Are you looking for the best camera to suit your needs? Due to a wide range of options, making a wise and weighted decision can be rather challenging. Which specs to keep in mind? What are the key pros and cons of each model? This comparison should give some helpful hints!
In this overview, we are going to take a look at two different camera models that fall into different categories: the first model we are about to review, Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ80 is a camera from Small Sensor Superzoom category. It features BSI-CMOS sensor with a resolution of 18.0 MP. The second model we are looking at, Panasonic Lumix DMC-G7, falls into a Semi-Pro Mirrorless category and it is equipped with CMOS sensor that has a resolution of 16.0 MP.
Without a doubt, these two categories have a few considerable distinctive features. However, it is worth saying that cameras from SuperZoom category create serious competition to models that fall into MirrorLess category. Such an intense competition between these two categories is explained by the significant advantages of cameras from the first category in terms of size and weight. In addition, thanks to the latest enhancement, this type of cameras come with increased focus speeds. This fact makes our comparison overview even more exciting.
Now, before we can move on to our comparison, let's take a moment to look at the key characteristics of Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ80 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-G7.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ80 Key Features:
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G7 Key Features:
Sensor Resolution | 18.0 MP vs 16.0 MP | 11.1% more pixels |
Image Stabilization | Yes vs No | All lenses are stabilized |
Continuous Shooting | 10 fps vs 7 fps | 3 fps faster |
Flash Range | 14.1 vs 9.3 | 4.8 better flash range |
Sensor Area | 224.9 mm2 vs 28.07 mm2 | 87.5% larger pixel area |
Max Shutter Speed | 1/16000 vs 1/2000 | Faster shutter speed |
Screen Type | Fully Articulated vs Fixed Type | Flexible shooting positions |
Battery Life | 350 shots vs 330 shots | 20 more frames with a single charge |
Weight | 410 g vs 616 g | 206 g lighter |
Microphone Port | Yes vs No | High quality audio recording option |
Viewfinder Resolution | 2,360k dots vs 1,166k dots | 50.6% higher resolution |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.7 vs 0.46 | 0.24 better magnification |
Touch Screen | Yes | Yes | Easy control of camera functions |
Screen Size | 3″ | 3″ | Large display |
Screen Resolution | 1,040k dots | 1,040k dots | High resolution screen |
Viewfinder | Electronic | Electronic | Better framing and control |
Raw Support | Yes | Yes | Better image quality |
AutoFocus Face Detection | Yes | Yes | Very handy for portraits |
Timelapse Recording | Yes | Yes | Creative shooting |
Bracketing | Yes | Yes | Useful for tough lighting conditions and HDR |
Built-In Flash | Yes | Yes | External flash available |
Sensor Resolution | 18.0 MP | 16.0 MP | Small sensor resolution |
Headphone Port | No | No | No headphone port |
Environmental Sealing | No | No | No environmental sealing |
Before heading straight to the technical characteristics of each model, let’s start with comparing their physical specs. Let’s start with looking at the physical difference of the two products. Below are images that clearly show the sizes of Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ80 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-G7 from the front view.
Now, let’s go on and see how the reviewed models are different or similar by the top view.
After looking at these images, you should get a clear idea of each model’s dimensions and how they are different from each other. However, we are not going to stop there. The next characteristic worth looking at is the weight. Of course, not every photographer is concerned about the weight, for example, it wouldn't be a decisive point for those who shoot in a studio. However, it is still an important factor because if you happen to go on a long photo session or just love having the camera with you wherever you go, you want to be sure that the chosen model isn't too heavy.
Speaking of weight, Panasonic Lumix DMC-G7 is a lighter option of these two, as it weights 206g less than the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ80. This difference, in fact, can become a significant disadvantage for the photographers, who prefer to have their cameras with them wherever they go.
Sensor is, without a doubt, the most significant element of every digital camera. Its type, size, and resolution are the factors that define the quality of future shots. Thus, it is barely possible to pick a suitable camera without looking at these specs.
Are Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ80 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-G7 any different in terms of sensor type?
In fact, that's exactly what makes these two models really different. Thus, it is a good point to consider if your are choosing between these two cameras. Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ80 features a 18.0 MP 1/2.3" sized BSI-CMOS sensor and boasts of a Venus Engine processor . Panasonic Lumix DMC-G7, in its turn, comes with a 16.0 MP Four Thirds sized CMOS sensor , which makes it significantly different from the first model.
Take a look below to find the comparison of Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ80 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-G7 by the size of their sensors.
One more distinctive feature of compared models is the sensor size. Panasonic Lumix DMC-G7 is equipped with a sensor that is 0.1x larger than the one featured in Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ80. Compared to the cameras with smaller sensor area, the ones with larger sensors ensure more control on the blurry background and depth of field if you shoot in the same aperture and focal length. Thus, the first model has a significant advantage here.
If you are interested in photography or has made a career in this field, you should know that different types of shooting actually require different camera characteristics. While one model can produce outstanding portraits, at the same time, it can be terrible for shooting landscapes, and so on. Thus, before you purchase a specific camera, it is vital to decide, which type of shooting you do most often and consider an option that suits it the most.
