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Panasonic FH5 vs Panasonic ZS8

Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
31
Overall
35
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
39
Overall
37

Panasonic FH5 vs Panasonic ZS8 Key Specs

Panasonic FH5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 121g - 94 x 54 x 19mm
  • Released January 2011
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-FS18
Panasonic ZS8
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • 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
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ18
  • Earlier Model is Panasonic ZS7
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Panasonic FH5 vs Panasonic ZS8 Overview

Below is a detailed review of the Panasonic FH5 vs Panasonic ZS8, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are sold by Panasonic. The image resolution of the FH5 (16MP) and the ZS8 (14MP) is fairly close and both cameras provide the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The FH5 was launched 6 months before the ZS8 and they are both of a similar age. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before getting straight to a detailed comparison, here is a short highlight of how the FH5 scores versus the ZS8 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic FH5 over the Panasonic ZS8

 FH5 ZS8 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS8 over the Panasonic FH5

 ZS8 FH5 
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Common features in the Panasonic FH5 and Panasonic ZS8

 FH5 ZS8 
IntroducedJanuary 2011July 2011Same age
Manual focus No manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Missing Touch display

Panasonic FH5 vs Panasonic ZS8 Physical Comparison

If you're going to lug around your camera often, you'll need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FH5 offers exterior measurements of 94mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") along with a weight of 121 grams (0.27 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS8 has dimensions of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") having a weight of 210 grams (0.46 lbs).

See the Panasonic FH5 vs Panasonic ZS8 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you choose at that moment. Here is a front view proportions comparison of the FH5 versus the ZS8.

Panasonic FH5 vs Panasonic ZS8 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the FH5 and ZS8 is 96 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic FH5 vs Panasonic ZS8 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FH5 vs Panasonic ZS8 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be hard to visualize the contrast in sensor measurements just by looking through specifications. The graphic here will offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the FH5 and ZS8.

To sum up, both of those cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different resolution. You can anticipate the Panasonic FH5 to provide you with greater detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop photos more aggressively.

Panasonic FH5 vs Panasonic ZS8 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FH5 vs Panasonic ZS8 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FH5 vs Panasonic ZS8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic FH5
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS8
34
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
provides face detect focusing
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
30
good resolution (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FH5 Street photography factors
Panasonic ZS8 Street photography factors
67
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers focus via touch
lighter than others (121g)
screen is fixed
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (210 grams)
screen is fixed
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FH5 Sports photography features
Panasonic ZS8 Sports photography features
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
provides tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
47
excellent zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14MP)
offers tracking focus
slow fps (2.0 frames per second)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FH5 Travel photography details
Panasonic ZS8 Travel photography details
71
lighter than others (121 grams)
offers focus via touch
decent megapixels (16MP)
built-in flash
really wide (28mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
69
lighter than competition in class (210 grams)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
decently wide (24mm)
long reach (384mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FH5 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic ZS8 Landscape photography factors
38
really wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.7")
lack of manual mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
44
decently wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14MP)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic FH5
Vlogging with Panasonic ZS8
33
really wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focusing
lighter than others (121g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have mic support
30
decently wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (210 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of mic support
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Panasonic FH5 vs Panasonic ZS8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FH5 and Panasonic ZS8
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8
General Information
Make Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8
Also Known as Lumix DMC-FS18 Lumix DMC-TZ18
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2011-01-05 2011-07-19
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine IV Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) 24-384mm (16.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.1-6.5 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing distance 5cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7" 3"
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 60s
Max shutter speed 1/1600s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 4.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.30 m 5.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 121g (0.27 pounds) 210g (0.46 pounds)
Physical dimensions 94 x 54 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") 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 260 images 340 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail price $169 $275