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Panasonic ZS80 vs Sony A9

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
70
Overall
56
Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS80 front
 
Sony Alpha A9 front
Portability
65
Imaging
73
Features
93
Overall
81

Panasonic ZS80 vs Sony A9 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS80
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200 (Increase to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 327g - 112 x 69 x 42mm
  • Announced February 2018
  • Other Name is Lumix DC-TZ95
  • Superseded the Panasonic ZS70
Sony A9
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Raise to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 673g - 127 x 96 x 63mm
  • Revealed April 2017
  • Renewed by Sony A9 II
Photography Glossary

Panasonic ZS80 vs Sony A9 Overview

Here, we will be contrasting the Panasonic ZS80 vs Sony A9, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by rivals Panasonic and Sony. The sensor resolution of the ZS80 (20MP) and the A9 (24MP) is pretty close but the ZS80 (1/2.3") and A9 (Full frame) offer different sensor measurements.

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The ZS80 was revealed 11 months after the A9 and they are of a similar age. The two cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic ZS80 being a Compact camera and the Sony A9 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting straight to a complete comparison, here is a short highlight of how the ZS80 scores versus the A9 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS80 over the Sony A9

 ZS80 A9 
RevealedFebruary 2018April 2017More modern by 11 months
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Sony A9 over the Panasonic ZS80

 A9 ZS80 
Screen resolution1440k1040kSharper screen (+400k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS80 and Sony A9

 ZS80 A9 
Manually focus More precise focus
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurements
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Panasonic ZS80 vs Sony A9 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you should think about its weight and measurements. The Panasonic ZS80 has got physical dimensions of 112mm x 69mm x 42mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.7") along with a weight of 327 grams (0.72 lbs) whilst the Sony A9 has proportions of 127mm x 96mm x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") along with a weight of 673 grams (1.48 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic ZS80 vs Sony A9 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are using at that time. Following is a front view size comparison of the ZS80 vs the A9.

Panasonic ZS80 vs Sony A9 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the ZS80 and A9 is 86 and 65 respectively.

Panasonic ZS80 vs Sony A9 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS80 vs Sony A9 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is difficult to imagine the gap in sensor sizes only by looking through specs. The picture underneath will help offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the ZS80 and A9.

All in all, both of the cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The ZS80 with its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF more challenging and the Sony A9 will render more detail because of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The more modern ZS80 should have an advantage in sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS80 vs Sony A9 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS80 vs Sony A9 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS80 vs Sony A9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS80 Portrait photography information
Sony A9 Portrait photography information
54
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
offers face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
83
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
offers face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic ZS80
Street photography with Sony A9
75
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
offers touch focus
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
79
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
comes with focus by touch
environment proof
above average high ISO (51,200)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS80 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A9 as a Sports photography camera
61
amazing zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
silent shutter (1/16,000s)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
offers tracking autofocus
good battery life (380 CIPA)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
86
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
silent shutter (1/32,000 seconds)
max fps high (20.0 frames per second)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
offers tracking autofocus
environment proof
good battery life (650 shots)
comes with phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS80 Travel photography highlights
Sony A9 Travel photography highlights
79
good battery life (380 per charge)
supports bluetooth
offers touch focus
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
really wide (24mm)
great reach (720mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
73
good battery life (650 CIPA)
environment proof
has bluetooth
comes with focus by touch
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS80 Landscape photography highlights
Sony A9 Landscape photography highlights
62
you can focus manually
really wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
delivers RAW formats
good battery life (380 per charge)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
85
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
above average high ISO (51,200)
delivers RAW formats
environment proof
good battery life (650 per charge)
two card slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic ZS80
Vlogging with Sony A9
73
really wide (24mm)
selfie friendly display
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection autofocus
great video quality (3840 x 2160 pixels)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
no external mic port
36
touchscreen enabled
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detection focus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
does have external microphone socket
does not offer selfie friendly screen
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Panasonic ZS80 vs Sony A9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS80 and Sony A9
 Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS80Sony Alpha A9
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS80 Sony Alpha A9
Otherwise known as Lumix DC-TZ95 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Pro Mirrorless
Announced 2018-02-18 2017-04-19
Physical type Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine BIONZ X
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 24MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 5184 x 3888 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 3200 51200
Maximum enhanced ISO 6400 204800
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Min enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points - 693
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 24-720mm (30.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.3-6.4 -
Macro focusing range 3cm -
Number of lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1
Screen
Screen type Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 1,040k dots 1,440k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,330k dots 3,686k dots
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x 0.78x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Fastest silent shutter speed 1/16000 seconds 1/32000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames/s 20.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.60 m (with Auto ISO) no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync/Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 (30p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) -
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 3840x2160
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 327 grams (0.72 pounds) 673 grams (1.48 pounds)
Physical dimensions 112 x 69 x 42mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.7") 127 x 96 x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 92
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 24.9
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.3
DXO Low light rating not tested 3517
Other
Battery life 380 pictures 650 pictures
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I supported) Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible)
Card slots One Two
Launch price $448 $4,498