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Nikon S32 vs Panasonic ZS8

Portability
90
Imaging
36
Features
23
Overall
30
Nikon Coolpix S32 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
39
Overall
37

Nikon S32 vs Panasonic ZS8 Key Specs

Nikon S32
(Full Review)
  • 13MP - 1/3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 1600
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 30-90mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 175g - 108 x 66 x 40mm
  • Announced February 2014
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
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ18
  • Previous Model is Panasonic ZS7
Photography Glossary

Nikon S32 vs Panasonic ZS8 Overview

On this page, we will be comparing the Nikon S32 versus Panasonic ZS8, former is a Waterproof while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Nikon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the S32 (13MP) and the ZS8 (14MP) is relatively similar but the S32 (1/3") and ZS8 (1/2.3") boast totally different sensor sizes.

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The S32 was revealed 2 years after the ZS8 which is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the S32 grades vs the ZS8 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S32 over the Panasonic ZS8

 S32 ZS8 
ReleasedFebruary 2014July 2011Newer by 32 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS8 over the Nikon S32

 ZS8 S32 
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Nikon S32 and Panasonic ZS8

 S32 ZS8 
Manually focus No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Nikon S32 vs Panasonic ZS8 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to travel with your camera, you will have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Nikon S32 offers exterior dimensions of 108mm x 66mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.6") along with a weight of 175 grams (0.39 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS8 has dimensions of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") having a weight of 210 grams (0.46 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon S32 versus Panasonic ZS8 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you select at that moment. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the S32 and the ZS8.

Nikon S32 vs Panasonic ZS8 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the S32 and ZS8 is 90 and 92 respectively.

Nikon S32 vs Panasonic ZS8 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S32 vs Panasonic ZS8 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor dimensions merely by reviewing technical specs. The image underneath will give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the S32 and ZS8.

As you can tell, each of the cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The S32 having a tinier sensor will make achieving bokeh more difficult and the Panasonic ZS8 will deliver greater detail because of its extra 1MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The younger S32 will have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon S32 vs Panasonic ZS8 sensor size comparison

Nikon S32 vs Panasonic ZS8 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S32 vs Panasonic ZS8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S32 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic ZS8 Portrait photography advice
33
good MP (13 megapixels)
includes face detect focusing
manual focus not available
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/3")
does not have RAW format
30
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon S32
Street photography with Panasonic ZS8
60
image stabilization (Digital)
weather proof
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/3")
does not have RAW format
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (210g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon S32
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS8
36
image stabilization (Digital)
good MP (13 megapixels)
weather proof
max fps low (5.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/3")
not so great battery (220 shots)
does not have phase detect AF
47
incredible zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S32 Travel photography factors
Panasonic ZS8 Travel photography factors
58
weather proof
good MP (13MP)
has built in flash
missing Timelapse function
not so great battery (220 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (30mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
69
lighter than competition in class (210 grams)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
very long reach (384mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon S32
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS8
34
image stabilization (Digital)
good MP (13 megapixels)
weather proof
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (30mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not possible
sensor size is small (1/3")
does not have RAW format
not so great battery (220 CIPA)
missing Timelapse function
44
pretty wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S32 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic ZS8 Vlogging highlights
30
image stabilization (Digital)
includes face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
wide angle not the best (30mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
missing microphone port
30
pretty wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (210g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone port
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Nikon S32 vs Panasonic ZS8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S32 and Panasonic ZS8
 Nikon Coolpix S32Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8
General Information
Make Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix S32 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8
Also called as - Lumix DMC-TZ18
Category Waterproof Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2014-02-07 2011-07-19
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 4.8 x 3.6mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 17.3mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 13 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4160 x 3120 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 125 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 11
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 30-90mm (3.0x) 24-384mm (16.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing distance 5cm 3cm
Crop factor 7.5 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7" 3"
Screen resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech TFT LCD with anti-reflection coating TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 60 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 5.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.10 m 5.00 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920x1080 (30p), VGA 640x480 (30p, 15p) 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 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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 175g (0.39 lbs) 210g (0.46 lbs)
Physical dimensions 108 x 66 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.6") 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 220 shots 340 shots
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL19 -
Self timer Yes (Approx. 10 seconds ) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD / SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing $180 $275