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Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax VS20

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
39
Overall
37
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 front
 
Pentax Optio VS20 front
Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax VS20 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS8
(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
  • Introduced July 2011
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ18
  • Older Model is Panasonic ZS7
Pentax VS20
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-560mm (F3.1-4.8) lens
  • 235g - 111 x 61 x 38mm
  • Released January 2012
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Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax VS20 Overview

On this page, we are matching up the Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax VS20, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the ZS8 (14MP) and the VS20 (16MP) is fairly well matched and both cameras boast the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The ZS8 was unveiled 6 months before the VS20 so they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a quick overview of how the ZS8 matches up vs the VS20 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS8 over the Pentax VS20

 ZS8 VS20 

Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Panasonic ZS8

 VS20 ZS8 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS8 and Pentax VS20

 ZS8 VS20 
ReleasedJuly 2011January 2012Similar generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display size
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax VS20 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to lug around your camera often, you'll have to factor in its weight and size. The Panasonic ZS8 enjoys 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) and the Pentax VS20 has specifications of 111mm x 61mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") and a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax VS20 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have during that time. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the ZS8 and the VS20.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax VS20 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the ZS8 and VS20 is 92 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax VS20 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax VS20 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be difficult to imagine the gap between sensor measurements only by reading through specifications. The photograph underneath will help provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the ZS8 and VS20.

To sum up, both of those cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different resolution. You should anticipate the Pentax VS20 to give more detail having an extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics a bit more aggressively.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax VS20 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Portrait photography details
Pentax VS20 Portrait photography details
30
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
can't use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
36
manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 as a Street photography camera
Pentax VS20 as a Street photography camera
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (210g)
no moving screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors (235 grams)
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Sports photography highlights
Pentax VS20 Sports photography highlights
47
excellent zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
features tracking focus
slow frames per second (2.0 frames/s)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
44
long zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16MP)
has tracking autofocus
max fps very slow (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Travel photography information
Pentax VS20 Travel photography information
69
lighter than average in class (210g)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
long reach (384mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
68
lighter than competitors (235 grams)
resolution is good (16MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
great reach (560mm)
missing Timelapse mode
does not posses selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS8
Landscape photography with Pentax VS20
44
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
missing Time Lapse recording
47
manual focus
relatively wide (28mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Vlogging details
Pentax VS20 Vlogging details
30
reasonably wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (210g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic support
30
relatively wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors (235 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not posses selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external microphone socket
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Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax VS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS8 and Pentax VS20
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8Pentax Optio VS20
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 Pentax Optio VS20
Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ18 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2011-07-19 2012-01-25
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine FHD -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4320 x 3240 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 11 3
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-384mm (16.0x) 28-560mm (20.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/3.1-4.8
Macro focusing range 3cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech TFT LCD TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2500 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.00 m 2.80 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
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) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Microphone 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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 210 grams (0.46 pounds) 235 grams (0.52 pounds)
Physical dimensions 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") 111 x 61 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 pictures -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID - D-LI122
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail cost $275 $106