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Panasonic FS15 vs Sony RX100 IV

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV front
Portability
89
Imaging
52
Features
79
Overall
62

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony RX100 IV 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
Sony RX100 IV
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Bump to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-70mm (F1.8-2.8) lens
  • 298g - 102 x 58 x 41mm
  • Announced June 2015
  • Replaced the Sony RX100 III
  • Replacement is Sony RX100 V
Photography Glossary

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony RX100 IV Overview

Below, we will be matching up the Panasonic FS15 and Sony RX100 IV, one is a Ultracompact and the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by rivals Panasonic and Sony. There exists a significant gap between the sensor resolutions of the FS15 (12MP) and RX100 IV (20MP) and the FS15 (1/2.3") and RX100 IV (1") use totally different sensor sizing.

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The FS15 was unveiled 7 years before the RX100 IV which is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic FS15 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony RX100 IV being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before we go straight into a in depth comparison, below is a concise view of how the FS15 grades against the RX100 IV in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS15 over the Sony RX100 IV

 FS15 RX100 IV 

Reasons to pick Sony RX100 IV over the Panasonic FS15

 RX100 IV FS15 
AnnouncedJune 2015January 2009Newer by 77 months
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1229k230kSharper screen (+999k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Panasonic FS15 and Sony RX100 IV

 FS15 RX100 IV 
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony RX100 IV Physical Comparison

When you are intending to travel with your camera often, you'll have to consider its weight and measurements. The Panasonic FS15 has physical measurements of 97mm x 54mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") with a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs) and the Sony RX100 IV has proportions of 102mm x 58mm x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6") and a weight of 298 grams (0.66 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic FS15 and Sony RX100 IV in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have chosen during that time. Following is the front view dimensions comparison of the FS15 compared to the RX100 IV.

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony RX100 IV size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the FS15 and RX100 IV is 95 and 89 respectively.

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony RX100 IV top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony RX100 IV Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is difficult to visualise the gap between sensor dimensions simply by going over specs. The picture here will help offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the FS15 and RX100 IV.

All in all, the two cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The FS15 with its tinier sensor will make shooting shallower DOF more challenging and the Sony RX100 IV will deliver extra detail having an extra 8MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures much more aggressively. The more aged FS15 is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony RX100 IV sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony RX100 IV Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Portrait photography factors
Sony RX100 IV Portrait photography factors
20
no manual focus
no manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
65
you can focus manually
flash sync is higher than normal (1/2,000s)
good resolution (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (1")
has face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
can't use external flash
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FS15 as a Street photography camera
Sony RX100 IV as a Street photography camera
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
85
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor size (1")
exports RAW formats
lighter than competition (298g)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS15 as a Sports photography camera
Sony RX100 IV as a Sports photography camera
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max fps very slow (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
68
quiet mode (1/32,000s)
fast continuous shooting (16.0 frames per second)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (1")
has tracking focus
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Travel photography features
Sony RX100 IV Travel photography features
51
built-in flash
missing Timelapse recording
sensor resolution low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (29mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
86
lighter than competition (298g)
good resolution (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
relatively wide (24mm)
great max aperture (f1.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Landscape photography advice
Sony RX100 IV Landscape photography advice
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (29mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
no manual mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
missing Timelapse recording
74
you can focus manually
relatively wide (24mm)
great max aperture (f1.8)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (20MP)
decent sensor size (1")
exports RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Vlogging information
Sony RX100 IV Vlogging information
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (29mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (640 x 480 pixels)
missing external microphone support
81
relatively wide (24mm)
great max aperture (f1.8)
display is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focusing
video res high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
lighter than competition (298 grams)
missing mic support
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Panasonic FS15 vs Sony RX100 IV Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS15 and Sony RX100 IV
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV
Category Ultracompact Large Sensor Compact
Launched 2009-01-16 2015-06-10
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 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 photos
Minimum boosted ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 11 25
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 29-145mm (5.0x) 24-70mm (2.9x)
Maximal aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/1.8-2.8
Macro focusing distance 5cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.9 2.7
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 1,229 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.59x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Highest quiet shutter speed - 1/32000s
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames/s 16.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash modes Auto, Auto Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced Off -
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/2000s
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) 3840 x 2160 (30p, 25p, 24p), 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 3840x2160
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 136 gr (0.30 pounds) 298 gr (0.66 pounds)
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 rating not tested 70
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.9
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.6
DXO Low light rating not tested 562
Other
Battery life - 280 pictures
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse shooting With downloadable app
Storage type SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Retail price $180 $898