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Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony A380

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
39
Overall
37
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A380 front
Portability
68
Imaging
53
Features
54
Overall
53

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony A380 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
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ18
  • Older Model is Panasonic ZS7
Sony A380
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 519g - 128 x 97 x 71mm
  • Announced August 2009
  • Superseded the Sony A350
  • Successor is Sony A390
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Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony A380 Overview

Following is a detailed assessment of the Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony A380, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the ZS8 (14MP) and the A380 (14MP) is pretty well matched but the ZS8 (1/2.3") and A380 (APS-C) feature different sensor size.

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The ZS8 was unveiled 24 months after the A380 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic ZS8 being a Compact camera and the Sony A380 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting in to a in-depth comparison, below is a brief summation of how the ZS8 scores against the A380 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS8 over the Sony A380

 ZS8 A380 
AnnouncedJuly 2011August 2009More modern by 24 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Sony A380 over the Panasonic ZS8

 A380 ZS8 
Focus manually More exact focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Panasonic ZS8 and Sony A380

 ZS8 A380 
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony A380 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to carry around your camera regularly, you'll have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic ZS8 has outer dimensions of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") having a weight of 210 grams (0.46 lbs) whilst the Sony A380 has dimensions of 128mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8") along with a weight of 519 grams (1.14 lbs).

See the Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony A380 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you choose at that time. Below is the front view measurements comparison of the ZS8 and the A380.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony A380 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the ZS8 and A380 is 92 and 68 respectively.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony A380 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony A380 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is difficult to imagine the contrast between sensor sizes simply by looking at specs. The pic below will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the ZS8 and A380.

As you can plainly see, each of the cameras enjoy the same exact megapixels albeit different sensor sizes. The ZS8 offers the tinier sensor which is going to make achieving shallow depth of field more difficult. The younger ZS8 provides an advantage in sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony A380 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony A380 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony A380 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Portrait photography features
Sony A380 Portrait photography features
30
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
71
has manual focus
resolution is good (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with face detection focus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 as a Street photography camera
Sony A380 as a Street photography camera
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (210 grams)
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
76
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic ZS8
Sports photography with Sony A380
47
long zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
includes tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
59
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
terrible battery pack (500 shots)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Travel photography information
Sony A380 Travel photography information
69
lighter than others (210g)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
long reach (384mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
53
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
no Time Lapse recording
terrible battery pack (500 per charge)
does not contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A380 as a Landscape photography camera
44
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
missing Time Lapse mode
61
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
terrible battery pack (500 per charge)
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A380 as a Vlogging camera
30
reasonably wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (210 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic socket
9
lack of video recording
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Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony A380 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS8 and Sony A380
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8Sony Alpha DSLR-A380
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 Sony Alpha DSLR-A380
Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ18 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2011-07-19 2009-08-24
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine FHD Bionz
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4320 x 3240 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 24-384mm (16.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.3-5.9 -
Macro focusing range 3cm -
Number of lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3" 2.7"
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.49x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.00 m 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) -
Highest video resolution 1280x720 None
Video data format MPEG-4 -
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 210 gr (0.46 lb) 519 gr (1.14 lb)
Dimensions 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") 128 x 97 x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 67
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.8
DXO Low light rating not tested 614
Other
Battery life 340 shots 500 shots
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Storage slots One One
Cost at release $275 $899