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Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax W90

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
39
Overall
37
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 front
 
Pentax Optio W90 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax W90 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 referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ18
  • Previous Model is Panasonic ZS7
Pentax W90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 164g - 108 x 59 x 25mm
  • Released February 2010
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Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax W90 Overview

Let's look a bit more closely at the Panasonic ZS8 versus Pentax W90, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Waterproof by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the ZS8 (14MP) and the W90 (12MP) is relatively well matched and both cameras provide the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The ZS8 was revealed 17 months after the W90 which makes them a generation away from each other. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple view of how the ZS8 matches up vs the W90 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS8 over the Pentax W90

 ZS8 W90 
ReleasedJuly 2011February 2010Newer by 17 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Pentax W90 over the Panasonic ZS8

 W90 ZS8 
Focus manually Very precise focus

Common features in the Panasonic ZS8 and Pentax W90

 ZS8 W90 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax W90 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to travel with your camera, you are going to need to consider its weight and size. The Panasonic ZS8 has outer dimensions of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 210 grams (0.46 lbs) while the Pentax W90 has specifications of 108mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") accompanied by a weight of 164 grams (0.36 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic ZS8 versus Pentax W90 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Here is a front view measurement comparison of the ZS8 and the W90.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax W90 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the ZS8 and W90 is 92 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax W90 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax W90 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very difficult to visualise the difference between sensor dimensions just by looking at a spec sheet. The picture below might offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS8 and W90.

Clearly, both cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You can count on the Panasonic ZS8 to give you extra detail because of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more modern ZS8 is going to have an edge in sensor technology.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax W90 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax W90 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax W90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax W90 as a Portrait photography camera
30
MP count decent (14MP)
lack of manual focus
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
27
manual focus
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 as a Street photography camera
Pentax W90 as a Street photography camera
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (210 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
54
weather sealing
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Sports photography info
Pentax W90 Sports photography info
47
great zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14MP)
includes tracking focus
low fps (2.0 frames/s)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
24
weather sealing
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax W90 as a Travel photography camera
69
lighter than others in class (210 grams)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (24mm)
long reach (384mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
64
weather sealing
flash built-in
quite wide (28mm)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax W90 as a Landscape photography camera
44
really wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14MP)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse mode
37
manual focus
quite wide (28mm)
weather sealing
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
no manual mode
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Vlogging information
Pentax W90 Vlogging information
30
really wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (210 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have microphone jack
25
quite wide (28mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no mic socket
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Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax W90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS8 and Pentax W90
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8Pentax Optio W90
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 Pentax Optio W90
Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ18 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Introduced 2011-07-19 2010-02-24
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine FHD Prime
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 14 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-384mm (16.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus range 3cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 2.7"
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 4s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1500s
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.00 m 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AE 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 data format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
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 grams (0.46 lb) 164 grams (0.36 lb)
Physical dimensions 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") 108 x 59 x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 340 images -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $275 $120