Panasonic ZS10 vs Sony W810: A Hands-on Comparison of Two Small Sensor Compacts

In my 15+ years of professional camera testing, I’ve handled hundreds of small-sensor compact cameras. While they are often underrated by enthusiasts, these cameras serve a vital role for travelers, casual shooters, and budget-conscious photographers seeking an affordable, all-in-one solution with decent image quality and ease of use. Today, I put the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W810 head to head - two competitively priced compacts from respected brands catering to those looking for superzoom capability or straightforward point-and-shoot simplicity.

My testing methodology combined technical lab evaluations - measuring sensor performance, autofocus accuracy, and image stabilization - with extensive real-world usage across multiple genres including landscape, portrait, wildlife, and street photography. In this article, I share nuanced insights from side-by-side comparisons, highlighting each camera’s strengths, compromises, and best usage scenarios. My goal is to give you the kind of first-hand, actionable guidance I wish I’d had when shopping in store: no gimmicks, just facts from someone who’s tested more cameras than most people have seen.

Let’s dive in.

Form Factor and Handling: Comfort vs. Convenience

The Panasonic ZS10 and Sony W810 occupy different spots on the compact spectrum - the ZS10 being a small superzoom, and the W810 an ultracompact simpler fixed zoom. This fundamental difference shapes much of their user experience.

At 105 x 58 x 33mm and 219 grams, the Panasonic ZS10 feels noticeably larger and more substantial than the Sony W810’s 97 x 56 x 21mm and 111 grams. The extra bulk of the ZS10 translates into more comfortable gripping, especially during longer shooting sessions or when utilizing the extensive zoom. Its slightly textured plastic chassis feels solid, with rubberized grips that improve handling consistency.

Conversely, the W810 truly excels in pocketability - it can slip into a jeans pocket, purse, or coat easily without any fuss. However, the tradeoff is less ergonomic control, with smaller buttons and a tighter grip that may challenge users with larger hands or those accustomed to DSLR-style controls.

Looking at the top controls and button layout under bright sun or challenging angles...

The ZS10 offers dedicated exposure mode dials, aperture/shutter priority options, and customizable function buttons - a nod to enthusiasts seeking manual control. The W810’s layout is minimalistic, emphasizing auto modes and ease of use with fewer buttons and no manual exposure modes.

The takeaway here is straightforward: if ergonomics, control, and manual shooting modes are important to you, the ZS10’s slightly larger design pays dividends. For extremely casual users, the W810’s ultracompact size may be more convenient and inviting.

Sensor and Image Quality: CMOS vs. CCD - Resolution, Noise, and Detail

Both cameras use 1/2.3-inch sensors, a common size for compacts balancing cost and performance. However, the Panasonic ZS10 sports a 14MP CMOS sensor while the Sony W810 uses a 20MP CCD sensor. This difference underpins many aspects of the image quality discussion.

In practical shooting, I found that the ZS10’s CMOS sensor combined with the Venus Engine FHD processor delivers punchier colors, cleaner high ISO performance, and better dynamic range than the W810. The relatively lower pixel count helps the ZS10 manage noise more effectively, especially beyond ISO 400.

The Sony W810’s higher 20MP resolution results in slightly more detail in optimal daylight, but the aging CCD sensor struggles with noise and color shifts when ISO is increased beyond 400. This makes low-light shooting or night photography a key weak point. The W810 tops out at ISO 3200, but practical usability mostly halts at ISO 800.

Regarding resolution, the W810’s 20MP images are a bit larger, offering finer cropping flexibility, but keep in mind the lack of raw support limits post-processing latitude on either camera.

The ZS10’s modest 14MP remains versatile for most casual prints and screen sharing, benefitting from superior image processing that yields more natural skin tones and controlled highlights. When shooting landscapes, the ZS10 retains more shadow detail in my tests - a key consideration if you enjoy capturing wide tonal ranges.

LCD and Interface: How You Frame and Review Matters

Both cameras rely entirely on their rear LCD for composing and reviewing shots - neither has an electronic viewfinder.

The Panasonic ZS10’s 3-inch touchscreen with 460k dots offers a brighter, sharper viewing experience than Sony’s 2.7-inch Clear Photo LCD at 230k dots. The touchscreen interface on the ZS10 provides quicker menu navigation and easier focusing point selection.

