Canon SX720 HS vs Panasonic ZS80: In-Depth Comparison of Two Small Sensor Superzooms

Choosing the right small sensor superzoom camera can be tricky, especially when two models boast impressive zoom ranges and compact designs. The Canon PowerShot SX720 HS and the Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS80 (also known as the Lumix DC-TZ95) both position themselves as versatile all-in-one solutions for travel, casual shooting, and enthusiast photography. Over recent months, we have extensively tested both cameras across multiple disciplines - from portrait and landscape to video and wildlife photography. Let’s dive into how they compare technically and practically, helping you find the model best suited to your creative goals.

First Impressions: Build Quality and Ergonomics

Right out of the box, these compacts impress with their pocketable yet solid construction. The body dimensions are similar but with subtle differences:

The SX720 HS favors a smaller, sleeker frame that feels light for all-day carry, ideal for casual users or minimalist shooters. The ZS80 feels more substantial and better suited to photographers preferring physical control and added stability in hand.

Ergonomically, the Panasonic’s tactile buttons and somewhat chunkier grip improve extended use and handling with longer zoom lenses, especially in challenging conditions. The Canon sacrifices some control accessibility and heft for nimbleness, suiting quick street or travel photography endeavors.

Control and Interface: Who Puts You in the Driver’s Seat?

Navigating a camera with intuitive controls heightens creative freedom - both of these models offer manual options but differ in interface sophistication.

• Canon SX720 HS:

  • Fixed 3-inch LCD; no touchscreen
  • No electronic viewfinder (EVF)
  • Limited physical controls; reliance on menu navigation
  • Exposure modes: Full manual, aperture priority, shutter priority

• Panasonic ZS80:

  • 3-inch tilting touchscreen LCD with 1040k dots resolution
  • Built-in electronic viewfinder (2330k dots, 0.53x magnification)
  • More physical buttons, including dedicated dial and function buttons
  • Same exposure modes, with Blur Detection and Focus Bracketing support

The ZS80 clearly wins in versatility and ease of use. The presence of an EVF is vital for bright outdoor shooting where glare can hamper the Canon’s LCD view. Touch controls on Panasonic expedite menu navigation and enable features like touch-to-focus, enhancing shooting speed and precision.

The Canon’s simplistic design appeals to beginners or those preferring less complexity, but power users will find the Panasonic’s control layout more rewarding.

Sensor and Image Quality: Same Size, Different Results?

Both cameras rely on a 1/2.3” BSI-CMOS sensor measuring 6.17 x 4.55 mm with roughly 20 megapixels resolution (20.3 MP for Canon, 20 MP for Panasonic), standard for their class. Despite the equal sensor size, their underlying image processing engines differ:

In practical tests, image quality differences stem from noise handling, dynamic range, and color reproduction rather than sensor specs alone.

• Dynamic Range: Both cameras struggle similarly in high-contrast landscapes, typical for small sensors, but Panasonic’s advanced processing offers a slight edge in shadow detail recovery.

• Noise Performance: Up to ISO 800, noise is well controlled on both. When pushing beyond, the ZS80's boosted ISO brings usable images, while Canon’s image degradation is more apparent.

• Color and Skin Tones: Canon traditionally excels in natural skin color rendition, useful in portraiture and event photography. Panasonic leans towards slightly cooler, punchier colors which may appeal to landscape shooters.

If shooting RAW and planning heavy post-processing appeals to you, Panasonic’s RAW support is a significant practical advantage.

Lens Capability and Zoom Performance: 40x vs 30x Zoom

Superzoom cameras are all about flexibility. The Canon SX720 HS boasts a 40x optical zoom covering 24-960 mm equivalent, whereas the Panasonic ZS80 sports a 30x zoom range from 24-720 mm.

• Maximum Aperture: Both start at f/3.3 wide open; however, Canon’s maximum aperture narrows to f/6.9 at telephoto versus Panasonic’s slightly brighter f/6.4.

• Macro Range: Canon impresses with a 1 cm minimum focusing distance versus Panasonic’s 3 cm, offering more creative close-up opportunities.

• Stabilization: Both have optical image stabilization systems assisting in hand-held sharpness at extended zoom lengths, but Panasonic benefits from newer generation stabilization coupled with sensor-shift features.

For wildlife or sports enthusiasts craving maximum reach, Canon delivers extra zoom power. Meanwhile, Panasonic sacrifices some maximum reach for slightly better low-light aperture, stabilization, and macro ability.

Autofocus System: Tracking Your Subject with Precision

AF performance can make or break spur-of-the-moment shots.

While both offer continuous and tracking AF modes, Panasonic’s touch-to-focus and extensive focus bracketing/stacking support expands creative possibilities, especially for macro and landscape shooters demanding precision.

Our hands-on tests showed Panasonic’s AF to be faster and more responsive, particularly in low light and complex scenes. Canon’s AF performance remains decent for casual use but can occasionally hunt in dimmer environments.

User Interface and LCD Screen: Visibility and Touch Experience

The cameras diverge sharply here:

• Canon’s fixed 3.0-inch LCD (922k dots) is clear but lacks touch or articulation, limiting shooting angles, which affects flexibility in video and tripod setups.

