Nikon L20 vs Panasonic ZS8
94 Imaging
32 Features
17 Overall
26


92 Imaging
37 Features
39 Overall
37
Nikon L20 vs Panasonic ZS8 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 64 - 1600
- 640 x 480 video
- 38-136mm (F3.1-6.7) lens
- 135g - 97 x 61 x 29mm
- Revealed February 2009
(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
- Introduced July 2011
- Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ18
- Old Model is Panasonic ZS7

Nikon L20 vs Panasonic ZS8 Overview
Lets look more closely at the Nikon L20 and Panasonic ZS8, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Nikon and Panasonic. There is a large difference between the sensor resolutions of the L20 (10MP) and ZS8 (14MP) but both cameras have the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

The L20 was manufactured 3 years earlier than the ZS8 which is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before going right into a more detailed comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the L20 grades vs the ZS8 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Nikon L20 vs Panasonic ZS8 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Nikon Coolpix L20 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8. The entire galleries are provided at Nikon L20 Gallery & Panasonic ZS8 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon L20 over the Panasonic ZS8
L20 | ZS8 |
---|
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS8 over the Nikon L20
ZS8 | L20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | July 2011 | ![]() | February 2009 | More modern by 29 months |
Common features in the Nikon L20 and Panasonic ZS8
L20 | ZS8 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Lack of manual focus | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal display measurement |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Same display resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither provides selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Neither provides Touch display |
Nikon L20 vs Panasonic ZS8 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is planning to carry around your camera frequently, you will have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Nikon L20 provides outside measurements of 97mm x 61mm x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") and a weight of 135 grams (0.30 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS8 has proportions of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 210 grams (0.46 lbs).
Look at the Nikon L20 and Panasonic ZS8 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are using at that time. Underneath is a front view dimension comparison of the L20 versus the ZS8.

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the L20 and ZS8 is 94 and 92 respectively.

Nikon L20 vs Panasonic ZS8 Sensor Comparison
Often, it's tough to imagine the contrast between sensor sizes merely by reading through technical specs. The picture underneath might give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the L20 and ZS8.
As you have seen, the two cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different MP. You can anticipate the Panasonic ZS8 to resolve extra detail due to its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop images a bit more aggressively. The more aged L20 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Nikon L20 vs Panasonic ZS8 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L20 vs Panasonic ZS8 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix L20 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Nikon | Panasonic |
Model | Nikon Coolpix L20 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 |
Otherwise known as | - | Lumix DMC-TZ18 |
Class | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Revealed | 2009-02-03 | 2011-07-19 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | - | Venus Engine FHD |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor surface area | 27.7mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10MP | 14MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4320 x 3240 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 64 | 100 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Number of focus points | - | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 38-136mm (3.6x) | 24-384mm (16.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/3.1-6.7 | f/3.3-5.9 |
Macro focus range | 5cm | 3cm |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of screen | 230 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Screen technology | - | TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 8 secs | 60 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shooting rate | - | 2.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | - | 5.00 m |
Flash options | Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow, Off | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 640x480 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4 |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 135 gr (0.30 lb) | 210 gr (0.46 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 97 x 61 x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") | 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around 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 | - | 340 shots |
Style of battery | - | Battery Pack |
Battery model | 2 x AA | - |
Self timer | Yes | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC card, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Launch pricing | $120 | $275 |