Nikon Coolpix A1000 vs Panasonic Lumix ZS80 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Nikon · Compact · 16 MP · 1/2.3” · 4K video
Nikon Coolpix A1000
53
SCORE
|
Panasonic · Compact · 20 MP · 1/2.3” · 4K video
Panasonic Lumix ZS80
60
WINNER
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Nikon Coolpix A1000 and Panasonic Lumix ZS80 are fixed-lens compact cameras announced a month apart in early 2019, both aimed at photographers who want a small body for travel and everyday shooting. Their dimensions are nearly identical, with the A1000 at 114 x 72 x 41 mm and the ZS80 at 112 x 69 x 42 mm. The ZS80 is also 3 g lighter, at 327 g against 330 g. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2019 | 2019 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
January 18, 2019 | February 18, 2019 |
| Camera type |  Compact | Compact |
| Camera size | 114 x 72 x 41 mm | 112 x 69 x 42 mm |
| Camera weight | 330 g | 327 g |
| Optics | 55/100 | 59/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe ZS80 is the stronger choice for heavy cropping, with a 20 MP sensor against the A1000's 16 MP on the shared 1/2.3-inch format. It also offers an electronic viewfinder for eye-level framing, while the A1000 has none and relies on its rear screen. The A1000 counters with tools for fast action: 16 autofocus points against the ZS80's one, and a 1/4000 second top shutter speed against 1/2000 for freezing motion in bright light. Both shoot at 10 fps with in-body stabilisation. Both reach ISO 6400 with expanded settings, though the A1000's standard ceiling is 6400 against the ZS80's 3200. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
16 MP050 | 20 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
4608 x 3456 | 5184 x 3888 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
6.17 x 4.55 | 6.17 x 4.55 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 1/2.3” | 1/2.3” |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
10 fps045 | 10 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Fixed | Fixed |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Unspecified | Venus Engine |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 4:3 |  3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
12530200 | 8030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
64003003280000 | 32003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 8030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
64003003280000 | 64003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
844080 | 244080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 200080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
160300 | 10300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
None | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | 233000009900000 |
| Video | 70/100 | 69/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoFor slow-motion headroom in editing, the ZS80 has the advantage, with a maximum video frame rate of 60 fps against 30 fps on the A1000. Both share a 4K maximum recording resolution and record in MPEG-4 and MOV formats. The A1000 keeps one recording convenience the ZS80 lacks: a built-in timelapse mode, so interval shooting of clouds or sunsets needs no external intervalometer. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 4K | 4K |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
3840 x 2160 | 3840 x 2160 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
30 fps | 60 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
 Yes | No |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MPEG-4, MOV | MPEG-4, MOV |
| Features | 54/100 | 70/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe ZS80 offers Bluetooth alongside Wi-Fi, while the A1000 has Wi-Fi only, giving the Panasonic a second wireless connection to a phone. Its rear screen is also sharper, with 1,040,000 dots against 921,000, which makes focus confirmation and image review crisper. The remaining controls largely match. Both have a 3-inch touch screen that flips for selfies or low-angle work, live view, and a built-in flash. Neither includes GPS for geotagging travel photos, and neither is weather sealed, so neither suits a rain-soaked shoot without protection. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
✗ | ✗ |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | TFT LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
9210001150001500000 | 10400001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
 Yes | Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
 Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
No |  Yes |
| Storage & battery | 29/100 | 35/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe ZS80 holds the battery advantage under its rated test conditions, at 380 shots against 250 for the A1000, a 52 percent higher rating. Both cameras write to a single SD, SDHC or SDXC card slot and charge over USB, so either can be topped up from a power bank. The ZS80's slot supports UHS-I for faster card writes, and the two use different batteries, Nikon's EN-EL12 and Panasonic's DMW-BLG10. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-I compatible) |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | EN-EL12 | DMW-BLG10 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
250 shots1505000 | 380 shots1505000 |
| USB charging |  Yes | Yes |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
The Panasonic Lumix ZS80 is the stronger pick for most travel and everyday use. Its electronic viewfinder enables eye-level composition where the Nikon Coolpix A1000 offers screen-only shooting, and its higher maximum video frame rate gives more slow-motion room in editing. A higher battery rating and Bluetooth suit long days of shooting and sharing.
Choose the A1000 when its tools fit your subjects: 16 autofocus points and a 1/4000 second shutter for fast action, plus a built-in timelapse mode for interval work. Otherwise the ZS80's viewfinder, video frame rate and battery rating make it the better travel companion.