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Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax ist DS2

Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
37
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 front
 
Pentax ist DS2 front
Portability
68
Imaging
45
Features
33
Overall
40

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax ist DS2 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
  • Introduced June 2012
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ25
  • Successor is Panasonic ZS20
Pentax ist DS2
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • 605g - 125 x 93 x 66mm
  • Announced August 2005
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Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax ist DS2 Overview

Lets look a little more closely at the Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax ist DS2, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a significant gap between the image resolutions of the ZS15 (12MP) and ist DS2 (6MP) and the ZS15 (1/2.3") and ist DS2 (APS-C) come with different sensor size.

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The ZS15 was brought out 6 years later than the ist DS2 and that is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic ZS15 being a Compact camera and the Pentax ist DS2 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go through a detailed comparison, below is a simple summary of how the ZS15 scores vs the ist DS2 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS15 over the Pentax ist DS2

 ZS15 ist DS2 
AnnouncedJune 2012August 2005More recent by 84 months
Display sizing3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution460k210kClearer display (+250k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DS2 over the Panasonic ZS15

 ist DS2 ZS15 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing

Common features in the Panasonic ZS15 and Pentax ist DS2

 ZS15 ist DS2 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch display Neither includes Touch display

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax ist DS2 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to lug around your camera frequently, you are going to need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic ZS15 features physical measurements of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs) whilst the Pentax ist DS2 has dimensions of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") having a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax ist DS2 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are utilising during that time. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the ZS15 versus the ist DS2.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax ist DS2 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the ZS15 and ist DS2 is 92 and 68 respectively.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax ist DS2 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax ist DS2 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is difficult to picture the contrast between sensor measurements just by checking technical specs. The photograph here will give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the ZS15 and ist DS2.

As you have seen, each of the cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The ZS15 due to its tinier sensor is going to make achieving bokeh more challenging and the Panasonic ZS15 will give you greater detail having its extra 6MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop images far more aggressively. The younger ZS15 provides an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax ist DS2 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS15
Portrait photography with Pentax ist DS2
21
lack of manual focus
can't use external flash
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
51
has manual focus
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no liveview
low MP (6 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Street photography advice
Pentax ist DS2 Street photography advice
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (208g)
fixed screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
60
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
lighter than competitors in class (605 grams)
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Sports photography details
Pentax ist DS2 Sports photography details
36
excellent zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery power (260 shots)
lack of phase detect autofocus
39
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect auto focus
no liveview
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
low MP (6 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Travel photography features
Pentax ist DS2 Travel photography features
61
lighter than others (208g)
has built in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
very long reach (384mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
low battery power (260 shots)
low megapixels (12MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
52
lighter than competitors in class (605 grams)
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse mode
low MP (6MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax ist DS2 Landscape photography highlights
37
relatively wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
low battery power (260 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
47
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
screen is small (2.5")
no liveview
lack of image stabilization
low MP (6 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Vlogging advice
Pentax ist DS2 Vlogging advice
33
relatively wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others (208g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
doesn't have microphone jack
22
lighter than competitors in class (605g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video res low ( pxls)
missing mic jack
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Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax ist DS2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS15 and Pentax ist DS2
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15Pentax ist DS2
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 Pentax ist DS2
Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ25 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2012-06-29 2005-08-22
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 6 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 3008 x 2008
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF
Lens focal range 24-384mm (16.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.3-5.9 -
Macro focus range 3cm -
Total lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 2.5 inches
Screen resolution 460 thousand dot 210 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 2.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 6.40 m -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB 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) -
Max video resolution 1920x1080 -
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD -
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None No
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 208g (0.46 lbs) 605g (1.33 lbs)
Dimensions 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 shots -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/MMC card
Storage slots 1 1
Launch price $279 -