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Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic ZS8

Portability
77
Imaging
44
Features
36
Overall
40
Olympus E-420 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
39
Overall
37

Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic ZS8 Key Specs

Olympus E-420
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 426g - 130 x 91 x 53mm
  • Announced June 2008
  • Earlier Model is Olympus E-410
Panasonic ZS8
(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
  • Launched July 2011
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ18
  • Old Model is Panasonic ZS7
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic ZS8 Overview

On this page, we are matching up the Olympus E-420 versus Panasonic ZS8, former is a Entry-Level DSLR while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a substantial gap between the image resolutions of the E-420 (10MP) and ZS8 (14MP) and the E-420 (Four Thirds) and ZS8 (1/2.3") provide totally different sensor dimensions.

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The E-420 was introduced 4 years prior to the ZS8 which is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-420 being a Compact SLR camera and the Panasonic ZS8 being a Compact camera.

Before delving right into a more detailed comparison, here is a concise overview of how the E-420 scores vs the ZS8 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-420 over the Panasonic ZS8

 E-420 ZS8 
Manually focus Very precise focus

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS8 over the Olympus E-420

 ZS8 E-420 
LaunchedJuly 2011June 2008More modern by 37 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Common features in the Olympus E-420 and Panasonic ZS8

 E-420 ZS8 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic ZS8 Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry around your camera often, you will want to factor in its weight and size. The Olympus E-420 offers outer dimensions of 130mm x 91mm x 53mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.1") and a weight of 426 grams (0.94 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS8 has specifications of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") and a weight of 210 grams (0.46 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-420 versus Panasonic ZS8 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are utilising at the time. Here is a front view size comparison of the E-420 vs the ZS8.

Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic ZS8 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-420 and ZS8 is 77 and 92 respectively.

Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic ZS8 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic ZS8 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor sizes simply by checking technical specs. The image below will provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-420 and ZS8.

As you can tell, both the cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The E-420 having a larger sensor will make getting bokeh less difficult and the Panasonic ZS8 will give you more detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics more aggressively. The more aged E-420 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic ZS8 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic ZS8 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic ZS8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-420 Portrait photography features
Panasonic ZS8 Portrait photography features
56
focusing manually
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
low MP (10 megapixels)
30
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-420 Street photography information
Panasonic ZS8 Street photography information
64
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
lighter than competition (426g)
no moving screen
no image stabilization
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (210g)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-420
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS8
38
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports phase detect autofocus
slow frames per second (4.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
low MP (10MP)
terrible battery life (500 CIPA)
47
amazing zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
slow fps (2.0 frames per second)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-420 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic ZS8 Travel photography highlights
52
lighter than competition (426 grams)
flash built-in
no Time Lapse recording
terrible battery life (500 CIPA)
low MP (10MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
69
lighter than competition (210 grams)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (24mm)
long reach (384mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-420 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS8 as a Landscape photography camera
47
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
tiny screen (2.7")
no image stabilization
low MP (10MP)
terrible battery life (500 shots)
no Time Lapse recording
44
rather wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-420 Vlogging details
Panasonic ZS8 Vlogging details
9
no video
30
rather wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (210 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic jack
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Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic ZS8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-420 and Panasonic ZS8
 Olympus E-420Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus E-420 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8
Also called as - Lumix DMC-TZ18
Class Entry-Level DSLR Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2008-06-23 2011-07-19
Body design Compact SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic III Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3648 x 2736 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 3 11
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-384mm (16.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing distance - 3cm
Amount of lenses 45 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 4.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 5.00 m
Flash settings Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/180 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1280x720
Video data format - MPEG-4
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 426 grams (0.94 pounds) 210 grams (0.46 pounds)
Physical dimensions 130 x 91 x 53mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.1") 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 56 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.4 not tested
DXO Low light rating 527 not tested
Other
Battery life 500 photos 340 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch cost $999 $275