Canon SX70 HS vs. Panasonic FZ80: The Ultimate Small-Sensor Superzoom Showdown

Choosing between two well-regarded superzoom bridge cameras in the crowded compact category can be surprisingly tricky - especially when both the Canon PowerShot SX70 HS and Panasonic Lumix FZ80 pack versatile features and tempting price points. As someone who's personally field-tested hundreds of cameras - from pro-level monsters to everyday point-and-shoots - I’ll guide you through a detailed, practical comparison that cuts through marketing buzz and gets to what really matters.

If you’re hunting for an all-in-one travel companion, a wildlife spotting partner, or simply a do-it-all bridge camera, this comparison should clarify where each model shines, and where you might compromise.

Bridging the Gap: Size and Handling in Real Life

Before you dive into specs, the physical interaction with a camera is enormously influential on your shooting comfort and style. Both the Canon SX70 HS and Panasonic FZ80 adopt a DSLR-style «bridge» body, allowing ample manual control and a chunky grip compared to compact travel zooms.

The Canon SX70 HS measures 127 x 91 x 117 mm and weighs about 608 grams, while the Panasonic FZ80 comes in at 130 x 94 x 119 mm and 616 grams - essentially neck-and-neck in heft and footprint. However, the Canon’s ergonomics felt a hair more balanced in hand during my extended shoots, especially when zoomed all the way in at the extensive 1365mm equivalent. Its grip and button placement invite confident single-handed operation.

Take a glance at their top views below; you’ll notice some nuanced design decisions giving the Canon a slight edge in intuitive control layout.

Canon places dedicated dials and buttons for ISO, exposure compensation, and shooting modes within easy thumb reach. Panasonic’s controls are comprehensive but tend to cluster around the back, requiring more finger gymnastics to adjust on the fly - not ideal for fast-moving subjects.

Bottom line: Both are portable enough for travel and fieldwork, but the Canon SX70 HS edges out for ergonomic comfort and quicker access to manual controls.

Under the Hood: Sensor and Image Quality Debate

With a big zoom, sensor performance can make or break the versatility. Both cameras employ a 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS sensor measuring 6.17x4.55 mm, which is standard for superzoom bridge cameras balancing zoom range against manageable size.

The Canon SX70 HS packs a 20-megapixel sensor, just slightly out-resolving Panasonic’s 18MP. While that doesn’t sound huge, it does translate into a bit more detail capture in favorable lighting. However, more megapixels on a small sensor can sometimes drive up noise - an aspect where the camera’s processor comes in.

Canon’s DIGIC 8 engine brings refined noise reduction and better color science to the SX70 HS, evident in more natural skin tones and fewer artifacts at ISO 1600 and under. I ran controlled ISO tests side by side, and the Canon maintains usable image quality at ISO 1600, with the FZ80 getting a little grainier.

Max native ISO tops out equally at 3200 on both cameras, but Panasonic boasts an extended ISO 6400 option. That said, I recommend avoiding those boosted ISOs unless you’re desperate - image degradation is significant.

Crop images from both cameras reveal a slight advantage in dynamic range on the Canon, due to its newer sensor and image processing chain. This came into play in challenging landscapes and backlit portrait scenarios, where blown highlights and crushed shadows were better handled.

Quick takeaway: The SX70 HS wins marginally in image quality and low-light noise control, but Panasonic’s sensor is no slouch, especially if you keep ISO moderate.

Screen and Viewfinder: Framing and Reviewing Shots

Once you’ve composed your scene, how you see what you’re capturing matters - especially with tricky superzoom framing and fast-moving subjects.

Canon’s SX70 HS sports a fully articulated 3-inch LCD with 922k-dot resolution, perfect for waist level or over-the-head compositions, ideal for tricky macro or street photography angles. The screen isn’t touchscreen-enabled, a mild frustration in this era, but its articulation more than compensates. The electronic viewfinder (EVF) here boasts 2360 dots - significantly higher resolution than Panasonic’s 1166-dot EVF - making it sharper and easier to use outdoors in bright conditions.

Conversely, the Panasonic FZ80 has a fixed 3-inch screen with slightly higher resolution (1,040k dots) and a touchscreen, enabling fast autofocus point selection and menu navigation, enhancing the shooting experience for users keen on touch input.

However, its EVF resolution and magnification are notably lower, somewhat reducing comfort on prolonged use or bright sunlight shooting.

In practical field use, I found the SX70 HS EVF clearer for tracking wildlife at distance, while the FZ80’s touchscreen made street and casual shots fluid and quick.

Zoom Power and Lens Quality: Reach and Clarity

Let’s talk focal length, since superzooms live by their lens capabilities.

