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Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic ZS45

Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45 front
Portability
91
Imaging
41
Features
55
Overall
46

Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic ZS45 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • 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
  • Revealed January 2014
Panasonic ZS45
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 249g - 108 x 60 x 32mm
  • Released January 2015
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ57
  • Older Model is Panasonic ZS40
  • Renewed by Panasonic ZS50
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic ZS45 Overview

Its time to look more in depth at the Panasonic SZ8 versus Panasonic ZS45, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras and they are both produced by Panasonic. The resolution of the SZ8 (16MP) and the ZS45 (16MP) is relatively comparable and both cameras have the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SZ8 was released 12 months prior to the ZS45 and they are both of a similar age. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the SZ8 scores against the ZS45 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Panasonic ZS45

 SZ8 ZS45 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS45 over the Panasonic SZ8

 ZS45 SZ8 
ReleasedJanuary 2015January 2014Fresher by 12 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1040k460kClearer screen (+580k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic SZ8 and Panasonic ZS45

 SZ8 ZS45 
Manual focus Lack of manual focusing
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch screen Neither provides Touch screen

Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic ZS45 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry your camera regularly, you'll need to consider its weight and proportions. The Panasonic SZ8 provides outside measurements of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") and a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS45 has measurements of 108mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 249 grams (0.55 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic SZ8 versus Panasonic ZS45 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you select at that time. Below is a front view measurement comparison of the SZ8 versus the ZS45.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic ZS45 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the SZ8 and ZS45 is 94 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic ZS45 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic ZS45 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very tough to picture the gap in sensor sizing simply by seeing specifications. The visual below should offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ8 and ZS45.

To sum up, both cameras feature the identical sensor size and the exact same resolution and you can expect comparable quality of files though you really should take the age of the cameras into account. The older SZ8 will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic ZS45 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic ZS45 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic ZS45 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic SZ8
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS45
35
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
features face detect autofocus
manual focus not available
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
37
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
includes face detection autofocus
focusing manually not possible
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Street photography info
Panasonic ZS45 Street photography info
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (159g)
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
69
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (249 grams)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZS45 as a Sports photography camera
34
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
slow fps (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery power (200 per charge)
does not have phase detect autofocus
56
great zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
includes tracking autofocus
good battery pack (350 shots)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Travel photography factors
Panasonic ZS45 Travel photography factors
67
lighter than competition in class (159 grams)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
built-in flash
really wide (24mm)
long zoom (288mm)
lack of Timelapse function
bad battery power (200 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
71
good battery pack (350 shots)
lighter than others in class (249g)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
decently wide (24mm)
very long zoom (480mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
does not have a selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ8
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS45
42
really wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual exposure
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
bad battery power (200 shots)
lack of Timelapse function
48
decently wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
good battery pack (350 CIPA)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Vlogging features
Panasonic ZS45 Vlogging features
32
really wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect autofocus
lighter than competition in class (159g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone support
34
decently wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others in class (249g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
does not have a selfie friendly display
doesn't have external microphone support
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic ZS45 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ8 and Panasonic ZS45
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-TZ57
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2014-01-06 2015-01-06
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
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 16MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Highest enhanced ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 9 21
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-288mm (12.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.1-6.3 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus distance - 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 460k dots 1,040k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 8 seconds 4 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.20 m 6.00 m
Flash settings Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
External flash
Auto exposure 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 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p) 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 159g (0.35 lb) 249g (0.55 lb)
Physical dimensions 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") 108 x 60 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 200 photographs 350 photographs
Battery style 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
Retail pricing $275 $300