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Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony S980

Portability
94
Imaging
36
Features
26
Overall
32
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Panasonic ZR3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-200mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 159g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
  • Announced January 2010
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-ZX3
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
  • Revealed February 2009
Photography Glossary

Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony S980 Overview

Following is a detailed assessment of the Panasonic ZR3 and Sony S980, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by rivals Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the ZR3 (14MP) and the S980 (12MP) is relatively well matched and they enjoy the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The ZR3 was unveiled 12 months after the S980 so they are of a similar generation. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting straight into a detailed comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the ZR3 matches up against the S980 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR3 over the Sony S980

 ZR3 S980 
RevealedJanuary 2010February 2009More modern by 12 months

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Panasonic ZR3

 S980 ZR3 
Manually focus Very accurate focus

Common features in the Panasonic ZR3 and Sony S980

 ZR3 S980 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing2.7"2.7"Equivalent screen size
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry around your camera often, you are going to need to factor its weight and proportions. The Panasonic ZR3 has outside measurements of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") with a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Sony S980 has measurements of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic ZR3 and Sony S980 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have during that time. Underneath is the front view proportions comparison of the ZR3 against the S980.

Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony S980 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ZR3 and S980 is 94 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is tough to picture the contrast between sensor sizes purely by looking at specs. The pic here will help offer you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the ZR3 and S980.

All in all, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You should count on the Panasonic ZR3 to give greater detail having an extra 2MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots far more aggressively. The more modern ZR3 provides an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 Portrait photography advice
Sony S980 Portrait photography advice
28
decent megapixels (14MP)
manual focus not available
no manual mode
can't use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
27
you can focus manually
no manual control
can't use external flash
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 Street photography factors
Sony S980 Street photography factors
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
47
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 as a Sports photography camera
Sony S980 as a Sports photography camera
36
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14MP)
comes with tracking focus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,300 seconds)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
17
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic ZR3
Travel photography with Sony S980
64
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
51
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse recording
low MP (12 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic ZR3
Landscape photography with Sony S980
37
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
no manual mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
lack of Time Lapse function
27
you can focus manually
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
no manual control
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 Vlogging advice
Sony S980 Vlogging advice
29
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of mic port
22
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external mic jack
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Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZR3 and Sony S980
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Make Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Otherwise known as Lumix DMC-ZX3 -
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2010-01-26 2009-02-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine HD II -
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 14 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-200mm (8.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing distance 3cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7" 2.7"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 2 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1300 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.30 m 3.50 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported 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)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format AVCHD Lite Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 159 grams (0.35 pounds) 167 grams (0.37 pounds)
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 rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price $280 $300