• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 14.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 384.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Panasonic ZS8 advantages over Sony A6300

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Thinner
    33 mm vs 48 mm
    Thinner
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Sony A6300 advantages over Panasonic ZS8

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.33 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.92 vs 1.42 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 720p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    9 years vs 14 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.16 vs 0.24 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 14.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.1 fps vs 1.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    44 vs 3 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • 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
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • 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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Buy the Sony A6300

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent image quality; Improved high-ISO performance; Better JPEG quality; Fast autofocus; Very good subject tracking with real-time live view feature; All-magnesium body construction; 4K video.

  • Slow buffer clearing (no UHS-II support); No touchscreen, Clunky menus; Wi-Fi can be a bit frustrating to use.

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
Sony A6300
Panasonic ZS10
  • $846
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $214
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Touchscreen

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
Sony A6300
Panasonic ZS15
  • $846
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $273
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner

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
Sony A6300
Sony H90
  • $846
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $223
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner

Compared to Fujifilm X-A3

Panasonic ZS8
Fujifilm X-A3
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Fast startup
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Sony A6300
Fujifilm X-A3
  • $846
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen

Compared to Sony A6500

Panasonic ZS8
Sony A6500
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight
  • $1216
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Sony A6300
Sony A6500
  • $846
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • $1216
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Touchscreen
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