Fujifilm SL300 vs Panasonic ZS80: The Definitive Small Sensor Superzoom Face-Off

When it comes to high-zoom compact cameras, the Fujifilm SL300 and Panasonic ZS80 stand out as worthy contenders despite their six-year gap in release dates. Both pack a hefty 30x zoom range covering an impressive 24-720mm equivalent focal length, aimed at enthusiasts craving versatility in one go-anywhere package. But which camera truly delivers more bang for your buck? And for that matter, which is better suited for today’s diverse photography demands?

Having extensively handled both models across a variety of photographic genres and real-world shooting scenarios, I’ll unpack their strengths and weaknesses with the technical precision and practical insights that only hands-on experience brings. Along the way, I’ll share image quality tests, performance benchmarks, and use-case recommendations to help you decide if the SL300’s seasoned reliability or the ZS80’s modern features fit your photographic style better.

Let’s begin with the fundamentals.

A Tale of Two Bodies: Ergonomics and Design That Matter

Right out of the gate, you notice a clear difference in design philosophy. The Fujifilm SL300 adopts a bridge-style SLR-like body, heavier and chunkier at 510 grams and measuring roughly 122x93x100mm. It has a grip that fits well in larger hands and channels the old-school DSLR user with its deeper body and heft. Conversely, the Panasonic ZS80 is a more compact and pocket-friendlier marvel, weighing just 327 grams with a notably slimmer profile of 112x69x42mm.

For photographers obsessed with portability - street shooters or travelers who want to pack light - the ZS80 is the clear winner here. It slips into bags easier and is less conspicuous on the streets. Yet, if you prefer a more solid grip with robust controls (more on that soon), the Fujifilm’s bulk works in your favor.

Under the Hood: Sensor and Image Quality Showdown

Despite sharing the same sensor size - a tiny 1/2.3” chip measuring 6.17x4.55 mm - the two cameras approach image quality from very different technical generations.

• Fujifilm SL300: Employs a 14MP CCD sensor. These sensors, while historically good at color rendition, tend to lag behind in noise handling and high ISO performance due to their older technology and design.
• Panasonic ZS80: Packs a newer 20MP BSI-CMOS sensor. The backside illuminated architecture significantly improves light-gathering efficiency, mitigating noise at higher ISO levels.

In practical terms, what does this mean for you? The ZS80’s sensor delivers cleaner images at ISO 800 and beyond, vital for night scenes or indoor shooting. Plus, it grants higher resolution at 20 megapixels compared to 14 on the SL300, allowing for bigger prints and more cropping flexibility.

Don’t expect RAW output from the SL300 - a limitation for fine-tuning your images in post. The ZS80, however, supports RAW, which opens doors for enthusiasts who want more control over processing without resorting to JPEG’s compression.

Display and User Interface: How Do You Like to Frame the World?

Both cameras offer a 3-inch rear screen, but their usability differs vastly:

• Fujifilm SL300: Fixed TFT LCD with a modest 460k dots resolution. The screen lacks touchscreen functionality and doesn’t articulate, limiting your framing options. This makes it difficult to shoot from awkward angles - a notable disadvantage for macro or creative compositions.
• Panasonic ZS80: Delivers a higher-resolution 1040k dot tilting touchscreen, perfect for waist-level shooting or selfies. The touchscreen interface smooths navigation through menus and enables touch focus, enhancing ease-of-use during fast-moving moments.

Moreover, while the SL300 provides an electronic viewfinder (with reportedly 97% coverage), the ZS80 sports a much sharper EVF with 2,330k dots and full 100% coverage. This difference dramatically improves manual focusing, composition accuracy, and clarity when shooting in bright light where LCD reflections are problematic.

Handling Controls and Workflow: The Photographer’s Playground

When shooting seriously, control layout and tactile feedback matter more than specs on a sheet. The Fujifilm SL300 embraces traditional dials and a shutter speed/picture mode dial combined with physical buttons that are easy to locate without looking. However, it surprisingly lacks touchscreen AF and dynamic customizable buttons, something expected from a bridge camera.

Panasonic’s ZS80 opts for a more modern approach - fully touchscreen-enabled menus and AF, manual focus with focus peaking, and a dedicated Fn button to quickly adjust settings. Continuous autofocus and burst shooting at 10fps outpace the SL300’s paltry 1fps, a critical advantage for fast action photography.

Overall, the SL300 caters better to those preferring physical feedback and less menu digging, while the ZS80 suits users who appreciate touchscreen agility and faster operation.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Capturing The Decisive Moment

Autofocus performance often makes or breaks a shooting session. The SL300 uses contrast-detection AF with face detection but offers limited focus point selection and no phase detection. Its one-frame-per-second continuous shooting is also quite limiting, especially if you want to capture wildlife or sports.

