Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic ZS8
91 Imaging
40 Features
44 Overall
41


92 Imaging
37 Features
39 Overall
37
Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic ZS8 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 125 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 21-105mm (F3.5-5.7) lens
- 218g - 110 x 64 x 28mm
- Launched January 2014
(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
- Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ18
- Replaced the Panasonic ZS7

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic ZS8 Overview
In this write-up, we are looking at the Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic ZS8, former being a Waterproof while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the TG-850 iHS (16MP) and the ZS8 (14MP) is fairly similar and they come with the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The TG-850 iHS was released 2 years later than the ZS8 and that is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before diving in to a more detailed comparison, below is a brief overview of how the TG-850 iHS matches up versus the ZS8 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic ZS8 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 iHS & Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8. The complete galleries are provided at Olympus TG-850 iHS Gallery & Panasonic ZS8 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus TG-850 iHS over the Panasonic ZS8
TG-850 iHS | ZS8 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | January 2014 | ![]() | July 2011 | Fresher by 31 months |
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper display (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS8 over the Olympus TG-850 iHS
ZS8 | TG-850 iHS |
---|
Common features in the Olympus TG-850 iHS and Panasonic ZS8
TG-850 iHS | ZS8 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | No manual focusing | ||
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent display measurements |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Lack of Touch display |
Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic ZS8 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is aiming to carry your camera, you will want to factor in its weight and size. The Olympus TG-850 iHS enjoys physical measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 28mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.1") along with a weight of 218 grams (0.48 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS8 has specifications of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") having a weight of 210 grams (0.46 lbs).
Check the Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic ZS8 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are employing at the time. Below is the front view physical size comparison of the TG-850 iHS vs the ZS8.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the TG-850 iHS and ZS8 is 91 and 92 respectively.

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic ZS8 Sensor Comparison
Typically, its tough to imagine the gap between sensor sizing purely by reading technical specs. The photograph underneath may provide you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the TG-850 iHS and ZS8.
As you have seen, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different resolution. You can anticipate the Olympus TG-850 iHS to offer extra detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images a little more aggressively. The fresher TG-850 iHS provides an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic ZS8 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Panasonic ZS8 Specifications
Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 iHS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Olympus | Panasonic |
Model type | Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 iHS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 |
Also called | - | Lumix DMC-TZ18 |
Type | Waterproof | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Launched | 2014-01-29 | 2011-07-19 |
Body design | 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 megapixel | 14 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 4616 x 3464 | 4320 x 3240 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 125 | 100 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Total focus points | - | 11 |
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 21-105mm (5.0x) | 24-384mm (16.0x) |
Maximal aperture | f/3.5-5.7 | f/3.3-5.9 |
Macro focusing distance | - | 3cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Tilting | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 3" | 3" |
Screen resolution | 460 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Screen technology | TFT LCD | TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 1/2 secs | 60 secs |
Highest shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | 7.0 frames/s | 2.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | - | 5.00 m |
Flash options | - | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (60p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video format | H.264, Motion JPEG | MPEG-4 |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Yes | 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 | 218 grams (0.48 pounds) | 210 grams (0.46 pounds) |
Dimensions | 110 x 64 x 28mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.1") | 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around 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 | 330 photos | 340 photos |
Battery format | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | LI-50B | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 sec, 12 sec, Custom Self-Timer (1-30 sec start timer, 1-10 pictures, 1-3 sec interval)) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage media | SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Cost at launch | $250 | $275 |