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Panasonic S2 vs Panasonic ZS15

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
29
Overall
33
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 front
Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
37
Overall
36

Panasonic S2 vs Panasonic ZS15 Key Specs

Panasonic S2
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 112g - 98 x 57 x 21mm
  • Announced January 2012
Panasonic ZS15
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 208g - 105 x 58 x 33mm
  • Revealed June 2012
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ25
  • Successor is Panasonic ZS20
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Panasonic S2 vs Panasonic ZS15 Overview

On this page, we will be reviewing the Panasonic S2 and Panasonic ZS15, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are built by Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the S2 (14MP) and the ZS15 (12MP) is relatively comparable and both cameras posses the same sensor size (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The S2 was unveiled 5 months prior to the ZS15 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving right into a detailed comparison, here is a brief view of how the S2 matches up vs the ZS15 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S2 over the Panasonic ZS15

 S2 ZS15 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS15 over the Panasonic S2

 ZS15 S2 
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic S2 and Panasonic ZS15

 S2 ZS15 
RevealedJanuary 2012June 2012Same generation
Manually focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Panasonic S2 vs Panasonic ZS15 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to travel with your camera frequently, you have to take into account its weight and volume. The Panasonic S2 offers outer dimensions of 98mm x 57mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") and a weight of 112 grams (0.25 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS15 has sizing of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") along with a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic S2 and Panasonic ZS15 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are employing during that time. Underneath is a front view proportions comparison of the S2 versus the ZS15.

Panasonic S2 vs Panasonic ZS15 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the S2 and ZS15 is 96 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic S2 vs Panasonic ZS15 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S2 vs Panasonic ZS15 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its tough to visualize the contrast in sensor dimensions merely by going through technical specs. The picture underneath may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the S2 and ZS15.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You should count on the Panasonic S2 to provide more detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop photographs more aggressively.

Panasonic S2 vs Panasonic ZS15 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S2 vs Panasonic ZS15 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S2 vs Panasonic ZS15 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S2 Portrait photography information
Panasonic ZS15 Portrait photography information
33
decent MP (14MP)
comes with face detection focusing
manual focus not available
no manual mode
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
21
lack of manual focus
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic S2 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS15 as a Street photography camera
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (112 grams)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (208g)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic S2 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZS15 as a Sports photography camera
39
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
better than average battery pack (280 per charge)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
36
amazing zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking focus
slow frames per second (2.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery pack (260 CIPA)
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic S2 Travel photography information
Panasonic ZS15 Travel photography information
70
better than average battery pack (280 per charge)
lighter than others in class (112 grams)
decent MP (14MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (28mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
61
lighter than competition (208g)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (24mm)
great reach (384mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
low battery pack (260 CIPA)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S2 Landscape photography info
Panasonic ZS15 Landscape photography info
41
pretty wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
better than average battery pack (280 per charge)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.7 inch)
no manual mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
does not have Timelapse recording
37
reasonably wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
low battery pack (260 per charge)
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic S2
Vlogging with Panasonic ZS15
32
pretty wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focusing
lighter than others in class (112 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external microphone jack
33
reasonably wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (208 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of microphone port
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Panasonic S2 vs Panasonic ZS15 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S2 and Panasonic ZS15
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15
General Information
Brand Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15
Also called - Lumix DMC-TZ25
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2012-01-09 2012-06-29
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 23 23
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) 24-384mm (16.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.1-6.5 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing distance 5cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7" 3"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 8s 15s
Max shutter speed 1/1600s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.30 m 6.40 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 112 grams (0.25 lb) 208 grams (0.46 lb)
Physical dimensions 98 x 57 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 280 photos 260 photos
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch price $109 $279