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Olympus FE-5020 vs Panasonic ZS8

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
20
Overall
29
Olympus FE-5020 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
39
Overall
37

Olympus FE-5020 vs Panasonic ZS8 Key Specs

Olympus FE-5020
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 1600
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 24-120mm (F3.3-5.8) lens
  • 137g - 93 x 56 x 25mm
  • Released July 2009
  • Other Name is X-935
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
  • Introduced July 2011
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ18
  • Replaced the Panasonic ZS7
Photography Glossary

Olympus FE-5020 vs Panasonic ZS8 Overview

Below, we will be evaluating the Olympus FE-5020 and Panasonic ZS8, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the FE-5020 (12MP) and the ZS8 (14MP) is relatively well matched and they possess the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The FE-5020 was launched 24 months prior to the ZS8 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Both the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the FE-5020 scores against the ZS8 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus FE-5020 over the Panasonic ZS8

 FE-5020 ZS8 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS8 over the Olympus FE-5020

 ZS8 FE-5020 
IntroducedJuly 2011July 2009More modern by 24 months
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Olympus FE-5020 and Panasonic ZS8

 FE-5020 ZS8 
Manually focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Olympus FE-5020 vs Panasonic ZS8 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry around your camera frequently, you will need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Olympus FE-5020 features exterior measurements of 93mm x 56mm x 25mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 1.0") with a weight of 137 grams (0.30 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS8 has proportions of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") with a weight of 210 grams (0.46 lbs).

See the Olympus FE-5020 and Panasonic ZS8 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you use at that time. Below is the front view dimensions comparison of the FE-5020 against the ZS8.

Olympus FE-5020 vs Panasonic ZS8 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the FE-5020 and ZS8 is 95 and 92 respectively.

Olympus FE-5020 vs Panasonic ZS8 top view buttons comparison

Olympus FE-5020 vs Panasonic ZS8 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be difficult to see the difference between sensor sizes only by checking specs. The picture underneath will help offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the FE-5020 and ZS8.

All in all, both the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same megapixels. You can count on the Panasonic ZS8 to resolve extra detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The more aged FE-5020 is going to be behind in sensor tech.

Olympus FE-5020 vs Panasonic ZS8 sensor size comparison

Olympus FE-5020 vs Panasonic ZS8 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus FE-5020 vs Panasonic ZS8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus FE-5020 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZS8 as a Portrait photography camera
21
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
30
decent MP (14MP)
lack of manual focus
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus FE-5020 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS8 as a Street photography camera
60
weather proofing
lighter than others in class (137 grams)
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (210g)
no articulating screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus FE-5020 Sports photography info
Panasonic ZS8 Sports photography info
24
weather proofing
low max shutter speed (1/500 seconds)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
47
incredible zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
low fps (2.0 frames/s)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus FE-5020 Travel photography factors
Panasonic ZS8 Travel photography factors
65
lighter than others in class (137 grams)
weather proofing
built-in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
no Time Lapse function
low megapixels (12MP)
does not feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
69
lighter than competition (210g)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
very long reach (384mm)
missing Time Lapse function
does not have selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus FE-5020 Landscape photography advice
Panasonic ZS8 Landscape photography advice
31
relatively wide (24mm)
weather proofing
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7")
lack of manual exposure
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
no Time Lapse function
44
pretty wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus FE-5020 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZS8 as a Vlogging camera
28
relatively wide (24mm)
lighter than others in class (137 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not feature selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
video quality not great (640 x 480 resolution)
no external mic jack
30
pretty wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (210 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not have selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic jack
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Olympus FE-5020 vs Panasonic ZS8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus FE-5020 and Panasonic ZS8
 Olympus FE-5020Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus FE-5020 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8
Also called X-935 Lumix DMC-TZ18
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2009-07-22 2011-07-19
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic III Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3968 x 2976 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 64 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-120mm (5.0x) 24-384mm (16.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.3-5.8 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing range 1cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/500 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed - 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.10 m 5.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG 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 137 grams (0.30 lbs) 210 grams (0.46 lbs)
Dimensions 93 x 56 x 25mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 1.0") 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
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 - 340 images
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-42B -
Self timer Yes (12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage xD-Picture Card, microSD SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at release $160 $275