Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony A850

Let's look a bit more closely at the Panasonic ZS8 versus Sony A850, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. There is a big difference between the resolutions of the ZS8 (14MP) and A850 (25MP) and the ZS8 (1/2.3") and A850 (Full frame) offer totally different sensor measurements.

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The ZS8 was unveiled 16 months after the A850 which makes them a generation away from each other. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Panasonic ZS8 being a Compact camera and the Sony A850 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving into a more detailed comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the ZS8 grades against the A850 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

This is a preview of the gallery photos for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 and Sony Alpha DSLR-A850. The full galleries are provided at Panasonic ZS8 Gallery and Sony A850 Gallery.

In case you're aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you'll need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic ZS8 features 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 Sony A850 has dimensions of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") having a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic ZS8 versus Sony A850 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are working with at that moment. The following is a front view measurements comparison of the ZS8 and the A850.

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the ZS8 and A850 is 92 and 54 respectively.

Often, it is difficult to see the gap between sensor dimensions only by going over technical specs. The image underneath will offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS8 and A850.

As you have seen, both the cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The ZS8 using its tinier sensor will make getting shallow DOF harder and the Sony A850 will offer you greater detail having an extra 11MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots more aggressively. The fresher ZS8 is going to have an edge with regard to sensor technology.