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Nikon Z7 II vs Panasonic SZ8

Portability
61
Imaging
80
Features
92
Overall
84
Nikon Z7 Mark II front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36

Nikon Z7 II vs Panasonic SZ8 Key Specs

Nikon Z7 II
(Full Review)
  • 46MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 64 - 25600 (Boost to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 705g - 134 x 101 x 70mm
  • Released October 2020
  • Superseded the Nikon Z7
Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
  • Announced January 2014
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Nikon Z7 II vs Panasonic SZ8 Overview

On this page, we are matching up the Nikon Z7 II versus Panasonic SZ8, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Nikon and Panasonic. There is a crucial difference among the sensor resolutions of the Z7 II (46MP) and SZ8 (16MP) and the Z7 II (Full frame) and SZ8 (1/2.3") have different sensor sizing.

Photography Glossary

The Z7 II was launched 6 years after the SZ8 which is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Nikon Z7 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic SZ8 being a Compact camera.

Before delving right into a in depth comparison, here is a concise summary of how the Z7 II grades versus the SZ8 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z7 II over the Panasonic SZ8

 Z7 II SZ8 
AnnouncedOctober 2020January 2014Newer by 83 months
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimensions3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution2100k460kSharper display (+1640k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Nikon Z7 II

 SZ8 Z7 II 

Common features in the Nikon Z7 II and Panasonic SZ8

 Z7 II SZ8 
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Nikon Z7 II vs Panasonic SZ8 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to travel with your camera often, you need to consider its weight and measurements. The Nikon Z7 II offers exterior dimensions of 134mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") with a weight of 705 grams (1.55 lbs) whilst the Panasonic SZ8 has proportions of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

Compare the Nikon Z7 II versus Panasonic SZ8 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have at the time. Here is a front view dimensions comparison of the Z7 II and the SZ8.

Nikon Z7 II vs Panasonic SZ8 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the Z7 II and SZ8 is 61 and 94 respectively.

Nikon Z7 II vs Panasonic SZ8 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z7 II vs Panasonic SZ8 Sensor Comparison

Generally, its difficult to picture the contrast in sensor dimensions just by seeing a spec sheet. The image underneath might give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the Z7 II and SZ8.

Clearly, each of the cameras have different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The Z7 II featuring a larger sensor is going to make getting bokeh simpler and the Nikon Z7 II will show extra detail utilizing its extra 30MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop images a bit more aggressively. The newer Z7 II should have an advantage in sensor technology.

Nikon Z7 II vs Panasonic SZ8 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z7 II vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z7 II vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z7 II as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic SZ8 as a Portrait photography camera
88
manual focus
high resolution (46MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
offers face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
35
decent megapixels (16MP)
comes with face detect autofocus
manual focus not available
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon Z7 II
Street photography with Panasonic SZ8
79
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
provides focus via touch
weather proofing
very good ISO range (25,600)
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (159 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon Z7 II
Sports photography with Panasonic SZ8
90
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
high resolution (46MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
offers tracking autofocus
weather proofing
comes with phase detect AF
34
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
slow frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (200 CIPA)
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z7 II as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic SZ8 as a Travel photography camera
72
weather proofing
supports bluetooth
provides focus via touch
high resolution (46 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly display
67
lighter than competition (159g)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (24mm)
great reach (288mm)
missing Timelapse recording
bad battery pack (200 per charge)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z7 II Landscape photography information
Panasonic SZ8 Landscape photography information
88
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon Z mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
high resolution (46MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
no anti aliasing filter
very good ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
weather proofing
has double storage slots
42
really wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
manual focus not available
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
bad battery pack (200 per charge)
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z7 II Vlogging factors
Panasonic SZ8 Vlogging factors
36
touchscreen functionality
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detection focusing
high res video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
does have external microphone port
does not have selfie friendly display
32
really wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect autofocus
lighter than competition (159 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing microphone port
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Nikon Z7 II vs Panasonic SZ8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z7 II and Panasonic SZ8
 Nikon Z7 Mark IIPanasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Z7 Mark II Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
Class Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2020-10-14 2014-01-06
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - Venus Engine
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size Full frame 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 23.9mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 858.0mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 46 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 8256 x 5504 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 25600 1600
Maximum enhanced ISO 102400 6400
Min native ISO 64 100
RAW data
Min enhanced ISO 32 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 493 9
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon Z fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-288mm (12.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.1-6.3
Available lenses 15 -
Focal length multiplier 1 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 3.2 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 2,100 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 3,690 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 8 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 5.20 m
Flash modes Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, slow rear-curtain sync, off Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/200 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 144 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 705 grams (1.55 pounds) 159 grams (0.35 pounds)
Physical dimensions 134 x 101 x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1")
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 420 pictures 200 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media CFexpress (Type B), XQD, SD (UHS-II) SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Dual Single
Launch cost $2,997 $275