Panasonic ZS80 vs Sony HX7V: An Expert’s Hands-On Comparison for Enthusiasts and Pros

Selecting the right compact camera can feel like navigating a jungle of specs, marketing hype, and conflicting opinions. Having tested thousands of cameras over my 15+ years reviewing gear, I know the frustration of sorting out real-world usability from spec sheets alone. Today, I’m diving deep into two small sensor superzoom compacts from different eras: the Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS80 (aka Lumix DC-TZ95) - released in 2018 - and the older but still intriguing Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX7V, a 2011 model.

Both these cameras target casual shooters and enthusiasts looking for an all-in-one combo of zoom reach and portability, without carrying hefty lenses or breaking the bank. But don’t be fooled by their size - these little clubs pack some serious features worth comparing.

Here’s my no-fluff, hands-on tale of what you really get, how they feel in your hands, perform in various photography scenarios, and where each shines or stumbles. Dan, the cheapskate photography friend in me, will also dish on long term value and who each camera suits best.

Size and Handling: How Do They Feel When You Actually Shoot?

Let’s kick off at the very first contact point - how these cameras handle and feel. If you’re carting a compact for street strolls or travel, ergonomics can make or break your photo walk.

The Panasonic ZS80 is noticeably chunkier, measuring 112 x 69 x 42 mm and weighing 327g. This might sound heavy for a compact, but the extra heft comes with a grip that genuinely helps stability during zoom or in shaky light. The control layout is thoughtful - scroll wheels, intuitive buttons, and a tilting touchscreen (big win for composing shots at odd angles or selfies).

The Sony HX7V, by contrast, is svelte and pocket-friendlier at 102 x 58 x 29 mm and 208g. It’s a classic candy-bar compact you can slip into smaller bags or coat pockets without feeling weighed down. However, it has a fixed, non-touchscreen LCD and fewer dedicated control dials - it’s a simpler, less “clubman” experience. You won’t get much in the way of customizable buttons or shooting flexibility, but it’s unintrusive.

Ergonomically, I give the edge to the Panasonic ZS80 for comfortable grip during extended shooting and control versatility. But if ultra-portability rules your shooting lifestyle, the Sony wins hands-down.

Design and Controls: The Battle of Button Clubs

Looking under the hood of design:

The ZS80’s top deck is busier and more modern, complete with mode dials, shooting mode selector, dedicated video record button, and an exposure compensation dial. This lets you be nimble and creative without diving into menus - especially handy for enthusiast users who want thumb club controls at the ready.

The HX7V sacrifices flexibility for simplicity. You get fewer dials, and the menu-driven interface slows down accessing exposure compensation or creative modes. No manual exposure or aperture priority, which will irk more serious shooters used to clubs for precise adjustments.

For hands-on shooting plus quick tweaks, the ZS80’s control scheme delivers better real-world utility. The Sony is best if you want point-and-shoot simplicity.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Newer vs Classic Technology

Both use 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS sensors - quite small by today’s standards, but standard in this class.

• Panasonic ZS80 Sensor: 20MP effective resolution with a 5.8x crop factor multiplier. It supports RAW and max ISO 6400 boosted.
• Sony HX7V Sensor: 16MP resolution. No RAW support, max ISO 3200.

Though the sensors share size, Panasonic’s 2018 model unsurprisingly benefits from newer sensor technology and its Venus Engine processor, yielding cleaner images at higher ISOs and better dynamic range.

In daylight and well-lit scenarios, both cameras shoot sharp, usable photos suitable for web and prints up to 8x10 inches. Yet in low light, the ZS80 pulls ahead - I tested night street scenes around ISO 1600 and saw less noise and better preservation of shadow detail.

The Sony HX7V struggles at elevated ISOs: images get grainy and lose fine texture quickly beyond ISO 400-800. No RAW means less room for recovery in post.

On colors, Panasonic’s images lean more natural and accurate, with pleasant skin tones - crucial for portraiture - whereas Sony’s photos sometimes appear slightly muted out of camera.

LCD and Viewfinder: Seeing What You Shoot Matters

Each camera sports a 3-inch LCD, but size and functionality vary:

The Panasonic ZS80 has a high-resolution (1040k dots) tilting touchscreen LCD - a huge convenience when composing tricky angles or shooting street candids discreetly. Touch control makes AF point selection and menu navigation much faster.

