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Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic ZS8

Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
36
Overall
35
Nikon Coolpix S8100 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
39
Overall
37

Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic ZS8 Key Specs

Nikon S8100
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 160 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 30-300mm (F3.5-5.6) lens
  • 180g - 104 x 60 x 30mm
  • Announced September 2010
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
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ18
  • Previous Model is Panasonic ZS7
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Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic ZS8 Overview

The following is a detailed review of the Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic ZS8, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Nikon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the S8100 (12MP) and the ZS8 (14MP) is relatively well matched and they feature the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The S8100 was revealed 10 months earlier than the ZS8 which means that they are of a similar age. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going straight into a complete comparison, below is a short view of how the S8100 matches up vs the ZS8 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon S8100 over the Panasonic ZS8

 S8100 ZS8 
Screen resolution921k230kCrisper screen (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS8 over the Nikon S8100

 ZS8 S8100 
ReleasedJuly 2011September 2010Newer by 10 months

Common features in the Nikon S8100 and Panasonic ZS8

 S8100 ZS8 
Manually focus No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Neither provides Touch screen

Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic ZS8 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to travel with your camera, you will need to think about its weight and size. The Nikon S8100 provides physical dimensions of 104mm x 60mm x 30mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.2") along with a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS8 has specifications of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 210 grams (0.46 lbs).

See the Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic ZS8 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Below is the front view overall size comparison of the S8100 against the ZS8.

Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic ZS8 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the S8100 and ZS8 is 93 and 92 respectively.

Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic ZS8 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic ZS8 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its tough to picture the difference between sensor dimensions simply by looking at specifications. The picture underneath should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the S8100 and ZS8.

To sum up, both cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different resolution. You can count on the Panasonic ZS8 to resolve extra detail because of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop photographs a little more aggressively. The more aged S8100 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic ZS8 sensor size comparison

Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic ZS8 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic ZS8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S8100 Portrait photography details
Panasonic ZS8 Portrait photography details
26
has face detect focusing
manual focus not available
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
30
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
no external flash support
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon S8100
Street photography with Panasonic ZS8
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (210g)
fixed screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon S8100
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS8
38
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking focus
lack of shutter priority mode
resolution not great (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
47
long zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames/s)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S8100 Travel photography information
Panasonic ZS8 Travel photography information
55
built-in flash
long zoom (300mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (30mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
69
lighter than average in class (210 grams)
good megapixels (14MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (24mm)
long zoom (384mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
does not feature selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S8100 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS8 as a Landscape photography camera
32
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (30mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
lack of manual mode
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
lack of Time Lapse function
44
fairly wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S8100 Vlogging features
Panasonic ZS8 Vlogging features
30
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
wide angle not good (30mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
lack of mic support
30
fairly wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (210g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not feature selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone port
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Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic ZS8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S8100 and Panasonic ZS8
 Nikon Coolpix S8100Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8
General Information
Make Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix S8100 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8
Alternative name - Lumix DMC-TZ18
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2010-09-08 2011-07-19
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed C2 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 12MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 160 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 30-300mm (10.0x) 24-384mm (16.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.5-5.6 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus distance 1cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 921 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 10.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - 5.00 m
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60 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 data 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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 180 gr (0.40 lb) 210 gr (0.46 lb)
Dimensions 104 x 60 x 30mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.2") 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 220 photos 340 photos
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL12 -
Self timer Yes (10 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Price at release $299 $275