Canon’s massive 21-1365mm (65x optical zoom) range sets a jaw-dropping reach standard, letting you capture birds on distant treetops or tight sports action from the sidelines without changing lenses. Panasonic’s 20-1200mm (60x zoom) is impressively close but slightly shorter.

The maximum apertures are different: Canon’s lens is f/3.4 wide-open, narrowing to f/6.5 at telephoto, and Panasonic’s starts brighter at f/2.8 (wide-angle), narrowing to f/5.9 telephoto. This wider aperture on the Panasonic at the short end helps in low light or creative depth of field shots, which I appreciated in indoor/close subject shooting.

Image stabilization is optical on both cameras, greatly assisting handheld shots at extended zooms. Canon uses Dual Sensing IS, which I tested in real-world jitter conditions, and found effective up to 1/15s shutter speeds at long focal lengths. Panasonic’s Power O.I.S. is similarly competent, though the images were marginally softer at extreme zoom without a tripod.

Autofocus: Precision and Speed When It Matters Most

Focusing performance is critical - especially for wildlife, sports, or video.

The Canon SX70 HS features 9 autofocus points with contrast-detection AF and offers face detection and continuous AF tracking. In my experience, the focusing is fair for this class, locking fairly quickly in decent light but struggling a bit under dim or busy backgrounds.

In comparison, the Panasonic FZ80 boasts an impressive 49-focus-point system with Contrast Detect AF, face detection, and focus stacking features - rare at this price. Its autofocus felt faster, more confident, and smoother for tracking birds in flight or kids playing. The inclusion of touch AF on the FZ80’s screen gives a quick and intuitive way to shift focus zones, especially for macro or street use.

Neither camera supports phase-detection AF or animal eye AF, so there are some limits if you want high-end sports or wildlife precision.

Burst Speed and Buffer: Can They Keep Up?

For action photographers, continuous shooting speed and buffer depth test a camera’s quickness.

Both cameras offer a maximum burst rate of 10 frames per second, which is respectable for bridge cameras in this class. In practice, the Panasonic delivered slightly longer sustained bursts before slowdown, likely thanks to a more efficient buffer management.

In my field tests with birds mid-flight, the Panasonic edges the Canon by getting a few more keepers in a rapid-fire sequence. That said, 10 fps remains a sweet spot for wildlife beginners or casual sports shooters.

Portrait Photography: Skin Tones, Bokeh, and Eye Detection

Portrait photographers prioritize skin tone rendering, autofocus reliability on faces/eyes, and pleasing background separation.

Canon’s SX70 HS impressively nailed skin tones in natural and warm hues, even under mixed lighting. Its face-detection AF is reliable, though its limited 9 AF points and lack of eye tracking means you’ll occasionally have to refocus or nudge composition manually.

Panasonic’s FZ80 has similarly effective face detection but lacks eye detection, with contrast AF sometimes hunting a little, especially at wider apertures.

The bokeh effect on both cameras is inherently limited by the small sensor and lens apertures but behaves as expected - softening backgrounds slightly at wide apertures and closest focusing distances.

If portraits are a priority but you want some telephoto compression and easy reach, Canon’s longer zoom and color science give it a slight edge.

Landscape Photography: Dynamic Range and Weather Durability

For landscapes, sensor quality, dynamic range, resolution, and ruggedness count.

Both have the same sensor size with Canon’s 20MP vs. Panasonic’s 18MP giving Canon an advantage in resolution detail. Supported RAW capture means you can recover highlights/shadows well in post-processing.

Unfortunately, neither camera offers environmental sealing, dustproofing, or waterproofing - so take care in harsh conditions or invest in protective housing if you venture outdoors in wet, dusty environments.

My long-exposure shots on the Canon yielded better highlight retention in skies and smoother gradation than the Panasonic, which produced slightly harsher clipping on bright clouds.

Wildlife and Sports Photography: Tracking and Telephoto Performance

Both cameras have long reach lenses and decent AF, but with some trade-offs for demanding wildlife or sports photography.

Canon’s 1365mm range is unbeatable at this price - no competitor gets you that close without swapping gear. If you want to photograph distant birds or athletes in large stadiums, the SX70 HS is a stellar partner.

The Panasonic’s zoom maxes out at 1200mm but hits the sweet spot at f/2.8 when wide, helping indoors or cloudy days.

Autofocus tracking favors Panasonic for speed and focus area coverage, aiding capture of animals in quick movements.

Both cameras’ burst and IS are sufficient for casual to intermediate sports photography but won’t match high-end mirrorless or DSLR beasts.

Street Photography: Portability and Discretion

For street shooters, size, speed of operation, and quietness are key.

Both hinge on their bridge form factor, which is bulkier than a compact, so these aren’t pocketable stealth options. The FZ80’s quieter operation and faster AF make it a bit more street-ready, especially combined with touchscreen focus selecting.

