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Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax VS20

Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
37
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 front
 
Pentax Optio VS20 front
Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax VS20 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
  • Launched June 2012
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ25
  • New Model is Panasonic ZS20
Pentax VS20
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-560mm (F3.1-4.8) lens
  • 235g - 111 x 61 x 38mm
  • Announced January 2012
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Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax VS20 Overview

Its time to look a little more in depth at the Panasonic ZS15 versus Pentax VS20, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. There is a significant difference among the resolutions of the ZS15 (12MP) and VS20 (16MP) but they enjoy the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The ZS15 was introduced 6 months after the VS20 so they are of a similar generation. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving through a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise summation of how the ZS15 grades versus the VS20 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS15 over the Pentax VS20

 ZS15 VS20 

Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Panasonic ZS15

 VS20 ZS15 
Manually focus Dial accurate focus

Common features in the Panasonic ZS15 and Pentax VS20

 ZS15 VS20 
AnnouncedJune 2012January 2012Same generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display sizing
Display resolution460k460kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax VS20 Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry around your camera regularly, you need to factor in its weight and size. The Panasonic ZS15 has got outer measurements of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") along with a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs) and the Pentax VS20 has specifications of 111mm x 61mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") and a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic ZS15 versus Pentax VS20 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you use at that moment. Here is the front view scale comparison of the ZS15 against the VS20.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax VS20 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the ZS15 and VS20 is 92 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax VS20 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax VS20 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's tough to picture the gap in sensor sizes merely by going through specs. The image underneath might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS15 and VS20.

All in all, both cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but different MP. You should expect to see the Pentax VS20 to provide more detail using its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop images somewhat more aggressively.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax VS20 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax VS20 as a Portrait photography camera
21
no manual focus
can't use external flash
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
36
you can focus manually
MP count good (16 megapixels)
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 as a Street photography camera
Pentax VS20 as a Street photography camera
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (208 grams)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
61
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (235g)
no moving screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Sports photography details
Pentax VS20 Sports photography details
36
great zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes tracking focus
max fps low (2.0 frames per second)
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery (260 per charge)
lacks phase detect AF
44
great zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16MP)
has tracking focus
slow frames per second (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax VS20 as a Travel photography camera
61
lighter than competition (208 grams)
has built in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
long zoom (384mm)
no Timelapse recording
terrible battery (260 per charge)
low MP (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
68
lighter than competition in class (235g)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
decently wide (28mm)
great reach (560mm)
missing Timelapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Landscape photography info
Pentax VS20 Landscape photography info
37
fairly wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
terrible battery (260 CIPA)
no Timelapse recording
47
you can focus manually
decently wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16MP)
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual exposure
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Vlogging info
Pentax VS20 Vlogging info
33
fairly 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
no microphone port
30
decently wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (235 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing microphone port
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Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax VS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS15 and Pentax VS20
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15Pentax Optio VS20
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 Pentax Optio VS20
Also called as Lumix DMC-TZ25 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2012-06-29 2012-01-25
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 16MP
Anti alias 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 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 23 3
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-384mm (16.0x) 28-560mm (20.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/3.1-4.8
Macro focusing distance 3cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 4s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2500s
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.40 m 2.80 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 metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
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 jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 208 grams (0.46 lb) 235 grams (0.52 lb)
Dimensions 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") 111 x 61 x 38mm (4.4" 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
Battery life 260 photos -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID - D-LI122
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Retail price $279 $106