Panasonic FZ80 Comparison Review
The Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ80 (called Panasonic FZ82 in some regions) is a fixed lens compact camera that was officially introduced in January 2017 and is equipped with a 1/2.3-inch sensor. It offers a resolution of 18 megapixel.
Is the Panasonic FZ80 a good camera? The FZ80 has a Camera Elo of 2072. This rating puts the FZ80 among the top 40 percent of all superzoom compact cameras. In terms of its sensor size category (small sensor cameras), the FZ80 ranks among the top 20 percent. Based on its within category standings, the camera earns a 4-star performance rating.
| Panasonic FZ80 |
|---|
| Fixed lens compact camera |
| 20-1200mm f/2.8-5.9 |
| 18 MP, 1/2.3" Sensor |
| 4K/30p Video |
| ISO 80 - 3 200 (80 - 6 400) |
| Electronic viewfinder (1166k dots) |
| 3.0 LCD, 1040k dots |
| Fixed touchscreen |
| 10 shutter flaps per second |
| 330 shots per battery charge |
| 130 x 94 x 119 mm, 616 g |
Read on to find out more about the camera's size, sensor, features, reception by expert reviewers, and how it compares to other digital cameras.
' x='-300' width='300' height='300' fill='%23fff' style='paint-order:markers fill stroke'/%3E%3Cg transform='scale(2.9126)' fill='%23fff' fill-rule='evenodd'%3E%3Cg fill='%2300aecd'%3E%3Cpath d='m63 67v-31h2.93c8.408-0.207 14.11 4.626 14.07 15.5 0.04 11.158-5.377 15.707-13.928 15.5zm-20-44 20 57h4c19.453 0 30-11.656 30-28.5 0-17.128-10.405-28.5-30-28.5zm-14.887 34.495 5.36-17.95 5.388 17.95h-10.747zm-2.113-34.495-20 57h15.453l2.835-9.674 18.415-0.044 2.882 9.718h15.415l-20-57z'/%3E%3C/g%3E%3C/g%3E%3C/svg%3E%3Csvg id='d' width='300px' height='300px' viewBox='0 0 15 15'%3E%3Cstyle%3E.bg%7Bfill:%23ffffff%3B%7D .icon%7Bstroke-width:1.25%3Bstroke:%2300aecd%3B%7D%3C/style%3E%3Cpath class='bg' d='m0 0h15v15h-15'/%3E%3Cpath class='icon' d='m3.25 3.25 8.5 8.5m0-8.5-8.5 8.5'/%3E%3C/svg%3E%3C/defs%3E%3Cuse xlink:href='%23c'/%3E%3Cuse x='300px' xlink:href='%23d'/%3E%3C/svg%3E){kind=small}
Body comparison with a credit card
The physical dimensions of the Panasonic FZ80 relative to a credit card are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are presented. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.
The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the Panasonic FZ80 alongside a set of similar cameras. If you want to review a particular camera pair side-by-side, just move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible comparisons there.
