Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony W550
92 Imaging
37 Features
39 Overall
37


96 Imaging
37 Features
28 Overall
33
Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony W550 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
- 210g - 105 x 58 x 33mm
- Released July 2011
- Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ18
- Earlier Model is Panasonic ZS7
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 26-104mm (F2.7-5.7) lens
- 110g - 94 x 56 x 19mm
- Introduced July 2011

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony W550 Overview
Below is a extended overview of the Panasonic ZS8 versus Sony W550, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Ultracompact by competitors Panasonic and Sony. The sensor resolution of the ZS8 (14MP) and the W550 (14MP) is relatively well matched and they possess the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

The ZS8 was brought out within a month of the W550 and they are both of a similar age. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic ZS8 being a Compact camera and the Sony W550 being a Ultracompact camera.
Before getting through a full comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the ZS8 scores against the W550 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony W550 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550. The entire galleries are available at Panasonic ZS8 Gallery & Sony W550 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS8 over the Sony W550
ZS8 | W550 |
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Reasons to pick Sony W550 over the Panasonic ZS8
W550 | ZS8 |
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Common features in the Panasonic ZS8 and Sony W550
ZS8 | W550 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | July 2011 | ![]() | July 2011 | Similar age |
Manual focus | ![]() | Lack of manual focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen dimensions |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | The same screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Lacking Touch friendly screen |
Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony W550 Physical Comparison
For those who are aiming to lug around your camera often, you're going to have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic ZS8 comes with outside measurements of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 210 grams (0.46 lbs) whilst the Sony W550 has dimensions of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") with a weight of 110 grams (0.24 lbs).
Check the Panasonic ZS8 versus Sony W550 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are utilising at the time. Following is the front view overall size comparison of the ZS8 compared to the W550.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ZS8 and W550 is 92 and 96 respectively.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony W550 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it is very tough to see the difference between sensor measurements just by checking specs. The visual underneath should offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS8 and W550.
As you can plainly see, both cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the identical resolution and you can expect similar quality of images however you should factor the age of the products into consideration.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony W550 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony W550 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Panasonic | Sony |
Model type | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 |
Also referred to as | Lumix DMC-TZ18 | - |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Ultracompact |
Released | 2011-07-19 | 2011-07-24 |
Body design | Compact | Ultracompact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Venus Engine FHD | BIONZ |
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 | 14MP | 14MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4320 x 3240 | 4320 x 3240 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Total focus points | 11 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 24-384mm (16.0x) | 26-104mm (4.0x) |
Maximal aperture | f/3.3-5.9 | f/2.7-5.7 |
Macro focusing range | 3cm | 5cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.9 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of screen | 230 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Screen tech | TFT LCD | Clear Photo LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 60s | 2s |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/1600s |
Continuous shutter speed | 2.0fps | 1.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 5.00 m | 3.80 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
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) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | MPEG-4 | MPEG-4 |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 210g (0.46 lbs) | 110g (0.24 lbs) |
Dimensions | 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") | 94 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall 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 | - |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | - | NP-BN1 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | Single | - |
Cost at release | $275 | $119 |