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Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic XS1

Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1 front
Portability
97
Imaging
40
Features
26
Overall
34

Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic XS1 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Increase to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
  • Introduced January 2014
Panasonic XS1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
  • 103g - 94 x 54 x 14mm
  • Introduced January 2013
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic XS1 Overview

Let's look more closely at the Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic XS1, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact and they are both built by Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the SZ8 (16MP) and the XS1 (16MP) is very well matched and both cameras offer the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SZ8 was announced 13 months later than the XS1 making them a generation apart from one another. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going into a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple overview of how the SZ8 grades against the XS1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Panasonic XS1

 SZ8 XS1 
IntroducedJanuary 2014January 2013Fresher by 13 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic XS1 over the Panasonic SZ8

 XS1 SZ8 

Common features in the Panasonic SZ8 and Panasonic XS1

 SZ8 XS1 
Manually focus Lack of manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither has Touch friendly display

Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic XS1 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry your camera, you'll need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Panasonic SZ8 has exterior measurements of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") having a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Panasonic XS1 has measurements of 94mm x 54mm x 14mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.6") having a weight of 103 grams (0.23 lbs).

Check the Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic XS1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are using at that moment. Following is a front view scale comparison of the SZ8 vs the XS1.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic XS1 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ8 and XS1 is 94 and 97 respectively.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic XS1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic XS1 Sensor Comparison

Normally, its hard to picture the gap between sensor sizing only by reading through a spec sheet. The graphic underneath will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ8 and XS1.

As you can see, both the cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the identical resolution and you can expect similar quality of files but you really should consider the age of the products into consideration. The more recent SZ8 should have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic XS1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic XS1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic XS1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic XS1 Portrait photography advice
35
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
has face detection autofocus
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
30
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic SZ8
Street photography with Panasonic XS1
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (159g)
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
64
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (103 grams)
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic XS1 as a Sports photography camera
34
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
small sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (200 per charge)
no phase detect autofocus
41
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
has tracking focus
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Travel photography info
Panasonic XS1 Travel photography info
67
lighter than average (159 grams)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
built-in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
very long reach (288mm)
no Timelapse function
terrible battery pack (200 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
69
lighter than competition (103g)
decent megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
really wide (24mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic XS1 Landscape photography highlights
42
pretty wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not available
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
terrible battery pack (200 shots)
no Timelapse function
39
really wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
lack of manual exposure
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic SZ8
Vlogging with Panasonic XS1
32
pretty wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection autofocus
lighter than average (159 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external microphone jack
31
really wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (103 grams)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic jack
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic XS1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ8 and Panasonic XS1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1
General Information
Make Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2014-01-06 2013-01-07
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Maximum boosted ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-288mm (12.0x) 24-120mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.1-6.3 f/2.8-6.9
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology TFT LCD TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 seconds 60 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.20 m 4.40 m
Flash settings Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 159 grams (0.35 lb) 103 grams (0.23 lb)
Physical dimensions 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") 94 x 54 x 14mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.6")
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 200 photographs 260 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Price at launch $275 $130