The ZS80, on the other hand, features more advanced contrast-detection AF with options for face and eye detection, touch focus, and selective AF areas. It shoots up to 10fps continuous, giving you a far better chance of nailing fleeting moments.

While neither camera is tailored for pro-level sports or wildlife, the Panasonic’s system is notably more responsive and reliable in tracking subjects, especially under decent lighting.

Lens and Zoom Capabilities: Same Range, Different Experience

Both cameras share the exact zoom range: 24-720 mm equivalent, a 30x optical zoom providing exceptional versatility from wide landscapes to distant subjects. However, their apertures slightly differ: F3.1-5.9 on the SL300 versus F3.3-6.4 on the ZS80. The SL300 maintains a marginally wider aperture at the telephoto end, which can aid low light reach a bit.

Macro shooters should note the SL300’s minimum focus distance of just 2 cm, slightly closer than the ZS80’s 3 cm. Combined with sensor-shift image stabilization on the SL300 and optical on the ZS80, both cameras do a decent job containing shake, though the Panasonic’s stabilization is more advanced and delivers smoother results during video and telephoto shots.

Real-World Use Across Photography Genres

Here, I want to break down how each camera performs in specific photography types to help you match their capabilities to your priorities.

Portrait Photography

Both cameras use face detection AF and have built-in features to render skin tones pleasingly. The ZS80’s higher-resolution sensor and RAW support allow richer detail and more nuanced post-processing colors. The SL300’s bokeh is limited due to its small sensor, but the longer zoom can isolate subjects well in some conditions.

Still, for eye autofocus or precise face tracking, neither camera offers modern advanced AI-based systems seen in current mirrorless models. For casual portraits under good light, either can suffice, but I slightly prefer the ZS80’s accuracy and color control.

Landscape Photography

Landscape shooters demand dynamic range, resolution, and weather durability. Neither camera is weather-sealed, so careful handling is advised outdoors.

The ZS80’s higher 20MP resolution and better high ISO noise control give it an edge producing detailed, clean expansive shots even in tricky light. Its RAW files also offer more latitude.

SL300’s CCD can yield punchy colors but with less range and notable noise at ISO levels above 400. Dynamic range tests showed the ZS80 preserves shadows and highlights more naturally.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Thanks to 1fps shooting speed, the SL300 truly struggles here. Even with 30x zoom, it’s challenging to track fast-moving subjects or capture decisive moments. The Panasonic ZS80, delivering up to 10fps continuous shooting, however, becomes useful in these arenas.

While the small sensors mean limited depth-of-field control (less subject isolation), the ZS80’s autofocus tracking and faster burst rate better freeze action.

Street Photography

Portability, discretion, and quick autofocus are essential for street shooters. The ZS80’s compact body, silent electronic shutter (up to 1/16000s), and touchscreen autofocus make it discreet and efficient on urban streets.

The SL300’s bulk and slower AF make it less ideal here, though its electronic viewfinder can help with framing in daylight. The lack of a tilting or touch screen also hinders spontaneous shooting angles.

Macro Photography

Both cameras offer close focusing distances with respectable sharpness. The SL300’s 2 cm macro minimum focus distance allows you to get extremely close, but image quality softens in extreme close-ups due to sensor limitations.

The ZS80 counters with focus stacking and bracketing modes, helpful for enhancing macro depth of field - an impressive feature rare in this segment. Combined with touchscreen focus, it’s the more versatile macro machine.

Night and Astro Photography

For low-light and astrophotography, sensor performance and exposure flexibility matter most.

The SL300 maxes out at ISO 1600, amplified to 6400 artificially, but the resulting noise quickly becomes unacceptable. Also, it lacks manual exposure flexibility beyond basic modes.

ZS80 doubles native max ISO to 3200 with better noise control, offers electronic shutters up to 1/16000s, and features interval shooting modes ideal for timelapse or basic astro capture. Its ability to shoot RAW further enhances post-processing viability under challenging light.

Video Capabilities

Video on the SL300 is restricted to 720p at 30fps using H.264 or Motion JPEG formats. There’s no microphone input, headphone jack, or advanced stabilization beyond sensor-shift.

Panasonic’s ZS80 leaps ahead, delivering UHD 4K at 30fps and Full HD at 60fps with electronic stabilization. It supports 4K photo modes - useful for extracting still frames from video sequences - plus touch-focus tracking during recording.

While neither offers professional video inputs, the ZS80 is clearly the better hybrid shooter for casual videographers.

Travel Photography

For travel, size, battery life, and versatility are paramount.

The ZS80’s lighter weight and slim profile shine here. Its 380-shot battery life is respectable alongside UHS-I SD card speed support for faster file handling.

