Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic ZS8: A Detailed Comparison for Every Photographer

Choosing a compact camera in today’s market means balancing your specific photography needs against hardware features, image quality, and usability. Today, I’m comparing two distinct ultracompacts - the Olympus Stylus Tough TG-860 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 (also known as the Lumix DMC-TZ18). Both were released in the mid-2010s targeting travelers and casual shooters but take fundamentally different approaches in design and capability.

Having tested thousands of cameras ranging from pro bodies to rugged compacts, this side-by-side evaluation drills down into their technical details, real-world performance, and practical usability. We’ll explore how the TG-860 and ZS8 fare across primary photography disciplines and usage scenarios - from portraiture to action sports, landscape to macro, and beyond.

By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of which camera fits your creative goals and whether one stands out as the best investment in this niche.

First Impressions: Handling and Build Quality

When you hold the Olympus TG-860 and Panasonic ZS8 side by side, their design philosophies quickly become evident. The TG-860 is a rugged ultracompact designed to endure challenging conditions - featuring waterproofing, shockproofing, crushproofing, and freezeproofing capabilities. Its slightly larger grip, pronounced buttons, and tilting LCD advocate for durability and handling in harsh environments.

In contrast, the ZS8 sports a sleek, pocketable compact design optimized for versatility rather than toughness. It’s lighter and slimmer, appealing to travelers and casual shooters prioritizing portability. However, the lack of environmental sealing means care must be taken in adverse weather.

Weight-wise, the TG-860 comes in at 224 grams and the ZS8 at 210 grams - comparable for their classes but slightly favoring the Panasonic for handheld comfort on long outings.

Ergonomically, both have 3-inch LCDs, but the TG-860’s tilting screen proves more flexible for shooting angles.

Controls and User Interface

Olympus went for a simplified interface on the TG-860, reflecting its intended use for quick, experience-driven shooting over detailed manual adjustments. There are no exposure priority modes, no manual exposure control, and the autofocus focuses primarily on ease, lacking touch functionality. The TG-860 efficiently supports basic creative control with custom white balance and exposure compensation absent.

Alternatively, the Panasonic ZS8 integrates more traditional photographic controls - featuring shutter priority, aperture priority, and full manual exposure modes. This extra control may appeal to enthusiasts wanting to fine-tune shots, although the lack of a touchscreen and the fixed LCD somewhat hampers interface fluidity.

The ZS8 also offers 11 autofocus points, whereas the TG-860 uses a more automatic system with center-weighted metering and face detection.

In my testing, both cameras are reasonably intuitive but target different user experience tiers: rugged simplicity on the TG-860 versus flexible controls on the ZS8.

Under the Hood: Sensor and Image Quality Breakdown

At the heart of any camera, sensor performance directly impacts image sharpness, color fidelity, and dynamic range.

The Olympus TG-860 features a 1/2.3” CMOS sensor with 16MP resolution. The sensor size is standard within tough cameras, offering a 5.8x crop factor, with sensor dimensions roughly 6.17 x 4.55 mm. Processed with Olympus's TruePic VII engine, it delivers punchy images though the modest sensor size limits ultimate low-light performance and dynamic range.

The Panasonic ZS8 employs a slightly smaller 1/2.3” CCD sensor at 14MP resolution (smaller pixel density than the TG-860) processed via the Venus Engine FHD. CCD sensors of this era tend to produce good color rendition but often fall behind CMOS counterparts on noise control at higher ISO levels.

Real-World Image Quality Review

• Resolution & Detail: The TG-860 edges out with higher resolution (16MP vs 14MP) but both deliver similar sharpness for casual shooting. The Olympus sensor offers marginally better edge-to-edge performance with less chromatic aberration.

• Dynamic Range: Neither camera excels here due to sensor size and processing limits. The TG-860’s CMOS sensor provides slightly improved dynamic range, vital for preserving detail in challenging landscape or high-contrast portrait scenes.

• High ISO Noise: Testing at ISO 1600 and above demonstrates the TG-860’s advantage. Its CMOS sensor and TruePic processor better suppress noisy artifacts, whereas the ZS8’s CCD sensor exhibits more grain and color smearing under low-light.

• Color & White Balance: Both cameras include custom white balance, but Olympus’s color science produces punchier, more vibrant skin tones - beneficial for portraits, while Panasonic leans toward natural but sometimes muted colors.

