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Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax S1

Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
37
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 front
 
Pentax Optio S1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax S1 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS15
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • 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
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ25
  • Renewed by Panasonic ZS20
Pentax S1
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Launched March 2011
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Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax S1 Overview

In this write-up, we are reviewing the Panasonic ZS15 and Pentax S1, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the ZS15 (12MP) and the S1 (14MP) is fairly similar and they use the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The ZS15 was announced 17 months later than the S1 making the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving straight into a thorough comparison, below is a concise overview of how the ZS15 matches up vs the S1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS15 over the Pentax S1

 ZS15 S1 
LaunchedJune 2012March 2011More recent by 17 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax S1 over the Panasonic ZS15

 S1 ZS15 
Manually focus Very exact focus

Common features in the Panasonic ZS15 and Pentax S1

 ZS15 S1 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither has Touch friendly display

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax S1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to lug around your camera, you will need to take into account its weight and volume. The Panasonic ZS15 has physical measurements of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") and a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs) and the Pentax S1 has sizing of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic ZS15 and Pentax S1 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you select at that time. Underneath is the front view physical size comparison of the ZS15 vs the S1.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax S1 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ZS15 and S1 is 92 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax S1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax S1 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be difficult to see the contrast between sensor measurements merely by reviewing specs. The graphic underneath should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the ZS15 and S1.

As you can plainly see, each of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same MP. You should anticipate the Pentax S1 to offer greater detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop photos far more aggressively. The fresher ZS15 is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax S1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Portrait photography factors
Pentax S1 Portrait photography factors
21
focusing manually not possible
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
35
manual focus
good MP (14MP)
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Street photography info
Pentax S1 Street photography info
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (208g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
56
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Sports photography details
Pentax S1 Sports photography details
36
great zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (260 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
39
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (14 megapixels)
features tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Travel photography info
Pentax S1 Travel photography info
61
lighter than others in class (208 grams)
has built in flash
quite wide (24mm)
great reach (384mm)
lack of Timelapse function
bad battery pack (260 CIPA)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
64
good MP (14MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS15
Landscape photography with Pentax S1
37
quite wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
bad battery pack (260 CIPA)
lack of Timelapse function
42
manual focus
decently wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (14 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
manual mode not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic ZS15
Vlogging with Pentax S1
33
quite wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others in class (208 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of external microphone port
28
decently wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing microphone socket
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Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS15 and Pentax S1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15Pentax Optio S1
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 Pentax Optio S1
Also called as Lumix DMC-TZ25 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2012-06-29 2011-03-02
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-384mm (16.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus range 3cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 6.40 m 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 208 gr (0.46 lb) 157 gr (0.35 lb)
Dimensions 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 260 photos 260 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI92
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 One One
Price at release $279 $174