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Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax RS1500

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
39
Overall
37
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 front
 
Pentax Optio RS1500 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
30
Overall
34

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax RS1500 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS8
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 210g - 105 x 58 x 33mm
  • Released July 2011
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ18
  • Earlier Model is Panasonic ZS7
Pentax RS1500
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-110mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Launched March 2011
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Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax RS1500 Overview

On this page, we will be contrasting the Panasonic ZS8 versus Pentax RS1500, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the ZS8 (14MP) and the RS1500 (14MP) is relatively close and both cameras provide the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The ZS8 was introduced 5 months later than the RS1500 so they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going into a full comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the ZS8 grades versus the RS1500 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS8 over the Pentax RS1500

 ZS8 RS1500 
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Pentax RS1500 over the Panasonic ZS8

 RS1500 ZS8 
Focus manually More precise focus

Common features in the Panasonic ZS8 and Pentax RS1500

 ZS8 RS1500 
LaunchedJuly 2011March 2011Same generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Neither offers Touch screen

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax RS1500 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry your camera regularly, you'll need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic ZS8 offers external dimensions 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 RS1500 has dimensions of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic ZS8 versus Pentax RS1500 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Below is a front view size comparison of the ZS8 and the RS1500.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax RS1500 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the ZS8 and RS1500 is 92 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax RS1500 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax RS1500 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is difficult to picture the difference in sensor sizing merely by viewing technical specs. The visual below should offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the ZS8 and RS1500.

As you can tell, both of those cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the same exact MP so you should expect comparable quality of files but you should factor the release date of the cameras into account.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax RS1500 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax RS1500 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax RS1500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Portrait photography details
Pentax RS1500 Portrait photography details
30
decent MP (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
35
manual focus
decent megapixels (14MP)
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic ZS8
Street photography with Pentax RS1500
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (210g)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
54
environment proof
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Sports photography highlights
Pentax RS1500 Sports photography highlights
47
amazing zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
includes tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
37
decent megapixels (14MP)
provides tracking focus
environment proof
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Travel photography details
Pentax RS1500 Travel photography details
69
lighter than competition (210g)
decent MP (14MP)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
very long reach (384mm)
missing Time Lapse function
does not feature selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
67
environment proof
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Landscape photography advice
Pentax RS1500 Landscape photography advice
44
reasonably wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
missing Time Lapse function
40
manual focus
pretty wide (28mm)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
environment proof
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
no manual mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax RS1500 as a Vlogging camera
30
reasonably wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (210 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic port
25
pretty wide (28mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have mic socket
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Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax RS1500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS8 and Pentax RS1500
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8Pentax Optio RS1500
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 Pentax Optio RS1500
Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ18 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2011-07-19 2011-03-16
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine FHD -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4320 x 3240 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-384mm (16.0x) 28-110mm (3.9x)
Highest aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing range 3cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology TFT LCD TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.00 m 3.90 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 210 gr (0.46 lbs) 157 gr (0.35 lbs)
Physical dimensions 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 340 photos 260 photos
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Launch price $275 $150