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Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Panasonic ZS8

Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
42
Overall
38
Olympus Tough TG-2 iHS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
39
Overall
37

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Panasonic ZS8 Key Specs

Olympus TG-2 iHS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 230g - 111 x 67 x 29mm
  • Launched June 2013
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
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ18
  • Earlier Model is Panasonic ZS7
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Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Panasonic ZS8 Overview

On this page, we will be matching up the Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Panasonic ZS8, one being a Waterproof and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the TG-2 iHS (12MP) and the ZS8 (14MP) is pretty similar and both cameras offer the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The TG-2 iHS was revealed 24 months later than the ZS8 which makes them a generation apart from one another. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving right into a in depth comparison, here is a concise summary of how the TG-2 iHS grades versus the ZS8 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-2 iHS over the Panasonic ZS8

 TG-2 iHS ZS8 
IntroducedJune 2013July 2011More recent by 24 months
Screen resolution610k230kClearer screen (+380k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS8 over the Olympus TG-2 iHS

 ZS8 TG-2 iHS 

Common features in the Olympus TG-2 iHS and Panasonic ZS8

 TG-2 iHS ZS8 
Focus manually Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurement
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Panasonic ZS8 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to lug around your camera frequently, you will want to consider its weight and measurements. The Olympus TG-2 iHS enjoys outside dimensions of 111mm x 67mm x 29mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.1") and a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS8 has proportions of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") along with a weight of 210 grams (0.46 lbs).

Check out the Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Panasonic ZS8 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are working with at that moment. Underneath is a front view overall size comparison of the TG-2 iHS versus the ZS8.

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Panasonic ZS8 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the TG-2 iHS and ZS8 is 91 and 92 respectively.

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Panasonic ZS8 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Panasonic ZS8 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's difficult to envision the difference between sensor measurements merely by reading technical specs. The graphic below may give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the TG-2 iHS and ZS8.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You should expect the Panasonic ZS8 to deliver more detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop photographs more aggressively. The newer TG-2 iHS will have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Panasonic ZS8 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Panasonic ZS8 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Panasonic ZS8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic ZS8 Portrait photography highlights
27
offers face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
30
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
can't use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS8 as a Street photography camera
61
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proof
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (210 grams)
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZS8 as a Sports photography camera
40
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers tracking autofocus
environment proof
good battery power (350 shots)
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
47
long zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
low frames per second (2.0 frames/s)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS Travel photography factors
Panasonic ZS8 Travel photography factors
68
good battery power (350 per charge)
environment proof
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
good max aperture (f2.0)
does not have Timelapse function
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
69
lighter than competitors in class (210 grams)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
long reach (384mm)
no Time Lapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS Landscape photography advice
Panasonic ZS8 Landscape photography advice
46
fairly wide (25mm)
good max aperture (f2.0)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proof
good battery power (350 shots)
lack of manual focus
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
no manual control
resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
does not have Timelapse function
44
pretty wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZS8 as a Vlogging camera
36
fairly wide (25mm)
good max aperture (f2.0)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
does not have external microphone jack
30
pretty wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (210g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external mic support
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Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Panasonic ZS8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-2 iHS and Panasonic ZS8
 Olympus Tough TG-2 iHSPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus Tough TG-2 iHS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-TZ18
Category Waterproof Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2013-06-28 2011-07-19
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - 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 area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3968 x 2976 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 11
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-100mm (4.0x) 24-384mm (16.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.0-4.9 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing range 1cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 610k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology OLED TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 5.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 5.00 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 230g (0.51 lbs) 210g (0.46 lbs)
Physical dimensions 111 x 67 x 29mm (4.4" x 2.6" 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 350 photos 340 photos
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID Li-90B -
Self timer Yes (2 and 12 sec, Pet Auto Shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage - SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Cost at release $380 $275