• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 14.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 384.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic ZS8 advantages over Olympus SZ-30MR

  • Less expensive
    $280 vs $400 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Less shutter lag
    0.24 vs 0.41 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/1700 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Olympus SZ-30MR advantages over Panasonic ZS8

  • More telephoto lens reach
    600 mm vs 384 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    460k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    7.0 fps vs 1.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    5 vs 3 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Manual focus
    Neither provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

  • Excellent grip; Handsome, portable design; 24x zoom in a small package; Panorama mode.

  • Detail blurred by strong noise suppression; Bright colors bloom in bright light; Few manual controls; Too many trips to the menu.

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic ZS10

Panasonic ZS8
Panasonic ZS10
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $214
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Olympus SZ-30MR
Panasonic ZS10
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $214
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compared to Panasonic ZS15

Panasonic ZS8
Panasonic ZS15
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More pixels
  • $273
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • HDMI out
  • More dots on screen
Olympus SZ-30MR
Panasonic ZS15
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • More pixels
  • $273
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Olympus SZ-31MR

Panasonic ZS8
Olympus SZ-31MR
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • HDMI out
Olympus SZ-30MR
Olympus SZ-31MR
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • Shoots 60p video

Compared to Sony H90

Panasonic ZS8
Sony H90
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer exposure
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $223
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
Olympus SZ-30MR
Sony H90
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • HDMI out
  • $223
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer exposure

Compared to Olympus SZ-15

Panasonic ZS8
Olympus SZ-15
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Longer exposure
  • $162
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
Olympus SZ-30MR
Olympus SZ-15
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • Longer exposure
  • $162
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
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