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Panasonic ZS15 vs Panasonic ZS3

Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
37
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Panasonic ZS15 vs Panasonic ZS3 Key Specs

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
  • Released June 2012
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ25
  • Later Model is Panasonic ZS20
Panasonic ZS3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Announced May 2009
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ7
Photography Glossary

Panasonic ZS15 vs Panasonic ZS3 Overview

In this article, we will be reviewing the Panasonic ZS15 and Panasonic ZS3, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras and they are both produced by Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the ZS15 (12MP) and the ZS3 (10MP) is relatively comparable and they come with the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The ZS15 was announced 3 years later than the ZS3 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting through a thorough comparison, below is a concise summary of how the ZS15 grades against the ZS3 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS15 over the Panasonic ZS3

 ZS15 ZS3 
AnnouncedJune 2012May 2009Fresher by 39 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Panasonic ZS15

 ZS3 ZS15 

Common features in the Panasonic ZS15 and Panasonic ZS3

 ZS15 ZS3 
Manual focus Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Screen resolution460k460kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Neither includes Touch screen

Panasonic ZS15 vs Panasonic ZS3 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry your camera regularly, you'll need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Panasonic ZS15 features outer measurements of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") having a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS3 has proportions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).

See the Panasonic ZS15 and Panasonic ZS3 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilizing at that time. The following is the front view measurements comparison of the ZS15 against the ZS3.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Panasonic ZS3 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the ZS15 and ZS3 is 92 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Panasonic ZS3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS15 vs Panasonic ZS3 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's tough to visualise the contrast in sensor sizing merely by seeing technical specs. The graphic underneath may give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the ZS15 and ZS3.

As you can tell, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You can count on the Panasonic ZS15 to show more detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop photographs a little more aggressively. The fresher ZS15 is going to have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Panasonic ZS3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS15 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS15 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Portrait photography features
Panasonic ZS3 Portrait photography features
21
manual focus not available
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
19
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
low resolution sensor (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Street photography highlights
Panasonic ZS3 Street photography highlights
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (208 grams)
no moving screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (229 grams)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Sports photography camera
36
amazing zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (260 per charge)
no phase detect auto focus
24
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max fps low (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
low resolution sensor (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Travel photography camera
61
lighter than competition (208g)
built-in flash
quite wide (24mm)
long zoom (384mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
terrible battery pack (260 CIPA)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
63
lighter than average (229g)
has built in flash
really wide (25mm)
very long reach (300mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
low resolution sensor (10MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS15
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS3
37
quite wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
terrible battery pack (260 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
35
really wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
manual exposure not available
low resolution sensor (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Vlogging camera
33
quite wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (208g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have mic support
30
really wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (229 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external mic support
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Panasonic ZS15 vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS15 and Panasonic ZS3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ25 Lumix DMC-TZ7
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2012-06-29 2009-05-14
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 10MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-384mm (16.0x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focusing distance 3cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 60s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.40 m 5.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD AVCHD Lite
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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 208 gr (0.46 lb) 229 gr (0.50 lb)
Dimensions 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" 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 260 photos -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release $279 $200