Clicky

Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic ZS7

Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 front
Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
33
Overall
34

Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic ZS7 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • 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
  • Introduced January 2014
Panasonic ZS7
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 218g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Announced July 2011
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ10
  • Newer Model is Panasonic ZS8
Photography Glossary

Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic ZS7 Overview

Below is a thorough overview of the Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic ZS7, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras and both of them are built by Panasonic. There is a huge difference among the image resolutions of the SZ8 (16MP) and ZS7 (12MP) but they feature the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

The SZ8 was announced 2 years later than the ZS7 and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting straight into a complete comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the SZ8 grades versus the ZS7 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Panasonic ZS7

 SZ8 ZS7 
AnnouncedJanuary 2014July 2011More recent by 31 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS7 over the Panasonic SZ8

 ZS7 SZ8 

Common features in the Panasonic SZ8 and Panasonic ZS7

 SZ8 ZS7 
Manually focus Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen sizing
Screen resolution460k460kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic ZS7 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you will have to consider its weight and measurements. The Panasonic SZ8 features external measurements of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS7 has proportions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 218 grams (0.48 lbs).

Check the Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic ZS7 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have attached at that time. Here is the front view overall size comparison of the SZ8 versus the ZS7.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic ZS7 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ8 and ZS7 is 94 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic ZS7 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic ZS7 Sensor Comparison

Generally, its hard to see the gap in sensor measurements only by viewing specs. The graphic underneath may offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ8 and ZS7.

As you can plainly see, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You should expect the Panasonic SZ8 to result in more detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The younger SZ8 is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic ZS7 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic ZS7 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic ZS7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Portrait photography features
Panasonic ZS7 Portrait photography features
35
megapixel count decent (16MP)
has face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
21
focusing manually not possible
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Street photography highlights
Panasonic ZS7 Street photography highlights
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (159g)
screen is fixed
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (218g)
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic SZ8
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS7
34
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
low frames per second (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (200 CIPA)
does not have phase detect autofocus
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS7 as a Travel photography camera
67
lighter than competitors in class (159 grams)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (24mm)
great reach (288mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
terrible battery life (200 per charge)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
63
lighter than average (218 grams)
has built in flash
quite wide (25mm)
great reach (300mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Landscape photography features
Panasonic ZS7 Landscape photography features
42
rather wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual exposure
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
terrible battery life (200 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
38
quite wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
does not have Timelapse mode
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic ZS7 Vlogging highlights
32
rather wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection autofocus
lighter than competitors in class (159 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external microphone support
30
quite wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (218 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
does not posses selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external microphone support
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic ZS7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ8 and Panasonic ZS7
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7
Also Known as - Lumix DMC-TZ10
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2014-01-06 2011-07-19
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine Venus Engine HD II
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 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Maximum enhanced ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-288mm (12.0x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.1-6.3 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focusing range - 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 460k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.20 m 5.30 m
Flash settings Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AEB
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG AVCHD Lite
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 159g (0.35 lbs) 218g (0.48 lbs)
Dimensions 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 pictures -
Type of battery 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 One One
Retail price $275 $350