| Camera Model |
Camera Width |
Camera Height |
Camera Depth |
Camera Weight |
Battery Life |
Weather Sealing |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price |
Street Price |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Panasonic FZ80 | 130 mm | 94 mm | 119 mm | 616 g | 330 |  | Jan 2017 | US$ 399 | ebay.com | |
| 2. | Canon SX70 | 127 mm | 91 mm | 117 mm | 608 g | 325 | | Sep 2018 | US$ 549 | amazon.com | |
| 3. | Canon SX730 | 110 mm | 64 mm | 40 mm | 300 g | 250 | | Apr 2017 | US$ 399 | ebay.com | |
| 4. | Canon SX740 | 110 mm | 64 mm | 40 mm | 299 g | 265 | | Jul 2018 | US$ 399 | amazon.com | |
| 5. | Panasonic FZ80D | 130 mm | 94 mm | 119 mm | 616 g | 330 | | Jul 2024 | US$ 479 | amazon.com | |
| 6. | Panasonic TS7 | 117 mm | 76 mm | 37 mm | 319 g | 300 |  | May 2018 | US$ 449 | ebay.com | |
| 7. | Panasonic ZS70 | 112 mm | 67 mm | 41 mm | 322 g | 380 | | Apr 2017 | US$ 449 | ebay.com | |
| 8. | Sony HX95 | 102 mm | 58 mm | 36 mm | 242 g | 370 | | Aug 2018 | US$ 429 | ebay.com | |
| 9. | Sony HX99 | 102 mm | 58 mm | 36 mm | 242 g | 370 | | Aug 2018 | US$ 449 | ebay.com | |
| 10. | Sony HX350 | 130 mm | 93 mm | 103 mm | 652 g | 300 | | Dec 2016 | US$ 449 | ebay.com | |
| 11. | Sony WX800 | 102 mm | 58 mm | 36 mm | 233 g | 370 | | Oct 2018 | US$ 399 | ebay.com | |
| Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders. | |||||||||||
| Camera Model |
Camera Width |
Camera Height |
Camera Depth |
Camera Weight |
Battery Life |
Weather Sealing |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price |
Street Price |
||
| Camera Model |
|||||||||||
The listed prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The Panasonic FZ80 was launched in the US market at a price of $399. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.
Check FZ80 offers at
ebay.com
Sensor comparison with a 35mm slide
The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors are more costly to manufacture and tent to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.
The Panasonic FZ80 features a 1/2.3-inch sensor and has a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 5.6. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the Panasonic FZ80 among the smaller-sensor digicams that favor affordability and compact design.
Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for most cameras. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of alternative cameras.
| Camera Model |
Sensor Class |
Resolution (MP) |
Horiz. Pixels |
Vert. Pixels |
Video Format |
DXO Portrait |
DXO Landscape |
DXO Sports |
DXO Overall |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Panasonic FZ80 | 1/2.3 | 18.0 | 4896 | 3672 | 4K/30p | 20.5 | 11.9 | 900 | 49 | |
| 2. | Canon SX70 | 1/2.3 | 20.2 | 5184 | 3888 | 4K/30p | 20.6 | 12.1 | 1063 | 51 | |
| 3. | Canon SX730 | 1/2.3 | 20.2 | 5184 | 3888 | 1080/60p | 20.5 | 11.9 | 924 | 50 | |
| 4. | Canon SX740 | 1/2.3 | 20.2 | 5184 | 3888 | 4K/30p | 20.6 | 12.1 | 1050 | 51 | |
| 5. | Panasonic FZ80D | 1/2.3 | 18.0 | 4896 | 3672 | 4K/30p | 20.9 | 12.8 | 1634 | 54 | |
| 6. | Panasonic TS7 | 1/2.3 | 20.2 | 5184 | 3888 | 4K/30p | 20.6 | 12.1 | 1028 | 51 | |
| 7. | Panasonic ZS70 | 1/2.3 | 20.2 | 5184 | 3888 | 4K/30p | 19.1 | 10.6 | 106 | 36 | |
| 8. | Sony HX95 | 1/2.3 | 18.0 | 4896 | 3672 | 4K/30p | 20.6 | 12.1 | 1057 | 51 | |
| 9. | Sony HX99 | 1/2.3 | 18.0 | 4896 | 3672 | 4K/30p | 20.6 | 12.1 | 1058 | 51 | |
| 10. | Sony HX350 | 1/2.3 | 19.9 | 5152 | 3864 | 1080/60p | 20.5 | 11.9 | 896 | 49 | |
| 11. | Sony WX800 | 1/2.3 | 18.0 | 4896 | 3672 | 4K/30p | 20.6 | 12.2 | 1070 | 51 | |
| Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age. | |||||||||||
| Camera Model |
Sensor Class |
Resolution (MP) |
Horiz. Pixels |
Vert. Pixels |
Video Format |
DXO Portrait |
DXO Landscape |
DXO Sports |
DXO Overall |
||
| Camera Model |
|||||||||||
Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. The FZ80 indeed provides movie recording capabilities. The highest resolution format that the FZ80 can use is 4K/30p.
