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Nikon D5500 vs Panasonic ZS15

Portability
71
Imaging
66
Features
85
Overall
73
Nikon D5500 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 front
Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
37
Overall
36

Nikon D5500 vs Panasonic ZS15 Key Specs

Nikon D5500
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 420g - 124 x 97 x 70mm
  • Launched January 2015
  • Older Model is Nikon D5300
  • Renewed by Nikon D5600
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
  • Introduced June 2012
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ25
  • Replacement is Panasonic ZS20
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Nikon D5500 vs Panasonic ZS15 Overview

Its time to take a deeper look at the Nikon D5500 versus Panasonic ZS15, one is a Entry-Level DSLR and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Nikon and Panasonic. There is a crucial difference between the sensor resolutions of the D5500 (24MP) and ZS15 (12MP) and the D5500 (APS-C) and ZS15 (1/2.3") enjoy totally different sensor measurements.

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The D5500 was introduced 2 years after the ZS15 which is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Nikon D5500 being a Compact SLR camera and the Panasonic ZS15 being a Compact camera.

Before going through a detailed comparison, below is a short introduction of how the D5500 grades against the ZS15 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon D5500 over the Panasonic ZS15

 D5500 ZS15 
IntroducedJanuary 2015June 2012Newer by 31 months
Manual focus More precise focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen sizing3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k460kCrisper screen (+577k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS15 over the Nikon D5500

 ZS15 D5500 

Common features in the Nikon D5500 and Panasonic ZS15

 D5500 ZS15 

Nikon D5500 vs Panasonic ZS15 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to travel with your camera often, you are going to need to consider its weight and measurements. The Nikon D5500 offers external dimensions of 124mm x 97mm x 70mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.8") and a weight of 420 grams (0.93 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS15 has proportions of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") having a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs).

Check the Nikon D5500 versus Panasonic ZS15 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are utilising at that moment. The following is the front view proportions comparison of the D5500 and the ZS15.

Nikon D5500 vs Panasonic ZS15 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the D5500 and ZS15 is 71 and 92 respectively.

Nikon D5500 vs Panasonic ZS15 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D5500 vs Panasonic ZS15 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its tough to visualise the contrast between sensor dimensions purely by going over a spec sheet. The image here may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the D5500 and ZS15.

As you can see, both the cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The D5500 using its bigger sensor will make getting shallow depth of field easier and the Nikon D5500 will deliver extra detail using its extra 12 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop photographs far more aggressively. The more modern D5500 will have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon D5500 vs Panasonic ZS15 sensor size comparison

Nikon D5500 vs Panasonic ZS15 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D5500 vs Panasonic ZS15 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon D5500
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS15
79
has manual focus
good MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
21
manual focus not available
cannot use external flash
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon D5500 Street photography details
Panasonic ZS15 Street photography details
75
screen can move to multiple angles
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
supports touch focus
lighter than average in class (420 grams)
great high ISO (25,600)
no image stabilization
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (208g)
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D5500 Sports photography details
Panasonic ZS15 Sports photography details
68
good MP (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has tracking autofocus
great battery life (820 CIPA)
supports phase detect autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
36
long zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with tracking focus
low frames per second (2.0 fps)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
low battery life (260 shots)
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon D5500
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS15
81
great battery life (820 per charge)
lighter than average in class (420g)
supports touch focus
good MP (24 megapixels)
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
61
lighter than average (208g)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (24mm)
great reach (384mm)
no Timelapse function
low battery life (260 CIPA)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D5500 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS15 as a Landscape photography camera
78
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3.2")
good MP (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
great high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW files
great battery life (820 per charge)
no image stabilization
37
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
low battery life (260 shots)
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon D5500
Vlogging with Panasonic ZS15
75
screen is selfie friendly
screen is touchscreen
has face detection autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with external microphone support
lighter than average in class (420g)
no image stabilization
33
reasonably wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average (208 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
no microphone support
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Nikon D5500 vs Panasonic ZS15 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D5500 and Panasonic ZS15
 Nikon D5500Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon D5500 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-TZ25
Category Entry-Level DSLR Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2015-01-06 2012-06-29
Physical type Compact SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed 4 -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 366.6mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 6000 x 4000 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 25600 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 39 23
Cross type focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support Nikon F fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-384mm (16.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing distance - 3cm
Total lenses 309 -
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 3.2" 3"
Resolution of screen 1,037k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 15 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 5.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 6.40 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/200 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file 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 Optional None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 420 grams (0.93 lb) 208 grams (0.46 lb)
Dimensions 124 x 97 x 70mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.8") 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 84 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 24.1 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.0 not tested
DXO Low light rating 1438 not tested
Other
Battery life 820 pictures 260 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL14,EN-EL14a -
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release $700 $279