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Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic ZS8

Portability
89
Imaging
40
Features
36
Overall
38
Olympus SZ-16 iHS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
39
Overall
37

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic ZS8 Key Specs

Olympus SZ-16 iHS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 226g - 108 x 70 x 40mm
  • Announced January 2013
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
  • Announced July 2011
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ18
  • Succeeded the Panasonic ZS7
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Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic ZS8 Overview

The following is a detailed review of the Olympus SZ-16 iHS versus Panasonic ZS8, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the SZ-16 iHS (16MP) and the ZS8 (14MP) is relatively comparable and both cameras offer the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SZ-16 iHS was brought out 18 months after the ZS8 which makes them a generation away from each other. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting right into a more detailed comparison, here is a quick view of how the SZ-16 iHS grades vs the ZS8 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-16 iHS over the Panasonic ZS8

 SZ-16 iHS ZS8 
AnnouncedJanuary 2013July 2011Newer by 18 months
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS8 over the Olympus SZ-16 iHS

 ZS8 SZ-16 iHS 

Common features in the Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Panasonic ZS8

 SZ-16 iHS ZS8 
Manually focus No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Neither comes with Touch screen

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic ZS8 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to travel with your camera often, you will want to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus SZ-16 iHS comes with physical dimensions of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") along with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS8 has measurements of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") with a weight of 210 grams (0.46 lbs).

Check out the Olympus SZ-16 iHS versus Panasonic ZS8 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have chosen at that time. Here is a front view measurements comparison of the SZ-16 iHS compared to the ZS8.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic ZS8 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-16 iHS and ZS8 is 89 and 92 respectively.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic ZS8 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic ZS8 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is tough to imagine the difference in sensor dimensions simply by checking out technical specs. The picture below may provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ-16 iHS and ZS8.

As you can tell, both of those cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different resolution. You can count on the Olympus SZ-16 iHS to produce more detail having its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots way more aggressively. The more recent SZ-16 iHS provides an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic ZS8 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic ZS8 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic ZS8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SZ-16 iHS
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS8
35
MP count good (16MP)
features face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
30
decent megapixels (14MP)
manual focus not available
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Street photography info
Panasonic ZS8 Street photography info
61
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (226g)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (210g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Sports photography details
Panasonic ZS8 Sports photography details
42
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
slow frames per second (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor is small (1/2.3")
bad battery (220 per charge)
lack of phase detect autofocus
47
incredible zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14MP)
has tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Travel photography information
Panasonic ZS8 Travel photography information
65
lighter than competition (226 grams)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
long zoom (600mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
bad battery (220 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
69
lighter than competitors in class (210g)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
very long zoom (384mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
does not have selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Landscape photography advice
Panasonic ZS8 Landscape photography advice
41
decently wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
no manual mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
bad battery (220 shots)
lack of Time Lapse function
44
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Vlogging advice
Panasonic ZS8 Vlogging advice
31
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detection autofocus
lighter than competition (226 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external mic support
30
reasonably wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (210g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not have selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external mic jack
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Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic ZS8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Panasonic ZS8
 Olympus SZ-16 iHSPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus SZ-16 iHS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8
Also called - Lumix DMC-TZ18
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2013-01-08 2011-07-19
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type CMOS 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 16MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points - 11
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 24-384mm (16.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus range - 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology TFT Color LCD TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 60s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - 5.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
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 180 (30fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 226 gr (0.50 pounds) 210 gr (0.46 pounds)
Physical dimensions 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") 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 images 340 images
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Launch price $230 $275