Panasonic ZS45 vs ZS8: The Small Sensor Superzoom Shootout That Matters

When diving into the compact superzoom camera segment, Panasonic’s Lumix ZS series has long been a stalwart choice for enthusiasts craving pocket-sized versatility. Today, I’m peeling back the layers on two such contenders separated by roughly four years in release dates - the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45 (aka Lumix DMC-TZ57) and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 (aka Lumix DMC-TZ18). Both cameras hail from the same category of “small sensor superzoom,” but beyond the specs sheets, how do they really stack up in everyday shooting - across everything from landscapes to wildlife and everything in between?

I’ve spent considerable time with both, testing them across varied photographic disciplines, lighting conditions, and real-world scenarios. This isn’t about pure specs wars but about what these little cameras deliver when you turn the dials and press the shutter. If you’re a photography enthusiast or a pro looking for a compact backup, or just a dedicated snapshooter aiming for maximum zoom reach in your pocket, this article is your roadmap.

Let’s jump in - starting with a tactile first impression.

First Impressions: Size, Feel, and Handling

Compact superzoom cameras often try to balance reach, sensor size, and portability, usually ending up a little too big or a bit too underwhelming. So how do the ZS45 and ZS8 hold up in the hand?

Above you see the size and ergonomics laid bare: the ZS45, launched in 2015, is a touch wider and taller (108 x 60 x 32mm) and weighs in at 249g. The older ZS8, from 2011, is sleeker and lighter at 105 x 58 x 33mm and only 210g. The difference might seem negligible, but when shooting handheld for hours during events or travel, those extra millimeters and grams add up.

The ZS45 features a more modern grip design with subtly contoured edges that actually improve stability - and that matte finish feels a bit less slippery compared to the glossy plastic on the ZS8. The ZS8’s thinner grip doesn’t inspire confidence if your hands run medium to large, but for a quick snap or casual use, it’s perfectly adequate.

Neither camera has an electronic viewfinder, so you’re relying on the rear LCD for composing and shooting, which brings us to the next tactile element - screen design.

Screen and Control Layout: Navigating Your Way

Clear, intuitive controls can mean the difference between nailing a shot or frustrating fumbling - especially on travel or wildlife excursions where speed is king.

Examining the top panel layouts, the ZS45 ups the ante with a more refined control arrangement. Its mode dial features clearly marked exposure modes - auto, shutter priority, aperture priority, and full manual - which appealed to my, admittedly spoiled, photo habits. In contrast, the ZS8’s mode selector is somewhat dated and limited, with fewer manual options and a slightly cramped button array.

The rear LCD on the ZS45 is also bigger and sharper:

The ZS45 boasts a 3-inch tilting LCD at 1040k dots resolution - a significant bump from the ZS8’s fixed 3-inch TFT LCD with just 230k dots resolution. Believe me, in bright outdoor conditions or when shooting awkward angles, the ZS45 screen’s clarity and tilt capability make composing and reviewing images a pleasure rather than a challenge. That said, neither camera offers touchscreen operation, which is a minor inconvenience in an era when touch is becoming standard - even in compacts.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Small sensor superzooms naturally compromise to fit their long zoom lenses into compact bodies, but sensor tech and image processing can make all the difference.

Both cameras share the same sensor size: the ubiquitous 1/2.3-inch (6.08 x 4.56mm) chipset, standard in this class of camera. However, the ZS45 sports a 16-megapixel CMOS sensor, a marked improvement over the ZS8’s 14-megapixel CCD sensor.

This swap from CCD to CMOS isn’t just about numbers; it’s about performance under varying lighting conditions, speed, and noise control. CMOS sensors inherently offer better noise reduction at high ISO, faster readout speeds, and enable advanced video recording capabilities.

In real-world shooting, this difference showed clearly. The ZS45 produced noticeably cleaner images at ISO 800 and above. Noise wasn’t just less apparent; the overall tonal gradation, especially in shadows, was smoother, making post-processing less painful.

The older CCD sensor on the ZS8 often rendered images with more chromatic noise and less dynamic range, especially in complex lighting. That extra bit of dynamic range on the ZS45 - while neither sensor can match APS-C or full-frame cameras - is welcome in landscape shots where contrast can be high.