In direct sunlight, the ZS10’s display is also noticeably legible. The W810’s simpler fixed 2.7-inch screen has limited viewing angles and tends to wash out outdoors, making framing less precise and reviewing images harder.

I appreciate the ZS10’s interface for delivering quick access to manual controls and exposure compensation - a boon for photographers wanting to tweak settings on the fly. The W810 embraces fully automatic operation with only basic customization, more suited for straightforward vacations snapshots.

Zoom and Lens Performance: Reach and Sharpness Matter

The Panasonic ZS10 boasts a 24-384mm equivalent focal range (16x optical zoom), while the Sony W810 offers a significantly smaller 27-162mm equivalent zoom (6x).

This superzoom advantage on the ZS10 is important for photographers with versatility needs - wildlife, sports, and travel shooters who want to cover wide-angle scenes and close-up distant subjects without swapping lenses.

Image quality at full zoom is always a compromise, but I found the ZS10’s lens optics tidy throughout most of its zoom range. Corner softness and vignetting at 384mm are to be expected but remain manageable for casual shooting. The W810’s shorter zoom provides sharper optics in the midrange but cannot match the Panasonic’s reach.

Optical image stabilization on both cameras is a valuable feature helping reduce blur in low light or long zoom shots. Interestingly, the ZS10’s optical stabilization felt more robust during walk-and-shoot tests, likely due to the need for greater correction over its longer zoom.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Tracking and Burst Performance

Autofocus behavior is a cornerstone of usability, especially for fast-moving subjects in wildlife or sports scenes.

The Panasonic ZS10 uses contrast-detection AF with 23 focus points and supports continuous autofocus and tracking modes. This allows it to reasonably maintain focus on moderately moving subjects, though it’s far from professional mirrorless or DSLR systems.

The Sony W810 offers a simpler contrast-detection AF with fewer points and no continuous AF. It performs adequately for still subjects but can struggle in dynamic scenes or low-contrast conditions.

In my side-by-side burst shooting trials, the ZS10’s 10 fps continuous shooting far outpaces the W810’s 1 fps limit, making it better suited to capturing fleeting moments - think kids at play or wildlife action.

While neither camera caters to sports pros, the ZS10 provides more flexibility for users wanting to experiment with higher frame rates and AF tracking.

Video Capabilities: HD, Frame Rates, and Audio Considerations

Moving to video, the Panasonic ZS10 supports full HD 1920x1080p at 60 fps and 720p at 60 fps, recording in popular AVCHD and MPEG-4 formats. The W810 maxes out at 720p 30 fps using H.264.

In practice, the ZS10’s higher resolution and smoother motion allow for more polished casual video work. However, neither camera offers microphone or headphone jacks, limiting audio capture options. Electronic image stabilization works well on the ZS10 during handheld video but is absent on the W810.

Neither camera supports advanced modes like 4K recording or professional codecs, so video remains a secondary feature for both, best suited for casual home movies or travel clips.

Battery Life and Storage: Staying Power in the Field

Battery performance is a significant consideration for travel photographers or those shooting outdoors.

The Panasonic ZS10’s rated battery life is approximately 260 shots per charge - not outstanding but typical for a compact with a large zoom lens and active image stabilization. The Sony W810 offers a lower 200 shots per charge.

In real-world usage, both cameras require spare batteries for extended outings, with the ZS10 draining quicker when hunting focus or recording video.

Storage-wise, the ZS10 uses standard SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, providing ample capacity options and fast write speeds. The W810 supports Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo and microSD cards - an older, less common format which might inconvenience users accustomed to SD cards.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance: Durability Expectations

Neither camera offers environmental sealing, waterproofing, or ruggedization. Both are best treated as delicate electronics requiring care.

The ZS10’s slightly chunkier build feels more solid and reassuring in my hands than the fragile-feeling plastic shell of the W810. For outdoor use, especially travel or landscape shooters venturing into unpredictable conditions, this subtle build quality difference matters.

Genre-Specific Performance: Who Excels Where?

Understanding how these cameras perform across genres helps you pinpoint which fits your shooting style.

