Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony H20

On this page, we are looking at the Panasonic ZS8 and Sony H20, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. There is a considerable difference among the image resolutions of the ZS8 (14MP) and H20 (10MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The ZS8 was revealed 2 years after the H20 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going right into a complete comparison, here is a quick summary of how the ZS8 scores versus the H20 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20. The full galleries are available at Panasonic ZS8 Gallery & Sony H20 Gallery.

When you are looking to travel with your camera often, you will need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Panasonic ZS8 comes with 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) while the Sony H20 has measurements of 107mm x 69mm x 47mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.9") accompanied by a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic ZS8 and Sony H20 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you select during that time. Underneath is a front view physical size comparison of the ZS8 versus the H20.

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the ZS8 and H20 is 92 and 87 respectively.

Usually, it is very difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor dimensions merely by going through technical specs. The picture below will give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS8 and H20.

As you have seen, both of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different MP. You can anticipate the Panasonic ZS8 to show more detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop photos a bit more aggressively. The newer ZS8 provides an edge when it comes to sensor tech.