• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Nikon D3300 advantages over Panasonic ZS80

  • Less expensive
    $16 vs $398*
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.92 vs 1.19 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.40 vs 1.4 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 700 vs 380 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 20.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic ZS80 advantages over Nikon D3300

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Thinner
    41 mm vs 75 mm
    Thinner
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/200 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    6 years vs 11 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Less shutter lag
    0.16 vs 0.26 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.1 fps vs 5.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    9.5 fps vs 5.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    32 vs 7 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • 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
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D3300

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic ZS80

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent image quality with lots of fine detail; Very good high ISO performance; Good dynamic range; Good print quality; Deep buffers with JPEGs; 1080/60p video; Uncompressed HDMI output.

  • AF struggles in low-light; Contrast-detect AF in live view is slow; Buffer depth is shallow with RAW files; No AE bracketing; No built-in Wi-Fi.

The Competition

Compared to Sony A58

Nikon D3300
Sony A58
  • $382
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Panasonic ZS80
Sony A58
  • $398
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Canon T5

Nikon D3300
Canon T5
  • $382
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive
  • $399
  • APS-C
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
Panasonic ZS80
Canon T5
  • $398
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $399
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Nikon D5500

Nikon D3300
Nikon D5500
  • $382
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $697
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
Panasonic ZS80
Nikon D5500
  • $398
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $697
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Panasonic ZS70

Nikon D3300
Panasonic ZS70
  • $382
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Panasonic ZS80
Panasonic ZS70
  • $398
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive

Compared to Canon SX740 HS

Nikon D3300
Canon SX740 HS
  • $382
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $447
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Shoot 4K video
Panasonic ZS80
Canon SX740 HS
  • $398
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $447
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
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