Although the SL300’s battery life isn’t far behind (300 shots), its heavier body and bulkier dimensions make it less comfortable for all-day carry.

Professional Workflows

If you’re a professional needing robust file formats, workflow integration, and reliability, neither camera is ideal due to sensor size and limited features.

However, the ZS80’s RAW support and Wi-Fi connectivity offer greater flexibility for quick sharing and post-processing. The SL300’s lack of RAW and wireless features sideline it here.

Technical Deep Dive: Build, Connectivity, and Power

Reviewing build quality, neither camera boasts environmental sealing or rugged protections like dustproofing or weather-sealing - common for this price and class.

The SL300, with a fixed lens and larger body, feels sturdier, albeit dated in ergonomics. The ZS80’s compact build intelligently balances durability with lightweight convenience.

On connectivity, Panasonic’s built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth facilitate image transfer and remote shooting - highly appreciated features for modern photographers constantly on the move. Fujifilm’s SL300 offers none of that, relying solely on physical USB 2.0 and HDMI outputs for data.

Both cameras use proprietary rechargeable battery packs but with modest capacities. The ZS80’s notably longer battery life partly owes to more efficient internals and processor optimizations.

Overall Performance and Value

In an industry-standard evaluation reflecting sensor, autofocus, ergonomics, and video capabilities, the Panasonic ZS80 consistently outperforms the Fujifilm SL300. Notably, the ZS80 scores higher for image quality, speed, and user interface. The SL300, by contrast, excels modestly in build robustness and optical zoom aperture at full telephoto.

Still, both cameras exist in a crowded superzoom niche, and price varies considerably: the SL300 can sometimes be found around $280 (used or new old stock), while the ZS80 retails nearer $450. Yes, you pay a premium for features and technology six years newer.

Specialized Performance Across Photography Genres

• Portraits: Panasonic wins with higher resolution and RAW files.
• Landscape: Panasonic’s sensor superiority enhances dynamic range.
• Wildlife/Sports: Panasonic’s faster AF and burst rate dominate.
• Street: Panasonic’s compact form and silent shutter excel.
• Macro: Panasonic’s focus stacking overtakes SL300.
• Night/Astro: Panasonic’s better ISO control and interval shooting impress.
• Video: Clearly, Panasonic delivers 4K and stabilized footage.
• Travel: Panasonic is lighter, more flexible, and offers connectivity.
• Professional Use: Panasonic’s RAW and wireless suit casual pro workflows.

Real-World Snapshot Comparison

Fujifilm SL300 front Fujifilm SL300 screen back Panasonic ZS80 front Panasonic ZS80 screen back

From my test shoots, the Panasonic ZS80 images reveal cleaner detail at longer zooms, punchier colors without oversaturation, and less noise in low light. The Fujifilm’s files feel softer and flatter, especially notable beyond ISO 800.

Portrait shots from the ZS80 show more natural skin tones and accurate exposure. Landscape captures from both are decent, but the Panasonic edges out with better edge-to-edge sharpness.

Video samples – Panasonic’s 4K footage is crisp and smooth, while the SL300’s 720p looks outdated.

So, Which One Should You Buy? Practical Recommendations

If budget is tight and you want a reliable superzoom with solid zoom reach for casual snapshots, the Fujifilm SL300 does the job - provided you’re willing to accept its limitations in speed, resolution, and modern conveniences. It’s a good starter camera or for those who prioritize simple point-and-shoot experience with a familiar DSLR style.

But if you seek a camera that can truly keep pace with versatile shooting demands, the Panasonic Lumix ZS80’s superior sensor, autofocus system, 4K video, and compact, travel-friendly design make it the more sensible choice. Enthusiasts who need higher image fidelity, flexibility with RAW files, and decent burst rates will appreciate it.

In Closing: From My Viewfinder to Yours

Having extensively used both in field tests and side-by-side comparisons, the conclusion is clear from my photography experience:

• The Panasonic ZS80 brings modern tech that greatly enhances image quality, speed, and user control without sacrificing zoom.
• The Fujifilm SL300 remains a charming bridge camera with excellent zoom reach but shows its age in sensor tech and shooting responsiveness.

Ultimately, your choice boils down to what you value more: a tried-and-tested simple superzoom or a newer machine ready for diverse creative challenges. Either way, both cameras demonstrate what small sensor superzooms can offer for photographers craving reach without the bulk of a DSLR.

Hope this detailed comparison helps clear the picture! For more hands-on insights, check my extended video reviews linked above, and as always, happy shooting.

If you found this comparison useful, do check out my other detailed camera reviews and sample galleries that dive deep into the latest gear from FujiFilm, Panasonic, Canon, Sony, and Nikon.

Safe travels and sharp clicks!