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Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic ZS8

Portability
95
Imaging
38
Features
34
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
39
Overall
37

Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic ZS8 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Boost to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 136g - 104 x 58 x 21mm
  • Announced July 2012
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
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ18
  • Older Model is Panasonic ZS7
Photography Glossary

Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic ZS8 Overview

Here is a complete analysis of the Panasonic SZ5 and Panasonic ZS8, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are created by Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the SZ5 (14MP) and the ZS8 (14MP) is pretty well matched and they use the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SZ5 was unveiled 13 months later than the ZS8 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting in to a full comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the SZ5 scores against the ZS8 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Panasonic ZS8

 SZ5 ZS8 
RevealedJuly 2012July 2011Fresher by 13 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS8 over the Panasonic SZ5

 ZS8 SZ5 

Common features in the Panasonic SZ5 and Panasonic ZS8

 SZ5 ZS8 
Manual focus No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurement
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic ZS8 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry your camera regularly, you will need to consider its weight and volume. The Panasonic SZ5 has physical measurements of 104mm x 58mm x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS8 has sizing of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") having a weight of 210 grams (0.46 lbs).

Check the Panasonic SZ5 and Panasonic ZS8 in the new Camera and 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 employing at that moment. The following is the front view dimensions comparison of the SZ5 compared to the ZS8.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic ZS8 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ5 and ZS8 is 95 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic ZS8 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic ZS8 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be difficult to picture the contrast between sensor sizing merely by reading through specifications. The visual here will provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ5 and ZS8.

Plainly, both the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements and the same exact megapixels so you should expect similar quality of files although you really should factor the production date of the products into consideration. The more modern SZ5 should have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic ZS8 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic ZS8 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic ZS8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic ZS8 Portrait photography advice
34
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
has face detect focus
manual focus not available
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
30
MP count decent (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Street photography information
Panasonic ZS8 Street photography information
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (136 grams)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (210 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic SZ5
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS8
40
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
has tracking focus
low fps (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
47
amazing zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
max fps low (2.0 frames per second)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Travel photography advice
Panasonic ZS8 Travel photography advice
70
lighter than others in class (136g)
MP count decent (14MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
long zoom (250mm)
no Time Lapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
69
lighter than average in class (210g)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
really wide (24mm)
very long reach (384mm)
missing Timelapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Landscape photography information
Panasonic ZS8 Landscape photography information
42
reasonably wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
no Time Lapse mode
44
really wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZS8 as a Vlogging camera
32
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focus
lighter than others in class (136g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no mic jack
30
really wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (210 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external microphone socket
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Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic ZS8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ5 and Panasonic ZS8
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8
General Information
Company Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-TZ18
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2012-07-18 2011-07-19
Physical type 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 surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14 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
Full resolution 4320 x 3240 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Max boosted ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection 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 distance 5cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech TFT Screen LCD TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8s 60s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 2.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.60 m 5.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720p ( 30,25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4 MPEG-4
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 136g (0.30 lbs) 210g (0.46 lbs)
Dimensions 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" 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 shots 340 shots
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $195 $275