Panasonic FS15 vs Panasonic SZ1
95 Imaging
34 Features
17 Overall
27


95 Imaging
39 Features
34 Overall
37
Panasonic FS15 vs Panasonic SZ1 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 1600 (Increase to 6400)
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 29-145mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
- 136g - 97 x 54 x 22mm
- Announced January 2009
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
- 131g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
- Released January 2012

Panasonic FS15 vs Panasonic SZ1 Overview
In this write-up, we will be looking at the Panasonic FS15 and Panasonic SZ1, former is a Ultracompact while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and both of them are created by Panasonic. There is a noticeable difference between the sensor resolutions of the FS15 (12MP) and SZ1 (16MP) but they come with the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The FS15 was brought out 4 years earlier than the SZ1 which is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FS15 being a Ultracompact camera and the Panasonic SZ1 being a Compact camera.
Before getting through a full comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the FS15 scores versus the SZ1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Panasonic FS15 vs Panasonic SZ1 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1. The entire galleries are viewable at Panasonic FS15 Gallery & Panasonic SZ1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic FS15 over the Panasonic SZ1
FS15 | SZ1 |
---|
Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Panasonic FS15
SZ1 | FS15 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | January 2012 | ![]() | January 2009 | More modern by 36 months |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Common features in the Panasonic FS15 and Panasonic SZ1
FS15 | SZ1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | No manual focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Identical screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Missing selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Missing Touch friendly screen |
Panasonic FS15 vs Panasonic SZ1 Physical Comparison
If you are looking to carry around your camera frequently, you will have to factor in its weight and volume. The Panasonic FS15 has got exterior dimensions of 97mm x 54mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") and a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs) and the Panasonic SZ1 has sizing of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") with a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs).
Check out the Panasonic FS15 and Panasonic SZ1 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are employing during that time. Underneath is the front view measurement comparison of the FS15 and the SZ1.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the FS15 and SZ1 is 95 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic FS15 vs Panasonic SZ1 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it is very hard to imagine the difference between sensor sizes simply by reading through a spec sheet. The pic underneath will provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the FS15 and SZ1.
As you can see, the 2 cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different MP. You can expect the Panasonic SZ1 to resolve extra detail having its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures a little more aggressively. The more aged FS15 is going to be behind in sensor tech.

Panasonic FS15 vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS15 vs Panasonic SZ1 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Panasonic | Panasonic |
Model type | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 |
Class | Ultracompact | Small Sensor Compact |
Announced | 2009-01-16 | 2012-01-09 |
Body design | Ultracompact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor surface area | 27.7mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4608 x 3456 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Maximum enhanced ISO | 6400 | - |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Total focus points | 11 | 23 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 29-145mm (5.0x) | 25-250mm (10.0x) |
Largest aperture | f/3.3-5.9 | f/3.1-5.9 |
Macro focusing distance | 5cm | 4cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.9 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 2.7 inches | 3 inches |
Screen resolution | 230k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Screen tech | - | TFT Color LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 60s | 8s |
Max shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/1600s |
Continuous shutter speed | 2.0 frames per second | 1.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | - | 5.60 m |
Flash settings | Auto, Auto Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced Off | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 640x480 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4 |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 136 grams (0.30 pounds) | 131 grams (0.29 pounds) |
Dimensions | 97 x 54 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") | 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") |
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 | - | 250 pictures |
Style of battery | - | Battery Pack |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Storage slots | One | One |
Cost at release | $180 | $179 |