Feature comparison
Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. For example, the FZ80 has an electronic viewfinder with a resolution of 1166k dots. The viewfinder offers a field of view of 100% and a magnification of 0.46x. The adjacent tables list some of the other core features of the Panasonic FZ80 along with similar information for a selection of comparators.
| Camera Model |
Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots) |
Control Panel (yes/no) |
LCD Specifications (inch/000 dots) |
LCD Attach- ment |
Touch Screen (yes/no) |
Max Shutter Speed * |
Max Shutter Flaps * |
Built-in Flash (yes/no) |
Built-in Image Stab |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Panasonic FZ80 | 1166 | | 3.0 / 1040 | fixed | | 1/2000s | 10.0/s | | |
|
| 2. | Canon SX70 | 2360 | | 3.0 / 922 | swivel | | 1/2000s | 10.0/s | | |
|
| 3. | Canon SX730 | | | 3.0 / 922 | tilting | | 1/3200s | 5.9/s | | |
|
| 4. | Canon SX740 | | | 3.0 / 922 | tilting | | 1/3200s | 10.0/s | | |
|
| 5. | Panasonic FZ80D | 2360 | | 3.0 / 1840 | fixed | | 1/2000s | 10.0/s | | |
|
| 6. | Panasonic TS7 | 1170 | | 3.0 / 1040 | fixed | | 1/1300s | 10.0/s | | |
|
| 7. | Panasonic ZS70 | 1166 | | 3.0 / 1040 | tilting | | 1/2000s | 10.0/s | | |
|
| 8. | Sony HX95 | 638 | | 3.0 / 922 | tilting | | 1/2000s | 10.0/s | | |
|
| 9. | Sony HX99 | 638 | | 3.0 / 922 | tilting | | 1/2000s | 10.0/s | | |
|
| 10. | Sony HX350 | 202 | | 3.0 / 922 | tilting | | 1/4000s | 10.0/s | | |
|
| 11. | Sony WX800 | | | 3.0 / 922 | tilting | | 1/2000s | 10.0/s | | |
|
| Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one. | |||||||||||
| Camera Model |
Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots) |
Control Panel (yes/no) |
LCD Specifications (inch/000 dots) |
LCD Attach- ment |
Touch Screen (yes/no) |
Max Shutter Speed * |
Max Shutter Flaps * |
Built-in Flash (yes/no) |
Built-in Image Stab |
||
| Camera Model |
|||||||||||
One convenient feature of the FZ80 is the presence of an on-board flash. While this built-in flash is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light to brighten deep shadow areas.
Connection comparison
For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ80 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.
| Camera Model |
Hotshoe Port |
Internal Mic / Speaker |
Microphone Port |
Headphone Port |
HDMI Port |
USB Port |
WiFi Support |
NFC Support |
Bluetooth Support |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Panasonic FZ80 | | stereo / mono | | | micro | 2.0 | | | |
|
| 2. | Canon SX70 | | stereo / mono | | | micro | 2.0 | | | |
|
| 3. | Canon SX730 | | stereo / mono | | | micro | 2.0 | | | |
|
| 4. | Canon SX740 | | stereo / mono | | | micro | 2.0 | | | |
|
| 5. | Panasonic FZ80D | | stereo / mono | | | micro | 3.0 | | | |
|
| 6. | Panasonic TS7 | | stereo / mono | | | micro | 2.0 | | | |
|
| 7. | Panasonic ZS70 | | stereo / mono | | | micro | 2.0 | | | |
|
| 8. | Sony HX95 | | stereo / mono | | | micro | 2.0 | | | |
|
| 9. | Sony HX99 | | stereo / mono | | | micro | 2.0 | | | |
|
| 10. | Sony HX350 | | stereo / mono | | | micro | 2.0 | | | |
|
| 11. | Sony WX800 | | stereo / mono | | | micro | 2.0 | | | |
|
| Camera Model |
Hotshoe Port |
Internal Mic / Speaker |
Microphone Port |
Headphone Port |
HDMI Port |
USB Port |
WiFi Support |
NFC Support |
Bluetooth Support |
||
| Camera Model |
It is notable that the FZ80 offers wifi support. Wifi can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location.
