• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Sony NEX-6 advantages over Panasonic ZS80

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.78 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
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.73x vs 0.53x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • 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
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic ZS80 advantages over Sony NEX-6

  • 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
  • Fast startup
    ~1.40 vs 2.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    6 years vs 12 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)
  • More pixels
    20.3 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    102 vs 12 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    32 vs 10 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
  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony NEX-6
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 16-50mm and 55-210mm Lenses
  • Kit with 16-50mm Lens
All NEX-6 Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic ZS80
Panasonic ZS80 (Black)
  • Panasonic ZS80 (Black)
  • Panasonic ZS80 (Silver)
All ZS80 Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Very good image quality; More consumer-friendly control setup than NEX-7 but more advanced (actual Mode dial) than step-down models; OLED EVF and 3-inch tilting LCD monitor provide viewfinder flexibility; Fast and decisive AF on stationary subjects, and good continuous AF on normal moving subjects; Full HD 1080p video recording at up to 60p.

  • Hybrid AF system speed and accuracy still lags somewhat behind higher-end DSLRs; Wi-Fi features still rudimentary (join the club); LCD is not a touchscreen; User interface foibles.

  • Read our Sony NEX-6 Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony NEX-5N

Sony NEX-6
Sony NEX-5N
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony NEX-6 vs Sony NEX-5N

Panasonic ZS80
Sony NEX-5N
  • $398
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic ZS80 vs Sony NEX-5N

Compared to Sony NEX-F3

Sony NEX-6
Sony NEX-F3
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compare Sony NEX-6 vs Sony NEX-F3

Panasonic ZS80
Sony NEX-F3
  • $398
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic ZS80 vs Sony NEX-F3

Compared to Sony NEX-5R

Sony NEX-6
Sony NEX-5R
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen

Compare Sony NEX-6 vs Sony NEX-5R

Panasonic ZS80
Sony NEX-5R
  • $398
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic ZS80 vs Sony NEX-5R

Compared to Panasonic ZS70

Sony NEX-6
Panasonic ZS70
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Sony NEX-6 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 Nikon A1000

Sony NEX-6
Nikon A1000
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $477
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Sony NEX-6 vs 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

Compare Other Cameras?