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Panasonic FS15 vs Sony RX10 III

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 III front
Portability
53
Imaging
52
Features
77
Overall
62

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony RX10 III Key Specs

Panasonic FS15
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • 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
  • Launched January 2009
Sony RX10 III
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Boost to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-600mm (F2.4-4.0) lens
  • 1051g - 133 x 94 x 127mm
  • Introduced March 2016
  • Superseded the Sony RX10 II
  • Replacement is Sony RX10 IV
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Panasonic FS15 vs Sony RX10 III Overview

Here, we will be evaluating the Panasonic FS15 versus Sony RX10 III, one being a Ultracompact and the latter is a Large Sensor Superzoom by competitors Panasonic and Sony. There is a significant difference among the sensor resolutions of the FS15 (12MP) and RX10 III (20MP) and the FS15 (1/2.3") and RX10 III (1") boast totally different sensor sizing.

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The FS15 was unveiled 8 years earlier than the RX10 III and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic FS15 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony RX10 III being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before we go straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a simple view of how the FS15 matches up against the RX10 III when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS15 over the Sony RX10 III

 FS15 RX10 III 

Reasons to pick Sony RX10 III over the Panasonic FS15

 RX10 III FS15 
IntroducedMarch 2016January 2009Fresher by 87 months
Manually focus More accurate focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1229k230kCrisper screen (+999k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FS15 and Sony RX10 III

 FS15 RX10 III 
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony RX10 III Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry your camera frequently, you have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FS15 enjoys external 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) whilst the Sony RX10 III has dimensions of 133mm x 94mm x 127mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 5.0") having a weight of 1051 grams (2.32 lbs).

Check the Panasonic FS15 versus Sony RX10 III in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you choose at the time. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the FS15 and the RX10 III.

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony RX10 III size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the FS15 and RX10 III is 95 and 53 respectively.

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony RX10 III top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony RX10 III Sensor Comparison

Generally, its hard to see the contrast in sensor sizing merely by researching specs. The visual below might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the FS15 and RX10 III.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The FS15 having a smaller sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field tougher and the Sony RX10 III will render greater detail having an extra 8MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The older FS15 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony RX10 III sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony RX10 III Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony RX10 III Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FS15 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony RX10 III as a Portrait photography camera
20
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
71
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
sensor size is good (1")
provides face detect focus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Street photography details
Sony RX10 III Street photography details
56
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
64
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is good (1")
exports RAW formats
environment proof
more heavy than competitors in class (1,051 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Sports photography highlights
Sony RX10 III Sports photography highlights
25
image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second very slow (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
70
great zoom range (24-600mm 25.0 x zoom)
silent mode (1/32,000s)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
sensor size is good (1")
provides tracking focus
environment proof
good battery power (420 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic FS15
Travel photography with Sony RX10 III
51
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse function
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (29mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
55
good battery power (420 CIPA)
environment proof
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
great reach (600mm)
no Timelapse mode
more heavy than competitors in class (1,051g)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f2.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Landscape photography advice
Sony RX10 III Landscape photography advice
27
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (29mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
manual mode not available
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
lack of Timelapse function
63
manual focus
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (1")
exports RAW formats
environment proof
good battery power (420 per charge)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.4)
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Vlogging info
Sony RX10 III Vlogging info
25
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (29mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
low quality video (640 x 480 pixels)
lack of external microphone port
28
reasonably wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
includes microphone support
slow max aperture (f2.4)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
more heavy than competitors in class (1,051g)
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Panasonic FS15 vs Sony RX10 III Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS15 and Sony RX10 III
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 III
General Information
Company Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 III
Class Ultracompact Large Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2009-01-16 2016-03-29
Physical type Ultracompact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz X
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 20 megapixels
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 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 1600 12800
Max boosted ISO 6400 25600
Minimum native ISO 80 125
RAW pictures
Minimum boosted ISO - 64
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 11 25
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 29-145mm (5.0x) 24-600mm (25.0x)
Max aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/2.4-4.0
Macro focusing range 5cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 2.7
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 1,229 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Highest silent shutter speed - 1/32000s
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames/s 14.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 10.80 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, Auto Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced Off Auto, fill-flash, slow sync, rear sync, 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) 3840 x 2160 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p) ,1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Max video resolution 640x480 3840x2160
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 136g (0.30 pounds) 1051g (2.32 pounds)
Physical dimensions 97 x 54 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") 133 x 94 x 127mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 5.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 70
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.1
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.6
DXO Low light rating not tested 472
Other
Battery life - 420 pictures
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, continuous)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $180 $1,398