A potelyt.com – Photography & Imaging Resources
ad

When you use links on apotelyt.com to buy products,
the site may earn a commission.

PW

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.

camera

Is the Panasonic FZ80 a good camera? The FZ80 has a Camera Elo of 2116. 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.

Headline Specifications
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.

ad

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.

Panasonic FZ80 vs credit card front
FZ80 versus credit card top view
FZ80 and credit card rear side

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.

scroll hint
Body Specifications
#   Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Panasonic FZ80 130 mm 94 mm 119 mm 616 g 330 n Jan 2017 399 amazon.com
2.
 
Canon SX740 110 mm 64 mm 40 mm 299 g 265 n Jul 2018 399 amazon.com
3.
 
Canon SX70 127 mm 91 mm 117 mm 608 g 325 n Sep 2018 549 amazon.com
4.
 
Canon SX730 110 mm 64 mm 40 mm 300 g 250 n Apr 2017 399ebay.com
5.
 
Panasonic ZS80 112 mm 69 mm 42 mm 327 g 380 n Feb 2019 449 amazon.com
6.
 
Panasonic TS7 117 mm 76 mm 37 mm 319 g 300 Y May 2018 449ebay.com
7.
 
Panasonic ZS70 112 mm 67 mm 41 mm 322 g 380 n Apr 2017 449ebay.com
8.
 
Sony HX99 102 mm 58 mm 36 mm 242 g 370 n Aug 2018 449ebay.com
9.
 
Sony HX95 102 mm 58 mm 36 mm 242 g 370 n Aug 2018 429ebay.com
10.
 
Sony WX800 102 mm 58 mm 36 mm 233 g 370 n Oct 2018 399ebay.com
11.
 
Sony HX350 130 mm 93 mm 103 mm 652 g 300 n Dec 2016 449ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
padding

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.

logo
Check FZ80 price at
amazon.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.

Panasonic FZ80 sensor measures

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.

scroll hint
Sensor Characteristics
#   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 36724K/30p20.511.990049
2.
 
Canon SX740 1/2.3 20.2 5184 38884K/30p20.612.1105051
3.
 
Canon SX70 1/2.3 20.2 5184 38884K/30p20.612.1106351
4.
 
Canon SX730 1/2.3 20.2 5184 38881080/60p20.511.992450
5.
 
Panasonic ZS80 1/2.3 20.2 5184 38884K/30p20.712.2110352
6.
 
Panasonic TS7 1/2.3 20.2 5184 38884K/30p20.612.1102851
7.
 
Panasonic ZS70 1/2.3 20.2 5184 38884K/30p19.110.610636
8.
 
Sony HX99 1/2.3 18.0 4896 36724K/30p20.612.1105851
9.
 
Sony HX95 1/2.3 18.0 4896 36724K/30p20.612.1105751
10.
 
Sony WX800 1/2.3 18.0 4896 36724K/30p20.612.2107051
11.
 
Sony HX350 1/2.3 19.9 5152 38641080/60p20.511.989649
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
padding

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.

scroll hint
Core Features
#   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 FZ801166 n3.0 / 1040 fixed Y 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
2.
 
Canon SX740none n3.0 / 922 tilting n 1/3200s 10.0/s Y Y
3.
 
Canon SX702360 n3.0 / 922 swivel n 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
4.
 
Canon SX730none n3.0 / 922 tilting n 1/3200s 5.9/s Y Y
5.
 
Panasonic ZS802330 n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
6.
 
Panasonic TS71170 n3.0 / 1040 fixed n 1/1300s 10.0/s Y Y
7.
 
Panasonic ZS701166 n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
8.
 
Sony HX99638 n3.0 / 922 tilting Y 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
9.
 
Sony HX95638 n3.0 / 922 tilting n 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
10.
 
Sony WX800none n3.0 / 922 tilting Y 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
11.
 
Sony HX350202 n3.0 / 922 tilting n 1/4000s 10.0/s Y Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
padding

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.

ad

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.

scroll hint
Input-Output Connections
#   Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Panasonic FZ80Ystereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
2.
 
Canon SX740-stereo / mono--micro2.0Y-Y
3.
 
Canon SX70-stereo / monoY-micro2.0Y-Y
4.
 
Canon SX730-stereo / mono--micro2.0YYY
5.
 
Panasonic ZS80-stereo / mono--micro2.0Y-Y
6.
 
Panasonic TS7-stereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
7.
 
Panasonic ZS70-stereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
8.
 
Sony HX99-stereo / mono--micro2.0YYY
9.
 
Sony HX95-stereo / mono--micro2.0YYY
10.
 
Sony WX800-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
11.
 
Sony HX350-stereo / mono--micro2.0---
padding

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.

ad

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]).

scroll hint
Review Scores
#    Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Panasonic FZ80..+ +....4.5/54.5/5 Jan 2017 399 amazon.com
2.
 
Canon SX740..+3.5/5..4/54/5 Jul 2018 399 amazon.com
3.
 
Canon SX70..+ +3.5/5..3.5/53.5/5 Sep 2018 549 amazon.com
4.
 
Canon SX730..+....4/54/5 Apr 2017 399ebay.com
5.
 
Panasonic ZS80..+ +....4.5/5.. Feb 2019 449 amazon.com
6.
 
Panasonic TS7..+......3.5/5 May 2018 449ebay.com
7.
 
Panasonic ZS70..+ +....4/54/5 Apr 2017 449ebay.com
8.
 
Sony HX99........4/54.5/5 Aug 2018 449ebay.com
9.
 
Sony HX95............ Aug 2018 429ebay.com
10.
 
Sony WX800............ Oct 2018 399ebay.com
11.
 
Sony HX350..........4/5 Dec 2016 449ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
padding

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.

logo
Check FZ80 price at
amazon.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.

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 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.

~
    loader
    ad
    Specifications Summary
    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 AidFocus Peaking
    Maximum Shutter Speed 1/2000s
    Continuous Shooting 10 shutter flaps/s
    Silent ShootingElectronic Shutter
    Time Lapse Photographyno 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 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