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Panasonic FS15 vs Panasonic ZS15

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 front
Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
37
Overall
36

Panasonic FS15 vs Panasonic ZS15 Key Specs

Panasonic FS15
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Expand 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 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 Known as Lumix DMC-TZ25
  • Refreshed by Panasonic ZS20
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Panasonic FS15 vs Panasonic ZS15 Overview

Here is a thorough review of the Panasonic FS15 vs Panasonic ZS15, former being a Ultracompact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are designed by Panasonic. The resolution of the FS15 (12MP) and the ZS15 (12MP) is pretty close and they come with the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The FS15 was revealed 4 years prior to the ZS15 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic FS15 being a Ultracompact camera and the Panasonic ZS15 being a Compact camera.

Before getting in to a detailed comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the FS15 scores against the ZS15 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS15 over the Panasonic ZS15

 FS15 ZS15 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS15 over the Panasonic FS15

 ZS15 FS15 
AnnouncedJune 2012January 2009Fresher by 42 months
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FS15 and Panasonic ZS15

 FS15 ZS15 
Manually focus No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Panasonic FS15 vs Panasonic ZS15 Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry your camera, you have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FS15 has 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) while the Panasonic ZS15 has dimensions of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") with a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic FS15 vs Panasonic ZS15 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you select during that time. Underneath is the front view proportions comparison of the FS15 against the ZS15.

Panasonic FS15 vs Panasonic ZS15 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the FS15 and ZS15 is 95 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic FS15 vs Panasonic ZS15 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS15 vs Panasonic ZS15 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be difficult to envision the difference in sensor sizing only by viewing specs. The photograph underneath should provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the FS15 and ZS15.

All in all, both of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements and the same exact megapixels therefore you can expect comparable quality of images although you should always consider the age of the cameras into account. The older FS15 will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic FS15 vs Panasonic ZS15 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS15 vs Panasonic ZS15 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS15 vs Panasonic ZS15 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Portrait photography features
Panasonic ZS15 Portrait photography features
20
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
21
no manual focus
cannot use external flash
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Street photography information
Panasonic ZS15 Street photography information
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (208 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic ZS15 Sports photography highlights
25
image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
36
great zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
bad battery (260 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Travel photography info
Panasonic ZS15 Travel photography info
51
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (29mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
61
lighter than competition in class (208g)
flash built-in
decently wide (24mm)
long reach (384mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
bad battery (260 CIPA)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FS15 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS15 as a Landscape photography camera
27
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (29mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inch)
no manual mode
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
does not have Time Lapse recording
37
decently wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
bad battery (260 CIPA)
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Vlogging info
Panasonic ZS15 Vlogging info
25
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (29mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
video res low (640 x 480 pxls)
does not have external mic jack
33
decently wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (208g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of microphone jack
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Panasonic FS15 vs Panasonic ZS15 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS15 and Panasonic ZS15
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15
General Information
Brand Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15
Also called - Lumix DMC-TZ25
Type Ultracompact Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2009-01-16 2012-06-29
Body design 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 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Highest boosted ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 11 23
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 29-145mm (5.0x) 24-384mm (16.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing range 5cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 15 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 2.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 6.40 m
Flash modes Auto, Auto Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 136g (0.30 lb) 208g (0.46 lb)
Dimensions 97 x 54 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" 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 images
Battery format - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Price at launch $180 $279