The FZ80 has a zoom lens built in (3.6-215mm f/2.8-5.9), which, in full frame equivalent terms, provides a focal length range from 20 to 1200mm. The camera is, hence, ready to shoot, while remaining more compact in size than an interchangeable lens camera with an optic that offers similar focal length and aperture specifications.
Further information on the features and operation of the FZ80 can be found in the free online Panasonic FZ80 Manual or on the Panasonic support site.
Expert reviews
While the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it says nothing about, for example, the handling, responsiveness, and overall imaging quality of the FZ80 in practical situations. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased. This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The following table reports the overall rankings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]).
| Camera Model |
AP score |
CL score |
DCW score |
DPR score |
EPZ score |
PB score |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price |
Street Price |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Panasonic FZ80 | .. | + + | .. | .. | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Jan 2017 | US$ 399 | ebay.com | |
| 2. | Canon SX70 | .. | + + | 3.5/5 | .. | 3.5/5 | 3.5/5 | Sep 2018 | US$ 549 | amazon.com | |
| 3. | Canon SX730 | .. | + | .. | .. | 4/5 | 4/5 | Apr 2017 | US$ 399 | ebay.com | |
| 4. | Canon SX740 | .. | + | 3.5/5 | .. | 4/5 | 4/5 | Jul 2018 | US$ 399 | amazon.com | |
| 5. | Panasonic FZ80D | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | Jul 2024 | US$ 479 | amazon.com | |
| 6. | Panasonic TS7 | .. | + | .. | .. | .. | 3.5/5 | May 2018 | US$ 449 | ebay.com | |
| 7. | Panasonic ZS70 | .. | + + | .. | .. | 4/5 | 4/5 | Apr 2017 | US$ 449 | ebay.com | |
| 8. | Sony HX95 | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | Aug 2018 | US$ 429 | ebay.com | |
| 9. | Sony HX99 | .. | .. | .. | .. | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | Aug 2018 | US$ 449 | ebay.com | |
| 10. | Sony HX350 | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | 4/5 | Dec 2016 | US$ 449 | ebay.com | |
| 11. | Sony WX800 | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | Oct 2018 | US$ 399 | ebay.com | |
| Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available. | |||||||||||
| Camera Model |
AP score |
CL score |
DCW score |
DPR score |
EPZ score |
PB score |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price |
Street Price |
||
| Camera Model |
|||||||||||
Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.
Check FZ80 offers at
ebay.com
Panasonic FZ80 FAQ
Below are some additional questions and answers concerning some particular features of the FZ80.
What technology is the imaging sensor in the Panasonic FZ80 based on?
The camera features a BSI-CMOS (Backside Illuminated Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensor.
Which image processing chip is used in the Panasonic FZ80 to convert the raw signal into an image file and perform noise reduction and image sharpening?
Panasonic equipped the FZ80 with the Venus image processor.
What is the ISO sensitivity range of the Panasonic FZ80?
The camera has a native sensitivity range from ISO 80 to ISO 3200.
How do I find the shutter count on my Panasonic FZ80?
Panasonic embeds the number of shutter actuations in hidden menus. You can check the number of shots that your FZ80 has taken up to now by carefully following the steps described on the Panasonic FZ80 shutter count page.
Is completely silent shooting possible with the Panasonic FZ80?
The camera has an electronic shutter option, so that it is indeed feasible to capture images without any shutter noise.
Is it difficult to use manual focus lenses with the Panasonic FZ80?
The FZ80 offers focus peaking as a manual focus aid. This feature works by placing a colored highlight on in-focus zones within the image.
