Panasonic GX8 vs Panasonic ZS100

Cameras
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Panasonic GX8 vs Panasonic ZS100

4/3 224.9mm²
20.3 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Panasonic GX8 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic GX8 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the GX8.
Compare Panasonic GX8 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic GX8 conclusion.

1 inch 116.2mm²
20.1 megapixels
25.00mm - 250.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Panasonic ZS100 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic ZS100 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the ZS100.
Compare Panasonic ZS100 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic ZS100 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Panasonic GX9
Compare GX8 vs GX9

Succeeded by the Panasonic ZS200
Compare ZS100 vs ZS200

Compare PANASONIC GX9 vs PANASONIC ZS200

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Differences

Panasonic GX8 advantages over Panasonic ZS100

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Larger sensor
4/3 vs 1 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 3.34 vs 2.41 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~1.20 vs 2.3 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
GX8 test data on DxO Mark ZS100 test data on DxO Mark

806 vs 559 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
More viewfinder magnification
0.77x vs 0.46x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Bigger RAW buffer
36 vs 14 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Panasonic ZS100 advantages over Panasonic GX8

Less expensive
$398 vs $998
Save money for lenses or accessories
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Thinner
44 mm vs 63 mm
Thinner
Higher max flash sync
1/2000 vs 1/250 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Lighter weight
309g vs 487g
Lighter weight
Faster JPEG shooting
9.9 fps vs 8.3 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
9.5 fps vs 7.9 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Both provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Shoot 4K video
Both provide
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Both provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Both provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

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
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Integrated ND filter
Neither provide
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

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Adorama
Read GX8 User Reviews

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Adorama
Read ZS100 User Reviews

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Panasonic ZS100 (Silver)

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Review Excerpt

Highest resolution Micro Four Thirds camera yet; Great high ISO performance; Very fast autofocus; Fast burst mode with deep buffers; Impressive Dual I.S. system; Great 4K video.
No built-in flash; Slow buffer clearing; Below average battery life; Limited I.S. for 4K video.
Read our Panasonic GX8 Review

Compact camera body; versatile 10x zoom lens; relatively good high ISO performance; fast autofocus; many good 4K video and photo features.
Soft lens at longer focal lengths; no tilting display; small electronic viewfinder; slippery finish on the camera body.
Read our Panasonic ZS100 Review

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-M1

Panasonic GX8

Olympus E-M1

$998
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

$1099
4/3

Fast startup
On-sensor phase detect

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Olympus E-M1

Panasonic ZS100

Olympus E-M1

$498
1 inch

Shoot 4K video
In-camera panoramas

$1099
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic ZS100 vs Olympus E-M1

Compared to Panasonic G7

Panasonic GX8

Panasonic G7

$998
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
NFC

$665
4/3

Less expensive
Internal flash

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Panasonic G7

Panasonic ZS100

Panasonic G7

$498
1 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$665
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic ZS100 vs Panasonic G7

Compared to Olympus E-M1 II

Panasonic GX8

Olympus E-M1 II

$998
4/3

In-camera panoramas
NFC

$1324
4/3

High resolution composite
Fast startup

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Olympus E-M1 II

Panasonic ZS100

Olympus E-M1 II

$498
1 inch

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

$1324
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic ZS100 vs Olympus E-M1 II

Compared to Sony RX100 VI

Panasonic GX8

Sony RX100 VI

$998
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

$949
1 inch

Less expensive
Built-in Bluetooth

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Sony RX100 VI

Panasonic ZS100

Sony RX100 VI

$498
1 inch

Less expensive
More telephoto lens reach

$949
1 inch

Slower slow-motion
Tiltable Screen

Compare Panasonic ZS100 vs Sony RX100 VI

Compared to Sony RX100 VII

Panasonic GX8

Sony RX100 VII

$998
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$1298
1 inch

Built-in Bluetooth
On-sensor phase detect

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Sony RX100 VII

Panasonic ZS100

Sony RX100 VII

$498
1 inch

Less expensive
More telephoto lens reach

$1298
1 inch

Slower slow-motion
Tiltable Screen

Compare Panasonic ZS100 vs Sony RX100 VII

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