Panasonic ZS80 vs Samsung HZ50W

Here, we will be looking at the Panasonic ZS80 and Samsung HZ50W, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Panasonic and Samsung. There exists a sizeable gap among the image resolutions of the ZS80 (20MP) and HZ50W (14MP) but both cameras boast the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

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The ZS80 was revealed 7 years later than the HZ50W and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic ZS80 being a Compact camera and the Samsung HZ50W being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before going straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a quick summary of how the ZS80 matches up against the HZ50W in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS80 and Samsung HZ50W. The full galleries are available at Panasonic ZS80 Gallery and Samsung HZ50W Gallery.

In case you're planning to lug around your camera regularly, you are going to need to factor its weight and proportions. The Panasonic ZS80 offers outer dimensions of 112mm x 69mm x 42mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 327 grams (0.72 lbs) and the Samsung HZ50W has measurements of 116mm x 83mm x 91mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.6") and a weight of 426 grams (0.94 lbs).

See the Panasonic ZS80 and Samsung HZ50W in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are working with during that time. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the ZS80 versus the HZ50W.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the ZS80 and HZ50W is 86 and 70 respectively.

Typically, it can be difficult to picture the gap in sensor measurements only by researching a spec sheet. The graphic below will help provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS80 and HZ50W.

Clearly, both of those cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different MP. You should count on the Panasonic ZS80 to render more detail because of its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The more recent ZS80 should have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.