• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 37.00mm - 185.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Canon SD970 IS advantages over Panasonic ZS80

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.54 vs 1.19 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Thinner
    26 mm vs 41 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    189g vs 327g
    Lighter weight
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 102 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Panasonic ZS80 advantages over Canon SD970 IS

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 720p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Fast startup
    ~1.40 vs 1.9 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • More telephoto lens reach
    720 mm vs 185 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 380 vs 270 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Newer
    6 years vs 16 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    1040k vs 461k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.16 vs 0.40 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    20.3 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Wider angle lens
    24 mm vs 37 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.1 fps vs 1.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/1600 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic ZS80

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Canon SD890 IS

Canon SD970 IS
Canon SD890 IS
  • $170
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • HDMI out
  • More dots on screen
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Faster JPEG shooting
Panasonic ZS80
Canon SD890 IS
  • $398
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Thinner

Compared to Panasonic DMC-TS1

Canon SD970 IS
Panasonic DMC-TS1
  • $170
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • More dots on screen
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Wider angle lens
  • Longer exposure
Panasonic ZS80
Panasonic DMC-TS1
  • $398
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Thinner

Compared to Sony DSC-W290

Canon SD970 IS
Sony DSC-W290
  • $170
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • HDMI out
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Manual focus
Panasonic ZS80
Sony DSC-W290
  • $398
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Thinner

Compared to Panasonic ZS70

Canon SD970 IS
Panasonic ZS70
  • $170
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Thinner
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Panasonic ZS80
Panasonic ZS70
  • $398
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive

Compared to Nikon A1000

Canon SD970 IS
Nikon A1000
  • $170
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Thinner
  • $477
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Shoot 4K video
Panasonic ZS80
Nikon A1000
  • $398
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $477
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
Compare Other Cameras?