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Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony HX20V

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
39
Overall
37
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V front
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony HX20V 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
  • Announced July 2011
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ18
  • Succeeded the Panasonic ZS7
Sony HX20V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
  • Launched July 2012
  • Succeeded the Sony HX10V
  • Refreshed by Sony HX30V
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Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony HX20V Overview

The following is a detailed assessment of the Panasonic ZS8 and Sony HX20V, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by companies Panasonic and Sony. There exists a considerable gap between the resolutions of the ZS8 (14MP) and HX20V (18MP) but they possess the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The ZS8 was launched 12 months earlier than the HX20V which means that they are of a similar age. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving through a full comparison, below is a concise summation of how the ZS8 scores versus the HX20V with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS8 over the Sony HX20V

 ZS8 HX20V 

Reasons to pick Sony HX20V over the Panasonic ZS8

 HX20V ZS8 
LaunchedJuly 2012July 2011Newer by 12 months
Manual focus Very accurate focusing
Screen resolution922k230kClearer screen (+692k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS8 and Sony HX20V

 ZS8 HX20V 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony HX20V Physical Comparison

When you are planning to travel with your camera regularly, you should think about its weight and volume. The Panasonic ZS8 enjoys exterior dimensions of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") and a weight of 210 grams (0.46 lbs) while the Sony HX20V has sizing of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") and a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic ZS8 and Sony HX20V in our completely 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 are using during that time. Below is the front view measurements comparison of the ZS8 versus the HX20V.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony HX20V size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ZS8 and HX20V is 92 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony HX20V top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony HX20V Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very tough to picture the contrast between sensor dimensions purely by checking specifications. The image here may give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS8 and HX20V.

Plainly, both of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You can expect the Sony HX20V to resolve extra detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The more aged ZS8 is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony HX20V sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony HX20V Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony HX20V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony HX20V as a Portrait photography camera
30
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
45
you can focus manually
good megapixels (18 megapixels)
includes face detect autofocus
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic ZS8
Street photography with Sony HX20V
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (210g)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (254 grams)
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic ZS8
Sports photography with Sony HX20V
47
great zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
low fps (2.0 frames per second)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
49
incredible zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (18 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Travel photography features
Sony HX20V Travel photography features
69
lighter than competition in class (210 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
really wide (24mm)
very long zoom (384mm)
lack of Timelapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
69
lighter than competition (254 grams)
good megapixels (18 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
very long zoom (500mm)
lack of Timelapse function
does not feature selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS8
Landscape photography with Sony HX20V
44
really wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
lack of Timelapse function
50
you can focus manually
fairly wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (18MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic ZS8
Vlogging with Sony HX20V
30
really wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (210 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external microphone support
34
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (254g)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
does not feature selfie friendly display
lack of microphone jack
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Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony HX20V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS8 and Sony HX20V
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
Also called Lumix DMC-TZ18 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2011-07-19 2012-07-20
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine FHD BIONZ
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 18 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4320 x 3240 4896 x 3672
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-384mm (16.0x) 25-500mm (20.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/3.2-5.8
Macro focus distance 3cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 922 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech TFT LCD XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.00 m 7.10 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 210g (0.46 pounds) 254g (0.56 pounds)
Dimensions 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4")
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 320 photos
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Retail pricing $275 $397