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Panasonic GM1 vs Panasonic ZS8

Portability
93
Imaging
53
Features
60
Overall
55
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
39
Overall
37

Panasonic GM1 vs Panasonic ZS8 Key Specs

Panasonic GM1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 204g - 99 x 55 x 30mm
  • Revealed December 2013
  • Renewed by Panasonic GM5
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
  • Announced July 2011
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ18
  • Old Model is Panasonic ZS7
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Panasonic GM1 vs Panasonic ZS8 Overview

In this write-up, we will be contrasting the Panasonic GM1 versus Panasonic ZS8, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are manufactured by Panasonic. The resolution of the GM1 (16MP) and the ZS8 (14MP) is relatively similar but the GM1 (Four Thirds) and ZS8 (1/2.3") use totally different sensor sizes.

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The GM1 was manufactured 2 years after the ZS8 which is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic GM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS8 being a Compact camera.

Before delving in to a full comparison, below is a brief summation of how the GM1 scores vs the ZS8 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GM1 over the Panasonic ZS8

 GM1 ZS8 
AnnouncedDecember 2013July 2011More modern by 30 months
Manually focus More exact focusing
Screen resolution1036k230kCrisper screen (+806k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS8 over the Panasonic GM1

 ZS8 GM1 

Common features in the Panasonic GM1 and Panasonic ZS8

 GM1 ZS8 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Panasonic GM1 vs Panasonic ZS8 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry around your camera frequently, you need to think about its weight and size. The Panasonic GM1 has exterior dimensions of 99mm x 55mm x 30mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") and a weight of 204 grams (0.45 lbs) whilst 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).

Check the Panasonic GM1 versus Panasonic ZS8 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have at the time. Here is the front view dimensions comparison of the GM1 versus the ZS8.

Panasonic GM1 vs Panasonic ZS8 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the GM1 and ZS8 is 93 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic GM1 vs Panasonic ZS8 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GM1 vs Panasonic ZS8 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's difficult to envision the difference between sensor sizes purely by going over specs. The pic below might give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the GM1 and ZS8.

All in all, each of the cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The GM1 because of its bigger sensor will make achieving shallow DOF less difficult and the Panasonic GM1 will offer greater detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots far more aggressively. The fresher GM1 will have an advantage in sensor technology.

Panasonic GM1 vs Panasonic ZS8 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GM1 vs Panasonic ZS8 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GM1 vs Panasonic ZS8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GM1 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic ZS8 Portrait photography factors
65
has manual focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection focus
supports RAW files
no external flash support
30
good MP (14MP)
lack of manual focus
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic GM1
Street photography with Panasonic ZS8
77
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
includes touch to focus
lighter than competition in class (204g)
very good high ISO (25,600)
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (210g)
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GM1 Sports photography info
Panasonic ZS8 Sports photography info
48
quiet mode (1/16,000 seconds)
good MP (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking autofocus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/500 seconds)
max fps low (5.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery pack (230 shots)
does not have phase detect auto focus
47
excellent zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14MP)
comes with tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GM1 Travel photography details
Panasonic ZS8 Travel photography details
74
lighter than competition in class (204 grams)
includes touch to focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
terrible battery pack (230 CIPA)
does not feature selfie friendly display
69
lighter than competitors (210g)
good MP (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
decently wide (24mm)
great reach (384mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GM1 Landscape photography details
Panasonic ZS8 Landscape photography details
69
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3")
good MP (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
very good high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW files
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery pack (230 shots)
44
decently wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic GM1
Vlogging with Panasonic ZS8
35
has touchscreen
comes with face detection focus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (204g)
does not feature selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have external mic port
30
decently wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (210 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing mic support
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Panasonic GM1 vs Panasonic ZS8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GM1 and Panasonic ZS8
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8
General Information
Brand Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8
Also called - Lumix DMC-TZ18
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2013-12-19 2011-07-19
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 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
Maximum resolution 4592 x 3448 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 25600 6400
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-384mm (16.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing range - 3cm
Total lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 1,036k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 60s
Highest shutter speed 1/500s 1/4000s
Highest quiet shutter speed 1/16000s -
Continuous shooting rate 5.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.00 m 5.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/50s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 24p), 1280 x 720p (60p, 50p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In 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 204g (0.45 lb) 210g (0.46 lb)
Dimensions 99 x 55 x 30mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 66 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.3 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.7 not tested
DXO Low light rating 660 not tested
Other
Battery life 230 photos 340 photos
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Retail price $750 $275