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Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony HX1

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
39
Overall
37
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 front
Portability
67
Imaging
32
Features
36
Overall
33

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony HX1 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
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ18
  • Superseded the Panasonic ZS7
Sony HX1
(Full Review)
  • 9MP - 1/2.4" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1440 x 1080 video
  • 28-560mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 544g - 115 x 83 x 92mm
  • Launched April 2009
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Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony HX1 Overview

Its time to look much closer at the Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony HX1, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by rivals Panasonic and Sony. There is a sizable difference between the sensor resolutions of the ZS8 (14MP) and HX1 (9MP) and the ZS8 (1/2.3") and HX1 (1/2.4") come with different sensor measurements.

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The ZS8 was announced 2 years later than the HX1 and that is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic ZS8 being a Compact camera and the Sony HX1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before we go straight into a detailed comparison, below is a concise view of how the ZS8 scores vs the HX1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS8 over the Sony HX1

 ZS8 HX1 
LaunchedJuly 2011April 2009Fresher by 28 months

Reasons to pick Sony HX1 over the Panasonic ZS8

 HX1 ZS8 
Manual focus More accurate focus
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Panasonic ZS8 and Sony HX1

 ZS8 HX1 
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurements
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony HX1 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry your camera, you will have to think about its weight and measurements. The Panasonic ZS8 provides exterior 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 Sony HX1 has proportions of 115mm x 83mm x 92mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 3.6") accompanied by a weight of 544 grams (1.20 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony HX1 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you select at that moment. The following is the front view measurements comparison of the ZS8 against the HX1.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony HX1 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the ZS8 and HX1 is 92 and 67 respectively.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony HX1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony HX1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is tough to visualize the gap between sensor sizing simply by going over technical specs. The photograph below will provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the ZS8 and HX1.

As you have seen, each of the cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The ZS8 having a larger sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field simpler and the Panasonic ZS8 will offer you greater detail with its extra 5MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop photos far more aggressively. The younger ZS8 should have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony HX1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony HX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony HX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS8
Portrait photography with Sony HX1
30
resolution is good (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
27
focusing manually
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution not great (9MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.4")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 as a Street photography camera
Sony HX1 as a Street photography camera
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (210g)
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
50
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Optical)
tiny sensor size (1/2.4")
lacks RAW support
heavier than others (544 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 as a Sports photography camera
Sony HX1 as a Sports photography camera
47
excellent zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14MP)
has tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames per second)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
36
great zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution not great (9MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.4")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Travel photography advice
Sony HX1 Travel photography advice
69
lighter than others in class (210g)
resolution is good (14MP)
built-in flash
quite wide (24mm)
great zoom (384mm)
missing Timelapse recording
does not offer selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
48
has built in flash
rather wide (28mm)
long zoom (560mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
heavier than others (544 grams)
sensor resolution not great (9MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Landscape photography factors
Sony HX1 Landscape photography factors
44
quite wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
missing Timelapse recording
39
focusing manually
rather wide (28mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
sensor resolution not great (9MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.4")
lacks RAW support
does not have Time Lapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Vlogging factors
Sony HX1 Vlogging factors
30
quite wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (210g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
does not offer selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing microphone support
22
rather wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1440 x 1080 pxls)
does not have mic port
heavier than others (544 grams)
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Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony HX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS8 and Sony HX1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1
Other name Lumix DMC-TZ18 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2011-07-19 2009-04-22
Body design Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine FHD Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.4"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.104 x 4.578mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 27.9mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 9MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4320 x 3240 3456 x 2592
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 125
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-384mm (16.0x) 28-560mm (20.0x)
Max aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/2.8-5.2
Macro focus range 3cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.00 m 9.20 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance 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) 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1440x1080
Video format MPEG-4 H.264
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 210g (0.46 pounds) 544g (1.20 pounds)
Dimensions 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") 115 x 83 x 92mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 photos -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model - NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price $275 $47,999