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Panasonic FZ80 vs Panasonic ZS50

Portability
63
Imaging
44
Features
62
Overall
51
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ80 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 front
Portability
90
Imaging
37
Features
57
Overall
45

Panasonic FZ80 vs Panasonic ZS50 Key Specs

Panasonic FZ80
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200 (Increase to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 20-1200mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 616g - 130 x 94 x 119mm
  • Launched January 2017
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-FZ82
Panasonic ZS50
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 243g - 111 x 65 x 34mm
  • Released January 2015
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ70
  • Previous Model is Panasonic ZS45
  • Renewed by Panasonic ZS60
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Panasonic FZ80 vs Panasonic ZS50 Overview

Its time to look more closely at the Panasonic FZ80 versus Panasonic ZS50, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras and both are manufactured by Panasonic. There exists a considerable gap between the sensor resolutions of the FZ80 (18MP) and ZS50 (12MP) but both cameras provide the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The FZ80 was unveiled 2 years after the ZS50 which is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic FZ80 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic ZS50 being a Compact camera.

Before going into a full comparison, here is a simple overview of how the FZ80 matches up vs the ZS50 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ80 over the Panasonic ZS50

 FZ80 ZS50 
ReleasedJanuary 2017January 2015Newer by 25 months
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS50 over the Panasonic FZ80

 ZS50 FZ80 

Common features in the Panasonic FZ80 and Panasonic ZS50

 FZ80 ZS50 
Manual focus Very precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing
Screen resolution1040k1040kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Panasonic FZ80 vs Panasonic ZS50 Physical Comparison

If you are going to travel with your camera frequently, you need to factor in its weight and volume. The Panasonic FZ80 comes with outside measurements of 130mm x 94mm x 119mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 4.7") and a weight of 616 grams (1.36 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS50 has sizing of 111mm x 65mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") and a weight of 243 grams (0.54 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic FZ80 versus Panasonic ZS50 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you use at the time. Here is a front view proportions comparison of the FZ80 vs the ZS50.

Panasonic FZ80 vs Panasonic ZS50 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the FZ80 and ZS50 is 63 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic FZ80 vs Panasonic ZS50 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FZ80 vs Panasonic ZS50 Sensor Comparison

Normally, its difficult to picture the gap between sensor dimensions merely by reading specs. The picture below may provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the FZ80 and ZS50.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different MP. You can count on the Panasonic FZ80 to offer you more detail having an extra 6MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The more recent FZ80 should have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic FZ80 vs Panasonic ZS50 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FZ80 vs Panasonic ZS50 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FZ80 vs Panasonic ZS50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic FZ80
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS50
58
you can focus manually
good megapixels (18 megapixels)
offers face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
small sensor (1/2.3")
42
you can focus manually
supports face detection focusing
exports RAW formats
no external flash support
low megapixels (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FZ80 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS50 as a Street photography camera
54
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
offers touch to focus
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
heavier than competition (616 grams)
68
has image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
lighter than average (243g)
no moving screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Panasonic FZ80 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZS50 as a Sports photography camera
57
long zoom range (20-1200mm 60.0 x zoom)
quiet shooting (1/16,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (18 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
43
long zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports tracking autofocus
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FZ80 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS50 as a Travel photography camera
59
offers touch to focus
good megapixels (18MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (20mm)
long reach (1200mm)
heavier than competition (616 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
66
lighter than average (243g)
flash built-in
decently wide (24mm)
very long reach (720mm)
low megapixels (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FZ80 Landscape photography info
Panasonic ZS50 Landscape photography info
57
you can focus manually
relatively wide (20mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (18 megapixels)
delivers RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
small sensor (1/2.3")
51
you can focus manually
decently wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
low megapixels (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FZ80 Vlogging factors
Panasonic ZS50 Vlogging factors
28
relatively wide (20mm)
touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect autofocus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of mic socket
heavier than competition (616g)
34
decently wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average (243g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have external mic port
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Panasonic FZ80 vs Panasonic ZS50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FZ80 and Panasonic ZS50
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ80Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50
General Information
Make Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ80 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50
Alternative name Lumix DMC-FZ82 Lumix DMC-TZ70
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2017-01-04 2015-01-06
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 18MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4896 x 3672 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Max boosted ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 49 23
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 20-1200mm (60.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing distance 1cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 1,040k dot 1,040k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 1,166k dot 1,166k dot
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x 0.46x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4s 4s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Highest quiet shutter speed 1/16000s -
Continuous shooting speed 10.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 14.10 m (at Auto ISO) 6.40 m
Flash options Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync/Red-eye Reduction, 1st Curtain Sync, 2nd Curtain Sync Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 28 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 616g (1.36 lbs) 243g (0.54 lbs)
Physical dimensions 130 x 94 x 119mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 4.7") 111 x 65 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 44
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 20.0
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.2
DXO Low light rating not tested 138
Other
Battery life 330 pictures 300 pictures
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, 3 images x 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $399 $350