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Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic FZ80

Portability
74
Imaging
68
Features
84
Overall
74
Nikon Z50 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ80 front
Portability
63
Imaging
44
Features
62
Overall
51

Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic FZ80 Key Specs

Nikon Z50
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Increase to 204800)
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 397g - 127 x 94 x 60mm
  • Released October 2019
Panasonic FZ80
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200 (Push to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 20-1200mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 616g - 130 x 94 x 119mm
  • Introduced January 2017
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-FZ82
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Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic FZ80 Overview

Below, we will be evaluating the Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic FZ80, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Nikon and Panasonic. The resolution of the Z50 (21MP) and the FZ80 (18MP) is relatively close but the Z50 (APS-C) and FZ80 (1/2.3") enjoy totally different sensor sizes.

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The Z50 was introduced 2 years after the FZ80 which is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Nikon Z50 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FZ80 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before we go through a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the Z50 scores versus the FZ80 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z50 over the Panasonic FZ80

 Z50 FZ80 
IntroducedOctober 2019January 2017Newer by 34 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimension3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ80 over the Nikon Z50

 FZ80 Z50 

Common features in the Nikon Z50 and Panasonic FZ80

 Z50 FZ80 
Manually focus More accurate focus
Screen resolution1040k1040kEqual screen resolution
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic FZ80 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to travel with your camera frequently, you should factor in its weight and proportions. The Nikon Z50 enjoys outside measurements of 127mm x 94mm x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") accompanied by a weight of 397 grams (0.88 lbs) and the Panasonic FZ80 has measurements of 130mm x 94mm x 119mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 4.7") with a weight of 616 grams (1.36 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic FZ80 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have at that time. Below is the front view measurements comparison of the Z50 against the FZ80.

Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic FZ80 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the Z50 and FZ80 is 74 and 63 respectively.

Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic FZ80 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic FZ80 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very difficult to envision the contrast in sensor dimensions purely by researching specs. The picture below will offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the Z50 and FZ80.

As you can plainly see, both of the cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The Z50 using its bigger sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field simpler and the Nikon Z50 will render more detail using its extra 3 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The fresher Z50 will have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic FZ80 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic FZ80 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic FZ80 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z50 Portrait photography details
Panasonic FZ80 Portrait photography details
80
manual focus
good MP (21MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
includes face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
58
you can focus manually
MP count good (18 megapixels)
comes with face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
sensor is small (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z50 Street photography highlights
Panasonic FZ80 Street photography highlights
73
has a tilting screen
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
comes with touch focus
environment proof
good ISO range (51,200)
does not have image stabilization
heavier than competition (397g)
54
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
has focus by touch
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
heavier than average (616g)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z50 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic FZ80 as a Sports photography camera
75
good MP (21MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
environment proof
comes with phase detect autofocus
does not have image stabilization
57
long zoom range (20-1200mm 60.0 x zoom)
quiet shutter (1/16,000s)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (18 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z50 Travel photography info
Panasonic FZ80 Travel photography info
77
environment proof
has bluetooth
comes with touch focus
good MP (21 megapixels)
built-in flash
selfie friendly display
heavier than competition (397g)
59
has focus by touch
MP count good (18 megapixels)
has built in flash
quite wide (20mm)
long reach (1200mm)
heavier than average (616g)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z50 Landscape photography information
Panasonic FZ80 Landscape photography information
79
manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon Z mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inches)
good MP (21 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
good ISO range (51,200)
delivers RAW formats
environment proof
does not have image stabilization
57
you can focus manually
quite wide (20mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (18MP)
delivers RAW formats
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z50 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic FZ80 Vlogging highlights
71
selfie friendly display
touchscreen enabled
includes face detect autofocus
good video quality (3840 x 2160 resolution)
does have mic jack
does not have image stabilization
heavier than competition (397g)
28
quite wide (20mm)
touchscreen functionality
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focus
high res video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of mic support
heavier than average (616 grams)
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Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic FZ80 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z50 and Panasonic FZ80
 Nikon Z50Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ80
General Information
Company Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Z50 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ80
Also called - Lumix DMC-FZ82
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2019-10-10 2017-01-04
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed 6 Venus Engine
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 369.0mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 21MP 18MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3
Max resolution 5568 x 3712 4896 x 3672
Max native ISO 51200 3200
Max enhanced ISO 204800 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 209 49
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon Z fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 20-1200mm (60.0x)
Highest aperture - f/2.8-5.9
Macro focusing range - 1cm
Available lenses 15 -
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3.2 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 1,040k dots 1,040k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots 1,166k dots
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.46x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Fastest quiet shutter speed - 1/16000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 11.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 7.00 m (at ISO 100) 14.10 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash modes - Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync/Red-eye Reduction, 1st Curtain Sync, 2nd Curtain Sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 28 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC
Max video resolution 3840x2160 3840x2160
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 397 grams (0.88 lb) 616 grams (1.36 lb)
Dimensions 127 x 94 x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") 130 x 94 x 119mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 4.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 320 images 330 images
Battery style Built-in Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL25 -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 secs, 3 images x 10 secs)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported) SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Card slots Single Single
Price at release $857 $399