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Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS15

Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
29
Overall
35
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 front
Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
37
Overall
36

Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS15 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 126g - 95 x 56 x 22mm
  • Revealed January 2013
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
  • Launched June 2012
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ25
  • Later Model is Panasonic ZS20
Photography Glossary

Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS15 Overview

Here, we will be comparing the Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS15, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are built by Panasonic. There exists a substantial gap between the sensor resolutions of the SZ3 (16MP) and ZS15 (12MP) but both cameras have the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SZ3 was unveiled 7 months later than the ZS15 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a thorough comparison, here is a short overview of how the SZ3 matches up vs the ZS15 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Panasonic ZS15

 SZ3 ZS15 
LaunchedJanuary 2013June 2012Fresher by 7 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS15 over the Panasonic SZ3

 ZS15 SZ3 
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic SZ3 and Panasonic ZS15

 SZ3 ZS15 
Focus manually Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Neither offers Touch screen

Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS15 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry your camera often, you are going to need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic SZ3 offers exterior dimensions of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS15 has dimensions of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") with a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS15 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are working with at that time. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the SZ3 against the ZS15.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS15 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ3 and ZS15 is 96 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS15 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS15 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its hard to visualize the difference between sensor sizing simply by checking specifications. The graphic below may provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ3 and ZS15.

Plainly, both of the cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different resolution. You can count on the Panasonic SZ3 to give more detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop pictures way more aggressively. The fresher SZ3 provides an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS15 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS15 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS15 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic ZS15 Portrait photography advice
30
megapixel count decent (16MP)
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
21
manual focus not available
can't use external flash
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Street photography features
Panasonic ZS15 Street photography features
64
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (126 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (208g)
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Sports photography details
Panasonic ZS15 Sports photography details
41
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
has tracking autofocus
slow frames per second (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
36
great zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
low battery pack (260 per charge)
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS15 as a Travel photography camera
71
lighter than competition (126g)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (25mm)
long zoom (250mm)
does not have Timelapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.1)
61
lighter than competition (208g)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
great reach (384mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
low battery pack (260 CIPA)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS15 as a Landscape photography camera
39
really wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
lack of manual exposure
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
does not have Timelapse function
37
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
low battery pack (260 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Vlogging details
Panasonic ZS15 Vlogging details
31
really wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (126 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external microphone port
33
reasonably wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (208 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
doesn't have mic support
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Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS15 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ3 and Panasonic ZS15
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-TZ25
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2013-01-07 2012-06-29
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 23 23
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-250mm (10.0x) 24-384mm (16.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing range 5cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 15 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.10 m 6.40 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro 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
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 126 grams (0.28 lbs) 208 grams (0.46 lbs)
Physical dimensions 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 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 250 photos 260 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Launch price $150 $279