If image quality is a priority, the TG-860’s sensor and processing provide an edge for general use, especially in less-than-ideal lighting.

Viewing Experience and Usability Features

The rear LCD on the TG-860 is a 3.0-inch tilting screen with a resolution of 460k dots, which aids composing difficult shots at strange angles and enhances outdoor visibility.

The ZS8’s 3.0-inch fixed TFT LCD of 230k dots feels dated and less sharp, making precise composition and menu navigation trickier in direct sunlight or dim environments.

Neither cameras offer electronic viewfinders, which is typical for their market segment, but this does limit usability in bright outdoor conditions.

Overall, Olympus’s higher resolution and articulating screen add meaningful versatility, especially in travel, macro, and underwater photography where alternative viewpoints prove invaluable.

Autofocus Systems: Speed, Accuracy, and Tracking

Every photographer relies on dependable autofocus to capture decisive moments:

• Olympus TG-860: Employs contrast detection autofocus with face detection and tracking capabilities. It also offers continuous AF and center-weighted metering but does not provide animal eye detection or touch-to-focus.

• Panasonic ZS8: Uses a contrast-based 11-point AF array with face detection but no continuous AF in still shooting. Shutter priority, aperture priority, manual modes, and exposure compensation are complimented by a bit slower autofocus speed and single-point focusing.

Testing Findings

The TG-860’s contrast-detect AF hunts less in moderate lighting and adapts well in continuous shooting mode (offering a respectable 7fps burst). However, it struggles a bit in low-light or high-motion scenarios due to limited AF points.

The ZS8’s AF system feels sluggish by comparison, especially with its 2fps burst rate, making it less suited for sports or wildlife. It excels in deliberate, composed shots but is less adept at fast tracking.

For action and wildlife shooters, the TG-860’s faster burst and tracking give it the edge. Panasonic users aiming for landscapes or portraits will be content but should temper expectations for rapid autofocus scenarios.

Lens Flexibility and Macro Capabilities

Both cameras come with fixed zoom lenses but differ significantly:

The Panasonic’s 16× superzoom offers remarkable reach - ideal for wildlife and distant landscape shooting, where telephoto coverage matters. However, the smaller aperture at long end and sensor constraints limit image quality in dim light.

The Olympus’s 5× zoom range is more modest but supports a super-close 1cm macro focusing distance. In practice, this produces sharply detailed macro shots with considerable working distance and better background separation.

For macro enthusiasts, the TG-860 enables a creative edge. The Panasonic shines for telephoto versatility but compromises sharpness and low-light clarity when fully zoomed.

Olympus TG 860 front Olympus TG 860 screen back Panasonic ZS8 front Panasonic ZS8 screen back

Photography by Genre: Performance Insights

Let’s consider how these cameras perform for specific photographic genres:

Portrait Photography

• TG-860: Offers skin-tone-rich JPEGs with vibrant colors and pleasing bokeh from its 5× zoom lens. Eye detection AF works well in good light. Optical stabilization aids handheld shooting.

• ZS8: More neutral skin rendition and weaker bokeh due to extensive zoom and sensor limitations. Autofocus less reliable for eye detection.

Winner: Olympus TG-860 for portraits due to color science and focusing capabilities.

Landscape Photography

• TG-860: Good dynamic range for a compact; 16MP at 28mm wide-angle suffices for detailed sweeping vistas. Weather sealing lets you shoot outdoors in tough conditions.

• ZS8: Impressive telephoto reach captures distant scenes but lacks weather resistance. CCD sensor provides acceptable image quality but lower dynamic range.

Winner: TG-860 for rugged outdoor use; ZS8 if telephoto reach is priority.

Wildlife Photography

• TG-860: Moderate zoom but fast 7fps burst and continuous AF tracks moving subjects better. Weather sealing adds durability in rugged terrain.

• ZS8: Superior zoom range up to 384mm but slower burst and less responsive AF decrease action capture success.

Winner: Depends - ZS8 for reach, TG-860 for speed and durability.

Sports Photography

• TG-860: Faster burst (7fps) allows better tracking of rapid movement. Image stabilization helps capture sharp frames under variable conditions.

• ZS8: Slow 2fps burst and sluggish AF limit suitability for active sports scenes.

Winner: Olympus TG-860.

Street Photography

• TG-860: Bulkier design and rugged exterior make it more conspicuous. Tilting screen aids shooting in crowds.

• ZS8: Slimmer and lighter, more pocketable and discreet. However, fixed LCD limits framing flexibility.

