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Nikon B500 vs Panasonic ZS15

Portability
68
Imaging
41
Features
50
Overall
44
Nikon Coolpix B500 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 front
Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
37
Overall
36

Nikon B500 vs Panasonic ZS15 Key Specs

Nikon B500
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 23-900mm (F3.0-6.5) lens
  • 541g - 114 x 78 x 95mm
  • Announced February 2016
Panasonic ZS15
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 208g - 105 x 58 x 33mm
  • Launched June 2012
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ25
  • Newer Model is Panasonic ZS20
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Nikon B500 vs Panasonic ZS15 Overview

On this page, we are contrasting the Nikon B500 versus Panasonic ZS15, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Panasonic. There is a sizable difference among the image resolutions of the B500 (16MP) and ZS15 (12MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The B500 was introduced 3 years after the ZS15 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Nikon B500 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic ZS15 being a Compact camera.

Before diving into a thorough comparison, here is a brief summary of how the B500 scores versus the ZS15 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon B500 over the Panasonic ZS15

 B500 ZS15 
LaunchedFebruary 2016June 2012Newer by 45 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution921k460kClearer display (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS15 over the Nikon B500

 ZS15 B500 

Common features in the Nikon B500 and Panasonic ZS15

 B500 ZS15 
Focus manually No manual focus
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display dimensions
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Missing Touch display

Nikon B500 vs Panasonic ZS15 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to travel with your camera often, you're going to have to consider its weight and proportions. The Nikon B500 comes with outside dimensions of 114mm x 78mm x 95mm (4.5" x 3.1" x 3.7") having a weight of 541 grams (1.19 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS15 has measurements of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") and a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs).

Check out the Nikon B500 versus Panasonic ZS15 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you select during that time. Underneath is a front view measurement comparison of the B500 and the ZS15.

Nikon B500 vs Panasonic ZS15 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the B500 and ZS15 is 68 and 92 respectively.

Nikon B500 vs Panasonic ZS15 top view buttons comparison

Nikon B500 vs Panasonic ZS15 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very hard to see the difference in sensor dimensions purely by going through specifications. The image here may give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the B500 and ZS15.

To sum up, each of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same MP. You can anticipate the Nikon B500 to provide extra detail using its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop pics more aggressively. The younger B500 will have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Nikon B500 vs Panasonic ZS15 sensor size comparison

Nikon B500 vs Panasonic ZS15 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon B500 vs Panasonic ZS15 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon B500 Portrait photography details
Panasonic ZS15 Portrait photography details
37
megapixel count good (16MP)
offers face detect autofocus
no manual focus
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
21
manual focus not available
external flash not possible
low MP (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Nikon B500 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS15 as a Street photography camera
52
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Optical)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
more heavy than competition (541 grams)
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (208g)
screen is fixed
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Nikon B500 Sports photography details
Panasonic ZS15 Sports photography details
51
incredible zoom range (23-900mm 39.1 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
offers tracking focus
good battery pack (600 per charge)
no shutter priority
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
36
great zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking focus
slow frames per second (2.0 fps)
low MP (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
low battery pack (260 per charge)
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon B500 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic ZS15 Travel photography highlights
59
good battery pack (600 shots)
connects via bluetooth
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
decently wide (23mm)
long zoom (900mm)
missing Timelapse recording
more heavy than competition (541g)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
61
lighter than competition (208g)
built-in flash
quite wide (24mm)
long reach (384mm)
no Time Lapse mode
low battery pack (260 CIPA)
low MP (12 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon B500 Landscape photography information
Panasonic ZS15 Landscape photography information
45
decently wide (23mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
good battery pack (600 shots)
no manual focus
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
missing Timelapse recording
37
quite wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
low MP (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
low battery pack (260 shots)
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon B500 Vlogging features
Panasonic ZS15 Vlogging features
27
decently wide (23mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing microphone socket
more heavy than competition (541g)
33
quite wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (208g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not have a selfie friendly display
no mic support
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Nikon B500 vs Panasonic ZS15 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon B500 and Panasonic ZS15
 Nikon Coolpix B500Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15
General Information
Brand Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix B500 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15
Also Known as - Lumix DMC-TZ25
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2016-02-23 2012-06-29
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 23
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 23-900mm (39.1x) 24-384mm (16.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.0-6.5 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 921k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 1s 15s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 7.4 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.90 m (at Auto ISO) 6.40 m
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 541 grams (1.19 lbs) 208 grams (0.46 lbs)
Physical dimensions 114 x 78 x 95mm (4.5" x 3.1" x 3.7") 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 600 images 260 images
Form of battery AA Battery Pack
Battery ID 4 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at release $300 $279