Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony S980
91 Imaging
33 Features
30 Overall
31
94 Imaging
34 Features
17 Overall
27
Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony S980 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
- 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
- Introduced May 2009
- Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ7
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 3200
- 1280 x 720 video
- 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
- 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
- Announced February 2009
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony S980 Overview
Let's look more in depth at the Panasonic ZS3 versus Sony S980, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Panasonic and Sony. The sensor resolution of the ZS3 (10MP) and the S980 (12MP) is fairly close and both cameras have the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or banThe ZS3 was brought out 3 months after the S980 and they are of a similar generation. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before getting right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick overview of how the ZS3 matches up vs the S980 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony S980 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980. The entire galleries are provided at Panasonic ZS3 Gallery and Sony S980 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Sony S980
| ZS3 | S980 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display dimensions | 3" |  | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
| Display resolution | 460k |  | 230k | Clearer display (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Panasonic ZS3
| S980 | ZS3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual focus |  | More accurate focusing |
Common features in the Panasonic ZS3 and Sony S980
| ZS3 | S980 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Announced | May 2009 |  | February 2009 | Same generation |
| Display type | Fixed |  | Fixed | Fixed display |
| Selfie screen |  | Neither comes with selfie screen | ||
| Touch display |  | Neither comes with Touch display |
Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison
If you're intending to carry around your camera regularly, you will want to factor its weight and measurements. The Panasonic ZS3 comes with exterior dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs) whilst the Sony S980 has proportions of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).
Check out the Panasonic ZS3 versus Sony S980 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are utilising during that time. Below is a front view over all size comparison of the ZS3 versus the S980.
Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ZS3 and S980 is 91 and 94 respectively.
Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it is hard to see the difference in sensor sizes purely by researching technical specs. The image below will help offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS3 and S980.
As you can tell, both of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same resolution. You should anticipate the Sony S980 to render more detail having its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop pics more aggressively.
Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder
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Panasonic ZS3 vs Sony S980 Specifications
| Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Company | Panasonic | Sony |
| Model type | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 |
| Also referred to as | Lumix DMC-TZ7 | - |
| Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
| Introduced | 2009-05-14 | 2009-02-17 |
| Physical type | Compact | Compact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
| Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
| Sensor measurements | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
| Sensor surface area | 27.7mm² | 28.1mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 10MP | 12MP |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Peak resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4000 x 3000 |
| Highest native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
| Min native ISO | 80 | 80 |
| RAW format | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Touch focus | ||
| AF continuous | ||
| Single AF | ||
| Tracking AF | ||
| AF selectice | ||
| Center weighted AF | ||
| Multi area AF | ||
| Live view AF | ||
| Face detect focusing | ||
| Contract detect focusing | ||
| Phase detect focusing | ||
| Total focus points | 11 | 9 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens zoom range | 25-300mm (12.0x) | 33-132mm (4.0x) |
| Maximum aperture | f/3.3-4.9 | f/3.3-5.2 |
| Macro focusing distance | 3cm | 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 dots | 230 thousand dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch capability | ||
| 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 | 2.0 frames per sec | 1.0 frames per sec |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manual mode | ||
| Change WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash distance | 5.30 m (Auto ISO) | 3.50 m |
| Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
| External flash | ||
| AE bracketing | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment metering | ||
| Average metering | ||
| Spot metering | ||
| Partial metering | ||
| AF area metering | ||
| Center weighted metering | ||
| 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 file format | AVCHD Lite | Motion JPEG |
| Microphone support | ||
| Headphone support | ||
| 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 proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 229 gr (0.50 pounds) | 167 gr (0.37 pounds) |
| Physical dimensions | 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") | 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 feature | ||
| Type of storage | SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
| Card slots | Single | Single |
| Retail pricing | $200 | $300 |