Winner: Panasonic ZS8 for portability and discretion.

Macro Photography

• TG-860: 1cm minimum focusing distance enables close-up detail shots with good background separation.

• ZS8: 3cm min focus range restricts extreme close-ups.

Winner: Olympus TG-860.

Night and Astrophotography

• TG-860: Higher max ISO (6400) and superior noise management support better low-light and night sky shooting.

• ZS8: CCD sensor struggles above ISO 1600; ISO 6400 presence is nominal.

Winner: Olympus TG-860.

Video Capabilities

• TG-860: Offers Full HD 1080p at 60fps with optical stabilization. No external mic input but an HDMI port allows external recording.

• ZS8: Maxes at 720p HD video at 30fps. No stabilization or mic input.

Winner: Olympus TG-860 for modern video specs.

Travel Photography

• TG-860: Ruggedness and waterproofing shine for adventure travel, plus tilting LCD for varied shooting angles.

• ZS8: Compact size and extended zoom ideal for sightseeing without carrying extra lenses.

Winner: Depends on travel style - TG-860 for active adventures, ZS8 for urban and general travel.

Professional Work

Neither camera targets professional workflows; both lack RAW support and high-end controls. However:

• TG-860’s TruePic VII engine produces better JPEGs straight out of camera.

• ZS8’s manual modes offer more creative exposure control.

Both cameras rely on standard SD cards and USB 2.0 data transfer, with minimal wireless features (TG-860 has built-in Wi-Fi; ZS8 has no wireless).

Technical Summary: Strengths and Weaknesses

Who Should Choose Which?

Pick the Olympus TG-860 if you:

• Need a rugged camera for adventure, outdoor, or underwater shooting
• Value better image quality with superior low-light and dynamic range
• Prefer Full HD video with stabilization and higher frame rates
• Want a flexible, tilting screen for unconventional shooting perspectives
• Prioritize quick autofocus performance and higher continuous shooting speed
• Enjoy macro photography with close focusing

This camera is also quite suitable for portrait, landscape, and sports enthusiasts who appreciate durable gear you can take anywhere.

Pick the Panasonic ZS8 if you:

• Desire an ultra-compact form factor and portability for casual everyday and travel
• Need exceptional zoom reach to capture distant subjects without swapping lenses
• Are comfortable working within manual exposure modes but can accept slower autofocus
• Shoot mostly in good lighting where the sensor noise is minimal
• Prefer a slightly longer battery life and lighter weight
• Are on a budget but want versatile zoom without ruggedness requirements

The ZS8 is a solid choice for travelers, street photographers, and casual shooters prioritizing range over shooting speed or weather resistance.

Final Verdict: Practical Insights from My Experience

Both cameras present thoughtful solutions from their respective eras for consumers looking for compact imaging tools without interchangeable lenses. They illustrate divergent priorities - Olympus focusing on robust build and consistent image quality versus Panasonic emphasizing zoom range and creative manual controls.

Having spent considerable time evaluating their handling, image capture outcomes, and responsiveness across lighting conditions and subjects, I conclude:

• The Olympus TG-860 surpasses the Panasonic ZS8 in image quality, autofocus reliability, video performance, and ruggedness. These factors make it a highly capable companion for adventure and everyday photography where conditions might be challenging.

• The Panasonic ZS8 remains appealing for photographers who want maximum zoom flexibility in an ultra-compact package and don’t demand cutting-edge autofocus or video.

If your style is active, outdoorsy, or includes underwater and macro pursuits, the TG-860 is your best choice. For casual zoom-hungry travelers or those who prize compact discretion, the ZS8 holds its own.

Appendix: Testing Methodology and Notes

I conducted controlled side-by-side tests using identical SD cards formatted in both cameras. Scenes included portraits under window light, outdoor landscapes during golden hour, macro still-life, and moving subjects for sports and wildlife simulation. Low-light tests extended up to ISO 6400 to evaluate noise behavior and AF reliability.

Sample images presented are straight JPEGs without post-processing to reflect typical user experience. Video tests focused on handheld stabilization effectiveness and frame rate smoothness in standard daylight environments.

In your camera hunt, ask yourself what you’ll shoot most, where, and under what conditions. Both the Olympus TG-860 and the Panasonic ZS8 bring indisputable value, but understanding their strengths aligned to your needs will guarantee you’re buying the best fit for your photography journey.

Happy shooting!