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Panasonic ZS15 vs Samsung HZ15W

Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
37
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 front
 
Samsung HZ15W front
Portability
90
Imaging
35
Features
31
Overall
33

Panasonic ZS15 vs Samsung HZ15W 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
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ25
  • Refreshed by Panasonic ZS20
Samsung HZ15W
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-240mm (F3.3-5.8) lens
  • 249g - 105 x 61 x 37mm
  • Announced February 2009
  • Other Name is WB550
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Panasonic ZS15 vs Samsung HZ15W Overview

Here, we will be analyzing the Panasonic ZS15 versus Samsung HZ15W, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Panasonic and Samsung. The resolution of the ZS15 (12MP) and the HZ15W (12MP) is pretty well matched and both cameras posses the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The ZS15 was revealed 3 years later than the HZ15W and that is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving into a step-by-step comparison, here is a short view of how the ZS15 matches up vs the HZ15W in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS15 over the Samsung HZ15W

 ZS15 HZ15W 
AnnouncedJune 2012February 2009More recent by 41 months

Reasons to pick Samsung HZ15W over the Panasonic ZS15

 HZ15W ZS15 
Manual focus Dial accurate focus

Common features in the Panasonic ZS15 and Samsung HZ15W

 ZS15 HZ15W 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurements
Screen resolution460k460kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Panasonic ZS15 vs Samsung HZ15W Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to lug around your camera often, you'll have to consider its weight and volume. The Panasonic ZS15 provides external dimensions of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs) and the Samsung HZ15W has sizing of 105mm x 61mm x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 249 grams (0.55 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic ZS15 versus Samsung HZ15W in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have attached at that moment. Following is a front view overall size comparison of the ZS15 against the HZ15W.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Samsung HZ15W size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the ZS15 and HZ15W is 92 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Samsung HZ15W top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS15 vs Samsung HZ15W Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very difficult to visualize the contrast between sensor measurements simply by looking at a spec sheet. The photograph below may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS15 and HZ15W.

Clearly, each of the cameras come with the identical sensor size and the exact same megapixels so you should expect similar quality of photos although you will need to consider the production date of the products into consideration. The more recent ZS15 should have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Samsung HZ15W sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS15 vs Samsung HZ15W Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS15 vs Samsung HZ15W Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Portrait photography information
Samsung HZ15W Portrait photography information
21
no manual focus
no external flash support
low resolution (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
32
focusing manually
comes with face detect focusing
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 as a Street photography camera
Samsung HZ15W as a Street photography camera
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (208 grams)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
53
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
heavier than competitors in class (249 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Sports photography features
Samsung HZ15W Sports photography features
36
excellent zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with tracking autofocus
max fps low (2.0 frames/s)
low resolution (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
low battery (260 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect AF
27
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no shutter priority mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 as a Travel photography camera
Samsung HZ15W as a Travel photography camera
61
lighter than competitors (208 grams)
has built in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
very long zoom (384mm)
no Time Lapse function
low battery (260 CIPA)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
54
has built in flash
decently wide (24mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
heavier than competitors in class (249g)
low megapixels (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 as a Landscape photography camera
Samsung HZ15W as a Landscape photography camera
37
fairly wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
low resolution (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
low battery (260 CIPA)
no Time Lapse function
41
focusing manually
decently wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
lack of manual exposure
low megapixels (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Vlogging advice
Samsung HZ15W Vlogging advice
33
fairly wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors (208 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
no external mic support
29
decently wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detect focusing
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have mic jack
heavier than competitors in class (249 grams)
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Panasonic ZS15 vs Samsung HZ15W Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS15 and Samsung HZ15W
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15Samsung HZ15W
General Information
Make Panasonic Samsung
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 Samsung HZ15W
Alternative name Lumix DMC-TZ25 WB550
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2012-06-29 2009-02-23
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 23 -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-384mm (16.0x) 24-240mm (10.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/3.3-5.8
Macro focus distance 3cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 16s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames per second -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.40 m 4.70 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, Auto & Red-eye reduction, Fill-in flash, Slow sync, Flash off, Red eye fix
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance 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 (60, 30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Mic 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 208g (0.46 pounds) 249g (0.55 pounds)
Physical dimensions 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") 105 x 61 x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5")
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 -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (10 sec, 2 sec, Double, Motion Timer)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus, internal
Storage slots Single Single
Retail cost $279 $330