• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 10.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Sony DSLR-A300 advantages over Panasonic ZS80

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.12 vs 1.19 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 730 vs 380 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 102 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Panasonic ZS80 advantages over Sony DSLR-A300

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs No
    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
  • 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 74 mm
    Thinner
  • Newer
    6 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
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Lighter weight
    327g vs 582g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    1040k 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 viewfinder magnification
    0.53x vs 0.49x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    20.3 vs 10.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.1 fps vs 3.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (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
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 3200 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
  • 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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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.

Common Weaknesses

  • 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
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Sony DSLR-A200

Sony DSLR-A300
Sony DSLR-A200
  • $563
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $470
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • More viewfinder magnification

Compare Sony DSLR-A300 vs Sony DSLR-A200

Panasonic ZS80
Sony DSLR-A200
  • $398
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $470
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic ZS80 vs Sony DSLR-A200

Compared to Pentax K2000

Sony DSLR-A300
Pentax K2000
  • $563
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $556
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • More cross-type AF points

Compare Sony DSLR-A300 vs Pentax K2000

Panasonic ZS80
Pentax K2000
  • $398
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $556
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic ZS80 vs Pentax K2000

Compared to Nikon D5000

Sony DSLR-A300
Nikon D5000
  • $563
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Sony DSLR-A300 vs Nikon D5000

Panasonic ZS80
Nikon D5000
  • $398
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic ZS80 vs Nikon D5000

Compared to Panasonic ZS70

Sony DSLR-A300
Panasonic ZS70
  • $563
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Sony DSLR-A300 vs 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

Compared to Canon SX740 HS

Sony DSLR-A300
Canon SX740 HS
  • $563
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $447
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Sony DSLR-A300 vs 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

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