Sony HX7V offers a fixed, non-touch “XtraFine LCD” with 921k dots, which is bright and reasonably sharp but less flexible. What’s missing is any electronic viewfinder (EVF), which Panasonic includes (albeit a modest one). For bright outdoor shooting, having that EVF to shield glare is a real plus.

Ergonomically, Panasonic wins here again by a good margin. The HX7V is barebones but workable if you don’t mind shooting from the hip or using the LCD only.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Trusting Your Gear to Get the Shot

Fast and reliable autofocus (AF) is a must-have for any action or wildlife shooter.

• Panasonic ZS80 uses contrast-detection AF with face and eye detection, continuous AF, tracking, and selectable AF points.
• Sony HX7V features contrast-detection AF with 9 fixed points but no face or eye detection.

In my testing shooting birds and street subjects in good light, Panasonic’s AF felt notably quicker and more reliable at locking focus - especially thanks to face and eye detect helping with portraits. Also, continuous AF makes action shots more forgiving.

Sony’s AF often hunts a bit longer, particularly in low contrast or low light. No continuous AF or eye detection makes it less suitable for active subjects or sports.

Continuous burst rates are identical at 10 fps, but Panasonic’s buffer handles more frames before slowing down.

Lens and Zoom Performance: Reaching Farther and Shooting Closer

This is where these cameras’ personalities change considerably.

• Panasonic ZS80: 24-720mm equivalent (30x optical zoom), f/3.3 to f/6.4 aperture.
• Sony HX7V: 25-250mm equivalent (10x optical zoom), f/3.5 to f/5.5 aperture.

If you crave reach, the ZS80’s 30x zoom lets you get super-telephoto shots without swapping lenses or lugging extra gear - great for travel, wildlife, or sports.

Sony’s 10x zoom is shorter but still decent for everyday versatility.

At the wide-angle end, both cameras handle landscapes and interiors well, but Panasonic’s slightly wider 24mm equivalent offers more expansive framing.

Close-up / macro performance is better on Panasonic - it focuses as close as 3cm for good macro shots; Sony’s macro focusing distance is unspecified and less refined.

However, image quality at the longest zoom of the ZS80 suffers some softness and chromatic aberration - typical for extreme superzoom lenses. Sony’s shorter zoom yields crisper telephoto images.

Photo Specialties: Which Shines Where?

Now to how these cameras perform across photography genres.

Portrait Photography

• Panasonic’s face and eye detection AF system helps nail focus on the eyes, essential for flattering portraits.
• 30x zoom with f/3.3-6.4 aperture means you can softly separate foreground from a busy background, though not as pleasing bokeh as larger sensor cameras.
• Sony lacks face detect AF and has slower focusing, limiting candid portrait work.
• Skin tones on Panasonic look more natural - a perceptible plus.

Landscape Photography

• Both cameras offer wide-angle coverage suitable for landscapes, but Panasonic’s slightly wider 24mm lens gives an edge.
• The ZS80’s superior sensor dynamic range helps retain shadow and highlight details in challenging lighting.
• Neither has weather sealing, so be mindful of shooting conditions.
• Higher resolution on Panasonic (20MP vs 16MP) also provides more cropping options.

Wildlife Photography

• Panasonic’s longer 30x zoom reaching 720mm equivalent is by far the better bet here.
• Faster and more accurate AF with tracking supports shooting animals in motion.
• Sony’s shorter 10x zoom limits framing flexibility, and slower focus makes wildlife shooting frustrating.

Sports Photography

• The 10 fps burst on both is decent for casual sports.
• Panasonic’s continuous AF and better tracking is more effective on moving subjects.
• Sony's lack of continuous AF might cause missed shots in active scenes.

Street Photography

• Sony’s small size and quiet operation suit discreet street shooting.
• Panasonic is bulkier, which might draw attention.
• However, Panasonic’s tilting touch LCD and faster AF can help in dynamic urban environments.
• Panasonic has a higher max shutter speed (1/16000s silent shutter), enabling shooting at wide apertures even in bright sun - a cool feature for street shooters wanting shallow depth of field.

Macro Photography

• Panasonic’s 3cm macro focus distance and focus stacking features give it a clear macro edge.
• Sony’s macro capabilities are minimal.

