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Nikon S32 vs Panasonic ZS15

Portability
90
Imaging
36
Features
23
Overall
30
Nikon Coolpix S32 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 front
Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
37
Overall
36

Nikon S32 vs Panasonic ZS15 Key Specs

Nikon S32
(Full Review)
  • 13MP - 1/3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 1600
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 30-90mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 175g - 108 x 66 x 40mm
  • Revealed February 2014
Panasonic ZS15
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 208g - 105 x 58 x 33mm
  • Released June 2012
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ25
  • Replacement is Panasonic ZS20
Photography Glossary

Nikon S32 vs Panasonic ZS15 Overview

Here is a extended comparison of the Nikon S32 versus Panasonic ZS15, one being a Waterproof and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Nikon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the S32 (13MP) and the ZS15 (12MP) is pretty comparable but the S32 (1/3") and ZS15 (1/2.3") feature totally different sensor dimensions.

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The S32 was announced 20 months later than the ZS15 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief summation of how the S32 scores against the ZS15 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S32 over the Panasonic ZS15

 S32 ZS15 
ReleasedFebruary 2014June 2012Fresher by 20 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS15 over the Nikon S32

 ZS15 S32 
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Nikon S32 and Panasonic ZS15

 S32 ZS15 
Manual focus Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Nikon S32 vs Panasonic ZS15 Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry your camera frequently, you have to think about its weight and measurements. The Nikon S32 has external measurements of 108mm x 66mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 175 grams (0.39 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS15 has proportions of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") with a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs).

Check the Nikon S32 versus Panasonic ZS15 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you choose at the time. The following is the front view measurements comparison of the S32 compared to the ZS15.

Nikon S32 vs Panasonic ZS15 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the S32 and ZS15 is 90 and 92 respectively.

Nikon S32 vs Panasonic ZS15 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S32 vs Panasonic ZS15 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is tough to envision the difference in sensor sizing merely by going through specs. The graphic here might provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the S32 and ZS15.

All in all, the two cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The S32 having a smaller sensor will make getting shallower depth of field more difficult and the Nikon S32 will provide greater detail with its extra 1 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots much more aggressively. The younger S32 will have an edge in sensor technology.

Nikon S32 vs Panasonic ZS15 sensor size comparison

Nikon S32 vs Panasonic ZS15 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S32 vs Panasonic ZS15 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon S32
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS15
33
good MP (13MP)
offers face detect autofocus
manual focus not available
no manual exposure
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/3")
doesn't have RAW support
21
lack of manual focus
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Nikon S32 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS15 as a Street photography camera
60
has image stabilization (Digital)
environment sealing
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/3")
doesn't have RAW support
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (208 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S32 Sports photography features
Panasonic ZS15 Sports photography features
36
has image stabilization (Digital)
good MP (13MP)
environment sealing
continuous shooting slow (5.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/3")
bad battery power (220 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
36
amazing zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (260 shots)
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S32 Travel photography advice
Panasonic ZS15 Travel photography advice
58
environment sealing
good MP (13MP)
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse function
bad battery power (220 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (30mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
61
lighter than competition in class (208g)
flash built-in
really wide (24mm)
long zoom (384mm)
missing Timelapse function
terrible battery power (260 CIPA)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S32 Landscape photography features
Panasonic ZS15 Landscape photography features
34
has image stabilization (Digital)
good MP (13MP)
environment sealing
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (30mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
no manual exposure
tiny sensor (1/3")
doesn't have RAW support
bad battery power (220 shots)
does not have Timelapse function
37
really wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
terrible battery power (260 CIPA)
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S32 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZS15 as a Vlogging camera
30
has image stabilization (Digital)
offers face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
wide angle not the best (30mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have microphone support
33
really wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (208 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
missing microphone support
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Nikon S32 vs Panasonic ZS15 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S32 and Panasonic ZS15
 Nikon Coolpix S32Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix S32 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-TZ25
Category Waterproof Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2014-02-07 2012-06-29
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 4.8 x 3.6mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 17.3mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 13 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4160 x 3120 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 125 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 23
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 30-90mm (3.0x) 24-384mm (16.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus distance 5cm 3cm
Crop factor 7.5 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech TFT LCD with anti-reflection coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 15 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 5.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.10 m 6.40 m
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920x1080 (30p), VGA 640x480 (30p, 15p) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 175 gr (0.39 lbs) 208 gr (0.46 lbs)
Dimensions 108 x 66 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.6") 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 220 images 260 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL19 -
Self timer Yes (Approx. 10 seconds ) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD / SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Price at launch $180 $279