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Panasonic FS15 vs Panasonic SZ1

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37

Panasonic FS15 vs Panasonic SZ1 Key Specs

Panasonic FS15
(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
Panasonic SZ1
(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
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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").

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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.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS15 over the Panasonic SZ1

 FS15 SZ1 

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Panasonic FS15

 SZ1 FS15 
ReleasedJanuary 2012January 2009More modern by 36 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Panasonic FS15 and Panasonic SZ1

 FS15 SZ1 
Manual focus No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Panasonic FS15 vs Panasonic SZ1 size comparison

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

Panasonic FS15 vs Panasonic SZ1 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS15 vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS15 vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic FS15
Portrait photography with Panasonic SZ1
20
manual focus not available
no manual control
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
34
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
comes with face detect focus
lack of manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic FS15
Street photography with Panasonic SZ1
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (131g)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Sports photography factors
Panasonic SZ1 Sports photography factors
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow fps (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
comes with tracking focus
max fps low (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Travel photography features
Panasonic SZ1 Travel photography features
51
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse function
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (29mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
70
lighter than competition (131g)
MP count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
great reach (250mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
does not feature selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Landscape photography advice
Panasonic SZ1 Landscape photography advice
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (29mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
no manual control
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
does not have Time Lapse function
43
pretty wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
lack of manual focus
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Vlogging features
Panasonic SZ1 Vlogging features
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (29mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (640 x 480 resolution)
does not have external mic port
32
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focus
lighter than competition (131g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of microphone jack
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Panasonic FS15 vs Panasonic SZ1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS15 and Panasonic SZ1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15Panasonic 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