Panasonic ZS15 vs Samsung HZ50W

Lets look a bit more in depth at the Panasonic ZS15 and Samsung HZ50W, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by companies Panasonic and Samsung. The sensor resolution of the ZS15 (12MP) and the HZ50W (14MP) is pretty comparable and both cameras offer the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The ZS15 was unveiled 2 years after the HZ50W which is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic ZS15 being a Compact camera and the Samsung HZ50W being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before delving straight to a thorough comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the ZS15 scores vs the HZ50W in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

The following is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 and Samsung HZ50W. The full galleries are available at Panasonic ZS15 Gallery and Samsung HZ50W Gallery.

If you are aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you have to think about its weight and size. The Panasonic ZS15 has outside 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) and the Samsung HZ50W has specifications of 116mm x 83mm x 91mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.6") with a weight of 426 grams (0.94 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic ZS15 and Samsung HZ50W in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are utilising during that time. Here is a front view dimension comparison of the ZS15 against the HZ50W.

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the ZS15 and HZ50W is 92 and 70 respectively.

In many cases, it can be hard to visualise the gap in sensor dimensions just by seeing a spec sheet. The picture below should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS15 and HZ50W.

As you can see, the 2 cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit not the same megapixels. You should expect the Samsung HZ50W to produce more detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The more modern ZS15 is going to have an edge with regard to sensor tech.