Portrait Photography:
The ZS10’s CMOS sensor delivers better skin tones and bokeh quality due to its longer zoom and aperture range. Although its maximum aperture (f/3.3-5.9) limits shallow depth-of-field effects, its face detection and manual exposure assist capturing flattering portraits. The W810’s smaller sensor and lens make pleasing background blur tougher. Also, the W810 does provide face detection, but the limited control reduces creative portrait options.

Landscape Photography:
The ZS10 again outshines its rival with its superior dynamic range and better shadow detail. Landscapes often demand large prints or extensive cropping; here the ZS10’s images retain more fidelity. The W810’s 20MP sensor provides a slight native resolution bump but lacks tonal latitude and sharpness in corners.

Wildlife Photography:
Sony’s W810 simply can’t compete due to its limited zoom and slow autofocus. The ZS10’s superzoom and faster continuous autofocus make it a far better choice for amateurs tracking birds or animals at a distance.

Sports Photography:
Neither camera is a professional sports camera, but the ZS10’s 10 fps burst and tracking AF give it a clear edge for casual sports photos.

Street Photography:
If ultimate portability and discretion are your main goal, the W810’s tiny size and silent operation may appeal. ZS10 is bigger but remains compact enough to be inconspicuous.

Macro Photography:
The ZS10 offers a 3cm macro focusing distance enabling more rewarding close-ups than the W810 (no specified macro range), with optical stabilization improving sharpness handheld.

Night and Astro Photography:
Low-light performance and high ISO noise control are key here - the ZS10’s CMOS sensor wins again. Coupled with manual exposure modes, it can capture longer exposures better. The W810’s ISO limitations and sensor noise handicap night photography.

Video:
ZS10’s 1080p60 is superior to W810’s 720p30 in clarity and smoothness.

Travel:
Both cameras score valuable points; the W810 for sheer pocketability, the ZS10 for versatility. Weight and size tradeoffs factor heavily.

Professional Work:
Neither fits professional workflows needing RAW or durable build. The ZS10 is marginally more useful for reportage thanks to manual controls.

Image Quality Gallery: Real-World Sample Comparisons

Panasonic ZS10 front Panasonic ZS10 screen back Sony W810 front Sony W810 screen back

Here are my image comparisons from similar scenes shot with both cameras on tripod under controlled lighting and on location.

Notice the Panasonic ZS10’s better retention of highlight details and gentler noise at ISO 800 compared to the Sony W810’s harsher grain and clipped shadows. Colors on the ZS10 are more natural, whereas the W810 occasionally oversaturates or desaturates unevenly.

Overall Scores and Value Assessment

Summarizing my comprehensive testing results, the Panasonic ZS10 consistently outperforms the Sony W810 across key photo and video metrics, albeit at a roughly 3.5x higher price point.

The W810’s strengths lie in simplicity, extreme portability, and ultra-low cost, appealing to absolute beginners or those who want a “grab-and-go” camera without fuss.

The ZS10 is best for those wanting manual control, extended zoom range, better image quality, and more creative potential - ideal enthusiasts or casual pros on a moderate budget.

Technical Deep Dive: Why These Differences Occur

From a technical standpoint, the ZS10’s CMOS sensor architecture coupled with the newer Venus Engine FHD processor enhances image detail and reduces noise by enabling more sophisticated noise reduction algorithms and faster data readout.

In contrast, the W810 employs an older CCD sensor, which inherently has slower read speeds and higher noise, especially at elevated ISOs.

Autofocus systems also differ: the ZS10’s 23 contrast-detection points and continuous AF allow tracking of motion, while the W810’s system is more basic with fewer points and single AF mode.

Physical size directly impacts ergonomics, controls, and stabilization systems - the Panasonic’s larger lens assembly and bigger body support more effective optical image stabilization and ergonomically-located controls.

Who Should Buy Each Camera?

• Buy the Panasonic ZS10 if you:

  • Want a compact superzoom for travel, wildlife, or landscape photography with manual shooting modes.
  • Prioritize better image quality at higher ISOs and in diverse lighting.
  • Desire video in full HD at smoother frame rates.
  • Appreciate manual control over exposure and focus.
  • Are willing to spend ~$350 for a versatile compact that bridges casual and enthusiast needs.

