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Canon SX540 HS vs Panasonic ZS8

Portability
69
Imaging
46
Features
44
Overall
45
Canon PowerShot SX540 HS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
39
Overall
37

Canon SX540 HS vs Panasonic ZS8 Key Specs

Canon SX540 HS
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1200mm (F3.4-6.5) lens
  • 442g - 120 x 82 x 92mm
  • Launched January 2016
Panasonic ZS8
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 210g - 105 x 58 x 33mm
  • Announced July 2011
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ18
  • Succeeded the Panasonic ZS7
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Canon SX540 HS vs Panasonic ZS8 Overview

Here, we are analyzing the Canon SX540 HS vs Panasonic ZS8, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by brands Canon and Panasonic. There is a sizable difference between the image resolutions of the SX540 HS (20MP) and ZS8 (14MP) but both cameras have the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SX540 HS was unveiled 4 years after the ZS8 which is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Canon SX540 HS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic ZS8 being a Compact camera.

Before getting into a detailed comparison, here is a brief view of how the SX540 HS grades versus the ZS8 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX540 HS over the Panasonic ZS8

 SX540 HS ZS8 
AnnouncedJanuary 2016July 2011Newer by 55 months
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Display resolution461k230kCrisper display (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS8 over the Canon SX540 HS

 ZS8 SX540 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX540 HS and Panasonic ZS8

 SX540 HS ZS8 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display size
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch display Neither provides Touch display

Canon SX540 HS vs Panasonic ZS8 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you will need to factor its weight and size. The Canon SX540 HS provides exterior measurements of 120mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") along with a weight of 442 grams (0.97 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS8 has specifications of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") along with a weight of 210 grams (0.46 lbs).

Contrast the Canon SX540 HS vs Panasonic ZS8 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the SX540 HS vs the ZS8.

Canon SX540 HS vs Panasonic ZS8 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the SX540 HS and ZS8 is 69 and 92 respectively.

Canon SX540 HS vs Panasonic ZS8 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX540 HS vs Panasonic ZS8 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor dimensions just by checking technical specs. The pic below will offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the SX540 HS and ZS8.

As you can tell, each of these cameras come with the identical sensor size but not the same MP. You can expect to see the Canon SX540 HS to give you more detail having an extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop images a good deal more aggressively. The newer SX540 HS is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon SX540 HS vs Panasonic ZS8 sensor size comparison

Canon SX540 HS vs Panasonic ZS8 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX540 HS vs Panasonic ZS8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX540 HS Portrait photography details
Panasonic ZS8 Portrait photography details
47
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
offers face detect focus
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
30
MP count good (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
external flash not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SX540 HS Street photography advice
Panasonic ZS8 Street photography advice
48
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (210g)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX540 HS Sports photography details
Panasonic ZS8 Sports photography details
44
incredible zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
very slow continuous shooting (5.9 frames/s)
small sensor (1/2.3")
low battery power (205 shots)
lack of phase detect auto focus
47
long zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14MP)
supports tracking focus
slow fps (2.0 fps)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX540 HS Travel photography features
Panasonic ZS8 Travel photography features
56
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
very long reach (1200mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
low battery power (205 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.4)
69
lighter than competition in class (210 grams)
MP count good (14MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
very long zoom (384mm)
missing Timelapse mode
does not posses selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX540 HS Landscape photography info
Panasonic ZS8 Landscape photography info
48
manual focus
pretty wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
low battery power (205 shots)
lack of Time Lapse mode
44
fairly wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX540 HS as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZS8 as a Vlogging camera
29
pretty wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of mic support
30
fairly wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (210 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not posses selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone support
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Canon SX540 HS vs Panasonic ZS8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX540 HS and Panasonic ZS8
 Canon PowerShot SX540 HSPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot SX540 HS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-TZ18
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2016-01-05 2011-07-19
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor DIGIC 6 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 area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 5184 x 3888 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-1200mm (50.0x) 24-384mm (16.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.4-6.5 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus distance 0cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of display 461k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 5.9fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.50 m (at Auto ISO) 5.00 m
Flash modes Auto, on, off, slow synchro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 442 grams (0.97 lbs) 210 grams (0.46 lbs)
Physical dimensions 120 x 82 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 205 photos 340 photos
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-6LH -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Retail cost $399 $275