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Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony W690

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
39
Overall
37
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690 front
Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
32
Overall
36

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony W690 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS8
(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
  • Introduced July 2011
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ18
  • Superseded the Panasonic ZS7
Sony W690
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 142g - 94 x 56 x 22mm
  • Announced February 2012
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Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony W690 Overview

Lets look closer at the Panasonic ZS8 versus Sony W690, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Panasonic and Sony. The sensor resolution of the ZS8 (14MP) and the W690 (16MP) is pretty comparable and they feature the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The ZS8 was revealed 7 months before the W690 which means that they are of a similar age. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a brief summary of how the ZS8 matches up versus the W690 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS8 over the Sony W690

 ZS8 W690 

Reasons to pick Sony W690 over the Panasonic ZS8

 W690 ZS8 
AnnouncedFebruary 2012July 2011More modern by 7 months

Common features in the Panasonic ZS8 and Sony W690

 ZS8 W690 
Manually focus No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurements
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony W690 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry around your camera, you need to consider its weight and proportions. The Panasonic ZS8 provides exterior dimensions of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 210 grams (0.46 lbs) and the Sony W690 has measurements of 94mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs).

See the Panasonic ZS8 versus Sony W690 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you select at that time. Underneath is the front view scale comparison of the ZS8 against the W690.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony W690 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ZS8 and W690 is 92 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony W690 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony W690 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very difficult to imagine the difference in sensor sizes merely by seeing a spec sheet. The picture underneath will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS8 and W690.

Clearly, the 2 cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You can expect the Sony W690 to provide greater detail because of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop pictures a little more aggressively. The more aged ZS8 will be behind in sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony W690 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony W690 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony W690 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Portrait photography info
Sony W690 Portrait photography info
30
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
no manual focus
external flash not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
34
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
supports face detect focus
no manual focus
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Street photography factors
Sony W690 Street photography factors
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (210 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Sports photography information
Sony W690 Sports photography information
47
great zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
slow fps (2.0 frames per second)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
supports tracking focus
slow fps (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 as a Travel photography camera
Sony W690 as a Travel photography camera
69
lighter than competitors in class (210g)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (24mm)
great reach (384mm)
no Time Lapse recording
does not have selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
68
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
long reach (250mm)
no Time Lapse mode
does not feature selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Landscape photography highlights
Sony W690 Landscape photography highlights
44
rather wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
no Time Lapse recording
43
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
no manual focus
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
lack of manual exposure
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 as a Vlogging camera
Sony W690 as a Vlogging camera
30
rather wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (210g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not have selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external mic port
31
reasonably wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focus
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no mic port
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Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony W690 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS8 and Sony W690
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690
Alternative name Lumix DMC-TZ18 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2011-07-19 2012-02-28
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine FHD BIONZ
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4320 x 3240 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 11 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-384mm (16.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing distance 3cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology TFT LCD ClearPhoto TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.00 m 3.30 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance 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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4 MPEG-4
Mic 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 210 gr (0.46 lbs) 142 gr (0.31 lbs)
Dimensions 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") 94 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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 220 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-BN
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Price at release $275 $297