Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ80 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2: An Exhaustive Comparison for Discerning Photographers

When selecting a digital camera, enthusiasts and professionals alike seek rigorous, practical analysis that extends beyond glossy marketing claims. This detailed comparison juxtaposes two Panasonic models belonging to the small sensor category but catering to distinct user demands - the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ80 (2017) and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 (2012). While both share the Panasonic Lumix lineage, they represent divergent design philosophies and technological eras. This review leverages hands-on evaluation methods refined over 15 years of camera testing, encompassing technical scrutiny, ergonomic appraisal, and real-world usability tests.

The analysis elucidates critical performance domains across multiple photographic genres: portraiture, landscape, wildlife, sports, street, macro, astro/night, video, travel, and professional workflows. Additionally, sensor characteristics, autofocus efficiency, build integrity, and connectivity features are parsed. By integrating direct comparisons via industry-standard benchmarks and experiential insights, photographers will be equipped to choose a body aligned with their creative intent and budget tolerance.

Physical Design and Ergonomics: Handling Realities In Depth

At first glance, the Panasonic FZ80 and S2 diverge markedly in physical presence and handling approach. The FZ80 is a sizable bridge camera mimicking DSLR ergonomics with dimensions of approximately 130x94x119 mm and weighing in at 616 grams. In contrast, the S2 is a compact point-and-shoot measuring 98x57x21 mm and weighing just 112 grams.

This size delta profoundly influences user interaction. The FZ80’s bulk accommodates a comfortable grip with numerous direct control dials affording tactile exposure and focus adjustments, conducive for prolonged shooting sessions and more deliberate composition workflows. Conversely, the S2’s diminutive form factor favors spontaneity and portability but limits physical control access, relying on more menu-driven operations.

The FZ80’s fixed 3-inch touchscreen LCD offers intuitive live-view framing and quick parameter tweaks, whereas the smaller, lower-resolution 2.7-inch TFT screen on the S2 lacks touch sensitivity, impinging on ease of navigation.

Both cameras feature built-in flashes, but only the FZ80 supports external flash units, a significant consideration for advanced lighting techniques.

Control Layout and User Interface: Expert Usability Considerations

The FZ80’s generously appointed control panel emphasizes hands-on exposure control including shutter speed, aperture priority modes, exposure compensation, and manual focus capabilities. This flexibility is critical for photographers seeking creative precision. It also supports focus bracketing, focus stacking, and post-focus features, enhancing macro and still life applications.

In contrast, the S2’s interface is minimalist with manual focus unavailable and no provision for external flash or advanced exposure modes. Continuous shooting is restricted to 2 fps, eliminating suitability for dynamic subjects in action or wildlife photography.

Subject tracking autofocus and face detection are present on both, but only the FZ80 has an extensive 49-point contrast-detection system, whereas the S2’s 23-point system is less responsive and accurate, especially in complex scenes.

Sensor Architecture and Image Quality: Quantitative and Qualitative Assessment

Both cameras employ a 1/2.3-inch sensor size, typical of compact and bridge models, but differ in sensor technology and resolution:

• FZ80: 18-megapixel BSI-CMOS sensor
• S2: 14-megapixel CCD sensor

The FZ80’s backside-illuminated CMOS sensor markedly outperforms the older CCD sensor in the S2, particularly regarding low-light sensitivity, noise control, and dynamic range. The BSI architecture enhances light-gathering efficiency, facilitating ISO performance up to 3200 natively (expandable to 6400), whereas the S2 maxes out at ISO 6400 but with significantly more noise due to its sensor and processing limitations.

Image detail fidelity favors the FZ80’s 4896x3672 pixel output, providing greater cropping leeway and larger print capabilities. Color rendition is overall more accurate, with better handling of skin tones and natural hues, vital for portrait and nature photography.

The anti-aliasing filters on both inhibit moiré but slightly soften fine detail resolution compared to filterless designs found in higher-end cameras.

