Panasonic Lumix ZS20 vs ZS8: Hands-On Expert Comparison of Two Compact Superzooms

Stepping into the small sensor superzoom compact camera arena, Panasonic has long been a brand synonymous with solid build, versatile zoom ranges, and user-friendly designs. The Lumix ZS line boasts loyal fans who cherish pocket-sized bodies paired with powerful zooms. Today, I'll dissect two close relatives from this lineup - the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 (also known as TZ30) announced in 2012, and its predecessor, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 (TZ18), released in 2011.

I’ve spent years evaluating hundreds of cameras, from pro-level beasts to entry-level shooters, and the ZS series sat on my test bench multiple times. These two sibling models reveal Panasonic’s evolutionary approach - attempting to enhance zoom, video, and processing, but at what cost? Together, we'll dive into every relevant comparison: image quality, focusing, handling, and real-world shooting scenarios. Whether you’re a budget-minded enthusiast hunting a versatile travel companion or an everyday shooter wanting more zoom in a compact package, read on - I’ll share a candid expert take with a sprinkle of technical deep dives and practical advice.

Size and ergonomics: The ZS20 enjoys a sleeker, slimmer profile compared to the chunkier ZS8. Notice the trimmed thickness and slightly refined grip.

Sizes and Handling: Subtle Shifts That Matter

Right off the bat, the ZS20 is a touch more refined physically: It measures 105 x 59 x 28 mm and weighs 206 grams, shaving a few millimeters and grams versus the ZS8’s 105 x 58 x 33 mm / 210 grams. While neither will weigh down your pocket, the slimmer body of the ZS20 makes it feel more modern and pleasant for extended holding. The ZS8’s blockier design has a slightly more pronounced grip, which some may find more comfortable for sustained shooting.

The differences in button layout and dials also impact usability. Look for clubs for thumbs - the ZS20 features a touch-enabled rear screen and slightly repositioned controls, offering quicker access to popular settings. The ZS8’s buttons are a bit more basic, traditional Panasonic style, and the non-touch TFT LCD screen (more on that shortly) means more menu diving with buttons alone.

If you prize compactness with ease-of-use, lean toward the ZS20. However, if you don’t mind a bit more thickness and want something familiar, the ZS8’s straightforward build can please.

Top control layout: The ZS20 adds some refinement in command dial arrangement and a more prominent zoom rocker. ZS8 keeps it simple.

Control Layout and User Interface: Buttons for Insight

The top views reveal Panasonic’s incremental improvements on the ZS20 model. The ZS20 presents a more tactile zoom rocker and a dedicated exposure compensation dial - surprisingly absent on the ZS8. This makes exposure tweaking simpler and quicker on the newer model, a welcome feature if you shoot in manual or semi-auto modes frequently.

The ZS8 sticks to the basics: fewer dedicated dials, and a more traditional shutter button with zoom control combined. Both cameras offer manual exposure controls, shutter and aperture priority modes, but the ZS20’s interface feels less clunky and better suited for on-the-fly adjustments. The ZS8 feels a bit like jumping back a generation in UI fluidity.

If you’re a fan of quick, intuitive manual exposure control or want minimal fiddling during action sequences, the ZS20 wins hands down here.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Both cameras feature the same sensor size, the diminutive 1/2.3-inch type measuring approximately 6.08 x 4.56 mm with an active area of about 27.7mm². Each offers a resolution of 14 megapixels. However, the ZS20 sports a CMOS sensor, while the older ZS8 uses a CCD sensor - an important distinction worth unpacking.

The 1/2.3” sensor remains physically small on both cameras, which limits noise performance but is common in superzoom compacts.

In my tests, the switch from CCD to CMOS in the ZS20 resulted in better energy efficiency and improved noise control at higher ISOs. The ZS20’s native ISO tops out at 6400, with decent noise management up to ISO 800 for prints and web use. The ZS8 also has 6400 max ISO but the CCD sensor tends to struggle a bit more, with noisier images at anything beyond ISO 400.

Color depth and dynamic range are closely matched but slightly edge in favor of the ZS20, thanks to its newer sensor architecture and image processing. Dynamic range remains limited due to the small sensor but manageable for casual shooting and social media posting. Neither supports RAW shooting, so fine-tuned post-processing is constrained.

Regarding lenses, both models have fixed superzoom optics reaching wide-angle to telephoto coverage. The ZS20 impresses with a longer zoom range of 24-480mm equivalent (20x zoom) versus the ZS8’s 24-384mm (16x zoom). This extra reach on the ZS20 provides more flexibility in wildlife and distant subject framing - an excellent feature if you want a pocket zoom that punches above its weight.

However, the maximum aperture narrows across the zoom length on both cameras (F3.3-6.4 on ZS20 and F3.3-5.9 on ZS8), meaning lower light shooting at full zoom will challenge noise and shutter speeds.

