Nikon D3100 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8

      Nikon D3100

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8
      61
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      52
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      Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

      Overview

      In this comparison, we will evaluate the Nikon D3100 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

      Nikon D3100 was introduced in December 2010 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 was introduced in July 2011. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Nikon D3100 Highlights

      • 14 MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
      • 100 - 3,200 Native ISO
      • 11 Focus Points (11 Cross-type)
      • 3.0" 230k dot Fixed Screen
      • Optical (pentamirror) Viewfinder
      • 3.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1920 x 1080 Video Shooting
      • Built-in Flash

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 Highlights

      • 14.1 MP 1/2.33-inch CCD Sensor
      • 100 - 6,400 Native ISO
      • 11 Focus Points (11 Cross-type)
      • Image Stabilization
      • 3.0" 230k dot Fixed Screen
      • 1.9 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1280 x 720 Video Shooting
      • Built-in Flash
      Table of Contents
      1. Overview
      2. Pros and Cons
      3. Advantage of Nikon D3100
      4. Advantage of Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8
      5. Common Strengths and Weaknesses
      6. Screen and Viewfinder
      7. Sensor
      8. Photography Features
      9. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
      10. Other Features
      11. Physical Parameters
      12. For Different Types of Photography
      13. Evaluations
      14. Specifications  

      Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Nikon D3100 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8.

      PROS

      Nikon D3100

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8

      •   Video Capture
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Orientation Sensor
      •   Video Capture
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Light - 210 g (0.46 lb / 7.41 oz)
      •   Internal Storage
      •   Orientation Sensor

      CONS

      Nikon D3100

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8

      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 14 Megapixel
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   1 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 550 shots
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 14.1 Megapixel
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 1.9 fps
      •   No External Flash Connectivity
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 340 shots


      And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

      AVERAGE

      Nikon D3100

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8

      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   -1 EV Min AF Detection
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/200 sec
      •   DxO Overall Score - 67
      •   Weight - 505 g (1.11 lb / 17.81 oz)
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec

      Advantage of Nikon D3100

      Nikon D3100
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Nikon D3100 over Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8.

      Nikon D3100 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8
      Larger Sensor APS-C vs 1/2.33-inch
      RAW Support vs
      More Cross-type Focus Points 1 vs 0
      Selective Autofocus vs
      Single Autofocus vs
      Face Detection vs
      Phase Detection for Autofocus vs
      Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) vs
      Higher Max Continuous Shooting 3.0 fps vs 1.9 fps
      External Flash Connectivity vs
      Average Metering vs
      Higher Video Resolution 1920 x 1080 vs 1280 x 720
      Longer Battery Life 550 shots vs 340 shots

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Nikon D3100.

      Nikon D3500
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      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Nikon D3000
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      APS-C

      10.2 MP

      Nikon D3300
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Nikon D3400
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Nikon D3200
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Canon SX530 HS
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      16 MP

      Nikon Z7 II
      Image cannot be found

      Full Frame

      45.7 MP

      Canon SX150 IS
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      14.1 MP

      Pentax WG-3 GPS
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      1/2.3-inch

      16 MP

      Pentax K100D Super
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      APS-C

      6.1 MP

      Canon 5DS
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      Full Frame

      50.6 MP

      Nikon L610
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      1/2.3-inch

      16 MP

      Advantage of Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8

      Panasonic ZS8
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 over Nikon D3100.

      Nikon D3100 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8
      Higher Sensor Resolution 14 Megapixel vs 14.1 Megapixel
      Higher Native ISO 3,200 vs 6,400
      Max Image Resolution 4608 x 3072 vs 4320 x 3240
      Center Autofocus vs
      Image Stabilization vs
      Lower Min Shutter Speed 30 sec vs 60 sec
      Spot Metering vs
      Speaker vs Mono
      Lighter 505 g (1.11 lb / 17.81 oz) vs 210 g (0.46 lb / 7.41 oz)
      Internal Storage vs 70 MB

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8.

      Panasonic ZS5
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      1/2.33-inch

      12.1 MP

      Panasonic ZS1
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      1/2.5-inch

      10.1 MP

      Panasonic ZS7
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      1/2.33-inch

      12.1 MP

      Panasonic ZS3
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      1/2.33-inch

      10 MP

      Nikon Z8
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      Full Frame

      45.7 MP

      Fujifilm X-E2
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      APS-C

      16.3 MP

      Canon R3
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      Full Frame

      24.1 MP

      Sony a6100
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      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Sony a7R IIIA
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      Full Frame

      42.4 MP

      Canon R100
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      APS-C

      24.1 MP

      Canon R7
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      APS-C

      32.5 MP

      Sony a7R IV
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      Full Frame

      61.0 MP

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

      STRENGTHS Nikon D3100 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8
        Video Capture
        Live View Autofocus
        Built-in Flash
        HDMI Output Mini Type C
        Orientation Sensor
      WEAKNESSES Nikon D3100 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8
        Low Resolution Sensor14 Megapixel14.1 Megapixel
        Timelapse Recording
        Few Focus Points1111
        Few Cross-type Focus Points10
        Screen TypeFixedFixed
        Low Resolution Screen230k dot230k dot
        Low Max Continuous Shooting3.0 fps1.9 fps
        Low Video Resolution1920 x 10801280 x 720
        No Microphone Input
        No Headphone Output
        No Built-in GPS
        No Built-In Wi-Fi via Eye-Fi
        No Built-In Bluetooth
        No Environmental Sealing
        Short Battery Life550 shots340 shots

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Screen

      Nikon D3100 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 have 3.0" Fixed screens with 230k dot resolution.


