Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic ZS8
93 Imaging
35 Features
36 Overall
35


92 Imaging
37 Features
39 Overall
37
Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic ZS8 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic ZS8 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Nikon Coolpix S8100 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8. The full galleries are provided at Nikon S8100 Gallery & Panasonic ZS8 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon S8100 over the Panasonic ZS8
S8100 | ZS8 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+691k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS8 over the Nikon S8100
ZS8 | S8100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | July 2011 | ![]() | September 2010 | Newer by 10 months |
Common features in the Nikon S8100 and Panasonic ZS8
S8100 | ZS8 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | No manual focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic ZS8 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix S8100 | Panasonic 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 |