• 1/2.5 inch 24.7mm2
  • 8.1 megapixels
  • 32.00mm - 160.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic DMC-LZ8 advantages over Olympus TG-630

  • Larger lens aperture
    f/3.3 vs f/3.9
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 470 vs 270 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Olympus TG-630 advantages over Panasonic DMC-LZ8

  • Larger sensor
    1/2.3 inch vs 1/2.5 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • Thinner
    21 mm vs 33 mm
    Thinner
  • Newer
    12 years vs 17 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • 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
  • More pixels
    12.0 vs 8.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle lens
    28 mm vs 32 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.0 fps vs 2.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    25 vs 4 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Olympus FE-310

Panasonic DMC-LZ8
Olympus FE-310
  • $180
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • Wider angle lens
  • $105
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
Olympus TG-630
Olympus FE-310
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Larger sensor
  • $105
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger lens aperture

Compared to Panasonic DMC-LZ10

Panasonic DMC-LZ8
Panasonic DMC-LZ10
  • $180
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $188
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • More pixels
Olympus TG-630
Panasonic DMC-LZ10
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $188
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Canon A2000 IS

Panasonic DMC-LZ8
Canon A2000 IS
  • $180
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Wider angle lens
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • More telephoto lens reach
Olympus TG-630
Canon A2000 IS
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Fujifilm XP50

Panasonic DMC-LZ8
Fujifilm XP50
  • $180
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $238
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Larger sensor
Olympus TG-630
Fujifilm XP50
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • HDMI out
  • $238
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels

Compared to Olympus TG-620

Panasonic DMC-LZ8
Olympus TG-620
  • $180
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Larger sensor
Olympus TG-630
Olympus TG-620
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slow-motion videos
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
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