Clicky

Panasonic FS15 vs Panasonic ZS30

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 front
Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
48
Overall
44

Panasonic FS15 vs Panasonic ZS30 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
  • Released January 2009
Panasonic ZS30
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 198g - 105 x 59 x 28mm
  • Launched January 2013
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ40
  • Old Model is Panasonic ZS25
  • Later Model is Panasonic ZS35
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Panasonic FS15 vs Panasonic ZS30 Overview

Following is a in depth analysis of the Panasonic FS15 and Panasonic ZS30, one is a Ultracompact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both created by Panasonic. There exists a sizeable gap among the image resolutions of the FS15 (12MP) and ZS30 (18MP) but they come with the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The FS15 was revealed 5 years earlier than the ZS30 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FS15 being a Ultracompact camera and the Panasonic ZS30 being a Compact camera.

Before getting in to a more detailed comparison, below is a concise summary of how the FS15 matches up versus the ZS30 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic FS15 over the Panasonic ZS30

 FS15 ZS30 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS30 over the Panasonic FS15

 ZS30 FS15 
LaunchedJanuary 2013January 2009More modern by 48 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution920k230kClearer display (+690k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Panasonic FS15 and Panasonic ZS30

 FS15 ZS30 
Focus manually No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Panasonic FS15 vs Panasonic ZS30 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry around your camera, you will need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FS15 enjoys exterior measurements of 97mm x 54mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") along with a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS30 has dimensions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic FS15 and Panasonic ZS30 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are employing at the time. The following is the front view proportions comparison of the FS15 against the ZS30.

Panasonic FS15 vs Panasonic ZS30 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the FS15 and ZS30 is 95 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic FS15 vs Panasonic ZS30 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS15 vs Panasonic ZS30 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is hard to see the contrast in sensor sizes simply by seeing specifications. The pic underneath will give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the FS15 and ZS30.

To sum up, both the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You should anticipate the Panasonic ZS30 to produce greater detail because of its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will help you crop pics a little more aggressively. The more aged FS15 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic FS15 vs Panasonic ZS30 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS15 vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS15 vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic ZS30 Portrait photography advice
20
manual focus not available
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
33
megapixel count good (18 megapixels)
no manual focus
can't use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Street Comparison

Panasonic FS15 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS30 as a Street photography camera
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
66
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers focus by touch
lighter than competition in class (198 grams)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic FS15
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS30
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
46
long zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (18MP)
has tracking autofocus
max shutter speed is low (1/1,200 seconds)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
low battery (260 CIPA)
lacks phase detect AF
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic ZS30 Travel photography highlights
51
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (29mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
69
lighter than competition in class (198 grams)
offers focus by touch
megapixel count good (18 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
great reach (480mm)
no Timelapse function
low battery (260 shots)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic ZS30 Landscape photography factors
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (29mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
manual mode not possible
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse mode
44
fairly wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (18MP)
no manual focus
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
low battery (260 CIPA)
no Timelapse function
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Vlogging information
Panasonic ZS30 Vlogging information
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (29mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (640 x 480 pixels)
doesn't have microphone socket
35
fairly wide (24mm)
touch screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (198 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
no external microphone socket
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Panasonic FS15 vs Panasonic ZS30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS15 and Panasonic ZS30
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
General Information
Company Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
Also Known as - Lumix DMC-TZ40
Category Ultracompact Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2009-01-16 2013-01-07
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 12MP 18MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4896 x 3672
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Max boosted ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 11 23
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 29-145mm (5.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing distance 5cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
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 1/1200 secs
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 6.40 m
Flash options Auto, Auto Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced Off 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), 320 x 240 (220 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 136 grams (0.30 lb) 198 grams (0.44 lb)
Dimensions 97 x 54 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
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 type - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Pricing at launch $180 $250