Clicky

Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic ZS15

Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
51
Overall
43
Nikon Coolpix S6500 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 front
Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
37
Overall
35

Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic ZS15 Key Specs

Nikon S6500
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-300mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 250g - 95 x 58 x 26mm
  • Launched January 2013
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
  • Announced June 2012
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ25
  • Updated by Panasonic ZS20
Photography Glossary

Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic ZS15 Overview

Below, we are analyzing the Nikon S6500 versus Panasonic ZS15, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by rivals Nikon and Panasonic. There exists a sizable gap between the resolutions of the S6500 (16MP) and ZS15 (12MP) but they come with the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

Mastering Nature Photography with a Digital Microscope Camera

The S6500 was launched 7 months later than the ZS15 and they are both of a similar age. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a concise view of how the S6500 grades against the ZS15 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

        

Reasons to pick Nikon S6500 over the Panasonic ZS15

 S6500 ZS15 
AnnouncedJanuary 2013June 2012Fresher by 7 months
Focus manually Dial exact focusing

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS15 over the Nikon S6500

 ZS15 S6500 

Common features in the Nikon S6500 and Panasonic ZS15

 S6500 ZS15 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display sizing
Display resolution460k460kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic ZS15 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry your camera frequently, you will have to consider its weight and size. The Nikon S6500 offers outer dimensions of 95mm x 58mm x 26mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 1.0") accompanied by a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS15 has specifications of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") along with a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs).

Look at the Nikon S6500 versus Panasonic ZS15 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Below is the front view physical size comparison of the S6500 against the ZS15.

Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic ZS15 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the S6500 and ZS15 is 92 and 92 respectively.

Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic ZS15 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic ZS15 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be tough to see the gap between sensor sizing only by reading through technical specs. The visual underneath should give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the S6500 and ZS15.

As you can tell, both the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but not the same MP. You can expect to see the Nikon S6500 to give extra detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop pics somewhat more aggressively. The more recent S6500 is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic ZS15 sensor size comparison

Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic ZS15 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic ZS15 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon S6500
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS15
43
manual focus
decent MP (16MP)
includes face detection focus
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
21
lack of manual focus
no external flash support
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Street Comparison

Nikon S6500 Street photography highlights
Panasonic ZS15 Street photography highlights
62
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (250 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (208 grams)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Sports Comparison

Nikon S6500 Sports photography advice
Panasonic ZS15 Sports photography advice
49
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
includes tracking autofocus
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
36
amazing zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking focus
low fps (2.0 fps)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
terrible battery (260 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Travel Comparison

Nikon S6500 Travel photography features
Panasonic ZS15 Travel photography features
69
lighter than competitors in class (250g)
decent MP (16MP)
flash built-in
really wide (25mm)
long zoom (300mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
61
lighter than competition in class (208 grams)
flash built-in
pretty wide (24mm)
long reach (384mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
terrible battery (260 shots)
low megapixels (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Landscape Comparison

Nikon S6500 Landscape photography details
Panasonic ZS15 Landscape photography details
49
manual focus
really wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
36
pretty wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
low megapixels (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
terrible battery (260 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse mode
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S6500 Vlogging features
Panasonic ZS15 Vlogging features
34
really wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors in class (250 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
doesn't have external mic jack
33
pretty wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (208 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have microphone support
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic ZS15 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S6500 and Panasonic ZS15
 Nikon Coolpix S6500Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix S6500 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-TZ25
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2013-01-08 2012-06-29
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points - 23
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-300mm (12.0x) 24-384mm (16.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing range 5cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech AMOLED display -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8 seconds 15 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 6.40 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 480fps (176 x 128), 240fps (384 x 288) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone 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 BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 250 gr (0.55 lbs) 208 gr (0.46 lbs)
Dimensions 95 x 58 x 26mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 1.0") 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 - 260 photos
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID SLB-10A -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $170 $279