Panasonic GH3 vs Panasonic ZS8

Lets look much closer at the Panasonic GH3 vs Panasonic ZS8, one being a Advanced Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are offered by Panasonic. The image resolution of the GH3 (16MP) and the ZS8 (14MP) is pretty well matched but the GH3 (Four Thirds) and ZS8 (1/2.3") use different sensor sizing.

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The GH3 was released 15 months later than the ZS8 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic GH3 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS8 being a Compact camera.

Before getting in to a in-depth comparison, below is a simple summation of how the GH3 grades against the ZS8 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

The following is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8. The complete galleries are available at Panasonic GH3 Gallery and Panasonic ZS8 Gallery.

For anybody who is aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic GH3 provides exterior dimensions of 133mm x 93mm x 82mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.2") along with a weight of 550 grams (1.21 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS8 has dimensions of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") along with a weight of 210 grams (0.46 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic GH3 vs Panasonic ZS8 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have chosen at that time. Underneath is the front view measurement comparison of the GH3 against the ZS8.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the GH3 and ZS8 is 66 and 92 respectively.

Quite often, it is hard to imagine the difference between sensor measurements simply by looking at a spec sheet. The visual below should give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the GH3 and ZS8.

As you can see, both of those cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The GH3 due to its bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallow depth of field less difficult and the Panasonic GH3 will give you greater detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop photographs a little more aggressively. The younger GH3 provides a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.