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

Buy From

Differences

Panasonic ZS50 advantages over Sony HX80

  • Less expensive
    $279 vs $368
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.54 vs 1.26 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Sony HX80 advantages over Panasonic ZS50

  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 390 vs 300 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.50x vs 0.46x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    18.2 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    10 vs 6 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Both provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • 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

Buy the Panasonic ZS50
Panasonic ZS50 (Black)
  • Panasonic ZS50 (Black)
  • Panasonic ZS50 (Silver)
All ZS50 Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony HX80
Sony HX80
All HX80 Deals

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic ZS40

Panasonic ZS50
Panasonic ZS40
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • More pixels

Compare Panasonic ZS50 vs Panasonic ZS40

Sony HX80
Panasonic ZS40
  • $368
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • RAW file ability

Compare Sony HX80 vs Panasonic ZS40

Compared to Panasonic ZS35

Panasonic ZS50
Panasonic ZS35
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • More pixels

Compare Panasonic ZS50 vs Panasonic ZS35

Sony HX80
Panasonic ZS35
  • $368
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch

Compare Sony HX80 vs Panasonic ZS35

Compared to Canon SX700 HS

Panasonic ZS50
Canon SX700 HS
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels
  • Faster shutter

Compare Panasonic ZS50 vs Canon SX700 HS

Sony HX80
Canon SX700 HS
  • $368
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Slow-motion videos

Compare Sony HX80 vs Canon SX700 HS

Compared to Sony WX500

Panasonic ZS50
Sony WX500
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Panasonic ZS50 vs Sony WX500

Sony HX80
Sony WX500
  • $368
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch

Compare Sony HX80 vs Sony WX500

Compared to Sony HX90V

Panasonic ZS50
Sony HX90V
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in GPS

Compare Panasonic ZS50 vs Sony HX90V

Sony HX80
Sony HX90V
  • $368
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Built-in GPS

Compare Sony HX80 vs Sony HX90V

Compare Other Cameras?