Fujifilm S9800 vs Panasonic FZ80

Its time to look closer at the Fujifilm S9800 and Panasonic FZ80, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by companies FujiFilm and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the Fujifilm S9800 (16MP) and the FZ80 (18MP) is pretty close and both cameras posses the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The Fujifilm S9800 was unveiled 24 months before the FZ80 which makes them a generation apart from each other. Both of the cameras have the same body design (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before getting right into a in-depth comparison, here is a concise summary of how the Fujifilm S9800 grades vs the FZ80 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Here is a preview of the gallery images for Fujifilm S9800 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ80. The full galleries are viewable at Fujifilm S9800 Gallery and Panasonic FZ80 Gallery.

For those who are planning to lug around your camera often, you have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Fujifilm S9800 features physical measurements of 123mm x 87mm x 116mm (4.8" x 3.4" x 4.6") having a weight of 670 grams (1.48 lbs) while the Panasonic FZ80 has dimensions of 130mm x 94mm x 119mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 4.7") and a weight of 616 grams (1.36 lbs).

See the Fujifilm S9800 and Panasonic FZ80 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have attached at that time. The following is a front view dimension comparison of the Fujifilm S9800 and the FZ80.

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the Fujifilm S9800 and FZ80 is 61 and 63 respectively.

Oftentimes, it is very difficult to visualise the difference in sensor measurements merely by researching specs. The visual here may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the Fujifilm S9800 and FZ80.

All in all, each of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same resolution. You should expect the Panasonic FZ80 to result in extra detail having an extra 2MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The older Fujifilm S9800 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.