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Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax XG-1

Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
37
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 front
 
Pentax XG-1 front
Portability
66
Imaging
40
Features
37
Overall
38

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax XG-1 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
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ25
  • Renewed by Panasonic ZS20
Pentax XG-1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1248mm (F2.8-5.6) lens
  • 567g - 119 x 89 x 98mm
  • Revealed July 2014
Photography Glossary

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax XG-1 Overview

Here, we are looking at the Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax XG-1, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. There is a sizeable difference among the sensor resolutions of the ZS15 (12MP) and XG-1 (16MP) but both cameras boast the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The ZS15 was released 24 months prior to the XG-1 making them a generation away from each other. The two cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic ZS15 being a Compact camera and the Pentax XG-1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before delving right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple overview of how the ZS15 scores versus the XG-1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS15 over the Pentax XG-1

 ZS15 XG-1 

Reasons to pick Pentax XG-1 over the Panasonic ZS15

 XG-1 ZS15 
RevealedJuly 2014June 2012More modern by 24 months
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing

Common features in the Panasonic ZS15 and Pentax XG-1

 ZS15 XG-1 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display dimensions
Display resolution460k460kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither has Touch friendly display

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax XG-1 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry around your camera frequently, you will have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic ZS15 has external measurements of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") and a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs) whilst the Pentax XG-1 has dimensions of 119mm x 89mm x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") with a weight of 567 grams (1.25 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax XG-1 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are employing at that time. Underneath is a front view scale comparison of the ZS15 against the XG-1.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax XG-1 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the ZS15 and XG-1 is 92 and 66 respectively.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax XG-1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax XG-1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is hard to visualize the difference in sensor sizes merely by seeing specs. The pic underneath should provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS15 and XG-1.

As you can plainly see, each of the cameras feature the identical sensor size but different resolution. You should anticipate the Pentax XG-1 to produce extra detail as a result of its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop images way more aggressively. The more aged ZS15 will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax XG-1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax XG-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax XG-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax XG-1 Portrait photography highlights
21
manual focus not available
no external flash support
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
40
you can focus manually
good resolution (16MP)
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic ZS15
Street photography with Pentax XG-1
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (208g)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
43
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
heavier than average in class (567 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax XG-1 as a Sports photography camera
36
long zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
terrible battery (260 per charge)
lacks phase detect auto focus
45
long zoom range (24-1248mm 52.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery (240 CIPA)
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Travel photography details
Pentax XG-1 Travel photography details
61
lighter than competition (208g)
has built in flash
rather wide (24mm)
very long zoom (384mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
terrible battery (260 shots)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
52
good resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (24mm)
great reach (1248mm)
missing Time Lapse function
bad battery (240 per charge)
heavier than average in class (567g)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS15
Landscape photography with Pentax XG-1
37
rather wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
terrible battery (260 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse mode
45
you can focus manually
fairly wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
bad battery (240 per charge)
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Vlogging highlights
Pentax XG-1 Vlogging highlights
33
rather wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (208 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
lack of mic socket
25
fairly wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
missing mic port
heavier than average in class (567g)
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Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax XG-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS15 and Pentax XG-1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15Pentax XG-1
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 Pentax XG-1
Other name Lumix DMC-TZ25 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2012-06-29 2014-07-15
Body design Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 23 -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-384mm (16.0x) 24-1248mm (52.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/2.8-5.6
Macro focusing distance 3cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 200k dot
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15s 4s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 2.0fps 9.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.40 m 6.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Force Off, Flash Auto, Force Flash, Slow Sync., Slow Sync. + Red-Eye, Red-Eye Reduction
Hot shoe
AEB
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) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (120 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Mic 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 lbs) 567 grams (1.25 lbs)
Physical dimensions 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") 119 x 89 x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9")
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 shots 240 shots
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - LB-060
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC
Storage slots 1 1
Price at launch $279 $599