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Canon SX50 HS vs Panasonic ZS8

Portability
65
Imaging
36
Features
55
Overall
43
Canon PowerShot SX50 HS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
39
Overall
37

Canon SX50 HS vs Panasonic ZS8 Key Specs

Canon SX50 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.8" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1200mm (F3.4-6.5) lens
  • 595g - 123 x 87 x 106mm
  • Launched January 2013
  • Older Model is Canon SX40 HS
  • Replacement is Canon SX60 HS
Panasonic ZS8
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 210g - 105 x 58 x 33mm
  • Released July 2011
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ18
  • Superseded the Panasonic ZS7
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Canon SX50 HS vs Panasonic ZS8 Overview

Below, we will be evaluating the Canon SX50 HS and Panasonic ZS8, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by competitors Canon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the SX50 HS (12MP) and the ZS8 (14MP) is relatively comparable and they use the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SX50 HS was launched 19 months later than the ZS8 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both cameras come with different body type with the Canon SX50 HS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic ZS8 being a Compact camera.

Before delving through a complete comparison, below is a concise overview of how the SX50 HS grades against the ZS8 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX50 HS over the Panasonic ZS8

 SX50 HS ZS8 
ReleasedJanuary 2013July 2011Fresher by 19 months
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution461k230kClearer screen (+231k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS8 over the Canon SX50 HS

 ZS8 SX50 HS 
Screen dimension3"2.8"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Common features in the Canon SX50 HS and Panasonic ZS8

 SX50 HS ZS8 
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Canon SX50 HS vs Panasonic ZS8 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry your camera regularly, you should take into account its weight and proportions. The Canon SX50 HS has outer dimensions of 123mm x 87mm x 106mm (4.8" x 3.4" x 4.2") and a weight of 595 grams (1.31 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS8 has measurements of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") and a weight of 210 grams (0.46 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon SX50 HS and Panasonic ZS8 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have attached at that time. The following is the front view sizing comparison of the SX50 HS vs the ZS8.

Canon SX50 HS vs Panasonic ZS8 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the SX50 HS and ZS8 is 65 and 92 respectively.

Canon SX50 HS vs Panasonic ZS8 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX50 HS vs Panasonic ZS8 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very tough to see the gap in sensor sizing purely by checking out specs. The photograph here will help give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX50 HS and ZS8.

As you can plainly see, each of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same resolution. You should count on the Panasonic ZS8 to provide extra detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The fresher SX50 HS will have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon SX50 HS vs Panasonic ZS8 sensor size comparison

Canon SX50 HS vs Panasonic ZS8 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX50 HS vs Panasonic ZS8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX50 HS Portrait photography info
Panasonic ZS8 Portrait photography info
48
focusing manually
high flash sync speed (1/2,000s)
comes with face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
30
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
external flash not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX50 HS
Street photography with Panasonic ZS8
57
screen articulates fully
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
heavier than competitors in class (595 grams)
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (210 grams)
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX50 HS
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS8
39
incredible zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
47
excellent zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
max fps very slow (2.0 fps)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SX50 HS
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS8
53
built-in flash
display is selfie friendly
quite wide (24mm)
great reach (1200mm)
no Time Lapse recording
heavier than competitors in class (595 grams)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
69
lighter than competition (210g)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
long reach (384mm)
missing Timelapse recording
does not have selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX50 HS Landscape photography features
Panasonic ZS8 Landscape photography features
45
focusing manually
quite wide (24mm)
screen size is good (2.8 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no Time Lapse recording
44
pretty wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX50 HS Vlogging factors
Panasonic ZS8 Vlogging factors
58
quite wide (24mm)
display is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
no mic jack
heavier than competitors in class (595 grams)
30
pretty wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (210g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not have selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external microphone port
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Canon SX50 HS vs Panasonic ZS8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX50 HS and Panasonic ZS8
 Canon PowerShot SX50 HSPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8
General Information
Brand Canon Panasonic
Model type Canon PowerShot SX50 HS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-TZ18
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2013-01-15 2011-07-19
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 5 Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-1200mm (50.0x) 24-384mm (16.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.4-6.5 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing range 0cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 2.8" 3"
Resolution of screen 461k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 202k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.50 m 5.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Second Curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/2000 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format H.264 MPEG-4
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 595 grams (1.31 lbs) 210 grams (0.46 lbs)
Dimensions 123 x 87 x 106mm (4.8" x 3.4" x 4.2") 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 47 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 20.3 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.2 not tested
DXO Low light rating 179 not tested
Other
Battery life 315 photos 340 photos
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-10L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at release $429 $275