Clicky

Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic ZS8

Portability
91
Imaging
41
Features
42
Overall
41
Olympus Stylus Tough TG-860 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
39
Overall
37

Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic ZS8 Key Specs

Olympus TG-860
(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
  • 224g - 110 x 64 x 28mm
  • Announced February 2015
  • Later Model is Olympus TG-870
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
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ18
  • Succeeded the Panasonic ZS7
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic ZS8 Overview

Following is a in-depth review of the Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic ZS8, former is a Waterproof while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the TG-860 (16MP) and the ZS8 (14MP) is pretty well matched and they use the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

The TG-860 was announced 3 years after the ZS8 which is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus TG-860 being a Ultracompact camera and the Panasonic ZS8 being a Compact camera.

Before we go in to a in-depth comparison, below is a brief overview of how the TG-860 matches up versus the ZS8 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus TG-860 over the Panasonic ZS8

 TG-860 ZS8 
IntroducedFebruary 2015July 2011More modern by 44 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS8 over the Olympus TG-860

 ZS8 TG-860 

Common features in the Olympus TG-860 and Panasonic ZS8

 TG-860 ZS8 
Manual focus Lack of manual focus
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic ZS8 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry around your camera often, you are going to need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Olympus TG-860 has got physical measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 28mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.1") and a weight of 224 grams (0.49 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS8 has measurements of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") having a weight of 210 grams (0.46 lbs).

Examine the Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic ZS8 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the TG-860 versus the ZS8.

Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic ZS8 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the TG-860 and ZS8 is 91 and 92 respectively.

Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic ZS8 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic ZS8 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's difficult to see the contrast between sensor sizes simply by reading through specifications. The image here should offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the TG-860 and ZS8.

To sum up, both of those cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You can expect the Olympus TG-860 to resolve greater detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The more modern TG-860 is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic ZS8 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic ZS8 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic ZS8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-860 Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic ZS8 Portrait photography highlights
36
good MP (16 megapixels)
has face detection focusing
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
30
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
external flash not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Street Comparison

Olympus TG-860 Street photography factors
Panasonic ZS8 Street photography factors
69
screen tilts
image stabilization (Optical)
weather sealing
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (210g)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus TG-860
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS8
49
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
weather sealing
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
47
amazing zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
includes tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-860 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic ZS8 Travel photography highlights
71
weather sealing
good MP (16MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (21mm)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
69
lighter than competition in class (210g)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (24mm)
very long reach (384mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-860 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic ZS8 Landscape photography highlights
48
relatively wide (21mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
weather sealing
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not available
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
44
rather wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
missing Time Lapse mode
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-860 Vlogging advice
Panasonic ZS8 Vlogging advice
33
relatively wide (21mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have external microphone jack
30
rather wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (210 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic port
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic ZS8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-860 and Panasonic ZS8
 Olympus Stylus Tough TG-860Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus Stylus Tough TG-860 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8
Alternate name - Lumix DMC-TZ18
Type Waterproof Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2015-02-06 2011-07-19
Body design Ultracompact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VII 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 alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 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 125 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points - 11
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 21-105mm (5.0x) 24-384mm (16.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.5-5.7 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 7.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.00 m (at ISO 1600) 5.00 m
Flash options Auto, redeye reduction, fill flash, off, LED illuminator Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p), 1280 x 720 (60p), 640 x 480 (60p) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format H.264 MPEG-4
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Yes None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 224 grams (0.49 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 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 300 pictures 340 pictures
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID Li-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing $279 $275