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Panasonic FZ80 vs Sony A6500

Portability
63
Imaging
45
Features
62
Overall
51
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ80 front
 
Sony Alpha a6500 front
Portability
81
Imaging
68
Features
85
Overall
74

Panasonic FZ80 vs Sony A6500 Key Specs

Panasonic FZ80
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • 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
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-FZ82
Sony A6500
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Boost to 51200)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 453g - 120 x 67 x 53mm
  • Announced October 2016
  • Earlier Model is Sony A6300
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Panasonic FZ80 vs Sony A6500 Overview

Here, we are evaluating the Panasonic FZ80 vs Sony A6500, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Advanced Mirrorless by rivals Panasonic and Sony. There is a significant difference between the image resolutions of the FZ80 (18MP) and A6500 (24MP) and the FZ80 (1/2.3") and A6500 (APS-C) offer totally different sensor measurements.

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The FZ80 was released 3 months later than the A6500 so they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic FZ80 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony A6500 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving right into a thorough comparison, here is a quick summary of how the FZ80 scores against the A6500 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ80 over the Sony A6500

 FZ80 A6500 
Display resolution1040k922kClearer display (+118k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A6500 over the Panasonic FZ80

 A6500 FZ80 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Panasonic FZ80 and Sony A6500

 FZ80 A6500 
AnnouncedJanuary 2017October 2016Similar generation
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Display size3"3"Same display measurements
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Easily navigate

Panasonic FZ80 vs Sony A6500 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FZ80 enjoys physical dimensions of 130mm x 94mm x 119mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 4.7") having a weight of 616 grams (1.36 lbs) and the Sony A6500 has dimensions of 120mm x 67mm x 53mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 2.1") along with a weight of 453 grams (1.00 lbs).

See the Panasonic FZ80 vs Sony A6500 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have chosen at that time. Here is a front view measurements comparison of the FZ80 vs the A6500.

Panasonic FZ80 vs Sony A6500 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the FZ80 and A6500 is 63 and 81 respectively.

Panasonic FZ80 vs Sony A6500 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FZ80 vs Sony A6500 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is hard to see the difference between sensor measurements only by going over technical specs. The photograph underneath will give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the FZ80 and A6500.

As you can tell, both of those cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The FZ80 because of its tinier sensor will make getting shallower depth of field harder and the Sony A6500 will offer you extra detail as a result of its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop pics way more aggressively.

Panasonic FZ80 vs Sony A6500 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FZ80 vs Sony A6500 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FZ80 vs Sony A6500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FZ80 Portrait photography highlights
Sony A6500 Portrait photography highlights
59
manual focus
megapixel count decent (18MP)
offers face detection focus
saves RAW files
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
80
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FZ80 Street photography factors
Sony A6500 Street photography factors
54
built in image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
includes touch to focus
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
heavier than competition in class (616 grams)
85
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
includes touch to focus
environment proofing
above average ISO range (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FZ80 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A6500 as a Sports photography camera
58
excellent zoom range (20-1200mm 60.0 x zoom)
silent shooting (1/16,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
77
silent shooting (1/32,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features tracking focus
environment proofing
has phase detect AF
bad battery power (350 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FZ80 Travel photography factors
Sony A6500 Travel photography factors
59
includes touch to focus
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (20mm)
long zoom (1200mm)
heavier than competition in class (616 grams)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
74
environment proofing
connects via bluetooth
includes touch to focus
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
flash built-in
bad battery power (350 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FZ80 Landscape photography details
Sony A6500 Landscape photography details
57
manual focus
reasonably wide (20mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (18MP)
saves RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
80
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
above average ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
bad battery power (350 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FZ80 Vlogging advice
Sony A6500 Vlogging advice
28
reasonably wide (20mm)
touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focus
high video quality (3840 x 2160 resolution)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
no external mic socket
heavier than competition in class (616 grams)
39
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detect focusing
high video quality (3840 x 2160 pxls)
has microphone socket
screen is not selfie friendly
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Panasonic FZ80 vs Sony A6500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FZ80 and Sony A6500
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ80Sony Alpha a6500
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ80 Sony Alpha a6500
Also Known as Lumix DMC-FZ82 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced Mirrorless
Launched 2017-01-04 2016-10-06
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine Bionz X
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4896 x 3672 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 3200 25600
Highest boosted ISO 6400 51200
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 49 425
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 20-1200mm (60.0x) -
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Available lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 1,040 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 1,166 thousand dots 2,359 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x 0.7x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Highest silent shutter speed 1/16000 seconds 1/32000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames/s 11.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 14.10 m (at Auto ISO) 6.00 m (at ISO 100)
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 Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Rear Sync., Slow Sync., Red-eye reduction (On/Off selectable), Hi-speed sync, Wireless
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 28 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 3840x2160
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 616g (1.36 lbs) 453g (1.00 lbs)
Physical dimensions 130 x 94 x 119mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 4.7") 120 x 67 x 53mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 2.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 85
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 24.5
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.7
DXO Low light rating not tested 1405
Other
Battery life 330 images 350 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, 3 images x 10 secs) Yes
Time lapse shooting With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC + Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots One One
Launch price $399 $1,298