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Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic ZS50

Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 front
Portability
90
Imaging
37
Features
57
Overall
45

Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic ZS50 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Boost to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
  • Announced January 2014
Panasonic ZS50
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 243g - 111 x 65 x 34mm
  • Announced January 2015
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ70
  • Old Model is Panasonic ZS45
  • Refreshed by Panasonic ZS60
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic ZS50 Overview

Its time to look a little more closely at the Panasonic SZ8 and Panasonic ZS50, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras and both of them are built by Panasonic. There exists a sizable gap between the image resolutions of the SZ8 (16MP) and ZS50 (12MP) but they use the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SZ8 was introduced 12 months earlier than the ZS50 so they are of a similar age. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go through a detailed comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the SZ8 grades against the ZS50 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Panasonic ZS50

 SZ8 ZS50 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS50 over the Panasonic SZ8

 ZS50 SZ8 
AnnouncedJanuary 2015January 2014More modern by 12 months
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Display resolution1040k460kCrisper display (+580k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic SZ8 and Panasonic ZS50

 SZ8 ZS50 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display sizing
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch display Neither offers Touch display

Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic ZS50 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to carry around your camera regularly, you are going to need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic SZ8 offers external dimensions of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS50 has dimensions of 111mm x 65mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") along with a weight of 243 grams (0.54 lbs).

See the Panasonic SZ8 and Panasonic ZS50 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have during that time. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the SZ8 compared to the ZS50.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic ZS50 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ8 and ZS50 is 94 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic ZS50 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic ZS50 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is hard to see the difference between sensor sizes purely by reading technical specs. The image underneath will help give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ8 and ZS50.

As you can tell, each of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same resolution. You can expect to see the Panasonic SZ8 to deliver greater detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop images a little more aggressively. The more aged SZ8 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic ZS50 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic ZS50 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic ZS50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic ZS50 Portrait photography advice
35
megapixel count good (16MP)
offers face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
external flash not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
42
you can focus manually
offers face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Street photography features
Panasonic ZS50 Street photography features
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (159g)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
68
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
lighter than competition (243g)
fixed screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Sports photography factors
Panasonic ZS50 Sports photography factors
34
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (200 CIPA)
lacks phase detect autofocus
43
great zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers tracking focus
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic ZS50 Travel photography highlights
67
lighter than average in class (159g)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
long reach (288mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
not so great battery pack (200 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
66
lighter than competition (243g)
flash built-in
pretty wide (24mm)
very long reach (720mm)
megapixel count low (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS50 as a Landscape photography camera
42
relatively wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
not so great battery pack (200 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
51
you can focus manually
pretty wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Vlogging advice
Panasonic ZS50 Vlogging advice
32
relatively wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect autofocus
lighter than average in class (159 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic jack
34
pretty wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (243g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing mic jack
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic ZS50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ8 and Panasonic ZS50
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50
General Information
Make Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-TZ70
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2014-01-06 2015-01-06
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Max enhanced ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 23
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-288mm (12.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.1-6.3 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing range - 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 1,040 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,166 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.46x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.20 m 6.40 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
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p) 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 159 gr (0.35 pounds) 243 gr (0.54 pounds)
Dimensions 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") 111 x 65 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 44
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 20.0
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.2
DXO Low light rating not tested 138
Other
Battery life 200 pictures 300 pictures
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at release $275 $350