Olympus TG-870 vs Panasonic ZS8

In this article, we will be comparing the Olympus TG-870 vs Panasonic ZS8, former being a Ultracompact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the TG-870 (16MP) and the ZS8 (14MP) is pretty comparable and they come with the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The TG-870 was manufactured 4 years later than the ZS8 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Olympus TG-870 being a Ultracompact camera and the Panasonic ZS8 being a Compact camera.

Before diving in to a complete comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the TG-870 scores against the ZS8 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Here is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8. The entire galleries are provided at Olympus TG-870 Gallery & Panasonic ZS8 Gallery.

For those who are going to lug around your camera frequently, you should think about its weight and proportions. The Olympus TG-870 enjoys exterior measurements of 113mm x 64mm x 28mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 221 grams (0.49 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS8 has measurements of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") and a weight of 210 grams (0.46 lbs).

Look at the Olympus TG-870 vs Panasonic ZS8 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have chosen at that time. Following is the front view dimension comparison of the TG-870 compared to the ZS8.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the TG-870 and ZS8 is 91 and 92 respectively.

Quite often, it is hard to visualize the gap in sensor measurements simply by checking out technical specs. The photograph below will help give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the TG-870 and ZS8.

As you have seen, both of those cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You can expect the Olympus TG-870 to provide more detail due to its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots a little more aggressively. The newer TG-870 should have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.