Does the Panasonic FZ80 feature an autofocus assist light?
Yes, the camera has a lamp built-in that can illuminate the subject and improve autofocus in low-light settings.
Does the Panasonic FZ80 support the Ultra High Speed (UHS) bus interface for SD cards?
Yes, the camera can indeed use UHS-I cards (data transfer speed of up to 104 MB/s).
Which battery does the Panasonic FZ80 use?
The camera gets its power from the Panasonic DMW-BMB9 (here at amazon), which is a rechargeable Lithium-Ion power pack.
Camera to camera comparisons
If you would like to see a side-by-side review with another camera, just use the search menu below. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.
- Canon SX420 vs Panasonic FZ80
- Fujifilm X30 vs Panasonic FZ80
- Leica T vs Panasonic FZ80
- Leica V-LUX 3 vs Panasonic FZ80
- Nikon D1X vs Panasonic FZ80
- Nikon D5000 vs Panasonic FZ80
- Nikon D5600 vs Panasonic FZ80
- Nikon D600 vs Panasonic FZ80
- Nikon Z9 vs Panasonic FZ80
- Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic FZ80
- Panasonic FZ80 vs Sony A77
- Panasonic FZ80 vs Sony A7R II
| Camera Model | Panasonic FZ80 | |
|---|---|---|
| Camera Type | Fixed lens compact camera | |
| Camera Lens | 20-1200mm f/2.8-5.9 | |
| Launch Date | January 2017 | |
| Launch Price | USD 399 | |
| Sensor Specs | ||
| Sensor Technology | BSI-CMOS | |
| Sensor Format | 1/2.3" Sensor | |
| Sensor Size | 6.17 x 4.55 mm | |
| Sensor Area | 28 mm2 | |
| Sensor Diagonal | 7.7 mm | |
| Crop Factor | 5.6x | |
| Sensor Resolution | 18 Megapixels | |
| Image Resolution | 4 896 x 3 672 pixels | |
| Pixel Pitch | 1.25 μm | |
| Pixel Density | 64.04 MP/cm2 | |
| Moiré control | no AA filter | |
| Movie Capability | 4K/30p Video | |
| ISO Setting | 80 - 3 200 ISO | |
| ISO Boost | 80 - 6 400 ISO | |
| Image Processor | Venus | |
| Screen Specs | ||
| Viewfinder Type | Electronic viewfinder | |
| Viewfinder Field of View | 100% | |
| Viewfinder Magnification | 0.46x | |
| Viewfinder Resolution | 1166k dots | |
| Top-Level Screen | no Top Display | |
| LCD Framing | Live View | |
| LCD Size | 3.0 inch | |
| LCD Resolution | 1040k dots | |
| LCD Attachment | Fixed screen | |
| Touch Input | Touchscreen | |
| Shooting Specs | ||
| Focus System | Contrast-detect AF | |
| Manual Focusing Aid | Focus Peaking | |
| Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/2000s | |
| Continuous Shooting | 10 shutter flaps/s | |
| Silent Shooting | Electronic Shutter | |
| Time Lapse Photography | no Intervalometer | |
| Fill Flash | Built-in Flash | |
| Storage Medium | SDXC cards | |
| Single or Dual Card Slots | Single card slot | |
| UHS card support | UHS-I | |
| Connectivity Specs | ||
| External Flash | Hotshoe | |
| USB Connector | USB 2.0 | |
| HDMI Port | micro HDMI | |
| Wifi Support | Wifi built-in | |
| Body Specs | ||
| Battery Type | Panasonic DMW-BMB9 power pack | |
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 330 shots per charge | |
| In-Camera Charging | USB charging | |
| Body Dimensions |
130 x 94 x 119 mm (5.1 x 3.7 x 4.7 in) |
|
| Camera Weight | 616 g (21.7 oz) | |
Did you notice an error on this page? If so, please get in touch, so that we can correct the information.
You are here: Home » CAM-parator » Panasonic FZ80 Review