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Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax WS80

Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
37
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 front
 
Pentax Optio WS80 front
Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
20
Overall
27

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax WS80 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
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ25
  • Refreshed by Panasonic ZS20
Pentax WS80
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 35-175mm (F3.8-4.7) lens
  • 125g - 92 x 60 x 22mm
  • Launched August 2009
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Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax WS80 Overview

Its time to examine more closely at the Panasonic ZS15 versus Pentax WS80, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Waterproof by brands Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the ZS15 (12MP) and the WS80 (10MP) is pretty similar and they possess the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The ZS15 was released 2 years later than the WS80 and that is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving through a in-depth comparison, below is a quick summation of how the ZS15 scores against the WS80 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS15 over the Pentax WS80

 ZS15 WS80 
LaunchedJune 2012August 2009More recent by 36 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax WS80 over the Panasonic ZS15

 WS80 ZS15 
Focus manually Dial exact focusing

Common features in the Panasonic ZS15 and Pentax WS80

 ZS15 WS80 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither offers Touch friendly screen

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax WS80 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to lug around your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor its weight and measurements. The Panasonic ZS15 offers external dimensions of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") and a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs) while the Pentax WS80 has proportions of 92mm x 60mm x 22mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9") with a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic ZS15 versus Pentax WS80 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have chosen at that time. Below is the front view measurements comparison of the ZS15 versus the WS80.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax WS80 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the ZS15 and WS80 is 92 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax WS80 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax WS80 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be difficult to see the difference between sensor measurements just by reading specs. The visual below might offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the ZS15 and WS80.

As you can plainly see, both the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same megapixels. You should expect the Panasonic ZS15 to deliver more detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop photographs far more aggressively. The fresher ZS15 is going to have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax WS80 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax WS80 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax WS80 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS15
Portrait photography with Pentax WS80
21
lack of manual focus
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
26
manual focus
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Street photography info
Pentax WS80 Street photography info
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (208 grams)
fixed screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
59
environment sealing
lighter than average in class (125g)
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic ZS15
Sports photography with Pentax WS80
36
great zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (260 CIPA)
has no phase detect auto focus
23
environment sealing
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Travel photography factors
Pentax WS80 Travel photography factors
61
lighter than average in class (208g)
flash built-in
relatively wide (24mm)
long reach (384mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
not so great battery power (260 per charge)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
61
lighter than average in class (125g)
environment sealing
built-in flash
MP count low (10MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Landscape photography advice
Pentax WS80 Landscape photography advice
37
relatively wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
not so great battery power (260 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse recording
31
manual focus
environment sealing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.8)
small screen (2.7 inches)
manual mode not available
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Vlogging info
Pentax WS80 Vlogging info
33
relatively wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average in class (208 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
does not have external mic port
25
lighter than average in class (125 grams)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.8)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external microphone jack
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Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax WS80 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS15 and Pentax WS80
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15Pentax Optio WS80
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 Pentax Optio WS80
Also called Lumix DMC-TZ25 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Released 2012-06-29 2009-08-05
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - Prime
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 surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 64
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-384mm (16.0x) 35-175mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/3.8-4.7
Macro focusing range 3cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.40 m 3.40 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 208 gr (0.46 pounds) 125 gr (0.28 pounds)
Dimensions 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") 92 x 60 x 22mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9")
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
Battery life 260 images -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch pricing $279 $220