• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 20.9 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

Buy From

Differences

Panasonic ZS80 advantages over Nikon Z50

  • Less expensive
    $398* vs $897
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Slower slow-motion
    240 fps vs 120 fps
    Supports slower slow-mo
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Thinner
    41 mm vs 60 mm
    Thinner
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/200 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Nikon Z50 advantages over Panasonic ZS80

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.22 vs 1.19 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • 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 viewfinder magnification
    0.68x vs 0.53x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster RAW shooting
    11.0 fps vs 9.5 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Higher extended ISO
    204800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Shoot 4K video
    Both provide
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Both provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Both provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • 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 Panasonic ZS80
Panasonic ZS80 (Black)
  • Panasonic ZS80 (Black)
  • Panasonic ZS80 (Silver)
All ZS80 Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon Z50
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 16-50mm and 50-250mm Lenses
  • Kit with 16-50mm Lens
All Z50 Deals

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic ZS70

Panasonic ZS80
Panasonic ZS70
  • $398
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive

Compare Panasonic ZS80 vs Panasonic ZS70

Nikon Z50
Panasonic ZS70
  • $790
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion

Compare Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic ZS70

Compared to Canon EOS M50

Panasonic ZS80
Canon EOS M50
  • $398
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic ZS80 vs Canon EOS M50

Nikon Z50
Canon EOS M50
  • $790
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon Z50 vs Canon EOS M50

Compared to Canon SX740 HS

Panasonic ZS80
Canon SX740 HS
  • $398
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $447
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Panasonic ZS80 vs Canon SX740 HS

Nikon Z50
Canon SX740 HS
  • $790
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $447
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon Z50 vs Canon SX740 HS

Compared to Nikon A1000

Panasonic ZS80
Nikon A1000
  • $398
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $477
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Panasonic ZS80 vs Nikon A1000

Nikon Z50
Nikon A1000
  • $790
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $477
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon Z50 vs Nikon A1000

Compared to Fujifilm X-S10

Panasonic ZS80
Fujifilm X-S10
  • $398
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $1199
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Panasonic ZS80 vs Fujifilm X-S10

Nikon Z50
Fujifilm X-S10
  • $790
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Wider angle kit lens
  • $1199
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Slower slow-motion

Compare Nikon Z50 vs Fujifilm X-S10

Compare Other Cameras?