• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 14.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 384.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 20.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 300.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic ZS8 advantages over Canon 170 IS

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.42 vs 1.20 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • More telephoto lens reach
    384 mm vs 300 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 340 vs 200 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    1.9 fps vs 0.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon 170 IS advantages over Panasonic ZS8

  • Less expensive
    $150 vs $280 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Thinner
    22 mm vs 33 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    141g vs 210g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    20.0 vs 14.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos

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
  • HDMI out
    Neither provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review 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

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

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

Compare Panasonic ZS8 vs Panasonic ZS10

Canon 170 IS
Panasonic ZS10
  • $371
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $214
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Touchscreen

Compare Canon 170 IS vs Panasonic ZS10

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

Compare Panasonic ZS8 vs Panasonic ZS15

Canon 170 IS
Panasonic ZS15
  • $371
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $273
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Canon 170 IS vs Panasonic ZS15

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

Compare Panasonic ZS8 vs Sony H90

Canon 170 IS
Sony H90
  • $371
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $223
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon 170 IS vs Sony H90

Compared to Canon 350 HS

Panasonic ZS8
Canon 350 HS
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $209
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Panasonic ZS8 vs Canon 350 HS

Canon 170 IS
Canon 350 HS
  • $371
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $209
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC

Compare Canon 170 IS vs Canon 350 HS

Compared to Canon 360 HS

Panasonic ZS8
Canon 360 HS
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $284
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC

Compare Panasonic ZS8 vs Canon 360 HS

Canon 170 IS
Canon 360 HS
  • $371
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $284
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC

Compare Canon 170 IS vs Canon 360 HS

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