Clicky

Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic ZS8

Portability
88
Imaging
41
Features
51
Overall
45
Olympus Stylus SH-3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
39
Overall
37

Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic ZS8 Key Specs

Olympus SH-3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 271g - 109 x 63 x 42mm
  • Announced February 2016
  • Replaced the Olympus SH-2
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
  • Revealed July 2011
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ18
  • Replaced the Panasonic ZS7
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic ZS8 Overview

Here is a complete analysis of the Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic ZS8, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SH-3 (16MP) and the ZS8 (14MP) is fairly similar and they enjoy the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

The SH-3 was unveiled 4 years later than the ZS8 and that is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go in to a thorough comparison, below is a brief overview of how the SH-3 grades vs the ZS8 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus SH-3 over the Panasonic ZS8

 SH-3 ZS8 
RevealedFebruary 2016July 2011Fresher by 56 months
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS8 over the Olympus SH-3

 ZS8 SH-3 

Common features in the Olympus SH-3 and Panasonic ZS8

 SH-3 ZS8 
Manual focus No manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic ZS8 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to carry your camera frequently, you are going to need to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus SH-3 offers physical measurements of 109mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") along with a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS8 has proportions of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 210 grams (0.46 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic ZS8 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have attached at the time. The following is the front view measurement comparison of the SH-3 vs the ZS8.

Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic ZS8 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SH-3 and ZS8 is 88 and 92 respectively.

Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic ZS8 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic ZS8 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is hard to picture the difference between sensor sizing just by reading specs. The photograph underneath will help give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the SH-3 and ZS8.

All in all, both the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different MP. You can anticipate the Olympus SH-3 to offer greater detail having an extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop photos far more aggressively. The more modern SH-3 should have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic ZS8 sensor size comparison

Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic ZS8 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic ZS8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SH-3 Portrait photography details
Panasonic ZS8 Portrait photography details
44
good resolution (16MP)
includes face detect focus
supports RAW formats
manual focus not available
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
30
MP count good (14MP)
lack of manual focus
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Street Comparison

Olympus SH-3 Street photography advice
Panasonic ZS8 Street photography advice
70
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW formats
offers touch focus
lighter than others in class (271g)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (210 grams)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Sports Comparison

Olympus SH-3 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic ZS8 Sports photography highlights
51
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
better than average battery pack (380 CIPA)
no shutter priority
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
47
amazing zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
low frames per second (2.0 frames/s)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Travel Comparison

Olympus SH-3 Travel photography factors
Panasonic ZS8 Travel photography factors
74
better than average battery pack (380 per charge)
lighter than others in class (271g)
offers touch focus
good resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
great reach (600mm)
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.0)
69
lighter than competition (210g)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
long reach (384mm)
no Time Lapse function
does not have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Landscape Comparison

Olympus SH-3 Landscape photography details
Panasonic ZS8 Landscape photography details
55
relatively wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
supports RAW formats
better than average battery pack (380 CIPA)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
44
relatively wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
no Time Lapse function
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SH-3 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic ZS8 Vlogging highlights
35
relatively wide (25mm)
touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detect focus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
lighter than others in class (271 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have microphone support
30
relatively wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (210g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not have a selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external mic support
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Olympus SH-3 vs Panasonic ZS8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SH-3 and Panasonic ZS8
 Olympus Stylus SH-3Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus Stylus SH-3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8
Alternative name - Lumix DMC-TZ18
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2016-02-08 2011-07-19
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VII Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 125 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 24-384mm (16.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing distance 3cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 11.5 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 8.30 m (at ISO 3200) 5.00 m
Flash options Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off 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 3840 x 2160 (15 fps), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video data format H.264 MPEG-4
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 271 grams (0.60 lbs) 210 grams (0.46 lbs)
Dimensions 109 x 63 x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") 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 380 images 340 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-92B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Price at release $579 $275