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Panasonic G3 vs Panasonic ZS15

Portability
83
Imaging
52
Features
62
Overall
56
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 front
Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
37
Overall
36

Panasonic G3 vs Panasonic ZS15 Key Specs

Panasonic G3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 336g - 115 x 84 x 47mm
  • Launched July 2011
  • Older Model is Panasonic G2
  • Renewed by Panasonic G5
Panasonic ZS15
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 208g - 105 x 58 x 33mm
  • Released June 2012
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ25
  • Renewed by Panasonic ZS20
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Panasonic G3 vs Panasonic ZS15 Overview

Below, we are analyzing the Panasonic G3 and Panasonic ZS15, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both created by Panasonic. There exists a noticeable gap between the resolutions of the G3 (16MP) and ZS15 (12MP) and the G3 (Four Thirds) and ZS15 (1/2.3") enjoy different sensor sizes.

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The G3 was revealed 11 months before the ZS15 which means that they are of a similar age. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic G3 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS15 being a Compact camera.

Before we go straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick overview of how the G3 matches up against the ZS15 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic G3 over the Panasonic ZS15

 G3 ZS15 
Manual focus Very precise focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS15 over the Panasonic G3

 ZS15 G3 
ReleasedJune 2012July 2011More modern by 11 months

Common features in the Panasonic G3 and Panasonic ZS15

 G3 ZS15 
Display dimension3"3"Identical display dimensions
Display resolution460k460kIdentical display resolution

Panasonic G3 vs Panasonic ZS15 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry around your camera often, you will want to factor in its weight and size. The Panasonic G3 comes with external dimensions of 115mm x 84mm x 47mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 1.9") and a weight of 336 grams (0.74 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS15 has specifications of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") and a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic G3 and Panasonic ZS15 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Below is the front view overall size comparison of the G3 against the ZS15.

Panasonic G3 vs Panasonic ZS15 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the G3 and ZS15 is 83 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic G3 vs Panasonic ZS15 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic G3 vs Panasonic ZS15 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be hard to picture the difference between sensor sizes merely by checking a spec sheet. The image underneath should offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the G3 and ZS15.

Clearly, both the cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The G3 having a larger sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF easier and the Panasonic G3 will give you greater detail because of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos somewhat more aggressively. The more aged G3 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic G3 vs Panasonic ZS15 sensor size comparison

Panasonic G3 vs Panasonic ZS15 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic G3 vs Panasonic ZS15 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic G3 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic ZS15 Portrait photography factors
71
focusing manually
MP count good (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
21
manual focus not available
can't use external flash
low resolution (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Panasonic G3 Street photography advice
Panasonic ZS15 Street photography advice
75
screen articulates
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
includes focus via touch
no image stabilization
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (208 grams)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic G3
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS15
47
MP count good (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (4.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
not so great battery power (270 per charge)
has no phase detect autofocus
36
incredible zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
low resolution (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (260 per charge)
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic G3 Travel photography information
Panasonic ZS15 Travel photography information
70
includes focus via touch
MP count good (16MP)
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
no Timelapse recording
not so great battery power (270 CIPA)
61
lighter than competitors in class (208 grams)
built-in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
long reach (384mm)
no Time Lapse function
bad battery pack (260 CIPA)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic G3 Landscape photography info
Panasonic ZS15 Landscape photography info
62
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
no image stabilization
not so great battery power (270 per charge)
no Timelapse recording
37
relatively wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
low resolution (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
bad battery pack (260 CIPA)
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic G3 Vlogging features
Panasonic ZS15 Vlogging features
70
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen enabled
includes face detect autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
no image stabilization
no microphone jack
33
relatively wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors in class (208 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
no external mic socket
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Panasonic G3 vs Panasonic ZS15 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic G3 and Panasonic ZS15
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15
Also called as - Lumix DMC-TZ25
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2011-07-11 2012-06-29
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine FHD -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4592 x 3448 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 160 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 23 23
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-384mm (16.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing range - 3cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 460k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 1,440k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 15s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 4.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 11.00 m 6.40 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/160s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30fps)) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
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 336g (0.74 pounds) 208g (0.46 pounds)
Dimensions 115 x 84 x 47mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 1.9") 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 56 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.6 not tested
DXO Low light rating 667 not tested
Other
Battery life 270 images 260 images
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release $500 $279