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Panasonic ZR1 vs Samsung HZ15W

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 front
 
Samsung HZ15W front
Portability
90
Imaging
34
Features
31
Overall
32

Panasonic ZR1 vs Samsung HZ15W Key Specs

Panasonic ZR1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-200mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 158g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
  • Released July 2009
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-ZX1
Samsung HZ15W
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-240mm (F3.3-5.8) lens
  • 249g - 105 x 61 x 37mm
  • Announced February 2009
  • Also referred to as WB550
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Panasonic ZR1 vs Samsung HZ15W Overview

Lets look much closer at the Panasonic ZR1 versus Samsung HZ15W, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by brands Panasonic and Samsung. The resolution of the ZR1 (12MP) and the HZ15W (12MP) is pretty comparable and both cameras posses the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The ZR1 was manufactured 6 months after the HZ15W which means that they are of a similar generation. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving into a in depth comparison, here is a concise summary of how the ZR1 matches up versus the HZ15W with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR1 over the Samsung HZ15W

 ZR1 HZ15W 

Reasons to pick Samsung HZ15W over the Panasonic ZR1

 HZ15W ZR1 
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZR1 and Samsung HZ15W

 ZR1 HZ15W 
AnnouncedJuly 2009February 2009Same generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Panasonic ZR1 vs Samsung HZ15W Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry around your camera frequently, you have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Panasonic ZR1 offers external dimensions of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") having a weight of 158 grams (0.35 lbs) while the Samsung HZ15W has proportions of 105mm x 61mm x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5") with a weight of 249 grams (0.55 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic ZR1 versus Samsung HZ15W in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have at that moment. Following is a front view over all size comparison of the ZR1 and the HZ15W.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Samsung HZ15W size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the ZR1 and HZ15W is 94 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Samsung HZ15W top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZR1 vs Samsung HZ15W Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is tough to envision the difference in sensor sizes simply by seeing technical specs. The pic below should offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZR1 and HZ15W.

As you can tell, each of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the same exact MP therefore you should expect comparable quality of images however you might want to factor the release date of the cameras into account.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Samsung HZ15W sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZR1 vs Samsung HZ15W Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZR1 vs Samsung HZ15W Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Portrait photography factors
Samsung HZ15W Portrait photography factors
20
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
31
focusing manually
has face detection focusing
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Street photography highlights
Samsung HZ15W Street photography highlights
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
52
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
heavier than competition (249g)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Sports photography advice
Samsung HZ15W Sports photography advice
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second very slow (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
27
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lack of shutter priority mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Travel photography info
Samsung HZ15W Travel photography info
57
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
MP count low (12 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
54
flash built-in
really wide (24mm)
no Time Lapse function
heavier than competition (249g)
MP count low (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Landscape photography factors
Samsung HZ15W Landscape photography factors
32
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
manual mode not possible
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
does not have Time Lapse function
40
focusing manually
really wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
manual mode not available
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Vlogging features
Samsung HZ15W Vlogging features
28
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not have selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have mic jack
28
really wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detection focusing
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external mic socket
heavier than competition (249 grams)
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Panasonic ZR1 vs Samsung HZ15W Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZR1 and Samsung HZ15W
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1Samsung HZ15W
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Samsung
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 Samsung HZ15W
Also called Lumix DMC-ZX1 WB550
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2009-07-27 2009-02-23
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine V -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-200mm (8.0x) 24-240mm (10.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/3.3-5.8
Macro focusing range 3cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7" 3"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 16s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 2.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.10 m 4.70 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, Auto & Red-eye reduction, Fill-in flash, Slow sync, Flash off, Red eye fix
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 158 gr (0.35 lbs) 249 gr (0.55 lbs)
Physical dimensions 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") 105 x 61 x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5")
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
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (10 sec, 2 sec, Double, Motion Timer)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus, internal
Card slots One One
Cost at release $280 $330