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Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony NEX-6

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
39
Overall
37
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-6 front
Portability
85
Imaging
57
Features
76
Overall
64

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony NEX-6 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
  • Launched July 2011
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ18
  • Earlier Model is Panasonic ZS7
Sony NEX-6
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 345g - 120 x 67 x 43mm
  • Introduced March 2013
  • New Model is Sony A6000
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Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony NEX-6 Overview

Here, we will be matching up the Panasonic ZS8 and Sony NEX-6, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Advanced Mirrorless by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the ZS8 (14MP) and the NEX-6 (16MP) is pretty similar but the ZS8 (1/2.3") and NEX-6 (APS-C) provide totally different sensor sizing.

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The ZS8 was announced 20 months prior to the NEX-6 which makes them a generation apart from each other. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic ZS8 being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-6 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going right into a in depth comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the ZS8 scores against the NEX-6 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS8 over the Sony NEX-6

 ZS8 NEX-6 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-6 over the Panasonic ZS8

 NEX-6 ZS8 
IntroducedMarch 2013July 2011More recent by 20 months
Manual focus More exact focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution921k230kSharper screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS8 and Sony NEX-6

 ZS8 NEX-6 
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurement
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Neither offers Touch screen

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony NEX-6 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to lug around your camera, you have to take into account its weight and size. The Panasonic ZS8 offers outside measurements of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") having a weight of 210 grams (0.46 lbs) while the Sony NEX-6 has specifications of 120mm x 67mm x 43mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 1.7") and a weight of 345 grams (0.76 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic ZS8 and Sony NEX-6 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are working with during that time. Underneath is a front view scale comparison of the ZS8 and the NEX-6.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony NEX-6 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the ZS8 and NEX-6 is 92 and 85 respectively.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony NEX-6 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony NEX-6 Sensor Comparison

Generally, its hard to envision the contrast between sensor measurements just by reviewing specifications. The visual underneath will provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS8 and NEX-6.

To sum up, both of those cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The ZS8 with its tinier sensor will make getting shallow depth of field trickier and the Sony NEX-6 will offer extra detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The older ZS8 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony NEX-6 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony NEX-6 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony NEX-6 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Portrait photography features
Sony NEX-6 Portrait photography features
30
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
74
manual focus
megapixel count decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic ZS8
Street photography with Sony NEX-6
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (210 grams)
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
78
has a tilting screen
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
lighter than others (345 grams)
above average ISO range (25,600)
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Sports photography info
Sony NEX-6 Sports photography info
47
great zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
max frames per second low (2.0 frames per second)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
66
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
no image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Travel photography highlights
Sony NEX-6 Travel photography highlights
69
lighter than competition (210 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
built-in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
great zoom (384mm)
missing Timelapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
75
lighter than others (345 grams)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Landscape photography advice
Sony NEX-6 Landscape photography advice
44
pretty wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
missing Timelapse mode
75
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
above average ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW formats
no image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Vlogging highlights
Sony NEX-6 Vlogging highlights
30
pretty wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (210g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external microphone port
32
features face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others (345g)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
missing external mic socket
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Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony NEX-6 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS8 and Sony NEX-6
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8Sony Alpha NEX-6
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 Sony Alpha NEX-6
Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ18 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced Mirrorless
Launched 2011-07-19 2013-03-25
Physical type Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine FHD Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4320 x 3240 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 6400 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 11 99
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 24-384mm (16.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.3-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 3cm -
Number of lenses - 121
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology TFT LCD Xtra Fine LCD with Tilt Up 90� and Down 45�
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.73x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 2.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.00 m 6.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 210 grams (0.46 pounds) 345 grams (0.76 pounds)
Physical dimensions 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") 120 x 67 x 43mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 78
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 1018
Other
Battery life 340 images 360 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse recording With downloadable app
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release $275 $365