Panasonic FS15 vs Panasonic LX3

Its time to look a little more closely at the Panasonic FS15 vs Panasonic LX3, former being a Ultracompact while the other is a Small Sensor Compact and both of them are designed by Panasonic. The image resolution of the FS15 (12MP) and the LX3 (10MP) is very similar but the FS15 (1/2.3") and LX3 (1/1.63") come with totally different sensor dimensions.

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The FS15 was announced 3 months later than the LX3 which means that they are both of a similar age. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic FS15 being a Ultracompact camera and the Panasonic LX3 being a Compact camera.

Before delving straight into a thorough comparison, below is a brief summation of how the FS15 scores vs the LX3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

This is a sample of the gallery pics for Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3. The whole galleries are available at Panasonic FS15 Gallery & Panasonic LX3 Gallery.

For anybody who is going to carry your camera often, you'll have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Panasonic FS15 provides outer dimensions of 97mm x 54mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") having a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs) whilst the Panasonic LX3 has measurements of 109mm x 60mm x 27mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic FS15 vs Panasonic LX3 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have chosen at that time. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the FS15 vs the LX3.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the FS15 and LX3 is 95 and 91 respectively.

More often than not, it is very hard to envision the contrast between sensor sizing merely by going over technical specs. The graphic here will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the FS15 and LX3.

As you can tell, both of those cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The FS15 using its tinier sensor will make achieving shallower DOF more challenging and the Panasonic FS15 will offer you more detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos much more aggressively.