Clicky

Panasonic S1 vs Panasonic SZ8

Portability
96
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36

Panasonic S1 vs Panasonic SZ8 Key Specs

Panasonic S1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
  • 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Launched January 2011
Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
  • Launched January 2014
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Panasonic S1 vs Panasonic SZ8 Overview

Its time to take a more detailed look at the Panasonic S1 versus Panasonic SZ8, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are offered by Panasonic. There exists a significant gap among the image resolutions of the S1 (12MP) and SZ8 (16MP) but they come with the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

The S1 was released 4 years earlier than the SZ8 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going straight into a detailed comparison, below is a short view of how the S1 matches up against the SZ8 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic S1 over the Panasonic SZ8

 S1 SZ8 

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Panasonic S1

 SZ8 S1 
LaunchedJanuary 2014January 2011More modern by 36 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic S1 and Panasonic SZ8

 S1 SZ8 
Manual focus No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Panasonic S1 vs Panasonic SZ8 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you will have to think about its weight and proportions. The Panasonic S1 provides outer dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs) whilst the Panasonic SZ8 has measurements of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic S1 versus Panasonic SZ8 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Below is the front view overall size comparison of the S1 and the SZ8.

Panasonic S1 vs Panasonic SZ8 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the S1 and SZ8 is 96 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic S1 vs Panasonic SZ8 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S1 vs Panasonic SZ8 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is hard to visualise the gap in sensor sizes only by checking out technical specs. The image underneath will help give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the S1 and SZ8.

As you have seen, both cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You should expect the Panasonic SZ8 to produce extra detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop pictures far more aggressively. The more aged S1 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic S1 vs Panasonic SZ8 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S1 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S1 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic S1
Portrait photography with Panasonic SZ8
21
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
35
decent MP (16 megapixels)
includes face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
no manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Street Comparison

Panasonic S1 Street photography information
Panasonic SZ8 Street photography information
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (117 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (159 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Sports Comparison

Panasonic S1 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic SZ8 as a Sports photography camera
27
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of shutter priority mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
34
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
slow fps (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (200 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic S1
Travel photography with Panasonic SZ8
62
lighter than others in class (117g)
built-in flash
rather wide (28mm)
no Time Lapse recording
low MP (12 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
67
lighter than others (159g)
decent MP (16MP)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
very long reach (288mm)
no Timelapse mode
not so great battery power (200 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S1 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic SZ8 Landscape photography highlights
32
rather wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.7")
manual exposure not available
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
no Time Lapse recording
42
reasonably wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual exposure
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
not so great battery power (200 CIPA)
no Timelapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S1 Vlogging details
Panasonic SZ8 Vlogging details
31
rather wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (117g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not have selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external mic jack
32
reasonably wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect autofocus
lighter than others (159 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
no microphone socket
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Panasonic S1 vs Panasonic SZ8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S1 and Panasonic SZ8
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
General Information
Company Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2011-01-05 2014-01-06
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine IV Venus Engine
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 12MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 1600
Max boosted ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) 24-288mm (12.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.1-5.6 f/3.1-6.3
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7" 3"
Screen resolution 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech TFT LCD TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 secs 8 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate - 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.30 m 5.20 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
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 117 gr (0.26 lb) 159 gr (0.35 lb)
Dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 240 photographs 200 photographs
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Price at launch $269 $275