Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax MX-1
92 Imaging
37 Features
39 Overall
37


84 Imaging
37 Features
60 Overall
46
Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax MX-1 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
- 210g - 105 x 58 x 33mm
- Launched July 2011
- Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ18
- Previous Model is Panasonic ZS7
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 28-112mm (F1.8-2.5) lens
- 391g - 122 x 61 x 51mm
- Announced July 2013

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax MX-1 Overview
On this page, we will be analyzing the Panasonic ZS8 versus Pentax MX-1, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the ZS8 (14MP) and the MX-1 (12MP) is relatively close but the ZS8 (1/2.3") and MX-1 (1/1.7") offer totally different sensor sizes.

The ZS8 was announced 23 months before the MX-1 which makes them a generation away from each other. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before diving right into a in-depth comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the ZS8 matches up against the MX-1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax MX-1 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 and Pentax MX-1. The whole galleries are viewable at Panasonic ZS8 Gallery and Pentax MX-1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS8 over the Pentax MX-1
ZS8 | MX-1 |
---|
Reasons to pick Pentax MX-1 over the Panasonic ZS8
MX-1 | ZS8 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | July 2013 | ![]() | July 2011 | Newer by 23 months |
Focus manually | ![]() | More exact focus | ||
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen resolution | 920k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+690k dot) |
Common features in the Panasonic ZS8 and Pentax MX-1
ZS8 | MX-1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal screen dimensions |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither includes selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Lack of Touch screen |
Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax MX-1 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is aiming to travel with your camera, you will need to factor its weight and proportions. The Panasonic ZS8 features external measurements of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") with a weight of 210 grams (0.46 lbs) whilst the Pentax MX-1 has measurements of 122mm x 61mm x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") and a weight of 391 grams (0.86 lbs).
Take a look at the Panasonic ZS8 versus Pentax MX-1 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you select at the time. Underneath is a front view dimension comparison of the ZS8 versus the MX-1.

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the ZS8 and MX-1 is 92 and 84 respectively.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax MX-1 Sensor Comparison
Often, its hard to see the contrast in sensor dimensions just by looking through technical specs. The pic below should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the ZS8 and MX-1.
As you can tell, each of these cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The ZS8 having a smaller sensor will make shooting shallower DOF tougher and the Panasonic ZS8 will result in greater detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots more aggressively. The more aged ZS8 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax MX-1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax MX-1 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 | Pentax MX-1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Panasonic | Pentax |
Model | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 | Pentax MX-1 |
Also called as | Lumix DMC-TZ18 | - |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Launched | 2011-07-19 | 2013-07-01 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Venus Engine FHD | - |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/1.7" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 7.44 x 5.58mm |
Sensor area | 27.7mm² | 41.5mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14 megapixel | 12 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4320 x 3240 | 4000 x 3000 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 12800 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Number of focus points | 11 | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 24-384mm (16.0x) | 28-112mm (4.0x) |
Largest aperture | f/3.3-5.9 | f/1.8-2.5 |
Macro focus distance | 3cm | 1cm |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 4.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display sizing | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Display resolution | 230 thousand dots | 920 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Display technology | TFT LCD | TFT LCD with AR coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 60 seconds | 30 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/8000 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 2.0fps | 1.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 5.00 m | 12.00 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Speed sync, Trailing Curtain sync |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | MPEG-4 | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 210 gr (0.46 lb) | 391 gr (0.86 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") | 122 x 61 x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | not tested | 49 |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 20.4 |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 11.3 |
DXO Low light score | not tested | 208 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 340 shots | 290 shots |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | - | D-Li-106 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 12 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | One | One |
Pricing at launch | $275 | $400 |