Panasonic ZS50 vs Sony S980
90 Imaging
37 Features
57 Overall
45
94 Imaging
34 Features
17 Overall
27
Panasonic ZS50 vs Sony S980 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
- 243g - 111 x 65 x 34mm
- Revealed January 2015
- Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ70
- Superseded the Panasonic ZS45
- Replacement is Panasonic ZS60
(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
- Launched February 2009
Photography Glossary Panasonic ZS50 vs Sony S980 Overview
On this page, we are evaluating the Panasonic ZS50 and Sony S980, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the ZS50 (12MP) and the S980 (12MP) is fairly close and both cameras provide the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or banThe ZS50 was launched 5 years later than the S980 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before diving into a more detailed comparison, here is a quick summary of how the ZS50 matches up against the S980 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide Panasonic ZS50 vs Sony S980 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980. The complete galleries are provided at Panasonic ZS50 Gallery & Sony S980 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS50 over the Sony S980
| ZS50 | S980 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launched | January 2015 |  | February 2009 | Fresher by 72 months |
| Display dimensions | 3" |  | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
| Display resolution | 1040k |  | 230k | Clearer display (+810k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Panasonic ZS50
| S980 | ZS50 |
|---|
Common features in the Panasonic ZS50 and Sony S980
| ZS50 | S980 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focus manually |  | Very exact focusing | ||
| Display type | Fixed |  | Fixed | Fixed display |
| Selfie screen |  | Missing selfie screen | ||
| Touch friendly display |  | Missing Touch friendly display |
Panasonic ZS50 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is intending to carry your camera frequently, you are going to need to factor its weight and proportions. The Panasonic ZS50 has outer measurements of 111mm x 65mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") along with a weight of 243 grams (0.54 lbs) and the Sony S980 has measurements of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).
Analyze the Panasonic ZS50 and Sony S980 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you choose during that time. Following is a front view over all size comparison of the ZS50 vs the S980.
Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ZS50 and S980 is 90 and 94 respectively.
Panasonic ZS50 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it's tough to see the contrast in sensor sizing just by looking through a spec sheet. The visual here may offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the ZS50 and S980.
Clearly, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the same MP so you can expect comparable quality of photos though you will want to take the launch date of the cameras into account. The younger ZS50 is going to have an edge with regard to sensor tech.
Panasonic ZS50 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder
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Panasonic ZS50 vs Sony S980 Specifications
| Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Manufacturer | Panasonic | Sony |
| Model | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 |
| Also Known as | Lumix DMC-TZ70 | - |
| Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
| Revealed | 2015-01-06 | 2009-02-17 |
| Body design | Compact | Compact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
| Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
| Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
| Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 12 megapixel |
| 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 |
| Minimum native ISO | 80 | 80 |
| RAW data | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focus | ||
| Touch to focus | ||
| AF continuous | ||
| AF single | ||
| AF tracking | ||
| Selective AF | ||
| AF center weighted | ||
| Multi area AF | ||
| AF live view | ||
| 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 | 24-720mm (30.0x) | 33-132mm (4.0x) |
| Largest aperture | f/3.3-6.4 | f/3.3-5.2 |
| Macro focus range | 3cm | 10cm |
| Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
| Screen | ||
| Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Display size | 3 inches | 2.7 inches |
| Resolution of display | 1,040 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch operation | ||
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | Electronic | None |
| Viewfinder resolution | 1,166 thousand dot | - |
| Viewfinder coverage | 100% | - |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.46x | - |
| Features | ||
| Min shutter speed | 4s | 2s |
| Max shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/1600s |
| Continuous shutter speed | 10.0 frames/s | 1.0 frames/s |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manually set exposure | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
| Change WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Inbuilt flash | ||
| Flash range | 6.40 m | 3.50 m |
| Flash settings | Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
| External flash | ||
| AEB | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment exposure | ||
| Average exposure | ||
| Spot exposure | ||
| Partial exposure | ||
| AF area exposure | ||
| Center weighted exposure | ||
| Video features | ||
| Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
| Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
| Video format | MPEG-4, AVCHD | Motion JPEG |
| Microphone jack | ||
| Headphone jack | ||
| 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 seal | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 243 gr (0.54 pounds) | 167 gr (0.37 pounds) |
| Physical dimensions | 111 x 65 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") | 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall score | 44 | not tested |
| DXO Color Depth score | 20.0 | not tested |
| DXO Dynamic range score | 11.2 | not tested |
| DXO Low light score | 138 | not tested |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 300 photos | - |
| Style of battery | 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 | One | One |
| Retail pricing | $350 | $300 |