Night and Astro Photography

• Panasonic’s better noise handling above ISO 800 and manual exposure modes help shooting stars or night scenes.
• Sony’s ISO performance limits its ability here, and no manual exposure mode reduces creative control.

Video Capabilities

• Panasonic supports 4K UHD video at 30p, plus 4K photo mode that lets you extract high-res stills from video - handy for fast action.
• Sony offers 1080p Full HD at 60fps but no 4K.
• Neither has mic or headphone jacks for serious audio work.
• Panasonic’s 5-axis optical image stabilization aids smoother handheld video.

Travel Photography

• Panasonic’s versatility, long zoom, tilting touchscreen, and built-in EVF make it a robust all-rounder for travel.
• Sony’s smaller size and decent zoom make it lighter, but limited features and weaker AF could frustrate on longer trips.

Professional Work

• Neither camera is suited for professional commercial work due to small sensor limitations and no full manual controls on the Sony.
• Panasonic’s RAW support and manual exposure options make it better for semi-pros or serious enthusiasts.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance: Toughness Factor

Neither camera offers weather sealing, dustproofing, or freezeproofing. Expect to treat both as not quite rugged - good for everyday grab-and-go but not extreme conditions.

Panasonic’s build feels more resilient in hand with a solid plastic chassis and a grip, while Sony’s HX7V feels more plasticky and less substantial.

Battery Life and Storage: How Long Can You Shoot?

• Panasonic ZS80 rated at approximately 380 shots per charge - average for a compact.
• Sony HX7V battery life is unspecified, but the smaller battery size suggests fewer shots per charge.
• Both accept SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, with the Sony also supporting Memory Stick formats.
• Panasonic supports UHS-I SD cards for faster write speeds, beneficial for 4K video and burst shooting.

Connectivity and Extras: Wireless and More

• Panasonic ZS80 offers built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for easy image transfer and remote control via smartphone.
• Sony HX7V’s wireless connectivity is limited to Eye-Fi for wireless SD card options; no native Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
• Both cameras have HDMI output and USB 2.0, but Panasonic’s newer interface is more reliable and widely compatible.

Price and Value: Budget-Conscious Verdict

As of mid-2024:

• Panasonic ZS80 typically retails under $450, often available refurbished or used closer to $300.
• Sony HX7V is roughly $500 and less common new, found mainly used or from third-party sellers.

Despite its age, Sony holds value for cheapskates wanting a compact hardwood classic, but Panasonic delivers more bang for your buck by modern standards - newer tech, higher resolution, more features.

Quick Takeaway Snapshot

Panasonic ZS80 front Panasonic ZS80 screen back Sony HX7V front Sony HX7V screen back

Wrapping Up With Recommendations

Who Should Buy the Panasonic ZS80?

• Enthusiasts and content creators seeking versatile zoom reach (30x) for travel, wildlife, landscapes, and street shooting.
• Those who want flexible exposure control (manual, aperture priority, shutter priority).
• Photographers valuing face and eye detection AF, RAW shooting, and 4K video.
• Users looking for a modern interface with touchscreen, built-in EVF, and wireless transfer.
• Hobbyists on a modest budget willing to sacrifice ultimate portability for all-around performance.

Who Might Still Consider the Sony HX7V?

• Beginners or casual shooters seeking a compact point-and-shoot for snapshots and travel.
• Users prioritizing size, weight, and simplicity over advanced features.
• Shooters who don't mind limited zoom reach and slower autofocus.
• Those with a soft spot for the classic Sony style and simpler user interface.
• Cheapskates or collectors on a tight budget who find this model at a great secondhand price.

Final Thoughts: One Camera Moves The Club; The Other Holds the Bench

Having spent quality time with both cameras, the Panasonic ZS80 is the clear winner in 2024 for most photography needs. It blends modern sensor tech, a versatile zoom lens, thoughtful controls, and video features that easily outclass the aging Sony HX7V.

That said, if you just want pocket portability and an uncomplicated point-and-shoot, Sony's HX7V can still serve as a faithful companion - just don’t expect used gear to keep up with today’s growing creative demands.

Whether you’re upgrading from a smartphone or seeking a secondary travel zoom, the Panasonic ZS80 offers a tremendously balanced package without breaking the bank, making it my recommendation for enthusiasts and entry-level pros alike.

If you have any questions or want tips on getting the most from these cameras, drop a line below. I’m always happy to share more from the trenches of camera testing!