Panasonic FZ35 vs. Panasonic GF8: A Hands-On Comparison for Serious Photographers and Enthusiasts

Choosing a camera these days can feel a bit like navigating a labyrinth - or scrolling endlessly through camera forums and spec sheets that blur into a dizzying array of numbers and acronyms. To cut through the noise, I’m putting under the microscope two rather different Panasonic contenders from distinct eras and classes: the 2010 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35 (aka the FZ38) bridge superzoom, and the more recent 2016 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF8 entry-level mirrorless. Both have distinct appeal and target audiences, and after spending extensive hours testing them in varied settings - from fuzzy cats at home to sprawling landscapes and fast-paced street scenes - I’m here to share what these cameras really deliver in practice, not just on paper.

Grab a coffee, maybe a comfy seat - I’m diving deep, and it’ll be a fun ride.

First Impressions: Design, Handling & Ergonomics

Let’s start with something tactile - how does each camera feel in hand? After all, a great photo can be ruined by an awkward grip or a labyrinthine menu.

The Panasonic FZ35 is a classic bridge camera, inspired heavily by DSLR styling but with a fixed lens. Its body, reasonably hefty at 397g, sports a substantial grip and a well-balanced weight due to its long fixed zoom lens (27-486mm equivalent). The dimensions (118x76x89mm) give it a reassuring presence that feels stable during handheld shooting, especially important when zoomed all the way in.

By contrast, the GF8 jumps six years ahead technologically and opts for a sleek, almost minimalist rangefinder-style mirrorless design. Weighing just 266g and measuring a svelte 107x65x33mm, it’s a far more portable, travel-friendly option. The lack of an electronic viewfinder keeps it slim but necessitates composing shots mostly via the rear LCD or with some external EVF accessory (not included). For those of us who value pocketability for street or travel photography, the GF8 wins hands down in portability - but the FZ35’s solid grip and chunkier feel remain appealing, especially for longer shooting sessions.

Examining the control layouts, the FZ35 leans on a traditional array of buttons and dials, with dedicated exposure modes like shutter and aperture priority - important for experienced shooters who want tactile control. However, the screen is a rather small, fixed 2.7-inch non-touch affair with only 230k dots resolution. The absence of touch interface means more button presses and dial twirls - a nostalgia trip or an irritation, depending on your workflow.

The GF8 brings a 3-inch fully tilting touchscreen with 1,040k dots - a massive upgrade in terms of interface quality and usability. Touch AF, quick menu navigation, and modern gesture controls make it much more user-friendly, especially for newcomers or those who grew accustomed to smartphone shooting.

In my months with both, the GF8’s touchscreen consistently sped up shooting and settings tweaks, while the FZ35 felt resolutely old-school but thoughtfully laid out once you got used to its interface.

Sensor & Image Quality: Small Sensor Superzoom vs. Micro Four Thirds

The heart of every camera is of course its sensor, and these two could not be more different beasts.

Here’s the skinny:

• FZ35 ducks into the compact camera territory with a 1/2.3" CCD sensor measuring just 6.08 x 4.56 mm (27.72 mm²), packing 12 megapixels.
• GF8 upgrades significantly to a 17.3 x 13 mm (224.9 mm²) Micro Four Thirds CMOS sensor at 16 megapixels.

This size difference is not trivial - it translates directly into better dynamic range, higher sensitivity, and generally superior image quality from the GF8. Having fully tested daylight and low-light shots side by side, the GF8 produces cleaner images with less noise, especially beyond ISO 800. The FZ35’s CCD sensor produces decent colors and sharpness in good light but loses detail and clarity painfully fast in shadows or dim conditions.

The GF8’s modern sensor and newer Venus Engine processor handle noise reduction more gracefully as well, retaining texture while stamping out grain. The FZ35, being from 2010, naturally shows its age here.

That said, the FZ35’s built-in lens offers 18x zoom (27-486 mm equivalent), a huge range that the GF8 can only dream of without swapping lenses - more on that shortly.

For pixel-peepers and print-makers, the GF8’s 16MP files (4592x3448 px max) offer more detail and cropping freedom, while the FZ35’s 4000x3000 px still deliver respectable resolution at web sizes or small prints.

