• 1/2.5 inch 24.7mm2
  • 8.1 megapixels
  • 33.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 120.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic DMC-LS80 advantages over Nikon AW120

  • Less expensive
    $150 vs $350 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.76 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Lighter weight
    129g vs 213g
    Lighter weight
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Nikon AW120 advantages over Panasonic DMC-LS80

  • Larger sensor
    1/2.3 inch vs 1/2.5 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • More telephoto lens reach
    120 mm vs 100 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Newer
    11 years vs 17 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    921k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 8.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle lens
    24 mm vs 33 mm
    Capture more of the scene

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

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Manual focus
    Neither provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Samsung S860

Panasonic DMC-LS80
Samsung S860
  • $113
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $179
  • 1/2.5 inch

Compare Panasonic DMC-LS80 vs Samsung S860

Nikon AW120
Samsung S860
  • $219
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Waterproof
  • $179
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon AW120 vs Samsung S860

Compared to Samsung S760

Panasonic DMC-LS80
Samsung S760
  • $113
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Wider angle lens
  • $169
  • 1/2.5 inch

Compare Panasonic DMC-LS80 vs Samsung S760

Nikon AW120
Samsung S760
  • $219
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Waterproof
  • $169
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon AW120 vs Samsung S760

Compared to Nikon L18

Panasonic DMC-LS80
Nikon L18
  • $113
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $140
  • 1/2.5 inch

Compare Panasonic DMC-LS80 vs Nikon L18

Nikon AW120
Nikon L18
  • $219
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Waterproof
  • $140
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon AW120 vs Nikon L18

Compared to Canon A1400

Panasonic DMC-LS80
Canon A1400
  • $113
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Bigger pixels
  • $297
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic DMC-LS80 vs Canon A1400

Nikon AW120
Canon A1400
  • $219
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $297
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Nikon AW120 vs Canon A1400

Compared to Nikon AW130

Panasonic DMC-LS80
Nikon AW130
  • $113
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Lighter weight
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic DMC-LS80 vs Nikon AW130

Nikon AW120
Nikon AW130
  • $219
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Slow-motion videos

Compare Nikon AW120 vs Nikon AW130

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