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Canon SX50 HS vs Panasonic ZS80

Portability
65
Imaging
36
Features
55
Overall
43
Canon PowerShot SX50 HS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS80 front
Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
70
Overall
56

Canon SX50 HS vs Panasonic ZS80 Key Specs

Canon SX50 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.8" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1200mm (F3.4-6.5) lens
  • 595g - 123 x 87 x 106mm
  • Introduced January 2013
  • Superseded the Canon SX40 HS
  • Newer Model is Canon SX60 HS
Panasonic ZS80
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 327g - 112 x 69 x 42mm
  • Introduced February 2018
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DC-TZ95
  • Superseded the Panasonic ZS70
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Canon SX50 HS vs Panasonic ZS80 Overview

In this article, we will be analyzing the Canon SX50 HS and Panasonic ZS80, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by companies Canon and Panasonic. There is a considerable difference among the sensor resolutions of the SX50 HS (12MP) and ZS80 (20MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SX50 HS was introduced 6 years prior to the ZS80 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Canon SX50 HS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic ZS80 being a Compact camera.

Before going straight into a in depth comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the SX50 HS scores versus the ZS80 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon SX50 HS over the Panasonic ZS80

 SX50 HS ZS80 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS80 over the Canon SX50 HS

 ZS80 SX50 HS 
IntroducedFebruary 2018January 2013More modern by 62 months
Screen sizing3"2.8"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1040k461kClearer screen (+579k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Canon SX50 HS and Panasonic ZS80

 SX50 HS ZS80 
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Selfie screen Both are selfie friendly

Canon SX50 HS vs Panasonic ZS80 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Canon SX50 HS has exterior measurements of 123mm x 87mm x 106mm (4.8" x 3.4" x 4.2") having a weight of 595 grams (1.31 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS80 has proportions of 112mm x 69mm x 42mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.7") having a weight of 327 grams (0.72 lbs).

Check the Canon SX50 HS and Panasonic ZS80 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have attached at that time. Here is the front view proportions comparison of the SX50 HS vs the ZS80.

Canon SX50 HS vs Panasonic ZS80 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the SX50 HS and ZS80 is 65 and 86 respectively.

Canon SX50 HS vs Panasonic ZS80 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX50 HS vs Panasonic ZS80 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is tough to visualise the difference in sensor sizes just by researching a spec sheet. The pic here should give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the SX50 HS and ZS80.

Clearly, both the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same megapixels. You can count on the Panasonic ZS80 to result in extra detail using its extra 8MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop pictures far more aggressively. The more aged SX50 HS will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SX50 HS vs Panasonic ZS80 sensor size comparison

Canon SX50 HS vs Panasonic ZS80 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX50 HS vs Panasonic ZS80 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX50 HS Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic ZS80 Portrait photography highlights
48
has manual focus
great flash sync speed (1/2,000 seconds)
offers face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
low resolution (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
54
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (20MP)
supports face detect focus
exports RAW files
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Canon SX50 HS Street photography details
Panasonic ZS80 Street photography details
57
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
more heavy than others in class (595 grams)
75
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
features focus by touch
very small sensor (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX50 HS Sports photography advice
Panasonic ZS80 Sports photography advice
39
excellent zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
61
incredible zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
silent shutter (1/16,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
supports tracking focus
good battery power (380 shots)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX50 HS Travel photography details
Panasonic ZS80 Travel photography details
53
has built in flash
selfie friendly display
quite wide (24mm)
long reach (1200mm)
lack of Timelapse function
more heavy than others in class (595g)
low resolution (12MP)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
79
good battery power (380 shots)
connects via bluetooth
features focus by touch
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
reasonably wide (24mm)
very long zoom (720mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX50 HS Landscape photography features
Panasonic ZS80 Landscape photography features
45
has manual focus
quite wide (24mm)
screen size is good (2.8 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of Timelapse function
62
has manual focus
reasonably wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
exports RAW files
good battery power (380 CIPA)
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX50 HS as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZS80 as a Vlogging camera
58
quite wide (24mm)
selfie friendly display
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
lack of external microphone socket
more heavy than others in class (595g)
73
reasonably wide (24mm)
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen enabled
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focus
high res video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
no mic support
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Canon SX50 HS vs Panasonic ZS80 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX50 HS and Panasonic ZS80
 Canon PowerShot SX50 HSPanasonic Lumix DC-ZS80
General Information
Brand Name Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot SX50 HS Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS80
Otherwise known as - Lumix DC-TZ95
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2013-01-15 2018-02-18
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 5 Venus Engine
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
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 20 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 5184 x 3888
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Maximum boosted ISO - 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-1200mm (50.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.4-6.5 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus distance 0cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Tilting
Screen diagonal 2.8 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 461 thousand dots 1,040 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 202 thousand dots 2,330 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.53x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 4s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Highest silent shutter speed - 1/16000s
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.50 m 5.60 m (with Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Second Curtain Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync/Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/2000s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 3840 x 2160 (30p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 595 gr (1.31 lb) 327 gr (0.72 lb)
Dimensions 123 x 87 x 106mm (4.8" x 3.4" x 4.2") 112 x 69 x 42mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 47 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 20.3 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.2 not tested
DXO Low light score 179 not tested
Other
Battery life 315 photos 380 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-10L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I supported)
Card slots One One
Launch pricing $429 $448