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Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS8

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
39
Overall
37

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS8 Key Specs

Panasonic S3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 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
  • Released January 2011
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
  • Released July 2011
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ18
  • Superseded the Panasonic ZS7
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Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS8 Overview

Below is a comprehensive assessment of the Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS8, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are produced by Panasonic. The image resolution of the S3 (14MP) and the ZS8 (14MP) is relatively well matched and both cameras boast the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The S3 was manufactured 6 months prior to the ZS8 so they are both of a similar generation. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going right into a in depth comparison, here is a brief view of how the S3 grades against the ZS8 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Panasonic ZS8

 S3 ZS8 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS8 over the Panasonic S3

 ZS8 S3 
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Panasonic S3 and Panasonic ZS8

 S3 ZS8 
ReleasedJanuary 2011July 2011Similar generation
Manually focus No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS8 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to lug around your camera, you will want to factor in its weight and size. The Panasonic S3 has outside measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS8 has specifications of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") having a weight of 210 grams (0.46 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS8 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you choose at that time. Here is a front view dimension comparison of the S3 vs the ZS8.

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS8 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the S3 and ZS8 is 96 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS8 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS8 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's difficult to visualize the difference between sensor measurements simply by looking at a spec sheet. The visual underneath should offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the S3 and ZS8.

As you can see, each of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the same exact megapixels so you should expect similar quality of files however you might want to factor the release date of the products into consideration.

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS8 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS8 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S3 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZS8 as a Portrait photography camera
28
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
30
decent megapixels (14MP)
no manual focus
cannot use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic S3
Street photography with Panasonic ZS8
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (117g)
no articulating screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (210g)
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic S3 Sports photography info
Panasonic ZS8 Sports photography info
35
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
max frames per second low (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
47
great zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
features tracking focus
max fps low (2.0 frames per second)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic S3 Travel photography information
Panasonic ZS8 Travel photography information
68
lighter than average in class (117g)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.1)
69
lighter than competitors (210 grams)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
very long reach (384mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S3 Landscape photography details
Panasonic ZS8 Landscape photography details
38
pretty wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.7 inches)
no manual exposure
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse function
44
pretty wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S3 Vlogging features
Panasonic ZS8 Vlogging features
31
pretty wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (117 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have mic port
30
pretty wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (210g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have microphone support
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Panasonic S3 vs Panasonic ZS8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S3 and Panasonic ZS8
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8
General Information
Make Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-TZ18
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2011-01-05 2011-07-19
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine IV 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 14 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4320 x 3240 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) 24-384mm (16.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.1-5.6 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing distance 5cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech TFT LCD TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.30 m 5.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30fps), 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)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4 MPEG-4
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
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 grams (0.26 lbs) 210 grams (0.46 lbs)
Physical dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
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 250 photos 340 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Launch pricing $110 $275