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Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic ZS8

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
39
Overall
37

Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic ZS8 Key Specs

Panasonic FS12
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Increase to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 31-124mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 129g - 97 x 55 x 22mm
  • Launched April 2009
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
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ18
  • Replaced the Panasonic ZS7
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Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic ZS8 Overview

The following is a extended comparison of the Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic ZS8, one is a Ultracompact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both created by Panasonic. The resolution of the FS12 (12MP) and the ZS8 (14MP) is very similar and they come with the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The FS12 was announced 3 years earlier than the ZS8 which is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic FS12 being a Ultracompact camera and the Panasonic ZS8 being a Compact camera.

Before getting in to a more detailed comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the FS12 scores versus the ZS8 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS12 over the Panasonic ZS8

 FS12 ZS8 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS8 over the Panasonic FS12

 ZS8 FS12 
IntroducedJuly 2011April 2009Newer by 27 months
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Common features in the Panasonic FS12 and Panasonic ZS8

 FS12 ZS8 
Focus manually Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither offers Touch friendly display

Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic ZS8 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to travel with your camera often, you have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Panasonic FS12 offers physical measurements of 97mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 129 grams (0.28 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS8 has proportions of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") with a weight of 210 grams (0.46 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic ZS8 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have attached at that moment. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the FS12 versus the ZS8.

Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic ZS8 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the FS12 and ZS8 is 95 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic ZS8 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic ZS8 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's hard to see the difference between sensor dimensions merely by reviewing specs. The picture here might give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the FS12 and ZS8.

All in all, the 2 cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but not the same megapixels. You should expect to see the Panasonic ZS8 to offer you extra detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos much more aggressively. The more aged FS12 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic ZS8 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic ZS8 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic ZS8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic FS12
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS8
21
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
30
MP count good (14MP)
manual focus not available
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FS12 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS8 as a Street photography camera
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (210g)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Sports photography features
Panasonic ZS8 Sports photography features
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
low fps (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
47
long zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
slow fps (2.0 frames/s)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS12 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS8 as a Travel photography camera
51
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse function
MP count low (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (31mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
69
lighter than competition in class (210 grams)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (24mm)
great reach (384mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
does not posses selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Landscape photography details
Panasonic ZS8 Landscape photography details
28
has image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (31mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7")
lack of manual mode
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
does not have Time Lapse function
44
decently wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14MP)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Vlogging info
Panasonic ZS8 Vlogging info
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (31mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (640 x 480 pxls)
does not have mic support
30
decently wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (210g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not posses selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external microphone socket
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Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic ZS8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS12 and Panasonic ZS8
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8
General Information
Brand Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8
Also called - Lumix DMC-TZ18
Category Ultracompact Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2009-04-17 2011-07-19
Physical type Ultracompact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Highest enhanced ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 31-124mm (4.0x) 24-384mm (16.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing distance 5cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.30 m 5.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 848 x 480 (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)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 129 gr (0.28 lb) 210 gr (0.46 lb)
Dimensions 97 x 55 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") 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 - 340 images
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at release $228 $275