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Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS8

Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
29
Overall
35
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
39
Overall
37

Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS8 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 126g - 95 x 56 x 22mm
  • Revealed January 2013
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
  • Revealed July 2011
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ18
  • Replaced the Panasonic ZS7
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Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS8 Overview

Here is a thorough analysis of the Panasonic SZ3 versus Panasonic ZS8, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both offered by Panasonic. The resolution of the SZ3 (16MP) and the ZS8 (14MP) is relatively well matched and they feature the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SZ3 was manufactured 18 months later than the ZS8 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before going in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the SZ3 matches up vs the ZS8 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Panasonic ZS8

 SZ3 ZS8 
RevealedJanuary 2013July 2011Fresher by 18 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS8 over the Panasonic SZ3

 ZS8 SZ3 
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Panasonic SZ3 and Panasonic ZS8

 SZ3 ZS8 
Manual focus Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch screen Neither offers Touch screen

Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS8 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry your camera regularly, you should factor its weight and measurements. The Panasonic SZ3 offers external measurements of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS8 has proportions of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") with a weight of 210 grams (0.46 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic SZ3 versus Panasonic ZS8 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Below is the front view overall size comparison of the SZ3 compared to the ZS8.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS8 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ3 and ZS8 is 96 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS8 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS8 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its hard to envision the difference between sensor sizing just by looking at specifications. The photograph below will help offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ3 and ZS8.

To sum up, both of those cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same MP. You can count on the Panasonic SZ3 to give you extra detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The younger SZ3 is going to have an edge in sensor tech.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS8 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS8 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic SZ3
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS8
30
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
lack of manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
30
good resolution (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic SZ3
Street photography with Panasonic ZS8
64
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (126 grams)
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (210g)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZS8 as a Sports photography camera
41
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
comes with tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
47
long zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
low fps (2.0 fps)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Travel photography features
Panasonic ZS8 Travel photography features
71
lighter than competition in class (126 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
built-in flash
really wide (25mm)
very long zoom (250mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
69
lighter than competition (210 grams)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
quite wide (24mm)
long reach (384mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS8 as a Landscape photography camera
39
really wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
lack of manual focus
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.7")
no manual control
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
lack of Time Lapse mode
44
quite wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Vlogging info
Panasonic ZS8 Vlogging info
31
really wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (126g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of mic socket
30
quite wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (210g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external microphone jack
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Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ3 and Panasonic ZS8
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8
Also called - Lumix DMC-TZ18
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2013-01-07 2011-07-19
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - 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 area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-250mm (10.0x) 24-384mm (16.0x)
Max aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing range 5cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech TFT LCD TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.10 m 5.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 126 grams (0.28 pounds) 210 grams (0.46 pounds)
Dimensions 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 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 pictures 340 pictures
Battery format 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
Storage slots One One
Cost at launch $150 $275