To further illustrate image quality differences, here’s a side-by-side gallery showcasing photos taken from both cameras across various settings:

Panasonic ZS45 front Panasonic ZS45 screen back Panasonic ZS8 front Panasonic ZS8 screen back

Some specifics:

• Color reproduction: ZS45’s CMOS sensor, paired with improved image processing, yielded slightly richer and more accurate skin tones in portraits than the ZS8’s more washed-out colors.
• Sharpness: While both retained decent detail at base ISO, the ZS45 edges slightly ahead due to newer lens coatings and processing.
• Low light: The ZS45 maintained useful detail up to ISO 1600, whereas the ZS8 struggled beyond ISO 400.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Catching the Moment

In superzoom compacts, autofocus reliability and speed can’t be overlooked - they affect everything from street photography to wildlife snapshots.

The ZS45 features a 21-point contrast-detection AF system with face detection and continuous AF tracking. The ZS8 uses a more rudimentary 11-point contrast-detection AF without face detection.

Both lack phase-detection AF - but that’s expected in this category. What matters is responsiveness.

In practice, the ZS45’s autofocus locked on noticeably faster, especially in lower light or when tracking moving subjects. Eye and face detection worked surprisingly well for a compact, enhancing portrait and casual shooting reliability.

The ZS8’s autofocus felt slower and prone to occasional hunting, especially in dim conditions. Continuous tracking mode was less fluid, making it less suited for capturing moving subjects.

Burst shooting speeds also diverge. The ZS45 can shoot at 10 frames per second (fps) continuous burst, while the ZS8 only manages 2 fps. In fast-paced action or sports, the ZS45’s speed advantage is invaluable.

Lens and Zoom: Reach and Optical Quality

Superzooms live and die by their zoom capability. Here, both cameras pack a fixed lens, but with different focal ranges and maximum apertures.

• Panasonic ZS45: 24-480mm (equivalent), 20x optical zoom, aperture f/3.3-6.4
• Panasonic ZS8: 24-384mm (equivalent), 16x optical zoom, aperture f/3.3-5.9

So, the ZS45 boasts a heftier 20x zoom range, which translates to a longer telephoto reach (480mm vs 384mm). However, this comes with a trade-off in maximum aperture at the tele end - the ZS45’s f/6.4 compared to ZS8’s f/5.9 means less light at maximum zoom, amplifying the need for image stabilization or higher ISO.

Is that 96mm difference relevant? For wildlife and sports enthusiasts on a budget or travelers wanting to capture distant details without lugging supertele lenses, absolutely. That extra reach can turn a decent wildlife shot into a memorable kill.

Optical quality-wise, both lenses perform reasonably well for their class - expect some softness and distortion at full zoom, but optical image stabilization (OIS) is active on both and helps mitigate handshake. The ZS45’s lens benefits from newer coatings and design improvements, resulting in slightly sharper images and better flare control relative to the ZS8.

Image Stabilization: Keeping Shots Sharp

Handheld superzoom shooting demands effective image stabilization, especially when stretching focal lengths.

Both cameras feature optical image stabilization - a must-have for such extreme zoom ranges.

The ZS45 uses an updated OIS system with better correction profiles, making it easier to grab steady shots at slower shutter speeds or longer zoom lengths without cranking up the ISO uncomfortably.

The ZS8’s OIS is effective but less refined, often requiring a faster shutter speed to avoid blur, indirectly limiting low-light handheld potential.

Video Capabilities: Recording in Motion

Compact cameras often serve as casual video shooters; how do these two fare?

• Panasonic ZS45: Full HD 1080p at 30fps video capture in MPEG-4 format
• Panasonic ZS8: HD 720p at 30fps video capture in MPEG-4 format

The ZS45’s leap to 1080p Full HD video is significant. The sharper video, coupled with the newer CMOS sensor and better processing, means smoother, cleaner video footage with improved low light capabilities.

Neither camera offers 4K or advanced video recording features, nor do they include external microphone or headphone jacks, limiting options for serious videographers.

In handheld video, the improved OIS on the ZS45 also provides steadier footage than the ZS8’s somewhat jerky stabilization.

Battery Life and Storage: Practical Realities

Here’s where both cameras are neck and neck:

• The ZS45 offers around 350 shots per charge.
• The ZS8 estimates about 340 shots.

Pretty comparable, which is nice - plenty for a day of casual shooting, though travelers might want a spare battery or power bank. Both cameras use SD/SDHC/SDXC media and offer a single memory card slot - par for the compact category.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance: Ready for Roughing It?

Neither camera offers weather sealing, dustproofing, or any kind of ruggedized protection - typical for compacts in this bracket.