This section of our comparison is devoted to the performance of Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ80 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-G7 in different fields of photography. Here we are going to look at the five main areas and evaluate how well each of the reviewed models performs in them. This will help you choose an option that suits your needs the most depending on your interest in one or several of these fields.
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Street Photography |
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Sports Photography |
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Daily Photography |
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Landscape Photography |
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Hopefully, our detailed overview of these models has helped you consider all the main specs, pros and cons of each cameras. Maybe, after reading this comparison, some of you have already decided which option to opt for depending on your needs and preferences. However, if you are still wondering which option is a better choice, Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ80 or Panasonic Lumix DMC-G7, below you can see what scores each of them received in five different aspects. To wrap up, we have used our unique Decision Algorithm that assesses different camera models upon 63 different factors including their price, and, if possible, DxO Mark scores. This algorithm allows us to make our verdict more consistent and objective.
What is our final verdict? Based on our comparison and the final scores of Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ80 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-G7 here is what we can say in conclusion:
According all the factors that we considered in the process of comparing these two cameras, Panasonic Lumix DMC-G7 deserves a higher Total Score than the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ80. Thus, if you are choosing between these options, we would recommend you to choose the first model over the other one.
For better understanding of each model’s technical characteristics, find the detailed comparison below:
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ80 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-G7 | |
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General | ||
Brand | Panasonic | Panasonic |
Model | Lumix DMC-FZ80 | Lumix DMC-G7 |
Announced | Jan 04, 2017 | May 19, 2015 |
Body Type | SLR-like (bridge) | SLR-style mirrorless |
Sensor | ||
Sensor Type | BSI-CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor Size | 1/2.3" | Four Thirds |
Sensor Dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55 mm | 17.3 x 13 mm |
Sensor Area | 28.07 mm2 | 224.90 mm2 |
Sensor Resolution | 18.0 MP | 16.0 MP |
Max Image Resolution | 4896 x 3672 | 4592 x 3448 |
Max Native ISO | 3,200 | 25,600 |
Max Boosted ISO | 6,400 | n/a |
Min Native ISO | 80 | 160 |
RAW Support | ||
Lens | ||
Manual Focus | ||
Lens Mount | Fixed lens | Micro Four Thirds |
Number of Lenses | n/a | 94 |
Focal Length Multiplier | n/a | 2x |
Macro Focus Range | 1 | |
AutoFocus | ||
AF Touch | ||
AF Continuous | ||
AF Single | ||
AF Tracking | ||
AF Selective | ||
AF Center | ||
AF Multi Area | ||
AF Live View | ||
AF Face Detection | ||
AF Contrast Detection | ||
AF Phase Detection | ||
Number of Focus Points | 49 | 49 |
Number of Cross Focus Points | n/a | n/a |
Screen | ||
Screen Type | Fixed Type | Fully Articulated |
Screen Size | 3″ | 3″ |
Screen Resolution | 1,040k dots | 1,040k dots |
Live View | ||
Touch Screen | ||
ViewFinder | ||
ViewFinder | Electronic | Electronic |
ViewFinder Resolution | 1,166k dots | 2,360k dots |
ViewFinder Coverage | 100% | 100% |
ViewFinder Magnification | 0.46 | 0.7 |
Photography Features | ||
Min Shutter Speed | 4 s | 60 s |
Max Shutter Speed | 1/2000 s | 1/16000 s |
Continuous Shooting | 10.0 fps | 7.0 fps |
Shutter Priority | ||
Aperture Priority | ||
Manual Exposure Mode | ||
Exposure Compensation | ||
Custom White Balance | ||
Image Stabilization | ||
Built-in Flash | ||
Flash Range | 14.1 | 9.3 |
Flash Modes | Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync/Red-eye Reduction, 1st Curtain Sync, 2nd Curtain Sync | Auto, Red-Eye, Slow Sync |
External Flash | ||
AE Bracketing | ||
WB Bracketing | ||
Exposure Modes | ||
Multi-Segment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF-Area | ||
Center Weighted | ||
Video Features | ||
Video Resolutions | 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 28 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC | 3840 x 2160 (30, 25, 24, 20fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25fps |
Max Video Resolution | 3840 x 2160 | 3840 x 2160 |
Video Formats | MPEG-4, AVCHD | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Microphone Port | ||
Headphone Port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless Connectivity | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 | USB 2.0 |
Physical | ||
Environmental Sealing | ||
Water Proof | ||
Dust Proof | ||
Shock Proof | ||
Crush Proof | ||
Freeze Proof | ||
Weight | 616 g | 410 g |
Physical Dimensions | 130 x 94 x 119 mm | 125 x 86 x 77 mm |
Battery Life | 330 shots | 350 shots |
Battery Type | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Model | n/a | n/a |
Other Features | ||
Self Timer | ||
Timelapse Recording | ||
GPS | ||
Storage Type | SD/SDHC/SDXC card | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage Slots | 1 | 1 |
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