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Panasonic ZR3 vs Samsung HZ15W

Portability
94
Imaging
37
Features
26
Overall
32
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 front
 
Samsung HZ15W front
Portability
90
Imaging
35
Features
31
Overall
33

Panasonic ZR3 vs Samsung HZ15W Key Specs

Panasonic ZR3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 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
  • 159g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
  • Revealed January 2010
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-ZX3
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
  • Released February 2009
  • Also Known as WB550
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Panasonic ZR3 vs Samsung HZ15W Overview

Its time to look more in depth at the Panasonic ZR3 versus Samsung HZ15W, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by competitors Panasonic and Samsung. The image resolution of the ZR3 (14MP) and the HZ15W (12MP) is relatively close and both cameras offer the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The ZR3 was manufactured 12 months later than the HZ15W and they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before getting straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise summary of how the ZR3 grades against the HZ15W in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR3 over the Samsung HZ15W

 ZR3 HZ15W 
ReleasedJanuary 2010February 2009Fresher by 12 months

Reasons to pick Samsung HZ15W over the Panasonic ZR3

 HZ15W ZR3 
Manual focus Very accurate focusing
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZR3 and Samsung HZ15W

 ZR3 HZ15W 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Panasonic ZR3 vs Samsung HZ15W Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry your camera often, you have to consider its weight and proportions. The Panasonic ZR3 enjoys physical dimensions of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") along with a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Samsung HZ15W has measurements of 105mm x 61mm x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 249 grams (0.55 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic ZR3 versus Samsung HZ15W in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have attached at that time. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the ZR3 compared to the HZ15W.

Panasonic ZR3 vs Samsung HZ15W size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ZR3 and HZ15W is 94 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic ZR3 vs Samsung HZ15W top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZR3 vs Samsung HZ15W Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor sizing simply by looking through technical specs. The visual below may provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the ZR3 and HZ15W.

As you have seen, each of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You should count on the Panasonic ZR3 to result in greater detail due to its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop pictures more aggressively. The newer ZR3 should have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic ZR3 vs Samsung HZ15W sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZR3 vs Samsung HZ15W Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZR3 vs Samsung HZ15W Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 Portrait photography factors
Samsung HZ15W Portrait photography factors
28
good resolution (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
no manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
32
has manual focus
has face detection focus
no manual mode
can't use external flash
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 as a Street photography camera
Samsung HZ15W as a Street photography camera
57
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
53
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
more heavy than competition in class (249 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 Sports photography highlights
Samsung HZ15W Sports photography highlights
37
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
low max shutter speed (1/1,300s)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
27
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no shutter priority
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 Travel photography highlights
Samsung HZ15W Travel photography highlights
65
good resolution (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
54
flash built-in
rather wide (24mm)
does not have Timelapse function
more heavy than competition in class (249g)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 Landscape photography highlights
Samsung HZ15W Landscape photography highlights
37
relatively wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
no manual exposure
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
does not have Time Lapse mode
41
has manual focus
rather wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
no manual mode
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 as a Vlogging camera
Samsung HZ15W as a Vlogging camera
29
relatively wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have mic jack
29
rather wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detection focus
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external microphone socket
more heavy than competition in class (249g)
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Panasonic ZR3 vs Samsung HZ15W Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZR3 and Samsung HZ15W
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3Samsung HZ15W
General Information
Company Panasonic Samsung
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 Samsung HZ15W
Also Known as Lumix DMC-ZX3 WB550
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2010-01-26 2009-02-23
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine HD II -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Maximum resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-200mm (8.0x) 24-240mm (10.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/3.3-5.8
Macro focusing range 3cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 16 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1300 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.30 m 4.70 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, Auto & Red-eye reduction, Fill-in flash, Slow sync, Flash off, Red eye fix
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported 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)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format AVCHD Lite Motion JPEG
Microphone 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 159 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 All around 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
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus, internal
Card slots Single Single
Cost at launch $280 $330