      Optical (pentamirror) Viewfinder on Nikon D3100

      Nikon D3100 has a built-in Optical (pentamirror) viewfinder. It has a 95% coverage and 0.80x (0.53x 35mm equivalent) magnification. There is no built-in or optional viewfinder available on Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8.

      Sensor

      Nikon D3100 features a 14 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with dimensions of 23.1 x 15.4 mm and a total area of 355.7 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 3,200 and expands to 100 - 12,800 in boosted mode. Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 features a 14.1 megapixel 1/2.33-inch CCD sensor with dimensions of 6.08 x 4.56 mm and a total area of 20.8 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 6,400.

      Photography Features

      Nikon D3100 is equipped with EXPEED 2 processor and can take pictures up to 4608 x 3072 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3456 x 2304, 2304 x 1536 with 3:2 aspect ratios. Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 is equipped with Venus Engine FHD processor and can take pictures up to 4320 x 3240 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4320 x 3240, 4320 x 2880, 4320 x 2432, 3648 x 2736, 3648 x 2432, 3648 x 2056, 3232 x 3232,3072 x 2048, 3072 x 2304, 3072 x 1728, 2736 x 2736, 2560 x 1920, 2560 x 1712, 2560 x 1440, 2304 x 2304, 2048 x 1536, 2048 x 1360, 1920 x 1920, 1920 x 1080, 1536 x 1536, 640 x 480, 640 x 424, 640 x 360, 480 x 480 with 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios.

      Image Stabilization on Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 has an image stabilization.

      Connectivity, Battery and Storage

      USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

      Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. Nikon D3100 has a Mini Type C HDMI and Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 has an HDMI connector for video signal output.


      Battery

      Nikon D3100 comes with EN-EL14 battery pack with battery life of 550 shots.


      External Storage Slots

      Cameras have a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Nikon D3100 has Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Nikon D3100, and up to 1/4000 sec on Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8. Nikon D3100 can shoot continuously up to 3.0 fps. Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 can shoot continuously up to 1.9 fps.


      Focusing

      Nikon D3100 has 11 (1 cross-type) focusing points and Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 has 11 focusing points. Nikon D3100 has detection range from -1 to +19 EV.


      Exposure

      Exposure meterings of Nikon D3100 ranges from 0 to +20 EV and you can set the exposure compensation within the ±5 EV range on Nikon D3100 and ±2 range on Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8. You can also do exposure lock and manual exposure adjustment on Nikon D3100 and exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8.


      Flash

      Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 12.00 m at ISO 100 on Nikon D3100 and 5.00 m on Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8. Nikon D3100 also accepts external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe with sync and data contacts and safety lock. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/200 sec on Nikon D3100.

      Physical Parameters

      Nikon D3100 body has dimensions of 124 x 96 x 75 mm (4.88 x 3.78 x 2.95") and Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 body has dimensions of 105 x 58 x 33 mm (4.13 x 2.28 x 1.3"). Nikon D3100 weighs 505 g (1.11 lb / 17.81 oz) and Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 weighs 210 g (0.46 lb / 7.41 oz).

      Nikon D3100

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8

      124 mm

      96 mm

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      105 mm

      58 mm

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      96 mm

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      58 mm

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      75 mm

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      33 mm

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      Size comparisons of Nikon D3100 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8

      Nikon D3100 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 for Different Types of Photography

      We give scores to the cameras for six types of photography based on their features and specifications. Let us see how suitable they are for each type of photography.

      Landscape Photography

      Nikon D3100

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8

      AVERAGE
      69
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      POOR
      46
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Nikon D3100

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8

      AVERAGE
      66
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   1 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   Short Battery Life - 550 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      AVERAGE
      63
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 1.9 fps
      •   Short Battery Life - 340 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Wildlife Photography

      Nikon D3100

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8

      AVERAGE
      58
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   1 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 550 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      AVERAGE
      68
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 1.9 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 340 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Portrait Photography

      Nikon D3100

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8

      GOOD
      78
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   1 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/200 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor
      AVERAGE
      59
      •   Small Sensor
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No External Flash Connectivity
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Street Photography

      Nikon D3100

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8

      GOOD
      78
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   1 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 505 g (1.11 lb / 17.81 oz)
      GOOD
      81
      •   Small Sensor
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 210 g (0.46 lb / 7.41 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Nikon D3100

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8

      GOOD
      79
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 505 g (1.11 lb / 17.81 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 550 shots
      EXCELLENT
      86
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 210 g (0.46 lb / 7.41 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 340 shots

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Nikon D3100 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 and give them scores of 61 and 52 out of 100 recpectively. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


      Nikon D3100

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8

      OVERALL
      61
      OVERALL
      52

      Sensor

      Nikon D3100

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8

      AVERAGE
      67
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 14 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   DxO Overall Score - 67
      POOR
      46
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 14.1 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO

      Photo

      Nikon D3100

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8

      AVERAGE
      59
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/200 sec
      AVERAGE
      61
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 1.9 fps
      •   No External Flash Connectivity

      Video

      Nikon D3100

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8

      BAD
      14
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      POOR
      43
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720

      Focusing

      Nikon D3100

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8

      GOOD
      82
      •   -1 EV Min AF Detection
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   1 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      AVERAGE
      61
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Nikon D3100

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8

      AVERAGE
      66
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      POOR
      52
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Viewfinder

      Connectivity

      Nikon D3100

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8

      AVERAGE
      61
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      AVERAGE
      55
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Nikon D3100

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8

      POOR
      43
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 505 g (1.11 lb / 17.81 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 550 shots
      POOR
      43
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 210 g (0.46 lb / 7.41 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 340 shots
      •   Internal Storage


      For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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