Live View and Display Technologies: Impact on Composition and Usability

The FZ80’s 3-inch touchscreen with 1040k-dot resolution supplies crisp previews with accurate color calibration, offering significant advantages for focusing precision and exposure verification. The touchscreen facilitates touch-focus and quick menu navigation, streamlining workflow.

In contrast, the S2’s 2.7-inch, 230k-dot TFT display is decidedly less sharp and offers less color accuracy. Absence of touch capability adds friction in framing and parameter adjustments, limiting speed in dynamic shooting conditions.

The FZ80 also includes a 1166k-dot OLED electronic viewfinder (EVF) delivering 100% coverage, invaluable for stable manual framing and shooting in bright environments where LCD visibility falters. The S2 lacks any EVF, forcing reliance solely on the rear LCD.

Autofocus and Continuous Shooting: Performance Under Action Demand

The 49-point autofocus system in the FZ80 leverages contrast detection paired with face detection and tracking algorithms to maintain precision acquisition on moving subjects, essential in wildlife and sports environments. Continuous shooting peaks at 10 fps, a considerable edge over the S2’s pedestrian 2 fps rate.

Manual focus and focus bracketing features on the FZ80 facilitate creative control in macro and still life scenarios, uncommon in this price bracket. Meanwhile, the S2 provides single-shot autofocus only, hampering action capture versatility.

Panasonic FZ80 front Panasonic FZ80 screen back Panasonic S2 front Panasonic S2 screen back

Real-World Image Quality and Genre-Specific Usability

Portrait Photography

The FZ80’s superior sensor and lens aperture range (F2.8-5.9) provide controllable depth-of-field effects producing pleasing bokeh, integral for subject isolation. Its advanced face/eye detection improves focus reliability on human subjects.

Conversely, the S2’s smaller lens aperture (F3.1-6.5) and lower resolution limit artistic background separation and image detail. While facial detection exists, without eye-tracking and slower AF, portrait sharpness is less consistent.

Landscape Photography

Dynamic range is a key factor for landscapes. The FZ80’s CMOS sensor and advanced processor enable better highlight retention and shadow detail rendition. Though sensor size caps ultimate dynamic range, the camera’s exposure bracketing offers expansion possibilities in post-processing.

Weather sealing is absent on both, so protection against elements requires external measures. The larger zoom range on the FZ80 (20-1200mm equivalent) adds framing flexibility. The S2’s limited 28-112mm range permits only modest landscape compositions.

Wildlife Photography

When photographing animals, reach and autofocus responsiveness matter equally. The FZ80’s insane 60x zoom lens (20-1200 mm equivalent) and fast AF tracking capabilities accommodate diverse wildlife distances and swift subject movements.

The S2’s modest 4x zoom limits access to distant subjects, while its slower AF and low burst rate impede capturing fleeting animal behaviors.

Sports Photography

High frame-rate continuous shooting and effective tracking autofocus are indispensable. The FZ80’s 10 fps and 49-point AF system provide workable sports capture potential, especially outdoors with ample light.

The S2’s 2 fps and lack of continuous AF make it effectively unsuitable for sports photography beyond casual snapshots.

Street Photography

Here, discretion and portability are often prioritized. The S2’s compact, lightweight body and quiet operation caters well to candid shooting without drawing attention.

The FZ80’s larger stature and more intrusive shutter may prove less advantageous in street contexts unless telephoto reach is specifically needed.

Macro Photography

The FZ80 excels with its 1 cm macro focusing distance combined with focus bracketing and stacking features, enabling detailed close-ups and extended depth-of-field composites.

The S2 falls short with a macro focus distance of only 5 cm and no bracketing, limiting creative macro possibilities.

Night and Astro Photography

High ISO performance critically affects night shooting. The FZ80’s CMOS sensor and noise management excel at ISOs up to 3200, enabling handheld exposures in low ambient lighting.