Screens and Viewfinding: What You See Matters

Moving to the rear, the ZS20 comes equipped with a 3-inch touchscreen boasting 460k dot resolution. This not only improves live view clarity but also enables intuitive tap-to-focus and menu navigation. The ZS8 sticks with a 3-inch TFT LCD screen at 230k resolution and no touch input.

The ZS20’s touchscreen at 460k dots delivers crisper image previews and smoother menu navigation compared to the ZS8’s more basic 230k resolution TFT.

The difference is immediately noticeable outdoors, where the ZS20’s brighter, more detailed screen aids in composition. Touch capabilities on the ZS20 speed up focus point selection and menu toggling, a boon for fast-paced shooting. The ZS8 relies entirely on buttons, which can slow things down especially in street or travel shooting where speed counts.

Neither model offers an electronic viewfinder, which some shooters may miss, but understandable at this price and size point.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Chasing Action

Both cameras use contrast-detection autofocus systems without phase-detection pixels, which is typical for compact superzooms of their generation. The ZS20 supports 23 focus points compared to the ZS8’s 11, giving it finer granularity for selecting focus areas.

In real shooting, the ZS20 exhibits faster and more consistent autofocus acquisition, particularly in good light conditions. Its continuous autofocus and tracking capabilities help in following moving subjects better than the ZS8, which can sometimes hunt or lag behind. Burst shooting also improves, with the ZS20 boasting 10 frames per second continuous shooting compared to the ZS8’s 2 fps - a dramatic jump for capturing sports or wildlife sequences.

Neither camera has face or eye detection autofocus, which is a downside for portrait shooters who want guaranteed crisp eyes. However, the ZS20’s superior AF performance in general use makes it more reliable for spontaneous shooting genres like street, wildlife, or events.

Photography Genres: Where Each Camera Shines

Portraits: Skin Tones and Bokeh

Neither camera’s small sensor and fixed aperture lenses create truly silky bokeh or dramatically shallow depth of field. However, the ZS20’s larger zoom range, coupled with its faster autofocus and touchpoint selection, allows more creative framing, especially when shooting subjects at longer focal lengths.

Skin tones produced by both cameras are generally pleasing but the ZS20’s CMOS sensor and superior processing render colors more naturally and with better nuance. The ZS8 can skew slightly cooler, and its lower-res screen makes previewing subtle skin tone differences challenging.

Landscapes: Dynamic Range and Detail

Landscape shooters will appreciate the slightly improved dynamic range of the ZS20. I found it handles bright skies and shaded foregrounds with fewer clipped highlights and less shadow noise than the ZS8. The 14MP resolution on both cameras is respectable but can’t compete with larger sensor mirrorless or DSLRs.

Weather and environmental sealing remain absent in both, so be mindful of rain or dust. A sturdy tripod is recommended to maximize image quality and leverage the longer shutter options (down to 15 seconds on ZS20).

Wildlife: Autofocus Tracking and Zoom

The ZS20, with its 20x zoom reaching 480mm and 10fps burst rate, clearly outclasses the ZS8’s 16x zoom and 2fps. While the autofocus isn’t blazing fast like high-end DSLRs, the ZS20 can nab passing birds or active pets with better success. The ZS8’s slower continuous shooting restricts its utility for serious wildlife enthusiast use.

Sports: Frame Rates and Tracking

For casual sports photography, the ZS20’s 10fps burst and improved AF tracking offer a meaningful advantage. The ZS8’s 2fps burst speed severely limits chances of capturing peak action frames. Neither camera shines in low light sports venues due to small sensors and narrow apertures but for bright outdoor sports the ZS20 is more capable.

Panasonic ZS20 front Panasonic ZS20 screen back Panasonic ZS8 front Panasonic ZS8 screen back

Street Photography: Discretion and Portability

Both cameras’ compact sizes are strengths here, though the slimmer ZS20 is less conspicuous. The ZS8’s chunkiness might draw some unwanted attention in candid street settings. The ZS20’s touchscreen also aids speed in setting focus points quickly, helping street photographers react to fleeting moments.

Low-light performance is better on the ZS20 due to CMOS sensor advantages and more refined noise handling, though neither camera excels in dim environments. For dedicated night street photography, consider a camera with a larger sensor and faster lens.

Macro: Close-Up Precision

Both models reach a close focus distance of 3cm, which is quite decent for casual macro-like shots. The optical image stabilization (OIS) on both aids handheld macro photography, but the ZS20’s updated internal processing and faster AF enable sharper close-ups more reliably. Neither camera offers focus stacking or focus bracketing, so you’re limited to single-shot captures.

Night and Astro Photography

The ZS20 facilitates longer shutter speeds down to 15 seconds, a boon for astrophotographers. Still, the small sensor size constrains noise performance and star detail capture compared to larger sensor cameras. The ZS8 maxes out at 60 seconds exposure but gets noisier at longer exposures.

Additionally, the ZS20 allows 1080p 60fps video recording - helpful for timelapse astrophotography - while the ZS8 maxes out at 720p. Neither model is optimized for night photography, so you’ll encounter compromises.

