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Sample photos: Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8

Check out an examination of photo quality from Panasonic's stripped-down compact megazoom, the 16x Lumix DMC-ZS8.

Joshua Goldman
Managing Editor Josh Goldman is a laptop expert and has been writing about and reviewing them since built-in Wi-Fi was an optional feature. He also covers almost anything connected to a PC, including keyboards, mice, USB-C docks and PC gaming accessories. In addition, he writes about cameras, including action cams and drones. And while he doesn't consider himself a gamer, he spends entirely too much time playing them.
Joshua Goldman
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ISO comparison

With plenty of light, the ZS8 can turn out very good photos, if a little soft. The color noise that I'm used to seeing from Panasonic's cameras isn't as prevalent in the ZS8's images. Don't get me wrong, it's still there and certainly visible at its highest sensitivity, ISO 1,600, but it's just not as bad on this camera. Regardless, the ZS8 is best suited for daylight outdoor use or indoors if brightly lit. Photos at or below ISO 200 can stand up to some cropping or larger prints, but low-light photos are best left for small prints and Web use.

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ZS8 vs. ZS10

On the upside, the ZS8's photo quality (top) is just as good--if not slightly better than--the ZS10's (bottom). If you were concerned that getting the less-expensive model would mean sacrificing image quality, don't be.

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Macro

For those that like to shoot close-ups, the ZS8 can focus as close as 1.2 inches from a subject and produces nice results. (This is a 100-percent crop of the inset photo.)

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ASM modes

For those who like to take more control, the ZS8 does offer aperture-priority, shutter-priority, and manual shooting modes. Apertures are f3.3-6.3 wide and 5.9-6.3 telephoto. Shutter speeds go from 60 seconds to 1/4,000 second.
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Burst mode

Though the ZS8 is just slightly slower than the ZS10 for much of its shooting performance, it can't match its burst shooting performance. However, it's still pretty good at 1.5 frames per second. That's with focus and exposure set with the first shot. The ZS10 is about twice as fast with autofocus on every shot; without AF it can do 15fps.

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Hi-speed Burst mode

The ZS8 does have faster burst shooting in its scene modes. The Hi-speed Burst mode will capture 3-megapixel photos at about 10fps or 5.5fps, depending on whether you make speed or image quality a priority. Either way, the results are pretty bad, but might be OK for Web use at small sizes.

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Zoom range

The lens goes from an ultrawide-angle 24mm (top) to a long 384mm (35mm equivalent) when fully extended (bottom). The camera's image stabilization is excellent, too.
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Lens distortion

While there is little sign of pincushioning when the lens is extended (bottom), the wide end of the lens shows some barrel distortion (top). The lens has good center sharpness and is reasonably consistent, just getting slightly softer at the edges and in the corners.
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Fringing

Fringing in high-contrast areas can be a bit of an issue for the ZS8. Mainly, it's more than I'm used to seeing from a Panasonic camera. This is a 100 percent crop of the inset photo. You can see the fuzzy purple glow coming off their shoulders and around their collars. The problem is even at smaller sizes, it will change the color of photo.
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Color

Color and exposure is very good from the ZS8 up to ISO 400. Subjects appear natural, bright, and pretty accurate. Above that sensitivity colors start to look washed out. And, like most compact cameras, it has a tendency to blow out highlights. White-balance presets are good for the most part; however, the auto white balance is not good indoors. Unfortunately, you're stuck with that setting if you're using Intelligent Auto. Whenever possible, use the presets or take a manual reading, which is really easy to do.
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Color modes

The ZS8 offers eight color filters to choose from when shooting. From left to right: Standard, Natural, Vivid, Black & White, Sepia, Cool, Warm, and Happy (only in iA mode).

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Creative modes

If you want to experiment, Panasonic offers up a few of its creative-minded scene modes. On the left are examples of the ZS8's Pin Hole and Film Grain modes. On the right from top to bottom are its High Dynamic mode options: Standard, Art, and B&W.

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13 of 13 Screenshot: Joshua Goldman/CNET

Lumix Image Uploader

For those who want to share photos or videos as quickly as possible, Panasonic added a new Lumix Image Uploader application to the ZS8 and other 2011 models. Formatting your memory card with the camera drops the software on your card. Just select what you want to upload in playback on the camera and connect to a computer or pop your card in a reader. Launch the software from the card and follow the directions. It's pretty straightforward and works well.

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