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Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony S980

Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
37
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27

Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS15
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 208g - 105 x 58 x 33mm
  • Introduced June 2012
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ25
  • Replacement is Panasonic ZS20
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 ZS15 vs Sony S980 Overview

The following is a in-depth overview of the Panasonic ZS15 and Sony S980, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the ZS15 (12MP) and the S980 (12MP) is pretty similar and both cameras posses the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The ZS15 was brought out 3 years after the S980 which is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go straight to a complete comparison, here is a brief summary of how the ZS15 matches up against the S980 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS15 over the Sony S980

 ZS15 S980 
AnnouncedJune 2012February 2009Newer by 41 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Panasonic ZS15

 S980 ZS15 
Focus manually More precise focusing

Common features in the Panasonic ZS15 and Sony S980

 ZS15 S980 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to travel with your camera frequently, you have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic ZS15 provides outer measurements of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") and a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs) whilst the Sony S980 has dimensions of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic ZS15 and Sony S980 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have attached at that time. Here is a front view over all size comparison of the ZS15 compared to the S980.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony S980 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the ZS15 and S980 is 92 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is tough to envision the gap between sensor dimensions purely by reading a spec sheet. The pic here may provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS15 and S980.

Clearly, each of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the same exact megapixels and you can expect similar quality of pictures however you should factor the age of the products into consideration. The fresher ZS15 is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Portrait photography info
Sony S980 Portrait photography info
21
no manual focus
external flash not possible
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
27
focusing manually
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
resolution not great (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 as a Street photography camera
Sony S980 as a Street photography camera
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (208 grams)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
47
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic ZS15
Sports photography with Sony S980
36
incredible zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery life (260 per charge)
lacks phase detect AF
17
low frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
resolution not great (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Travel photography information
Sony S980 Travel photography information
61
lighter than others in class (208 grams)
has built in flash
quite wide (24mm)
long reach (384mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
bad battery life (260 per charge)
MP count low (12MP)
does not offer selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
51
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse mode
resolution not great (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS15
Landscape photography with Sony S980
37
quite wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
bad battery life (260 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
27
focusing manually
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7")
lack of manual exposure
does not have image stabilization
resolution not great (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Vlogging highlights
Sony S980 Vlogging highlights
33
quite wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others in class (208g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not offer selfie friendly display
doesn't have external microphone support
22
wide angle not good (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external mic jack
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Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS15 and Sony S980
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Company Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Other name Lumix DMC-TZ25 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2012-06-29 2009-02-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-384mm (16.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus distance 3cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 2 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.40 m 3.50 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 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 data format MPEG-4, AVCHD 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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 208 grams (0.46 lbs) 167 grams (0.37 lbs)
Physical dimensions 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") 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
Battery life 260 pictures -
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
Retail cost $279 $300