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Panasonic FS15 vs Panasonic ZS40

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 front
Portability
90
Imaging
43
Features
58
Overall
49

Panasonic FS15 vs Panasonic ZS40 Key Specs

Panasonic FS15
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • 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
  • Launched January 2009
Panasonic ZS40
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Boost to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 240g - 111 x 64 x 34mm
  • Announced January 2014
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ60
  • Older Model is Panasonic ZS35
  • Newer Model is Panasonic ZS45
Photography Glossary

Panasonic FS15 vs Panasonic ZS40 Overview

On this page, we are analyzing the Panasonic FS15 vs Panasonic ZS40, one being a Ultracompact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are sold by Panasonic. There exists a huge gap between the resolutions of the FS15 (12MP) and ZS40 (18MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The FS15 was released 6 years earlier than the ZS40 and that is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Panasonic FS15 being a Ultracompact camera and the Panasonic ZS40 being a Compact camera.

Before diving into a full comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the FS15 grades versus the ZS40 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS15 over the Panasonic ZS40

 FS15 ZS40 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS40 over the Panasonic FS15

 ZS40 FS15 
AnnouncedJanuary 2014January 2009Fresher by 60 months
Manually focus Very accurate focusing
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution920k230kClearer display (+690k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FS15 and Panasonic ZS40

 FS15 ZS40 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Panasonic FS15 vs Panasonic ZS40 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry your camera regularly, you are going to need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FS15 features physical dimensions of 97mm x 54mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS40 has dimensions of 111mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3") with a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic FS15 vs Panasonic ZS40 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have during that time. Following is a front view dimension comparison of the FS15 versus the ZS40.

Panasonic FS15 vs Panasonic ZS40 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the FS15 and ZS40 is 95 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic FS15 vs Panasonic ZS40 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS15 vs Panasonic ZS40 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is hard to imagine the gap between sensor sizing just by looking at specifications. The graphic here may offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the FS15 and ZS40.

Plainly, both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different megapixels. You should anticipate the Panasonic ZS40 to give extra detail as a result of its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop photos more aggressively. The older FS15 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic FS15 vs Panasonic ZS40 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS15 vs Panasonic ZS40 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS15 vs Panasonic ZS40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FS15 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZS40 as a Portrait photography camera
21
lack of manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
52
manual focus
resolution is good (18MP)
features face detection focus
supports RAW formats
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Street photography factors
Panasonic ZS40 Street photography factors
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
69
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
lighter than others (240 grams)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Sports photography factors
Panasonic ZS40 Sports photography factors
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow fps (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
54
amazing zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Travel photography features
Panasonic ZS40 Travel photography features
51
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse mode
resolution not great (12MP)
does not offer selfie friendly display
wide angle not fantastic (29mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
69
lighter than others (240 grams)
resolution is good (18MP)
has built in flash
quite wide (24mm)
very long reach (720mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
does not have a selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Landscape photography details
Panasonic ZS40 Landscape photography details
28
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (29mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
no manual control
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
lack of Time Lapse mode
56
manual focus
quite wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (18MP)
supports RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Vlogging advice
Panasonic ZS40 Vlogging advice
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (29mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not offer selfie friendly display
low video resolution (640 x 480 pixels)
lack of external mic socket
34
quite wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others (240g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not have a selfie friendly display
does not have external mic socket
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Panasonic FS15 vs Panasonic ZS40 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS15 and Panasonic ZS40
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40
General Information
Company Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40
Also Known as - Lumix DMC-TZ60
Category Ultracompact Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2009-01-16 2014-01-06
Physical type Ultracompact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - Venus Engine
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 18 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4896 x 3672
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Max enhanced ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 11 23
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 29-145mm (5.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing range 5cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology - TFT LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 200k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 4s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 2.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
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, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Max video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic 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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 136 grams (0.30 pounds) 240 grams (0.53 pounds)
Physical dimensions 97 x 54 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") 111 x 64 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3")
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 - 300 shots
Battery type - 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
Card slots Single Single
Retail cost $180 $450