Clicky

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic ZS50

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
31
Overall
33
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 front
Portability
90
Imaging
37
Features
57
Overall
45

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic ZS50 Key Specs

Panasonic FX78
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.5-5.9) lens
  • 142g - 100 x 55 x 21mm
  • Released January 2011
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-FX77
Panasonic ZS50
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 243g - 111 x 65 x 34mm
  • Announced January 2015
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ70
  • Superseded the Panasonic ZS45
  • Successor is Panasonic ZS60
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic ZS50 Overview

Here, we are reviewing the Panasonic FX78 versus Panasonic ZS50, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are built by Panasonic. The resolution of the FX78 (12MP) and the ZS50 (12MP) is very similar and both cameras have the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

The FX78 was brought out 5 years before the ZS50 which is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the FX78 grades against the ZS50 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic FX78 over the Panasonic ZS50

 FX78 ZS50 
Display size3.5"3"Larger display (+0.5")
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS50 over the Panasonic FX78

 ZS50 FX78 
AnnouncedJanuary 2015January 2011More modern by 48 months
Manual focus More exact focusing
Display resolution1040k230kClearer display (+810k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FX78 and Panasonic ZS50

 FX78 ZS50 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic ZS50 Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry around your camera often, you'll need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Panasonic FX78 features physical dimensions of 100mm x 55mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") and a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS50 has measurements of 111mm x 65mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") along with a weight of 243 grams (0.54 lbs).

See the Panasonic FX78 versus Panasonic ZS50 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the FX78 and the ZS50.

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic ZS50 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the FX78 and ZS50 is 95 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic ZS50 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic ZS50 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its tough to picture the contrast between sensor sizes just by going over specs. The picture underneath may offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the FX78 and ZS50.

As you can plainly see, each of the cameras feature the identical sensor size and the exact same megapixels and you should expect similar quality of files however you will want to factor the production date of the products into consideration. The more aged FX78 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic ZS50 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic ZS50 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic ZS50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FX78 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic ZS50 Portrait photography factors
21
no manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
42
focusing manually
offers face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
external flash not possible
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Street Comparison

Panasonic FX78 Street photography advice
Panasonic ZS50 Street photography advice
57
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
68
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
lighter than competition (243 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic FX78
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS50
28
image stabilization (Optical)
includes tracking focus
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,400 seconds)
slow frames per second (4.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
low battery pack (200 CIPA)
does not have phase detect AF
43
amazing zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers tracking focus
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Travel Comparison

Panasonic FX78 Travel photography factors
Panasonic ZS50 Travel photography factors
56
has built in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
low battery pack (200 per charge)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.5)
66
lighter than competition (243g)
flash built-in
decently wide (24mm)
very long zoom (720mm)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FX78 Landscape photography details
Panasonic ZS50 Landscape photography details
36
reasonably wide (24mm)
bigger than average screen (3.5 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.5)
no manual control
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
low battery pack (200 shots)
missing Time Lapse mode
51
focusing manually
decently wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FX78 Vlogging information
Panasonic ZS50 Vlogging information
33
reasonably wide (24mm)
built-in touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing mic jack
34
decently wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (243 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of mic jack
Photography Glossary

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic ZS50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FX78 and Panasonic ZS50
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50
General Information
Brand Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50
Also called Lumix DMC-FX77 Lumix DMC-TZ70
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2011-01-25 2015-01-06
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine FHD -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 11 23
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-120mm (5.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.5-5.9 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus distance 5cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3.5 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230k dot 1,040k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,166k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.46x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1400 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 4.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.60 m 6.40 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 142g (0.31 lb) 243g (0.54 lb)
Physical dimensions 100 x 55 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") 111 x 65 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 44
DXO Color Depth score not tested 20.0
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.2
DXO Low light score not tested 138
Other
Battery life 200 pictures 300 pictures
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail cost $210 $350