Panasonic LUMIX FZ80D Compact Camera with 20-1200mm Zoom Lens, Point and Shoot Digital Camera with 4K Video/Photo Recording and Power Optical Image Stabilizer - DC-FZ80D

This is not a pro camera. It has its limitations. It needs light. But outdoors that long zoom is so nice......this image is not cropped, was taken at full zoom, and denoised. Not too bad, but some post processing is required.

I’m only just getting acquainted with this camera - it seems of good quality and the zoom is awesome…Auto focus has been quite frustrating so far. But after reading reviews and doing research on this camera that mentioned that it did in fact, have Wi-Fi connection to phone and computer - I was quite disappointed to find out that it does NOT and you have to use a wired card reader, etc. This also means you can’t use their app for photo editing, remote operation etc. I don’t know why they would eliminate Wi-Fi from older to newer model seems very backwards. Can’t get a clear pic at high zoom (the main reason I got this camera … disappointing)

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 am disappointed with the performance of this camera. The pictures are grainy and the color resolution is poor.The size also makes the camera cumbersome.I took pictures of a special occasion. I got better pictures with a cellphone.

This little camera is insane. I truly love it. I am not a photographer, I just wanted a camera that wasn't crazy expensive but took crisp clear photos. I have been looking for one for a long time. I would buy one and be sorely disappointed and return it, I have done this for a while. My daughter recently joined flag football so I decided to try again and saw this camera. I put the camera in sports scene and the pictures are beautiful and even zoomed in the clarity is spectacular. The videos are also crisp and clear even zoomed in. The zoom is also insane. I have yet to explore all the bells and whistles but what I have used is sheer perfection... a million thumbs up

The media could not be loaded. I wanted to love this camera. I tried so hard to make it work for me. But what I discovered was that it just didn't function well for what I purchased it for. I wanted to take video and pictures of wild life. We have eagles around where I live and I took it out several times in an attempt to video birds in flight. It really struggles with staying in focus (it hunts) while trying to video action in the sky. It is very difficult for a novice to learn to use. I tried to read the manual and research the internet for tips. I even watched a few videos I located, but they were all surface training. Nothing in depth. So, if you are a seasoned photographer this may not be an issue. But if you are a novice photographer, beware and be ready for frustration. I also had it "lock up" once on me. The only way to get the camera to turn on after that was to remove and reinsert the battery. I am including one video of a couple birds flying. I am also including a picture of a truck I zoomed in on at full zoom from where I was sitting. If you plan to use the pre-set auto focus, and have lots of time to learn to use this camera, it may work for you. I will say it is light weight, which I really appreciated. It was also easy to hold, which I also really appreciated since my hands are small. I have owned Lumix in the past and loved them, so this camera I think was out of my depth.

Love the clarity and quality of this camera.