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Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic ZS8

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
26
Overall
32
Olympus VG-160 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
39
Overall
37

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic ZS8 Key Specs

Olympus VG-160
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F2.8-6.5) lens
  • 125g - 96 x 57 x 19mm
  • Announced January 2012
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
  • Revealed July 2011
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ18
  • Old Model is Panasonic ZS7
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Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic ZS8 Overview

Following is a in-depth assessment of the Olympus VG-160 and Panasonic ZS8, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the VG-160 (14MP) and the ZS8 (14MP) is relatively close and both cameras posses the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The VG-160 was brought out 6 months after the ZS8 so they are of a similar generation. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving into a in depth comparison, here is a short overview of how the VG-160 matches up against the ZS8 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus VG-160 over the Panasonic ZS8

 VG-160 ZS8 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS8 over the Olympus VG-160

 ZS8 VG-160 

Common features in the Olympus VG-160 and Panasonic ZS8

 VG-160 ZS8 
RevealedJanuary 2012July 2011Same generation
Manual focus No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurements
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Neither has Touch screen

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic ZS8 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus VG-160 has outside measurements of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS8 has proportions of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") having a weight of 210 grams (0.46 lbs).

Check out the Olympus VG-160 and Panasonic ZS8 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are utilising at that time. Here is a front view size comparison of the VG-160 and the ZS8.

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic ZS8 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the VG-160 and ZS8 is 96 and 92 respectively.

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic ZS8 top view buttons comparison

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic ZS8 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be hard to visualise the gap in sensor sizes merely by researching technical specs. The image here will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the VG-160 and ZS8.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the exact same MP so you should expect comparable quality of images however you really should factor the production date of the cameras into account.

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic ZS8 sensor size comparison

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic ZS8 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic ZS8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic ZS8 Portrait photography factors
33
good megapixels (14MP)
has face detect focus
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
30
good resolution (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Street photography factors
Panasonic ZS8 Street photography factors
56
lighter than competition (125 grams)
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (210g)
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Sports photography factors
Panasonic ZS8 Sports photography factors
26
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery power (165 per charge)
lacks phase detect auto focus
47
great zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames per second)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic ZS8 Travel photography highlights
65
lighter than competition (125g)
good megapixels (14MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (26mm)
missing Timelapse mode
low battery power (165 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
69
lighter than competition in class (210g)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
long zoom (384mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
does not have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus VG-160
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS8
36
relatively wide (26mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
no manual exposure
no image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
low battery power (165 shots)
missing Timelapse mode
44
relatively wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14MP)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Vlogging advice
Panasonic ZS8 Vlogging advice
30
relatively wide (26mm)
has face detect focus
lighter than competition (125g)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone port
30
relatively wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (210 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not have a selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external mic support
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Olympus VG-160 vs Panasonic ZS8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VG-160 and Panasonic ZS8
 Olympus VG-160Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus VG-160 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-TZ18
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2012-01-10 2011-07-19
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type CCD 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 14 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4288 x 3216 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points - 11
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-130mm (5.0x) 24-384mm (16.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-6.5 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus range 7cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology TFT Color LCD TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 60s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate - 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.80 m 5.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30,15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 180 (30,15 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG 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 None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 125g (0.28 lb) 210g (0.46 lb)
Physical dimensions 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 165 images 340 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-70B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail pricing $90 $275