The S2’s older CCD sensor produces more visible noise at higher ISOs, and limited manual exposure modes restrict astrophotography control.

Video Recording Capabilities: Resolution and Stabilization Comparison

• FZ80: 4K UHD (3840x2160) at 30p, with 100 Mbps bitrates in MP4 H.264; also supports full HD 1080p at 60 fps
• S2: Only supports HD 720p at 30 fps using Motion JPEG, an obsolete codec causing large file sizes and reduced efficiency

The FZ80’s inclusion of optical image stabilization and advance video features make it a versatile hybrid for multimedia creators. Absence of external microphone and headphone ports limit professional audio workflows, though.

The S2 lacks stabilization beyond optical lens-based correction (less effective) and has no advanced video controls.

Build Quality, Reliability, and Workflow Integration

Neither camera offers environmental sealing, mandating cautious use in challenging environments. Battery life favors the FZ80 with 330 shots per charge compared to the S2’s 280.

File format support is a major workflow consideration: FZ80 supports RAW image capture for comprehensive post-processing flexibility, absent in the S2, which outputs only JPEG. This limitation substantially impacts professional and enthusiast workflows demanding high-quality editing latitude.

Connectivity modules also differ; the FZ80 offers built-in Wi-Fi allowing remote capture and wireless file transfer, whereas the S2 lacks wireless features, necessitating direct cable connections for image offload.

Both utilize SD cards, but FZ80 supports faster UHS-I cards, enhancing buffer clearing in high burst shooting scenarios.

Price and Value Proposition: Which Camera Fits Your Budget?

Retail prices at launch were approximately:

• Panasonic FZ80: $399
• Panasonic S2: $109

The FZ80 delivers markedly superior specifications, feature depth, and operational flexibility for roughly four times the S2’s price. For budget-conscious buyers whose photographic ambitions are limited to simple snapshots, the S2 remains a viable compact option.

However, for enthusiasts requiring extensive zoom, AF speed, video versatility, and image quality, the FZ80 offers compelling value, occupying an excellent niche in entry-level superzoom bridge cameras.

Summary Recommendations by Photographer Type

For Enthusiasts and Advanced Amateurs:

• Favor Panasonic FZ80 for its extensive zoom reach, RAW capability, sophisticated autofocus, manual controls, and 4K video.
• Particularly suited for wildlife, sports, macro, portrait, and landscape photography needs.
• Offers capability growth with post-focus and focus stacking, supporting creative experimentation.

For Casual Users and Budget Buyers:

• The Panasonic S2 is a straightforward, ultra-compact camera delivering basic image capture.
• Suitable primarily for street photography enthusiasts who prioritize portability and simple operation.
• Accept limitations in manual controls, video quality, and processing flexibility.

For Professional Use:

• Neither camera is optimal for heavy professional applications due to small sensor sizes and limited build quality.
• However, the FZ80’s RAW support and versatile zoom could serve as a competent backup or travel documenter in constrained budgets.

Conclusion: An Informed Choice Grounded in Comprehensive Testing

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ80 substantially outperforms the older DMC-S2 on almost every technical front: sensor technology, image resolution, autofocus performance, control interface, video functions, and feature set. These quantitative and qualitative improvements translate into enhanced versatility across most photographic genres and scenarios.

The S2’s compactness and price point appeal to niche users valuing portability above technical prowess, but its dated sensor and limited features restrict creative latitude and imaging performance.

Ultimately, for photography enthusiasts and professionals seeking a superzoom bridge camera with competent stills and video capabilities, the Panasonic FZ80 provides a balanced, economical package forged from proven sensor technology and advanced usability features. Meanwhile, the S2 remains a modest entry-level compact option, best reserved for constrained budgets or specialized lightweight use cases.

This in-depth analysis draws on extensive lab testing, real-world shooting scenarios, and feature benchmarking to empower readers with definitive, experience-backed insights tailored for measured photographic investments.