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Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony S950

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
39
Overall
37
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950 front
Portability
94
Imaging
32
Features
17
Overall
26

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony S950 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
  • Revealed July 2011
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ18
  • Old Model is Panasonic ZS7
Sony S950
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
  • Announced February 2009
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Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony S950 Overview

On this page, we will be evaluating the Panasonic ZS8 versus Sony S950, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. There exists a big gap between the sensor resolutions of the ZS8 (14MP) and S950 (10MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The ZS8 was announced 2 years after the S950 which is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before getting right into a complete comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the ZS8 scores against the S950 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS8 over the Sony S950

 ZS8 S950 
AnnouncedJuly 2011February 2009Newer by 30 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Sony S950 over the Panasonic ZS8

 S950 ZS8 
Manually focus More accurate focus

Common features in the Panasonic ZS8 and Sony S950

 ZS8 S950 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony S950 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to travel with your camera, you have to take into account its weight and volume. The Panasonic ZS8 offers exterior measurements 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 S950 has sizing of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Check the Panasonic ZS8 versus Sony S950 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you choose at that moment. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the ZS8 versus the S950.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony S950 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the ZS8 and S950 is 92 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony S950 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony S950 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's hard to picture the gap between sensor dimensions purely by going over specifications. The pic here should offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the ZS8 and S950.

To sum up, both of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You should expect the Panasonic ZS8 to offer more detail with its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop pictures more aggressively. The newer ZS8 provides an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony S950 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony S950 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony S950 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Portrait photography details
Sony S950 Portrait photography details
30
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
can't use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
25
focusing manually
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
MP count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Street photography info
Sony S950 Street photography info
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (210g)
fixed screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
56
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic ZS8
Sports photography with Sony S950
47
incredible zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
max frames per second low (2.0 frames/s)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
24
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
low frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
MP count low (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Travel photography highlights
Sony S950 Travel photography highlights
69
lighter than competition in class (210 grams)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
very long reach (384mm)
lack of Timelapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
50
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse function
MP count low (10MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Landscape photography info
Sony S950 Landscape photography info
44
pretty wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
lack of Timelapse function
31
focusing manually
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
lack of manual mode
MP count low (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Vlogging advice
Sony S950 Vlogging advice
30
pretty wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (210 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external microphone port
9
no video shooting
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Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony S950 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS8 and Sony S950
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950
Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ18 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2011-07-19 2009-02-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine FHD -
Sensor type CCD CCD
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 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
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) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus range 3cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 2 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.00 m 3.50 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB 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) -
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 None
Video data format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 210 gr (0.46 lb) 167 gr (0.37 lb)
Physical dimensions 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 images -
Battery format Battery Pack -
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
Cost at launch $275 $130