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Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic ZS8

Portability
85
Imaging
37
Features
67
Overall
49
Olympus XZ-2 iHS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
39
Overall
37

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic ZS8 Key Specs

Olympus XZ-2 iHS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-112mm (F1.8-2.5) lens
  • 346g - 113 x 65 x 48mm
  • Revealed December 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
  • Introduced July 2011
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ18
  • Superseded the Panasonic ZS7
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Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic ZS8 Overview

Here is a comprehensive comparison of the Olympus XZ-2 iHS versus Panasonic ZS8, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the XZ-2 iHS (12MP) and the ZS8 (14MP) is relatively close but the XZ-2 iHS (1/1.7") and ZS8 (1/2.3") feature different sensor dimensions.

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The XZ-2 iHS was revealed 18 months later than the ZS8 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before going through a thorough comparison, below is a short highlight of how the XZ-2 iHS matches up against the ZS8 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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

 XZ-2 iHS ZS8 
IntroducedDecember 2012July 2011Fresher by 18 months
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution920k230kClearer screen (+690k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

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

 ZS8 XZ-2 iHS 

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

 XZ-2 iHS ZS8 
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen sizing
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic ZS8 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to carry your camera frequently, you have to consider its weight and size. The Olympus XZ-2 iHS features physical dimensions of 113mm x 65mm x 48mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.9") and a weight of 346 grams (0.76 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS8 has specifications of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") with a weight of 210 grams (0.46 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus XZ-2 iHS versus Panasonic ZS8 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Below is the front view over all size comparison of the XZ-2 iHS compared to the ZS8.

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic ZS8 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the XZ-2 iHS and ZS8 is 85 and 92 respectively.

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

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic ZS8 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its hard to visualize the difference in sensor sizing merely by researching specs. The photograph below may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the XZ-2 iHS and ZS8.

As you can plainly see, both of the cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The XZ-2 iHS having a bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field less difficult and the Panasonic ZS8 will provide you with greater detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots much more aggressively. The more recent XZ-2 iHS provides an advantage in sensor tech.

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic ZS8 sensor size comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic ZS8 Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZS8 as a Portrait photography camera
46
focusing manually
provides face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
30
decent megapixels (14MP)
lack of manual focus
external flash not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS8 as a Street photography camera
66
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW files
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
more heavy than average (346 grams)
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (210 grams)
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZS8 as a Sports photography camera
43
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides tracking focus
better than average battery (340 CIPA)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
47
great zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14MP)
has tracking autofocus
max frames per second low (2.0 fps)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS8 as a Travel photography camera
61
better than average battery (340 shots)
built-in flash
quite wide (28mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
no Timelapse recording
more heavy than average (346 grams)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
69
lighter than average in class (210g)
decent megapixels (14MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (24mm)
great zoom (384mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS8 as a Landscape photography camera
55
focusing manually
quite wide (28mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
good sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW files
better than average battery (340 CIPA)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
no Timelapse recording
44
pretty wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14MP)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS Vlogging features
Panasonic ZS8 Vlogging features
36
quite wide (28mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has microphone support
display isn't selfie friendly
more heavy than average (346g)
30
pretty wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (210g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external mic port
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Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic ZS8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus XZ-2 iHS and Panasonic ZS8
 Olympus XZ-2 iHSPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus XZ-2 iHS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-TZ18
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2012-12-18 2011-07-19
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/1.7" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 7.44 x 5.58mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 41.5mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 3968 x 2976 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 12800 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 35 11
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) 24-384mm (16.0x)
Largest aperture f/1.8-2.5 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus range 1cm 3cm
Crop factor 4.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 920 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed - 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 8.60 m (ISO 800) 5.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Wireless 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
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 346 gr (0.76 pounds) 210 gr (0.46 pounds)
Dimensions 113 x 65 x 48mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.9") 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 49 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 20.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.3 not tested
DXO Low light score 216 not tested
Other
Battery life 340 pictures 340 pictures
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model Li-90B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch pricing $450 $275