• APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon EOS M50 advantages over Panasonic ZS80

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.72 vs 1.19 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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
  • More dots on screen
    1620k vs 1040k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 20.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • 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
    51200 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic ZS80 advantages over Canon EOS M50

  • Less expensive
    $398* vs $649
    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
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 380 vs 235 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    41 mm vs 58 mm
    Thinner
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/200 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    102 vs 36 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    32 vs 10 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • 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
  • Shoot 4K video
    Both provide
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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

  • 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
  • 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 Canon EOS M50

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic ZS80

Review Excerpt

  • Comfortable ergonomics and solid build; Versatile EVF and tilt-swivel, touch-screen LCD; Good image quality; Great performance for its class; New C-RAW format saves on raw file size; 4K video is an M-series first.

  • Somewhat limited dynamic range; JPEGs a little soft at base ISO, and more so at higher ISOs; Warm white balance under incandescent light; Poor battery life; Raw buffer is still shallow (but C-RAW helps).

The Competition

Compared to Canon EOS M5

Canon EOS M50
Canon EOS M5
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $679
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
Panasonic ZS80
Canon EOS M5
  • $398
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $679
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Panasonic ZS70

Canon EOS M50
Panasonic ZS70
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion
Panasonic ZS80
Panasonic ZS70
  • $398
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive

Compared to Canon SX740 HS

Canon EOS M50
Canon SX740 HS
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $408
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Panasonic ZS80
Canon SX740 HS
  • $398
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $408
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Sony A6400

Canon EOS M50
Sony A6400
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $898
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Panasonic ZS80
Sony A6400
  • $398
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $898
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sony A6100

Canon EOS M50
Sony A6100
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Higher-res screen
  • $648
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Panasonic ZS80
Sony A6100
  • $398
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $648
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
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