Panasonic ZS80 vs Sony NEX-5N

Lets take a closer look at the Panasonic ZS80 vs Sony NEX-5N, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Panasonic and Sony. There is a big difference between the image resolutions of the ZS80 (20MP) and NEX-5N (16MP) and the ZS80 (1/2.3") and NEX-5N (APS-C) posses different sensor sizes.

Photography Glossary

The ZS80 was revealed 6 years after the NEX-5N which is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Panasonic ZS80 being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-5N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting right into a more detailed comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the ZS80 grades versus the NEX-5N in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS80 and Sony Alpha NEX-5N. The full galleries are available at Panasonic ZS80 Gallery and Sony NEX-5N Gallery.

In case you're intending to travel with your camera, you will have to consider its weight and measurements. The Panasonic ZS80 offers external dimensions of 112mm x 69mm x 42mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.7") with a weight of 327 grams (0.72 lbs) and the Sony NEX-5N has proportions of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Check the Panasonic ZS80 vs Sony NEX-5N in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have at that time. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the ZS80 compared to the NEX-5N.

Using size and weight, the portability score of the ZS80 and NEX-5N is 86 and 89 respectively.

Oftentimes, it is very difficult to imagine the contrast between sensor dimensions just by reviewing a spec sheet. The pic here may provide you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS80 and NEX-5N.

As you can see, both of the cameras have different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The ZS80 using its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field tougher and the Panasonic ZS80 will offer extra detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos a bit more aggressively. The fresher ZS80 provides an edge when it comes to sensor tech.