• Panasonic’s tilting 3.0-inch touchscreen (1040k dots) elevates shooting comfort, especially for self-portrait framing and overhead shots - critical features for vloggers and social media creators.

The inclusion of touch live view AF and customizable touch shutter on the ZS80 also means faster workflows, which reduce missed moments.

Video Capabilities: Stepping up the Content Creation Game

Video specs become increasingly important in hybrid still/video cameras:

• Canon SX720 HS:

  • Max resolution: Full HD 1080p at 60fps
  • Formats: MPEG-4, H.264
  • No 4K support
  • No microphone or headphone ports
  • No advanced stabilization modes tailored for video

• Panasonic ZS80:

  • Max resolution: 4K UHD 2160p at 30fps
  • Also supports Full HD 60fps and HD modes
  • 4K photo modes for quick high-res still extraction
  • No external mic or headphone ports; offers basic onboard audio
  • Optical stabilization optimized for video movement

Panasonic’s addition of 4K video recording and 4K photo mode makes it a standout for vloggers and casual filmmakers. The Canon’s video features remain basic but sufficient for casual use.

Battery Life and Storage: How Long Can You Shoot?

With any travel-ready superzoom, endurance matters.

On paper and in field, Panasonic’s longer battery life (approximately 50% more shots) allows extended outings without carrying spares. High-bitrate 4K video will reduce this, but the Panasonic still leads in power efficiency.

Both cameras use standard SD cards, with Panasonic benefiting from UHS-I support that enhances write speeds - a bonus for 4K video and continuous bursts.

Canon SX720 HS front Canon SX720 HS screen back Panasonic ZS80 front Panasonic ZS80 screen back

Specialty Photography: Which Excels at Each Genre?

We’ve evaluated both models across major photography types and distilled how their features match user needs.

Technical Deep Dive: Sensor Processing and Autofocus Algorithms

Looking under the hood - our tests using X-Rite color charts and controlled conditions reveal:

• The Venus Engine in Panasonic ZS80 processes high-ISO images with cleaner noise reduction algorithms and maintains sharpness better than Canon’s DIGIC 6 in SX720 HS, particularly in shadows.

• The Canon Contrast-AF system shows occasional lag in continuous tracking compared to Panasonic’s more advanced implementation. This means in fast-action scenes, Panasonic holds focus steadier.

• Both cameras utilize optical image stabilization with lens-shift components, but Panasonic’s newer system combines sensor-shift and lens-shift stabilization, delivering up to 4 stops shutter speed advantage.

• Neither camera supports phase-detection AF, a limitation typical of smaller sensors that affects tracking in erratic motion scenarios.

Connectivity and Additional Features: Wireless, Timelapse, and More

Connectivity options can impact your workflow and sharing:

Panasonic’s newer design incorporates Bluetooth and timelapse recording, giving added creative control. Canon’s NFC simplifies initial pairing but Bluetooth offers more stable connections for remote operation and geolocation tagging via smartphone.

Pricing and Value for Money

Current market price (as of mid-2024):

• Canon SX720 HS: Approximately $379
• Panasonic ZS80: Approximately $448

While Panasonic is more expensive, it justifies the premium with richer features - notably EVF, 4K video, RAW support, longer battery life, and superior autofocus. Canon remains attractive for budget-conscious buyers prioritizing zoom reach and compactness.

Hands-on Recommendations: Who Should Choose Which?

Choose the Canon PowerShot SX720 HS if you:

• Want the longest zoom reach in a smaller, lighter package
• Shoot mostly JPEGs and want straightforward operation
• Need quick, no-fuss travel and street photography with ease
• Are budget-conscious but want a reliable superzoom compact

Choose the Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS80 if you:

• Require 4K video and 4K photo mode for multiplatform content
• Value fast, precise autofocus with touch controls and EVF
• Shoot RAW and want more creative control with bracketing and stacking
• Need longer battery life and more robust ergonomics for extended use
• Enjoy macro photography and timelapse features

Final Thoughts: Small Sensor Superzoom Showdown

Both Canon SX720 HS and Panasonic ZS80 deliver commendable small sensor superzoom experiences, each with distinct strengths fitting different users:

• Canon SX720 HS is a compact powerhouse for casual shooters craving maximum zoom in a pocket. Its simplicity and solid image quality resonate well for travel and everyday shooting without overcomplication.

• Panasonic ZS80 moves beyond compact convenience, offering hybrid video/still prowess, superior controls, and creative features more suited to enthusiasts and emerging professionals. Its 4K capabilities and touch/E VF inclusion make it particularly appealing for content creators.

No matter your photography goals, testing these cameras firsthand when possible will give you the tactile sense and interface experience that ultimately matters most. Both models provide entry points to explore photography creatively, and investing in complementary accessories - extra batteries, quality SD cards, protective cases - will further elevate your image-making journey.

Happy shooting!

Please feel free to ask if you want sample RAW files, detailed test images, or accessory recommendations for these cameras. We’re here to guide you to your perfect photographic companion.