Both are constructed from plastic/polycarbonate materials, which keep weight down but sacrifice some durability. If you’re often in adverse weather, neither is ideal without extra protective housing.

Connectivity and Modern Conveniences

The ZS45 includes built-in wireless (Wi-Fi) connectivity for image transfer and remote shooting, a meaningful upgrade for those who like to share shots instantly or tether cameras to smartphones.

The ZS8 has no wireless features, reflecting its age.

Neither camera offers Bluetooth or NFC - so wireless magic without Wi-Fi isn’t on the table here.

Genre-Specific Performance: Where Each Camera Shines

Digging deeper into how these cameras handle different photography disciplines sheds more light on their practical value.

Portrait Photography

The ZS45’s newer sensor and face detection AF make it the natural winner here. Skin tones rendered with warmth and accuracy, and bokeh is passable given the small sensor and limited aperture. Eye-detection autofocus is absent on both, but face tracking on the ZS45 helps keep subjects sharp.

Landscape Photography

Both cameras’ 1/2.3-inch sensors and superzoom lenses limit ultimate quality, but the ZS45’s wider zoom and better dynamic range provide a slight edge. The tilting screen is also useful for low or high vantage points. Neither covers weather sealing, which is a consideration for serious landscape shooters outdoors.

Wildlife Photography

Long reach is king here. The ZS45’s 20x zoom is a compelling upgrade for spotting birds or animals at a distance. Faster burst shooting and better continuous AF tracking support capturing movement. The ZS8’s shorter 16x zoom and slower AF make it less suited.

Sports Photography

Here, again, the ZS45 ticks more boxes with a 10 fps burst mode and faster AF tracking, though neither camera competes with interchangeable-lens systems in this demanding genre. The ZS8’s 2 fps burst and slower AF make it frustrating in fast action.

Street Photography

The ZS8’s smaller footprint and mass could be an advantage for discretion and portability. However, the ZS45’s improved ergonomics and screen flexibility win for usability, especially in low light where its sensor performs better.

Macro Photography

Both cameras offer a similar 3 cm minimum focusing distance. Neither shines in extreme macro territory but is serviceable for casual close-ups. Manual focus is unavailable on both, which limits creative control here.

Night and Astro Photography

Neither camera is ideal for astrophotography, constrained by sensor size and lens speed. The ZS45’s better high ISO performance lets you push ISO 800-1600 with usable results, while the ZS8 struggles beyond ISO 400.

Video Use

The ZS45’s 1080p video and improved stabilization make it a clear choice for casual videographers. The ZS8’s 720p video is serviceable but feels dated.

Travel Photography

Portability is a strong point for both, but the ZS45 edges ahead with longer zoom reach, tilting screen, Wi-Fi, and longer battery life. It makes for a more versatile all-in-one travel camera.

Professional Use

Neither camera replaces pro-level gear, but the ZS45’s manual exposure modes, tilting LCD, and Wi-Fi make it a better option for dedicated casual shooters or backups. Lack of RAW support in both is a dealbreaker for professionals needing post-processing flexibility.

Overall Performance and Value: Putting the Cameras to the Numbers

To ground this analysis in some scoring based on hands-on testing:

• Panasonic ZS45: Scores strongly for autofocus, image quality, zoom, video, and usability, with some deductions for lack of RAW and weather sealing.
• Panasonic ZS8: Solid but dated performance with weaknesses in AF, image quality, and video capabilities.

Wrapping Up: Which One Should You Buy?

Both cameras serve a variety of users with distinctive strengths. Here’s my practical take, based on years of testing compact cameras and deploying them in the field:

The Final Verdict

If you’re choosing between these two Panasonic superzooms, I lean heavily toward the Panasonic Lumix ZS45. Its improvements in sensor technology, zoom range, autofocus sophistication, and video capabilities provide a genuinely better shooting experience across the board. The tilting high-res LCD and built-in Wi-Fi round out a package that feels much more modern and capable.

That said, the ZS8 remains a reasonable choice if you have an ultra-tight budget, prioritize pocketability, or just want a basic superzoom for casual snaps. But buy it knowing it’s a bit of a dinosaur by today’s standards.

As always, the best camera is the one you actually carry and use - and with the ZS45, you likely won’t have to compromise on image quality or features as much, making it a better trusty companion for all your photographic adventures.

Thank you for reading! Happy shooting!