Autofocus & Performance: Is Speed a Dealbreaker?

Autofocus has evolved dramatically in the half-decade between these cameras, so buckle up.

The FZ35 uses a contrast-detection AF system with face detection, restricted to single AF mode - meaning it can hunt a bit and struggles with moving subjects. Its continuous shooting peek is a slow 2 fps, making it less suited for sports or wildlife where action is fast.

The GF8 steps up with 23 focus points, including continuous AF, tracking AF, and selective AF options, all contrast-based but more refined. It shoots up to 5.8 fps continuous - almost three times faster - and tracks subjects better in movement. It even supports touch-to-focus on its screen, speeding up composition and focus confirmation.

In practical terms, I tested both on a quick wildlife stroll and a bustling street market. The FZ35 successfully locked on to static subjects but struggled once critters moved swiftly. The GF8 kept pace better with erratic movements, provided you used appropriate settings.

This makes the GF8 a more confident multi-discipline shooter, especially where timing and focus accuracy matter.

The Lens Question: Fixed Zoom Convenience vs. Interchangeable Freedom

Here’s a classic tradeoff of camera design.

The FZ35 comes with a versatile 27–486 mm equivalent fixed zoom lens, boasting F2.8-4.4 aperture and close focus down to 1 cm macro distance. This means no buying or carrying lenses - everything is ready and waiting.

The user experience? For travel and casual shooting, this convenience is enormous. I loved whizzing from wide landscapes to distant wildlife snaps without stopping. But the lens’ max aperture narrows at long focal lengths, affecting low light and depth of field control.

The GF8, on the other hand, sports a Micro Four Thirds mount, offering access to a whopping 107 native lenses ranging from ultra-wide primes to super-telephotos and specialty glass. It’s like a culinary buffet for photographers hungry for expression. The downside? You must buy lenses separately, which adds cost and weight.

For portraits and low-light work, the GF8 with a fast prime (say 25mm f/1.7) delivers creamy bokeh and excellent background separation impossible for the FZ35’s zoom lens to match.

Building and Weather Sealing: Ruggedness Tested

Neither the FZ35 nor the GF8 feature advanced weather sealing or rugged construction. Both expect gentle handling indoors or during fair weather.

For landscape or adventure shooters craving durability, this is a disappointment if you shoot in harsh conditions. The FZ35’s solid plastic build feels sturdier, though, than the more compact GF8, whose mirrorless spread prioritizes size over armor.

Screen and Viewfinder: An Evolution in Visual Feedback

Revisiting screen specs: the GF8’s 3-inch, 1,040k-dot tilting touchscreen represents a tangible UX improvement over the FZ35’s smaller fixed LCD. Touch operation, selfie-friendly flips, and higher resolution make framing and reviewing shots more enjoyable.

Neither camera has a high-res electronic viewfinder: the FZ35’s EVF resolution is unspecified (and relatively low), while the GF8 lacks one entirely. This means bright, sunny outdoor shooting often forces reliance on the LCD, which can be reflective.

Battery Life & Storage: How Long and How Much?

The GF8 specs list 230 shots per charge - typical for entry-level mirrorless of this era. The FZ35’s battery life isn’t specified, but based on my testing and user reports, it edges higher, partially due to the smaller LCD and more conservative shooting speeds. Both use SD/SDHC cards, with the GF8 extending compatibility to SDXC, allowing larger card sizes.

If you’re out shooting professionally or on extended trips, packing spare batteries is advisable for either.

Connectivity: The Modern Camera’s Link to the World

One area the GF8 embraces is wireless connectivity, with built-in Wi-Fi and NFC for quick image transfer and remote control - a feature absent in the FZ35, which lacks any wireless options. This gap feels like visiting the modern age from the past.

USB and HDMI ports are standard on both, but only the GF8 offers stronger integration with mobile devices via apps - convenient for social sharers and causal content creators.

Video: Full-HD vs. HD

For videographers, the GF8 offers superior options: Full HD (1920x1080) video at up to 60 fps, using MPEG-4 and AVCHD formats. The FZ35 captures video limited to 1280x720 (HD) at 30 fps, more of a “nice to have” feature at the time than a serious video tool.

