Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony S950
92 Imaging
37 Features
39 Overall
37


94 Imaging
32 Features
17 Overall
26
Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony S950 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony S950 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950. The whole galleries are provided at Panasonic ZS8 Gallery and Sony S950 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS8 over the Sony S950
ZS8 | S950 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | July 2011 | ![]() | February 2009 | Newer by 30 months |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 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 type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Equal 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony S950 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 | Sony 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 |