Panasonic FX90 vs ZS15: Compact Camera Showdown for the Budget-Conscious Photographer

When it comes to stepping up your photography game without draining your wallet, compact cameras with superzoom capability have long been the go-to for travel, casual portraits, and everyday versatility. Today, I’m diving deep into a direct comparison of two Panasonic small-sensor compacts from the early 2010s - the Panasonic Lumix FX90 and the Lumix ZS15 (also known as the TZ25 internationally). Both target similar users in the sub-$300 price range, but their design philosophies and feature sets take very different paths.

Having tested hundreds of cameras in this niche, I’ll guide you through all the critical aspects you care about, from sensor details and autofocus systems to real-world photo and video results across varied photography genres. By the time you finish reading, you’ll know exactly which of these little shooters deserves space in your bag, and more importantly - why.

First Impressions and Handling: Compact vs. Chunkier Ergonomics

Right off the bat, the FX90 and ZS15 share the hallmark Panasonic compact body design, but their physical footprints tell a story about intended priorities. The FX90 is slimmer and lighter at 149 grams and 102x56x22 mm, great for scribbling down street photographs or slipping into a jacket pocket. The ZS15 weighs in noticeably heavier at 208 grams with bulkier dimensions (105x58x33 mm), owing mainly to its superzoom lens assembly.

For me, this size difference translates to a very different gripping experience. The ZS15’s thicker grip feels more secure in hand, less prone to accidental shakes - a phrase that’s music to any handheld shooter’s ears, especially for telephoto or macro work. The FX90’s minimalist frame keeps size-loving cheapskates happy but can feel a touch slippery without the use of an added camera grip or case.

Looking at the top view, the ZS15 outranks the FX90 in intuitive controls. It boasts manual exposure modes (shutter priority, aperture priority, manual), exposure compensation dial, and intuitive mode dials - features usually absent at this price tier. The FX90, by contrast, caters to straightforward auto-shooters with limited manual controls, rooted in simplicity but restrictive for creative enthusiasts wanting direct clubs for their thumbs.

In short:

• FX90: Compact, pocketable, beginner-focused, mostly automatic operation
• ZS15: Slightly bigger, better ergonomic grip, manual controls, more versatile in demanding situations

Sensor and Image Quality: Analog vs. Digital’s Dawn

Both cameras utilize a 1/2.3-inch sensor sensor, the industry-standard compact camera size, but differ in sensor technology and slight dimensional tweaks. The FX90 cycles on a CCD sensor, while the ZS15 boasts a CMOS sensor. CCDs, back in the day, were revered for slightly better color rendition and less noise at low ISOs, but they often faltered at higher ISOs and video capabilities. CMOS dominates modern compacts for power efficiency, faster readouts, and better high-ISO handling.

Resolution-wise, both sit at roughly 12 megapixels (4000x3000 pixels), sufficient for casual prints and screen sharing but not dedicated landscape wall art.

In practical hands-on shooting, this translates into:

• Dynamic Range: The CMOS sensor of the ZS15 managed to squeeze a slightly broader dynamic range during testing. Highlights retain more detail, shadows recover better in post, making it preferable for landscapes and varied lighting.
• Noise Performance: Expect noisy images at ISO 800 and above from both - common for 1/2.3” sensors - but the ZS15’s sensor technology yielded marginally cleaner images at ISO 400 and 800.
• Color Depth: Both produce good color depth at base ISO, but the FX90 has a more classic CCD "look" appreciated by some portrait fans who favor slightly warmer skin tones.

That said, considering both lack RAW support, your editing flexibility is inherently limited - especially if you lean towards professional post-processing.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Tracking Moving Targets

Both cameras rely entirely on contrast-detection autofocus systems - the cost-friendly autofocus type that sacrifices speed for accuracy under good light conditions. Neither supports phase detection, so expect hunting in low light or on tricky contrast patterns, which can frustrate wildlife and sports shooters.

• The FX90 offers 23 AF points and face detection is sadly missing, limiting portrait-focused precision.
• The ZS15 offers a similar number of AF points and adds center-weighted metering and spot metering options, aiding manual exposure control.

In burst shooting, the FX90 posts a better 4 fps continuous shooting rate versus the ZS15’s sluggish 2 fps, a curious but notable edge for action shots. However, the smaller buffer capacities and slower write speeds mean you won’t get a sports pro’s endless stream of frames.

In real-world wildlife or fast action photography (within compact camera constraints), both can be frustratingly slow for tracking erratic subjects. But the FX90’s faster frame rate slightly favors shutter-happy enthusiasts.

Lens and Zoom: Flexibility vs. Reach

The lens is where the two diverge wildly, shaping their ideal use cases:

The FX90 offers a bright f/2.5 aperture at wide angle, which favors low-light scenarios and shallow depth-of-field shots for portraits. Its 5x zoom is sufficient for everyday landscapes and casual telephoto.

The ZS15 impresses with a whopping 16x zoom extending to 384mm - a huge advantage for wildlife, travel, or anytime you can’t get physically close. The tradeoff is a darker maximum aperture of f/3.3 at wide - and still f/5.9 when zoomed all the way out - limiting low-light and bokeh potential noticeably.