Neither camera offers 4K or advanced video features like microphone inputs or headphone jacks, so if video is a priority, newer models or hybrids might be better.

Real-World Photography: Strengths & Weaknesses Across Genres

Panasonic FZ35 front Panasonic FZ35 screen back Panasonic GF8 front Panasonic GF8 screen back

Enough spec talk - how do they behave across photography types?

Portrait Photography

• FZ35: Can render decent skin tones but limited in bokeh due to smaller sensor and slow zoom lens aperture.
• GF8: Better at isolating subjects with fast primes, accurate AF with face detection, and superior skin tone rendering.

Landscape Photography

• FZ35: Offers incredible reach and convenience for distant subjects; CCD sensor lacks dynamic range, leading to clipped shadows/highlights.
• GF8: Larger sensor captures richer detail and dynamic range; interchangeable lenses allow for ultra-wide primes, leveraging versatility.

Wildlife Photography

• FZ35: 18x zoom lens is perfect for distant subjects; AF sluggishness and low burst speed hamper action capture.
• GF8: Faster AF and burst shooting help but telephoto reach depends on lens purchase.

Sports Photography

• FZ35: Slow continuous shooting (2 fps) and single AF limit suitability.
• GF8: More responsive AF system and 5.8 fps work better for mid-action sequences.

Street Photography

• FZ35: Bulkier and can feel conspicuous; viewfinder lacking.
• GF8: Compact, lightweight and quiet shutter modes preferred; touchscreen aids quick framing.

Macro Photography

• FZ35: Can focus very close (1 cm), decent for casual macro shots.
• GF8: Macro ability depends on lens choice; more precise focusing available with dedicated macro glass.

Night / Astro Photography

• FZ35: High ISO limited to 6400 but noisy; narrow apertures restrict star photography.
• GF8: Can push ISO to 25600 with better noise handling; lens flexibility allows fast apertures.

Video Capabilities

• FZ35: Basic 720p video.
• GF8: Full HD at 60 fps, more creative freedom but no 4K or advanced mic inputs.

Travel Photography

• FZ35: Heavy and bulky; great zoom reduces need to carry lenses.
• GF8: Lightweight, adaptable, better battery life but more accessories.

Professional Use

• Both lack pro-grade weather sealing and durability.
• GF8’s RAW support and lens ecosystem offer better post-processing options.

Overall Performance and Value: Who Wins the Scorecard?

When synthesizing specs, handling, and image outcomes, the GF8 emerges as a stronger all-around camera for enthusiasts who value image quality, flexibility, and modern features. However, the FZ35's all-in-one superzoom convenience holds unique appeal for hobbyists or travelers prioritizing simplicity without lens juggling.

Breaking It Down: Which Camera Should You Choose?

Pick the Panasonic FZ35 If You:

• Demand a simple, no-fuss superzoom for travel or casual wildlife photography.
• Prefer DSLR-style ergonomics and a solid fixed lens.
• Don’t mind older tech with limitations in video and AF speed.
• Want to avoid buying lenses and maximize zoom range on a budget.

Go for the Panasonic GF8 If You:

• Crave higher image quality with a larger sensor and RAW support.
• Desire a compact, mirrorless body with touchscreen and wireless features.
• Need flexible lens options to explore diverse photography styles.
• Want better autofocus, faster shooting, and improved video performance.
• Are okay with a shorter zoom range unless prepared to invest in lenses.

Final Thoughts: Trusting Experience over Specs

What these two cameras reveal is how photography technology adapts and shifts - one camera focused on all-in-one accessibility, the other prioritizing sensor size and system modularity.

I’ve enjoyed making portraits on the GF8, relishing the creamy bokeh from fast primes. The FZ35 was my companion on hikes, nailing distant bird shots without a second lens in the bag. Both require patience with their quirks - slow AF on the FZ35, fiddly lens swapping on the GF8 - but reward you in different ways.

So, what’s your photography lifestyle? If a one-stop superzoom intrigues you and price is a concern, the FZ35 offers a compelling package. If you want to grow and experiment with image quality, lenses, and connectivity, the GF8 is a far more capable partner, albeit with some compromises in reach and ruggedness.

Happy shooting, and may your next camera choice make the moments ahead sharper, richer, and full of creative joy!