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Panasonic FS15 vs Sony RX100 III

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 III front
Portability
89
Imaging
51
Features
77
Overall
61

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony RX100 III Key Specs

Panasonic FS15
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Bump to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 29-145mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 136g - 97 x 54 x 22mm
  • Revealed January 2009
Sony RX100 III
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 125 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-70mm (F1.8-2.8) lens
  • 290g - 102 x 58 x 41mm
  • Launched May 2014
  • Older Model is Sony RX100 II
  • Replacement is Sony RX100 IV
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Panasonic FS15 vs Sony RX100 III Overview

Here, we will be evaluating the Panasonic FS15 versus Sony RX100 III, former being a Ultracompact while the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by companies Panasonic and Sony. There is a considerable difference among the resolutions of the FS15 (12MP) and RX100 III (20MP) and the FS15 (1/2.3") and RX100 III (1") have totally different sensor size.

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The FS15 was brought out 6 years prior to the RX100 III and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic FS15 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony RX100 III being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before going straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a brief summation of how the FS15 matches up against the RX100 III with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS15 over the Sony RX100 III

 FS15 RX100 III 

Reasons to pick Sony RX100 III over the Panasonic FS15

 RX100 III FS15 
LaunchedMay 2014January 2009Fresher by 64 months
Manually focus More precise focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1229k230kClearer screen (+999k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Panasonic FS15 and Sony RX100 III

 FS15 RX100 III 
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony RX100 III Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry your camera, you will want to think about its weight and proportions. The Panasonic FS15 features outside measurements 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 RX100 III has measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 290 grams (0.64 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic FS15 versus Sony RX100 III in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you select during that time. The following is a front view sizing comparison of the FS15 vs the RX100 III.

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony RX100 III size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the FS15 and RX100 III is 95 and 89 respectively.

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony RX100 III top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony RX100 III Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very difficult to see the difference in sensor sizing simply by checking out specifications. The graphic underneath may offer you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the FS15 and RX100 III.

To sum up, both cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The FS15 featuring a smaller sensor will make shooting shallower DOF more difficult and the Sony RX100 III will provide more detail having its extra 8MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop shots way more aggressively. The older FS15 will be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony RX100 III sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony RX100 III Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony RX100 III Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FS15 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony RX100 III as a Portrait photography camera
20
no manual focus
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
64
you can focus manually
above average flash sync (1/2,000 seconds)
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (1")
features face detect focus
exports RAW files
external flash not possible
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Street photography information
Sony RX100 III Street photography information
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
85
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good sensor size (1")
exports RAW files
lighter than competition (290g)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS15 as a Sports photography camera
Sony RX100 III as a Sports photography camera
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
65
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (1")
features tracking focus
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Travel photography features
Sony RX100 III Travel photography features
51
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse recording
megapixel count low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (29mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
85
lighter than competition (290g)
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
screen is selfie friendly
relatively wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FS15 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony RX100 III as a Landscape photography camera
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (29mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
manual mode not possible
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
does not have Time Lapse recording
73
you can focus manually
relatively wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (1")
exports RAW files
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Vlogging information
Sony RX100 III Vlogging information
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (29mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
low res video (640 x 480 pxls)
does not have mic jack
80
relatively wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (290 grams)
missing mic support
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Panasonic FS15 vs Sony RX100 III Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS15 and Sony RX100 III
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 III
General Information
Company Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 III
Class Ultracompact Large Sensor Compact
Revealed 2009-01-16 2014-05-15
Physical type Ultracompact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz X
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti aliasing 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 -
Minimum native ISO 80 125
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 11 25
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 29-145mm (5.0x) 24-70mm (2.9x)
Maximum aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/1.8-2.8
Macro focus distance 5cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.9 2.7
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 1,229 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.59x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
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
Inbuilt flash
Flash modes Auto, Auto Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced Off -
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/2000 seconds
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 (60p/60i/24p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p/24p/120p), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic 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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 136 gr (0.30 lb) 290 gr (0.64 lb)
Physical dimensions 97 x 54 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") 102 x 58 x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 67
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.4
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.3
DXO Low light score not tested 495
Other
Battery life - 320 images
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, self-portrait, continuous)
Time lapse recording With downloadable app
Storage type SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $180 $748