Panasonic LUMIX FZ80D Compact Camera 20-1200mm Zoom, Point and Shoot Lens with Built-in Lens, 4K Video and Photo Recording, DC-FZ80D

A right pain in the neck. So many things to do unless you use the Ai or preset functions. Older models with more options far easier to use with much better results, as you can be in control much quicker.

I bought this camera for an Alaskan cruise. I was recovering from back surgery, so did not want to carry my heavy Canon with a long lens. This little "bridge" camera was perfect. I got some great photos, good quality. The zoom worked great. It's nice and small, lightweight. My only complaint is the battery goes down quickly if you zoom in and out a lot, as the zoom is not manual. Be sure to take at least one extra battery, two would be better.

Small, light & easy to carry around when travelling. Zoom range is sufficient for bird & animal video/photo.

This is a GREAT camera FOR ITS INTENDED PURPOSE. Please read before buying. This camera is a "superzoom bridge" camera. That means it has a small sensor (it's physically impossible to get this much zoom out of any portable camera with a large sensor). So, it is NOT a professional grade large sensor camera to get the best depth of color and pin sharp detail. BUT, it IS fantastic to take traveling or hiking to get ALL the shots you cannot get with your phone. Your phone is amazing at wide landscapes, panorama vistas, portraits, low light, etc. HOWEVER, your phone SUCKS at natural looking macro shots (close ups of small things) and it REALLY sucks at long zoom shots - that wildlife off in the distance for example. This camera does a great job of taking the pictures your phone simply can't. It takes really good macro shots - like really good. Not expensive DSLR or mirrorless quality, but pretty close. AND this camera has lots (tons!!!) of OPTICAL zoom and high enough resolution that you can still crop to zoom in even a bit further and still have very solid resolution and quality (though not professional level by any means). Superzoom bridge cameras are, in my opinion, the best travel companion to your phone when you really need long zoom reach. And I believe this one is the best option for many people. It is cheaper, lighter, and smaller than the competition that can compete for image quality. Problems with (ALL) superzoom cameras: They SUCK in low light especially when zooming in - don't bother, get out your phone instead - it's great in low light. Once you get into twilight this camera will be mostly useless - but so will all similar cameras. They are a niche tool. Consider carefully whether you really need this amount of zoom. You can find 20X or even 30X large sensor compact cameras that will get better image quality and be even more portable, and 20x is still quite a bit of zoom, plenty for most uses. Problems with (THIS) superzoom: The physical and digital interface is not intuitive. You will need to spend some time learning how to use this. Having to push a button to switch from viewfinder to LCD screen is annoying (but not a big deal really). Taking any control over ISO, shutter speed, aperture, etc is a bit wonky. It also lacks some bells and whistles like wifi connectivity. Great things about (ALL good) superzoom cameras: Optical zoom is the ONLY good kind of zoom. Digital zoom is just cropping down your picture and losing resolution. It has its uses, but it's better to just do it in the computer when you'll have more control. These cameras have TONS of optical zoom in a small package, making it possible to get shots that are simply impossible with anything else you can afford or carry around - to give you an idea, the Canon 1200mm zoom costs about $20,000 and weighs a "surprisingly light" 7.4 lbs and is 21 inches long. This camera will get you the same distance optically at 1/50 the price of just the lens, less than 1/5 the weight of just the lens, and at a size you can pop in a purse or day pack. Good things about (THIS) superzoom: It is cheaper by far than all other options that get this kind of quality. Half the price or less of the Nikons that are only marginally better. It is smaller and lighter than the competition. The Nikons are nearly twice as long when turned off (lens retracted fully). They also weigh about twice as much (the Nikon P1100 weighs 3.1 lbs compared to this camera at 1.4 lbs). Weight and size really make a big difference in a travel/hiking camera. The Image Stabilization on this one is as good as it gets in a superzoom, which REALLY REALLY matters when zooming. I've managed to get very acceptably sharp photos at 1200 mm (full zoom) while handheld with NO support. That is incredibly impressive. You'll need good technique - holding the camera properly, watching your breathing, and pressing the shutter without jiggling the camera body. To sum up, if you have been frustrated with the limitations of your phone when traveling, hiking, etc. and want something that can get all those pictures your phone simply can't without having to carry around a dedicated camera bag, this is a FANTASTIC option - especially when out in nature to capture the wildlife that can often be very far off in the distance. If you don't really need all this zoom, then maybe look at some of the more compact large sensor options that still have good zoom and can do good macro shots. If you have lots of spare money, and want the maximum possible zoom, and don't care about carrying a larger heavier camera, then consider the Nikon P1100. But for the sweet spot of those who need the zoom that goes well past 20 or 30x, and want the most compact lightweight option, or people who have a budget to stay inside, this is the best option on the market, in my opinion. I'm a backpacker who is also a photography enthusiast, and after doing tons of comparisons and research, this is the camera I choose to carry on the trail because it solves all the problems I had with every other option. I'm giving it 4 stars out of 5 only because of the lack of wifi and the less than intuitive interface. Otherwise, I think this is a perfect camera for my needs.

I received this camera for Christmas 2025. And I am still learning, but a great choice for my needs and my wants in a camera. Beautiful and superior fast focus photos with the zooming in or out. Also, superior stabilization with the focus and resolution without the use of a tripod is awesome. Clarity of each photo is sharp, crisp, and great quality. Tons of features and the settings are fantastic and are simple and easy to use. This Lumix FZ80D Bridge Camera is superb. I love it. I'm learning so much more than I thought I would. It's not only taking nature photos but also slowing down the pace of life with waiting on nature to reveal that perfect moment. And, to get that beauty in a photo is an amazing feeling.

I wanted so much to really love this camera, and the price and zoom were indeed awesome, but final results were mixed. I am admittedly, a "pixel peeper" and immediately after feeding my pics to my PC, I begin giving them great scrutiny to edit slightly etc.. These pics on the face looked great but upon close inspection looked a bit grainy despite my best efforts at keeping ISO low. It's also a pretty "slow" camera" and in shade or lower light at the end of the day there's was practically no way to get a nice shot unless cranking the ISO and putting up with the resulting grain. I even tried using Topaz de-noise programs and there was just not much to work with. I returned the camera and ended up with a used Sony RX10 IV which only has half the zoom at 600m but at least double the resolution (and cost twice as much). If a light, somewhat cheap way to get a 1200mm zoom for use only in bright light, and you're only interested in posting to social media, this camera might be a good choice, otherwise, you might be disappointed.