Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony W690
92 Imaging
37 Features
39 Overall
37


95 Imaging
39 Features
32 Overall
36
Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony W690 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
- Introduced July 2011
- Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ18
- Superseded the Panasonic ZS7
(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

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").

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.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony W690 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690. The full galleries are viewable at Panasonic ZS8 Gallery & Sony W690 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS8 over the Sony W690
ZS8 | W690 |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony W690 over the Panasonic ZS8
W690 | ZS8 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | February 2012 | ![]() | July 2011 | More modern by 7 months |
Common features in the Panasonic ZS8 and Sony W690
ZS8 | W690 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | No manual focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen measurements |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | The 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony W690 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 | Sony 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 |