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Panasonic S5 vs Panasonic ZS15

Portability
60
Imaging
77
Features
92
Overall
83
Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 front
Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
37
Overall
36

Panasonic S5 vs Panasonic ZS15 Key Specs

Panasonic S5
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.0" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Bump to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 714g - 133 x 97 x 82mm
  • Introduced August 2020
  • Replacement is Panasonic S5 II
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
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ25
  • Replacement is Panasonic ZS20
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Panasonic S5 vs Panasonic ZS15 Overview

Let's look much closer at the Panasonic S5 versus Panasonic ZS15, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both designed by Panasonic. There is a sizeable difference between the sensor resolutions of the S5 (24MP) and ZS15 (12MP) and the S5 (Full frame) and ZS15 (1/2.3") boast totally different sensor sizing.

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The S5 was introduced 8 years after the ZS15 which is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic S5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS15 being a Compact camera.

Before getting into a complete comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the S5 matches up against the ZS15 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S5 over the Panasonic ZS15

 S5 ZS15 
RevealedAugust 2020June 2012More modern by 99 months
Manually focus Very precise focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1840k460kClearer screen (+1380k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS15 over the Panasonic S5

 ZS15 S5 

Common features in the Panasonic S5 and Panasonic ZS15

 S5 ZS15 
Screen size3.0"3"Same screen measurement

Panasonic S5 vs Panasonic ZS15 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry around your camera regularly, you're going to have to think about its weight and volume. The Panasonic S5 enjoys exterior dimensions of 133mm x 97mm x 82mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 3.2") along with a weight of 714 grams (1.57 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS15 has sizing of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") having a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic S5 versus Panasonic ZS15 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have chosen during that time. The following is a front view dimension comparison of the S5 vs the ZS15.

Panasonic S5 vs Panasonic ZS15 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the S5 and ZS15 is 60 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic S5 vs Panasonic ZS15 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S5 vs Panasonic ZS15 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is difficult to see the gap between sensor sizes just by reading specs. The image here might give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the S5 and ZS15.

All in all, the 2 cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The S5 with its bigger sensor will make shooting shallower DOF easier and the Panasonic S5 will offer you extra detail using its extra 12 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The fresher S5 will have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic S5 vs Panasonic ZS15 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S5 vs Panasonic ZS15 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S5 vs Panasonic ZS15 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S5 Portrait photography features
Panasonic ZS15 Portrait photography features
86
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (24MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
includes face detect focus
supports RAW formats
21
focusing manually not possible
cannot use external flash
low MP (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic S5 Street photography information
Panasonic ZS15 Street photography information
78
screen can move to multiple angles
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
boasts focus by touch
environment proofing
great ISO range (51,200)
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (208 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Panasonic S5 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZS15 as a Sports photography camera
82
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
silent mode (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (24MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
includes tracking focus
environment proofing
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
36
amazing zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking autofocus
low fps (2.0 fps)
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
not so great battery (260 per charge)
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic S5 Travel photography factors
Panasonic ZS15 Travel photography factors
79
environment proofing
supports bluetooth
boasts focus by touch
megapixel count decent (24MP)
display is selfie friendly
61
lighter than competition (208 grams)
flash built-in
fairly wide (24mm)
very long zoom (384mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
not so great battery (260 per charge)
low MP (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S5 Landscape photography features
Panasonic ZS15 Landscape photography features
86
focusing manually
change lenses (Leica L mount)
screen is a decent size (3.0 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (24MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
great ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
2 card slots
37
fairly wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
not so great battery (260 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S5 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZS15 as a Vlogging camera
79
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen enabled
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detect focus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
includes mic support
33
fairly wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (208 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have external mic support
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Panasonic S5 vs Panasonic ZS15 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S5 and Panasonic ZS15
 Panasonic Lumix DC-S5Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-TZ25
Type Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2020-08-14 2012-06-29
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 35.6 x 23.8mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 847.3mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 6000 x 4000 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 51200 6400
Max boosted ISO 204800 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Min boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 225 23
Lens
Lens mounting type Leica L fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-384mm (16.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus range - 3cm
Amount of lenses 31 -
Crop factor 1 5.8
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3.0" 3"
Display resolution 1,840k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 15 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Maximum quiet shutter speed 1/8000 seconds -
Continuous shooting rate 7.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 6.40 m
Flash modes Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync w/Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/250 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264, H.265 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes (can be charged with high-power laptop/tablet chargers or portable power banks) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 714 grams (1.57 pounds) 208 grams (0.46 pounds)
Physical dimensions 133 x 97 x 82mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 3.2") 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 440 images 260 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD Memory Card, SDHC Memory Card, SDXC Memory Card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 2 1
Price at launch $1,999 $279