Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS80 Digital Camera – Black

The Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS80 is an ultra-compact superzoom camera that pairs a 20MP 1/2.3" BSI-CMOS sensor with a 24-720mm equiv. F3.4-6.4 lens. It has a 3" touchscreen LCD that can flip up by 180 degrees as well as a small electronic viewfinder.

Design

The Lumix ZS80 is easy to handle, measuring 4.4 x 2.7 x 1.6 inches and weighing 11.5 ounces. It is not pants-pocket size, but it slips easily into a coat pocket or small purse. The camera comes in two finish options: all-black or a sharper black with pewter-color top. A sticky, deeply grooved handgrip provides plenty of purchase for the fingers of the right hand. On the back, the thumb has access to four function buttons that can be reprogrammed to handle a huge range of settings, such as focus area, photo style ISO, white balance, metering mode and many more. Although the ZS80 lacks an adjustment knob on the top, it includes a wheel around the lens barrel, also customizable for controlling a wide range of settings. The three-inch rear touch screen tilts up 180 degrees for framing selfies, but doesn’t tilt down for overhead shooting. It provides some key functions, such as tapping the screen to set the point for auto-exposure or tapping to set autofocus to a single point, a region or a subject to track in photos or video.

Features

The Lumix ZS80 offers fine overall image and video quality in a compact, intuitive package. It has a 30x (24-720mm equivalent) zoom lens and subject tracking autofocus for videos. The camera also has a touch screen for quick setting adjustments. The Lumix ZS80’s autofocus system is fast and accurate, and it has a variety of autofocus modes to choose from. The camera’s built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth make it easy to transfer photos and videos to your smartphone or tablet.

Verdict

The Panasonic Lumix ZS80 is a great all-around compact zoom that’s reasonably priced. It offers handsome, accurate color and detail, compact, sturdy design, intuitive, customizable controls, and a 30x zoom lens. The camera’s touch-screen controls can get confusing, and the LCD screen does not tilt down. However, it is still one of the better options when you’re looking for a camera with more versatility than your smartphone in a package that’s not much larger-or expensive.