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Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic ZS15

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
14
Overall
26
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 front
Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
37
Overall
36

Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic ZS15 Key Specs

Panasonic FS12
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Expand to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 31-124mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 129g - 97 x 55 x 22mm
  • Introduced April 2009
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
  • Announced June 2012
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ25
  • Updated by Panasonic ZS20
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Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic ZS15 Overview

Below, we will be matching up the Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic ZS15, former is a Ultracompact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are manufactured by Panasonic. The image resolution of the FS12 (12MP) and the ZS15 (12MP) is pretty close and they use the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The FS12 was announced 4 years before the ZS15 which is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic FS12 being a Ultracompact camera and the Panasonic ZS15 being a Compact camera.

Before we go straight into a complete comparison, below is a simple overview of how the FS12 matches up against the ZS15 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS12 over the Panasonic ZS15

 FS12 ZS15 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS15 over the Panasonic FS12

 ZS15 FS12 
AnnouncedJune 2012April 2009More modern by 38 months
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FS12 and Panasonic ZS15

 FS12 ZS15 
Manual focus No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic ZS15 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry around your camera often, you will want to consider its weight and size. The Panasonic FS12 provides outer measurements of 97mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 129 grams (0.28 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS15 has specifications of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") and a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic ZS15 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Underneath is the front view physical size comparison of the FS12 vs the ZS15.

Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic ZS15 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the FS12 and ZS15 is 95 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic ZS15 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic ZS15 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be hard to see the contrast in sensor sizes only by looking through specs. The picture underneath might give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the FS12 and ZS15.

All in all, the 2 cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements and the same exact megapixels and you can expect comparable quality of photos but you will want to factor the launch date of the cameras into account. The more aged FS12 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic ZS15 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic ZS15 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic ZS15 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Portrait photography info
Panasonic ZS15 Portrait photography info
20
lack of manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
low resolution (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
21
manual focus not available
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic FS12
Street photography with Panasonic ZS15
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (208g)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Sports photography factors
Panasonic ZS15 Sports photography factors
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
low resolution (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
36
incredible zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes tracking focus
low fps (2.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery (260 CIPA)
lack of phase detect AF
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS12 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS15 as a Travel photography camera
51
has built in flash
no Time Lapse mode
low resolution (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (31mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
61
lighter than competition (208 grams)
flash built-in
decently wide (24mm)
great reach (384mm)
missing Timelapse function
bad battery (260 per charge)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic ZS15 Landscape photography highlights
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (31mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7")
no manual control
low resolution (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
no Time Lapse mode
37
decently wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
bad battery (260 shots)
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Vlogging features
Panasonic ZS15 Vlogging features
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (31mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (640 x 480 pxls)
no external mic support
33
decently wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (208g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
missing microphone socket
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Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic ZS15 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS12 and Panasonic ZS15
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15
General Information
Company Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15
Also called as - Lumix DMC-TZ25
Class Ultracompact Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2009-04-17 2012-06-29
Physical type Ultracompact 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 area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Max boosted ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points - 23
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 31-124mm (4.0x) 24-384mm (16.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing range 5cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7" 3"
Resolution of display 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 15 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.30 m 6.40 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync 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
Supported video resolutions 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 129 gr (0.28 pounds) 208 gr (0.46 pounds)
Dimensions 97 x 55 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") 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
Battery type - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Retail price $228 $279