For macro fans, both focusing at 3cm is solid for capturing fine detail on flowers or small subjects, but neither offers focus bracketing or stacking.

LCD and Viewfinder: Shooting Composition Tools

Neither camera offers any form of electronic or optical viewfinder - shooting relies solely on the 3-inch fixed TFT LCD screens, rated at 460k dots. The FX90 screen supports touch input, which is an advantage for faster tip-to-focus - useful in tricky framing or spontaneous street shooting.

The ZS15 lacks touchscreen but retains live view autofocus and the user interface is navigable with buttons and dials.

In bright outdoor conditions, both screens are somewhat reflective and average in brightness compared to modern standards. However, this was typical for cameras of this era and tier.

Video Capabilities: Full HD for Basic Storytelling

Both the FX90 and ZS15 can film in Full HD (1920x1080) at 60 and 30 fps, with additional HD resolutions available. Their codecs include MPEG-4 and AVCHD, standard formats for consumer editing software.

Neither supports 4K capture or advanced video features like microphone inputs or headphone jacks, limiting video shooter appeal.

Stabilization in both models is optical, which proves helpful for handheld video but cannot fully compensate for jitter during movement.

Battery Life and Storage: Shoot More, Worry Less

• The FX90’s rated battery life clocks around 200 shots per charge, whereas the ZS15 extends to 260 shots. This may seem underwhelming compared to today’s mirrorless or DSLRs, but you’re dealing with compact batteries in this category.
• Both accept SD/SDHC/SDXC cards and feature one card slot.
• Connectivity differs sharply: the FX90 includes built-in wireless connectivity (though Wi-Fi of its generation is limited in range and app support), while the ZS15 offers none.

Build Quality and Durability

Neither camera features weather sealing, dustproofing, or rugged protection. Both are solid plastic compacts designed for casual family, travel, and street shooters rather than professional fieldwork.

Real World Performance Across Photography Genres

To get an idea of how these cameras behave in the field, let’s break down their key strengths and weaknesses across popular photography styles.

Sample Images and Output Quality

Panasonic FX90 front Panasonic FX90 screen back Panasonic ZS15 front Panasonic ZS15 screen back

Here, side-by-side shots demonstrate each camera’s rendition:

• FX90’s images deliver vibrant, saturation-rich JPEGs with smooth out-of-focus backgrounds at wide aperture.
• ZS15’s shots show more detail in distant subjects thanks to the superzoom, with slightly cleaner shadows.
• Both stumble in low-light images past ISO 400 with grain and softness becoming evident.

Final Performance Ratings

Both cameras cluster similarly in overall compact category scores, with the ZS15 edging slightly ahead due to versatility, while FX90 shines in handling and speed.

Detailed Genre-Specific Ratings

These scores break down the nuances we discussed - a handy overview for those prioritizing certain photographic disciplines.

Pricing and Value Considerations

Currently, the Panasonic FX90 hovers around $227, with the ZS15 about $279. This price gap buys you:

• Considerably longer zoom reach and manual exposure options on the ZS15.
• More compact and lighter handling on the FX90, plus touch controls.

For budget-conscious buyers, the FX90 is without a doubt a strong choice for casual shooting and beginners who want simplicity combined with decent image quality and portability. Conversely, the ZS15 is a better fit for enthusiasts who want more creative control, zoom reach, and better exposure versatility despite the cost and size penalty.

Real-World Recommendations: Who Should Buy Which?

Choose the Panasonic FX90 if you:

• Prioritize pocketability for street, travel, and casual portraiture.
• Prefer faster continuous shooting with reliable autofocus in good light.
• Value touchscreen controls for quick operation.
• Shoot mostly JPEG and don’t crave manual exposure tweaks.
• Are price-sensitive and want a fun, easy-to-use compact.

Opt for the Panasonic ZS15 if you:

• Need superzoom range for travel, wildlife, or sports snapshots.
• Want manual exposure controls (including aperture & shutter priority).
• Don’t mind sacrificing some portability for more reach and flexibility.
• Desire longer battery life for extended outings.
• Appreciate slightly better dynamic range and CMOS sensor benefits.

Closing Thoughts

While their specification sheets may look similar at a quick glance, the Panasonic FX90 and ZS15 target distinct users with their varied form factors and feature focus. I’ve always believed that in compact camera shopping, clarity about your shooting needs defines happiness down the line.

If you are hunting an easy-to-carry, fast-shooting companion for everyday adventures with solid image output, the FX90’s silver, slim chassis is a trustworthy friend. On the flip side, the ZS15’s robust zoom and manual controls appeal to those ready to wrestle more technical control from their pocket beast - and willing to lug it comfortably in exchange for flexibility.

Neither camera is flawless, and both show their age with sensor limitations and modest low light abilities, but within their niche, they hold their ground well. Just don’t expect DSLR or mirrorless muscle from these seasoned but pocketable Panasonic compacts.

With that, I hope my hands-on experiences and in-depth comparisons illuminate the right choice for you. Happy shooting!

For full technical specs and image samples, check out the reference images sprinkled above to visualize the size, control layout, sensor design, screen interfaces, and real-world photos from both cameras side by side!