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Nikon B500 vs Panasonic ZS8

Portability
68
Imaging
41
Features
50
Overall
44
Nikon Coolpix B500 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
39
Overall
37

Nikon B500 vs Panasonic ZS8 Key Specs

Nikon B500
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 23-900mm (F3.0-6.5) lens
  • 541g - 114 x 78 x 95mm
  • Announced February 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
  • Released July 2011
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ18
  • Superseded the Panasonic ZS7
Photography Glossary

Nikon B500 vs Panasonic ZS8 Overview

In this article, we are analyzing the Nikon B500 and Panasonic ZS8, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by companies Nikon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the B500 (16MP) and the ZS8 (14MP) is fairly comparable and they possess the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The B500 was unveiled 4 years later than the ZS8 and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Nikon B500 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic ZS8 being a Compact camera.

Before we go straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick view of how the B500 grades vs the ZS8 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon B500 over the Panasonic ZS8

 B500 ZS8 
ReleasedFebruary 2016July 2011More recent by 56 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution921k230kClearer display (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS8 over the Nikon B500

 ZS8 B500 

Common features in the Nikon B500 and Panasonic ZS8

 B500 ZS8 
Manually focus Lack of manual focusing
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display size
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Nikon B500 vs Panasonic ZS8 Physical Comparison

When you are going to lug around your camera regularly, you're going to have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Nikon B500 features exterior measurements of 114mm x 78mm x 95mm (4.5" x 3.1" x 3.7") accompanied by a weight of 541 grams (1.19 lbs) and 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).

Contrast the Nikon B500 and Panasonic ZS8 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have at the time. Here is the front view sizing comparison of the B500 against the ZS8.

Nikon B500 vs Panasonic ZS8 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the B500 and ZS8 is 68 and 92 respectively.

Nikon B500 vs Panasonic ZS8 top view buttons comparison

Nikon B500 vs Panasonic ZS8 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's hard to visualise the gap in sensor measurements only by checking out a spec sheet. The visual underneath may offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the B500 and ZS8.

As you can see, both the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same resolution. You should anticipate the Nikon B500 to provide greater detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop pics a little more aggressively. The newer B500 will have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon B500 vs Panasonic ZS8 sensor size comparison

Nikon B500 vs Panasonic ZS8 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon B500 vs Panasonic ZS8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon B500 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic ZS8 Portrait photography advice
37
decent MP (16 megapixels)
has face detect focus
lack of manual focus
no external flash support
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
30
good megapixels (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Nikon B500 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS8 as a Street photography camera
52
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
more heavy than average (541 grams)
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (210 grams)
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon B500
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS8
51
long zoom range (23-900mm 39.1 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
has tracking focus
good battery (600 CIPA)
no shutter priority
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
47
amazing zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon B500 Travel photography advice
Panasonic ZS8 Travel photography advice
59
good battery (600 CIPA)
has bluetooth
decent MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
pretty wide (23mm)
very long reach (900mm)
no Timelapse recording
more heavy than average (541g)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
69
lighter than competition in class (210g)
good megapixels (14MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
great reach (384mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon B500 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS8 as a Landscape photography camera
45
pretty wide (23mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
good battery (600 per charge)
lack of manual focus
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
no Timelapse recording
44
fairly wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon B500 Vlogging features
Panasonic ZS8 Vlogging features
27
pretty wide (23mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
no microphone port
more heavy than average (541 grams)
30
fairly wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (210g)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have microphone port
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Nikon B500 vs Panasonic ZS8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon B500 and Panasonic ZS8
 Nikon Coolpix B500Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8
General Information
Brand Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix B500 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8
Also called - Lumix DMC-TZ18
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2016-02-23 2011-07-19
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - 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 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 11
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 23-900mm (39.1x) 24-384mm (16.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.0-6.5 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing range 1cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 921 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 1s 60s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 7.4 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.90 m (at Auto ISO) 5.00 m
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 541 grams (1.19 pounds) 210 grams (0.46 pounds)
Dimensions 114 x 78 x 95mm (4.5" x 3.1" x 3.7") 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 600 photographs 340 photographs
Battery form AA Battery Pack
Battery ID 4 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Retail price $300 $275