• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 20.2 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

YI M1 advantages over Panasonic ZS80

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.34 vs 1.19 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • 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 YI M1

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/125 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    5 years vs 7 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.1 fps vs 5.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (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
  • Shoot 4K video
    Both provide
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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
  • 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

  • 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
  • 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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Your purchases support this site

Buy the YI M1
Kit with 12-40mm lens (Black)
  • Kit with 12-40mm lens (Black)
  • Kit with 12-40mm & 42.5mm lenses (Silver)

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic ZS80

Review Excerpt

  • Cheap as chips (and with a kit lens!); Quality Sony Exmor Four Thirds sensor; Widely-supported Micro Four Thirds lens mount; Good image quality from raw files; Reasonable burst performance for price; 4K video capture.

  • Poor ergonomics; Controls too easily bumped; Frustrating user interface; Mediocre JPEG image quality; Heavy-handed noise reduction; Unreliable white balance; No raw+JPEG; Buffer is almost nonexistent; Focus confirmation beep happens while still focusing; AF is poor in low light; Laggy user interface in playback; Extreme crop for 4K video; Kit lenses feel cheap; No bundled flash.

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-PL6

YI M1
Olympus E-PL6
  • $199
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $299
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Panasonic ZS80
Olympus E-PL6
  • $398
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $299
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Panasonic GF7

YI M1
Panasonic GF7
  • $199
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $590
  • 4/3
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Internal flash
Panasonic ZS80
Panasonic GF7
  • $398
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $590
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Panasonic GX850

YI M1
Panasonic GX850
  • $199
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $548
  • 4/3
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Internal flash
Panasonic ZS80
Panasonic GX850
  • $398
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $548
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Panasonic ZS70

YI M1
Panasonic ZS70
  • $199
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
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

YI M1
Canon SX740 HS
  • $199
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $408
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen
Panasonic ZS80
Canon SX740 HS
  • $398
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $408
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
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