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Panasonic ZS45 vs Sony S980

Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
55
Overall
46
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Panasonic ZS45 vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS45
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 249g - 108 x 60 x 32mm
  • Revealed January 2015
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ57
  • Replaced the Panasonic ZS40
  • Updated by Panasonic ZS50
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 ZS45 vs Sony S980 Overview

In this write-up, we will be comparing the Panasonic ZS45 vs Sony S980, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Panasonic and Sony. There exists a substantial gap between the sensor resolutions of the ZS45 (16MP) and S980 (12MP) but they feature the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The ZS45 was introduced 5 years after the S980 which is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going in to a full comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the ZS45 matches up versus the S980 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS45 over the Sony S980

 ZS45 S980 
AnnouncedJanuary 2015February 2009Newer by 72 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1040k230kSharper screen (+810k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Panasonic ZS45

 S980 ZS45 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus

Common features in the Panasonic ZS45 and Sony S980

 ZS45 S980 
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Panasonic ZS45 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to travel with your camera frequently, you need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic ZS45 has physical measurements of 108mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 249 grams (0.55 lbs) and the Sony S980 has dimensions of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic ZS45 vs Sony S980 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are utilizing at the time. The following is the front view proportions comparison of the ZS45 against the S980.

Panasonic ZS45 vs Sony S980 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ZS45 and S980 is 91 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic ZS45 vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS45 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's hard to visualise the difference between sensor dimensions only by reviewing specs. The pic below will help offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the ZS45 and S980.

All in all, both the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You can count on the Panasonic ZS45 to offer greater detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop pictures far more aggressively. The more modern ZS45 will have an advantage in sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS45 vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS45 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS45 vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS45 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony S980 as a Portrait photography camera
37
good resolution (16MP)
includes face detection autofocus
focusing manually not possible
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
27
focusing manually
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
low MP (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS45 as a Street photography camera
Sony S980 as a Street photography camera
69
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (249g)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
47
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS45 Sports photography highlights
Sony S980 Sports photography highlights
55
excellent zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
includes tracking autofocus
great battery life (350 per charge)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
17
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS45 Travel photography features
Sony S980 Travel photography features
71
great battery life (350 per charge)
lighter than competitors in class (249 grams)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
long reach (480mm)
missing Timelapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
51
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
low MP (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS45 Landscape photography advice
Sony S980 Landscape photography advice
47
fairly wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
great battery life (350 per charge)
focusing manually not possible
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
missing Timelapse mode
27
focusing manually
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7")
manual mode not available
no image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS45 as a Vlogging camera
Sony S980 as a Vlogging camera
34
fairly wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors in class (249g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
missing external microphone socket
22
wide angle not the best (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external mic socket
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Panasonic ZS45 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS45 and Sony S980
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Alternate name Lumix DMC-TZ57 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2015-01-06 2009-02-17
Physical type 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 16MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW format
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
Total focus points 21 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-480mm (20.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/3.3-6.4 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing range 3cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 2.7"
Resolution of display 1,040 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 2s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.00 m 3.50 m
Flash modes Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 249 grams (0.55 lb) 167 grams (0.37 lb)
Dimensions 108 x 60 x 32mm (4.3" 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
Battery life 350 images -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at release $300 $300