Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony RX100 II

Lets look more in depth at the Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony RX100 II, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by companies Panasonic and Sony. There exists a significant gap among the resolutions of the ZS8 (14MP) and RX100 II (20MP) and the ZS8 (1/2.3") and RX100 II (1") posses totally different sensor sizes.

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The ZS8 was released 23 months earlier than the RX100 II which makes them a generation apart from one another. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic ZS8 being a Compact camera and the Sony RX100 II being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before getting straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the ZS8 scores against the RX100 II in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Here is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II. The complete galleries are provided at Panasonic ZS8 Gallery and Sony RX100 II Gallery.

If you are aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you'll have to factor its weight and proportions. The Panasonic ZS8 enjoys 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 RX100 II has measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 38mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.5") with a weight of 281 grams (0.62 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony RX100 II in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have chosen at that time. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the ZS8 against the RX100 II.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the ZS8 and RX100 II is 92 and 89 respectively.

Typically, it is very tough to envision the difference in sensor measurements purely by looking through technical specs. The graphic here should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS8 and RX100 II.

As you can tell, each of these cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The ZS8 due to its smaller sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field trickier and the Sony RX100 II will provide you with greater detail as a result of its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will let you crop photographs way more aggressively. The older ZS8 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.