• APS-C 357.3mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Sony A3000 advantages over Panasonic ZS80

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.25 vs 1.19 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 470 vs 380 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • 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
    16000 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic ZS80 advantages over Sony A3000

  • 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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Fast startup
    ~1.40 vs 2.2 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Thinner
    41 mm vs 84 mm
    Thinner
  • 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
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    1040k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Less shutter lag
    0.16 vs 0.28 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.53x vs 0.47x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.1 fps vs 3.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    102 vs 11 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (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
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.

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 Sony A3000

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic ZS80

Review Excerpt

  • Absolutely incredible value; Includes a stabilized kit lens; More versatile than a fixed-lens bridge camera; Comfortable body with good ergonomics; Great image quality; Good autofocus performance; Decent battery life.

  • Feels a bit plasticky; Slow burst shooting with limited buffer; Sluggish to power on or switch modes; Low-res EVF and LCD monitor; Can't review images using EVF; No video output; Weak flash; Battery charges in-camera.

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K-01

Sony A3000
Pentax K-01
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $359
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Panasonic ZS80
Pentax K-01
  • $398
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $359
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sigma sd Quattro

Sony A3000
Sigma sd Quattro
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • HDMI out
Panasonic ZS80
Sigma sd Quattro
  • $398
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Canon EOS M5

Sony A3000
Canon EOS M5
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $679
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Tiltable Screen
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

Sony A3000
Panasonic ZS70
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Shoot 4K video
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

Sony A3000
Canon SX740 HS
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $482
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Shoot 4K video
Panasonic ZS80
Canon SX740 HS
  • $398
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $482
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
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