivalent screen measurement
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic ZR1 features outside measurements of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") with a weight of 158 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Sony S980 has dimensions of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic ZR1 versus Sony S980 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you select at that moment. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the ZR1 versus the S980.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony S980 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the ZR1 and S980 is 94 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its difficult to visualise the difference between sensor dimensions merely by reviewing specifications. The image below will provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the ZR1 and S980.

To sum up, both cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the same megapixels therefore you should expect similar quality of photographs but you should always take the release date of the products into consideration.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Portrait photography information
Sony S980 Portrait photography information
21
manual focus not available
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
27
focusing manually
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Street photography information
Sony S980 Street photography information
56
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
47
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 as a Sports photography camera
Sony S980 as a Sports photography camera
25
image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
17
max fps low (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Travel photography information
Sony S980 Travel photography information
57
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
MP count low (12MP)
does not contain selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.3)
51
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse recording
MP count low (12 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic ZR1
Landscape photography with Sony S980
32
fairly wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not possible
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
does not have Time Lapse function
27
focusing manually
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
manual exposure not possible
no image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Vlogging advice
Sony S980 Vlogging advice
28
fairly wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not contain selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external mic jack
22
wide angle not good (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not have a selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic socket
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Panasonic ZR1 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZR1 and Sony S980
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Also Known as Lumix DMC-ZX1 -
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2009-07-27 2009-02-17
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine V -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-200mm (8.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus distance 3cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 2 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter rate 2.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.10 m 3.50 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 158 grams (0.35 lbs) 167 grams (0.37 lbs)
Dimensions 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Retail pricing $280 $300