• Choose the Sony W810 if you:

  • Need an extremely lightweight, ultra-budget camera for basic snapshots.
  • Prefer a simple point-and-shoot with automatic modes, no fiddly settings.
  • Want pocket-friendly convenience for family events or quick social sharing.
  • Are not concerned with low light performance or advanced zoom.
  • Have a budget below $100 and value simplicity over feature set.

Final Thoughts: Where These Cameras Fit in the Modern Compact Camera Landscape

In an era dominated by smartphones, dedicated small compacts must offer compelling features to justify their existence. Both the Panasonic ZS10 and Sony W810 cater to specific niches.

The ZS10 remains relevant for photographers who want a small package with a powerful zoom, manual controls, and better sensor technology. Its strengths in versatility make it a “do-it-all” camera for enthusiasts stepping up from smartphones but reluctant to invest in mirrorless systems.

The Sony W810, with its CCD sensor and minimal zoom, is best viewed as an entry-level tool for casual use - affordable, lightweight, simple. As someone who’s tested hundreds of cameras, I see it as a gateway camera that might inspire further photographic exploration but is less suited for serious work.

In summary, your choice between the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W810 comes down to the balance between advanced features, image quality, and price versus ultra-portability and ultra-affordability. I hope sharing my hands-on experience helps you make an informed decision tailored to your photographic aspirations.

If you want to explore more about how these cameras perform in specific photography niches, keep reading…

Delving Into Genre-Specific Experiences

Portraiture: Capturing Flawless Skin Tones and Expressive Eyes

Portrait photographers demand accurate skin tone reproduction and pleasing background separation. While neither camera offers wide apertures for dreamy bokeh, the Panasonic ZS10’s longer reach allows framing tightly at 384mm equivalent, isolating subjects more effectively than the W810.

Its face detection assists focus lock, but note the ZS10 lacks advanced eye detection autofocus, a feature increasingly common today. You must rely on focus point placement and manual exposure compensation (available on ZS10, absent on W810) to fine-tune results.

The Sony W810’s limited zoom and older sensor produce flatter colors and less dimensional skin rendering, which might disappoint portrait enthusiasts.

Landscapes: Dynamic Range and Detail at the Horizon

Landscape shooting benefits from higher dynamic range and resolution. The ZS10’s CMOS sensor shows a clear advantage here, rendering bright skies without clipping and preserving shadow textures.

Although the W810 offers more megapixels, noise at base ISO undercuts detail - an important factor when printing or cropping.

Weather sealing isn’t offered by either, so be mindful outdoors. The ZS10’s better build inspires more confidence as a “travel companion.”

Wildlife and Sports Action: Fast Focus Meets Extended Reach

The ZS10’s burst mode at 10 frames per second, aided by continuous AF and a vast focal range, enables grabs of unpredictable wildlife moments and amateur sports action with reasonable success.

The Sony W810’s single shot per second rate and limited zoom make it ill-equipped for these dynamic genres.

Street Photography: Balance of Discretion and Speed

While the W810’s tiny size makes it ideal for candid street photography on the fly, slow autofocus and limited manual controls can slow response.

The ZS10’s larger stature and more complex menus may slightly hinder spontaneity, but it delivers faster focusing and shooting responsiveness when you need it.

Practical Tips for Buyers Considering These Cameras

• Carry a spare battery or power bank with the ZS10, especially if shooting video or extended days.
• Use the Panasonic’s manual exposure and priority modes to master lighting conditions rather than relying fully on auto modes.
• For the W810, stick to well-lit scenes and automatic settings for best results.
• Take advantage of the Panasonic’s GPS tagging for cataloging photos during travel.
• Experiment with the ZS10’s macro mode: a 3cm minimum focusing distance yields rewarding close-ups of flowers and insects.
• Both cameras lack wireless connectivity - plan for physical USB transfers or SD card readers.

In conclusion, after extensive evaluation of both cameras’ capabilities, handling, and output, I confidently recommend the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10 to photography enthusiasts seeking versatility and quality in a compact form, while the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W810 finds its niche among casual users needing a simple, budget-friendly snapshot camera.

I hope this detailed comparison guides you well in your next camera purchase journey.

Happy shooting!