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Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic ZS15

Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26
Olympus Stylus 550WP front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 front
Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
37
Overall
36

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic ZS15 Key Specs

Olympus 550WP
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 1600
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 38-114mm (F3.5-5.0) lens
  • 167g - 94 x 62 x 22mm
  • Announced January 2009
  • Alternative Name is mju 550WP
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
  • Revealed June 2012
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ25
  • Updated by Panasonic ZS20
Photography Glossary

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic ZS15 Overview

Let's look a bit more in depth at the Olympus 550WP versus Panasonic ZS15, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the 550WP (10MP) and the ZS15 (12MP) is pretty comparable and they feature the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The 550WP was introduced 4 years before the ZS15 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going through a more detailed comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the 550WP grades versus the ZS15 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus 550WP over the Panasonic ZS15

 550WP ZS15 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS15 over the Olympus 550WP

 ZS15 550WP 
RevealedJune 2012January 2009Fresher by 42 months
Screen sizing3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Olympus 550WP and Panasonic ZS15

 550WP ZS15 
Focus manually No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic ZS15 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry your camera regularly, you should consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus 550WP enjoys external dimensions of 94mm x 62mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.9") and a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS15 has dimensions of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs).

Look at the Olympus 550WP versus Panasonic ZS15 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are utilising at the time. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the 550WP and the ZS15.

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic ZS15 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the 550WP and ZS15 is 94 and 92 respectively.

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic ZS15 top view buttons comparison

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic ZS15 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's tough to see the gap in sensor sizing only by going through specs. The visual underneath might give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the 550WP and ZS15.

All in all, both cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same megapixels. You should expect the Panasonic ZS15 to provide extra detail using its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will help you crop shots far more aggressively. The older 550WP will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic ZS15 sensor size comparison

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic ZS15 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic ZS15 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus 550WP as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZS15 as a Portrait photography camera
19
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
21
focusing manually not possible
can't use external flash
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus 550WP Street photography details
Panasonic ZS15 Street photography details
61
image stabilization (Digital)
weather proof
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (208 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus 550WP as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZS15 as a Sports photography camera
30
image stabilization (Digital)
weather proof
max shutter speed is low (1/1,000s)
lack of shutter priority mode
MP count low (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
36
great zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers tracking autofocus
slow frames per second (2.0 frames/s)
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (260 CIPA)
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus 550WP Travel photography features
Panasonic ZS15 Travel photography features
55
weather proof
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse mode
MP count low (10MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (38mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
61
lighter than competitors in class (208 grams)
has built in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
long reach (384mm)
does not have Timelapse function
terrible battery life (260 per charge)
low MP (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus 550WP Landscape photography advice
Panasonic ZS15 Landscape photography advice
30
image stabilization (Digital)
weather proof
focusing manually not possible
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (38mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.5")
lack of manual exposure
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse mode
37
relatively wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
terrible battery life (260 shots)
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus 550WP Vlogging info
Panasonic ZS15 Vlogging info
25
image stabilization (Digital)
wide angle not the best (38mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
video res low (640 x 480 pixels)
doesn't have microphone jack
33
relatively wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors in class (208g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have external microphone port
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Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic ZS15 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus 550WP and Panasonic ZS15
 Olympus Stylus 550WPPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus Stylus 550WP Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15
Also called mju 550WP Lumix DMC-TZ25
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2009-01-07 2012-06-29
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 64 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 23
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 38-114mm (3.0x) 24-384mm (16.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.5-5.0 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing range 7cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.5" 3"
Display resolution 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 15 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed - 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 6.40 m
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Off, On Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 167 grams (0.37 lb) 208 grams (0.46 lb)
Dimensions 94 x 62 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.9") 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 - 260 images
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage xD-Picture Card, microSD, internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at release $399 $279