Canon’s fully articulated screen could offer creative low or high shooting angles for unpredictable street scenes but might draw attention. Its built-in flash is less conspicuous than external flashes.

Macro Photography: Close Focus and Sharpness

Both cameras claim macro capabilities, but Panasonic sets the bar a bit higher with a minimum focusing distance of 1 cm, enabling detailed close-ups of flowers or insects. Canon SX70 HS’s macro distance is zero centimeters with the lens front, encouraging experimentation.

Panasonic supports focus bracketing and stacking, helping extend depth of field - an advanced feature unseen in many bridge cameras at this price.

Canon lacks these assistive macro tools but offers sharpness and color accuracy at close range.

Night and Astro Scenes: ISO and Exposure Mastery

When ambient light plummets, sensor performance and controlled exposure are vital.

Both max out at ISO 3200 native. Canon handled ISO 1600 with less noise, preserving more detail. Panasonic stretches ISO to 6400 but images grow grainy fast.

Neither camera has specialized astro modes, but both have manual exposure control and long shutter speeds (down to 15 seconds on Canon, 4 seconds on Panasonic), making slow bulb or star trails possible with a tripod.

Video Capabilities: 4K, Stabilization, and Audio Quality

Videographers looking for 4K will be happy with both offering UHD 3840 x 2160 at 30p, though Canon records at a higher bitrate (120 Mbps vs. Panasonic’s 100 Mbps), contributing to marginally richer video detail.

Panasonic’s FZ80 supports 4K photo mode, allowing high-res still extraction from videos - a neat trick for action sequences or fleeting moments.

Canon’s external mic input gives it an advantage for serious audio capture, while Panasonic relies on built-in microphones only.

Both have optical image stabilization - critical at telephoto while shooting hand-held video.

Travel Photography: Versatility and Battery Life

Travel demands a camera adaptable to many scenarios, with good battery endurance and manageable weight.

Battery life is comparable - Canon rated at 325 shots per charge, Panasonic slightly better at 330. Both use standard SD cards.

Connectivity-wise, Canon integrates Bluetooth for easy wireless transfers; Panasonic lacks this.

The Canon’s articulating screen offers more framing creativity on the go, though the FZ80’s touchscreen speeds adjustments.

Professional Usage: Reliability, RAW Support, and Workflow

Both cameras output RAW files, enabling more post-processing flexibility - a must for enthusiasts and professionals.

Neither offers advanced weather sealing often desired in harsh assignments.

Canon’s slightly newer DIGIC 8 processing engine yields more consistent JPEG colors and smoother tonality, facilitating faster workflow.

USB 2.0 connectivity across both is standard but unremarkable; no tethered shooting here.

Hands-On Image Quality Gallery: See for Yourself

Here are sample photos from both cameras illustrating strengths in various scenarios - note color rendition, detail, and dynamic range differences.

Canon SX70 HS front Canon SX70 HS screen back Panasonic FZ80 front Panasonic FZ80 screen back

Performance Ratings at a Glance

Both SX70 HS and FZ80 earn respectable marks in overall bridge camera performance.

Which Camera Excels in Each Photography Genre?

Here’s a breakdown highlighting which camera I recommend for particular genres:

Bottom Line: Who Should Buy Which?

Canon SX70 HS is the pick if:

• You want the longest zoom reach possible (21-1365mm)
• You value better ergonomics and a higher-res EVF
• You prefer slightly improved image quality and color fidelity
• You need an external mic port for video
• You appreciate a fully articulated screen for creative framing

Panasonic FZ80 suits you if:

• You want faster autofocus with more focus points for wildlife or sports tracking
• You prioritize touchscreen control for quick focus changes
• You appreciate 4K photo mode and Macros with focus stacking
• You prefer a bright f/2.8 aperture wide-angle for low-light or portraits
• Price is a major factor, with Panasonic costing about $150 less

Final Thoughts From My Experience

Between these two superzoom stalwarts, no one-size-fits-all answer exists. I’ve spent hours shooting both side-by-side across environments ranging from city streets to forests. The Canon SX70 HS feels like a refined successor with more finesse in control and image quality. Meanwhile, the Panasonic FZ80 delivers sheer autofocus agility and macro creativity that rivals many pricier cameras.

If your budget stretches to the Canon, you get one of the most versatile superzooms on the market with excellent handling. But don’t discount the Panasonic - exceptional value with features that will delight macro enthusiasts and wildlife observers on a budget.

Maybe you want the best of both worlds - in that case, consider what shooting style feels natural: slow and steady with deliberate framing (Canon) or nimble and reactive focusing (Panasonic). Either way, you’re investing in capable cameras that bring distant subjects close and open doors to creative adventures few compact cameras can match.

For further details and hands-on video reviews demonstrating autofocus and zoom testing, check my channel linked in the sidebar. Happy shooting!