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Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony W230

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
39
Overall
37
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
25
Overall
30

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony W230 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
  • Introduced July 2011
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ18
  • Earlier Model is Panasonic ZS7
Sony W230
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 30-120mm (F2.8-5.8) lens
  • 156g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
  • Announced February 2009
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Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony W230 Overview

Let's take a deeper look at the Panasonic ZS8 versus Sony W230, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the ZS8 (14MP) and the W230 (12MP) is fairly comparable and both cameras offer the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The ZS8 was released 2 years after the W230 which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving right into a in depth comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the ZS8 matches up versus the W230 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS8 over the Sony W230

 ZS8 W230 
AnnouncedJuly 2011February 2009Newer by 30 months

Reasons to pick Sony W230 over the Panasonic ZS8

 W230 ZS8 
Manually focus More precise focusing

Common features in the Panasonic ZS8 and Sony W230

 ZS8 W230 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display dimensions
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony W230 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to travel with your camera often, you will have to factor its weight and proportions. The Panasonic ZS8 features 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 W230 has measurements of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs).

Check the Panasonic ZS8 versus Sony W230 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Below is a front view over all size comparison of the ZS8 versus the W230.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony W230 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the ZS8 and W230 is 92 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony W230 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony W230 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's hard to envision the gap in sensor dimensions only by going through specs. The image below may provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the ZS8 and W230.

As you can plainly see, each of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same megapixels. You can anticipate the Panasonic ZS8 to provide extra detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop photos more aggressively. The more recent ZS8 will have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony W230 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony W230 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony W230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Portrait photography details
Sony W230 Portrait photography details
30
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
27
has manual focus
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Street photography info
Sony W230 Street photography info
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (210g)
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Sports photography highlights
Sony W230 Sports photography highlights
47
excellent zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
features tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 as a Travel photography camera
Sony W230 as a Travel photography camera
69
lighter than competitors in class (210 grams)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
pretty wide (24mm)
very long reach (384mm)
does not have Timelapse function
does not offer selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
51
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS8
Landscape photography with Sony W230
44
pretty wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (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
does not have Timelapse function
36
has manual focus
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
manual mode not possible
MP count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Vlogging details
Sony W230 Vlogging details
30
pretty wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (210g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have microphone socket
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
low res video (640 x 480 pxls)
does not have external microphone socket
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Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony W230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS8 and Sony W230
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
General Information
Make Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ18 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2011-07-19 2009-02-17
Physical type 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 area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias 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
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-384mm (16.0x) 30-120mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/2.8-5.8
Macro focusing range 3cm 4cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 1 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 2.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.00 m 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 210 grams (0.46 lb) 156 grams (0.34 lb)
Physical dimensions 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 340 pictures -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail price $275 $180