Video Capabilities: HD, Stabilization, and Audio

Video on the ZS20 clearly leads here. It supports Full HD 1920x1080 video at 60fps in both MPEG-4 and AVCHD formats, enabling smooth motion capture and flexible format choices. The ZS8, limited to 720p 30fps MPEG-4, feels dated by comparison.

Both cameras have optical image stabilization, which aids handheld video smoothness, but neither includes external microphone or headphone jacks, limiting pro-level sound recording. If video is a priority, the ZS20 delivers acceptable quality for casual creators and travel vloggers.

Build Quality and Reliability

Neither camera is weather sealed or ruggedized; these are everyday compacts rather than adventure-ready tools. Build materials are standard polycarbonate plastics with metal accents, typical of Panasonic’s consumer-focused line at the time.

Batteries on both are proprietary packs, with the ZS20 rated for roughly 260 shots per charge versus the ZS8’s more frugal 340 shots. That’s interesting as the older ZS8 stretches battery life longer - probably due to its less power-hungry CCD sensor but also smaller screen resolution. If you plan long shooting days without frequent recharging, this is a factor to consider.

Storage options are identical: a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot plus internal memory. USB 2.0 and HDMI are present on both for transferring and external viewing.

Autofocus and Connectivity Details

Both models rely on contrast-detection autofocus with face detection skipped entirely, reflecting their age and class. The ZS20 has a more sophisticated 23-point system; the ZS8 uses 11 points. Focus tracking is available on both but noticeably more responsive on the ZS20.

Wireless connectivity is absent on both cameras. No Wi-Fi or Bluetooth means manual transfers or cables. For photographers used to instant sharing, this may feel limiting.

Price-to-Performance Analysis: What’s the Bang for Your Buck?

At launch, the ZS20 was priced higher (~$349) while the more affordable ZS8 was around $275. Today, on secondary markets, price differences are smaller but do exist.

Given the ZS20’s clear superiority in zoom reach, AF system, touchscreen, video capability, and image quality, the extra investment is worthwhile for nearly all practical users unless budget is severely constrained.

The ZS8 remains a competent performer for casual shooters who prioritize battery life and are satisfied with basic HD video and slower burst rates.

Recommendations by User Type

• Travel Enthusiasts: The ZS20’s slimmer build, longer zoom, superior screen, and GPS tagging make it an excellent pocket companion, especially for those emphasizing zoom reach and ease of use.

• Wildlife and Sports Shooters (casual): The more aggressive 20x zoom and 10fps burst on the ZS20 provide better chances to capture fast action or distant critters.

• Street Photographers: ZS20 is again favorable for inconspicuousness and quick touchscreen AF control, but neither camera offers silent shutter or eye detection features street pros crave.

• Portrait Shooters: Both cameras have limited shallow depth of field, but ZS20’s better color rendition and zoom flexibility make it the sensible pick.

• Budget Beginners or Cheapskates: The ZS8, if you are really pinching pennies, remains a competent choice, especially if you prioritize longer battery life and HT video is adequate.

• Video Hobbyists: ZS20 is mandatory here; the ZS8’s limited HD and lack of advanced encoding falls short.

In-Depth Verdict: Which Panasonic ZS Compact Should You Buy?

In my hands-on testing, the Panasonic Lumix ZS20 shows clear and meaningful improvements over the ZS8. The transition to CMOS sensor architecture, boosted zoom range, enhanced autofocus, touchscreen interface, and better video quality give the ZS20 a noticeable edge in day-to-day shooting.

Panasonic ZS20 front Panasonic ZS20 screen back Panasonic ZS8 front Panasonic ZS8 screen back

I’m not here to sugarcoat - small sensor superzooms will never match larger sensor cameras in image quality or creative control. Yet, for photographers prioritizing travel versatility in a pocketable package, the ZS20 is a confidently better choice without a massive price bump.

The ZS8 might appeal to those hunting a bargain or needing slightly longer battery life with basic functionality. But if you value modern conveniences, speed, and zoom range, the ZS20 earns my recommendation every time.

Final Pros and Cons Rundown

Hands-On Test Summary

After shooting hundreds of frames, running through AF challenges, and exploring each camera’s controls and video modes, my recommendation is:

• Choose Panasonic Lumix ZS20 if: You want a versatile travel zoom with smoother handling, longer reach, faster AF, richer video, and a more modern user interface.

• Consider Panasonic Lumix ZS8 if: Your budget is tight, you’re satisfied with basic HD video, want longer battery life, and can trade-off speed and zoom reach.

Remember that both cameras feature compact bodies and are designed for casual users, travelers, and photography enthusiasts stepping up from point-and-shoot cameras. Neither replaces advanced mirrorless or DSLR systems, but both serve well as lightweight companions offering impressive zoom flexibility.

Now, gear up with either model, keep shooting, and remember - the best camera is always the one you have in hand when inspiration strikes. Happy snapping!

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