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Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony A9

Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
37
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 front
 
Sony Alpha A9 front
Portability
65
Imaging
73
Features
93
Overall
81

Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony A9 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
  • Announced June 2012
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ25
  • Replacement is Panasonic ZS20
Sony A9
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Expand to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 673g - 127 x 96 x 63mm
  • Revealed April 2017
  • Updated by Sony A9 II
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Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony A9 Overview

Lets look a bit more in depth at the Panasonic ZS15 versus Sony A9, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. There exists a substantial gap among the image resolutions of the ZS15 (12MP) and A9 (24MP) and the ZS15 (1/2.3") and A9 (Full frame) provide totally different sensor size.

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The ZS15 was unveiled 5 years before the A9 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic ZS15 being a Compact camera and the Sony A9 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting straight to a complete comparison, here is a concise overview of how the ZS15 matches up vs the A9 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS15 over the Sony A9

 ZS15 A9 

Reasons to pick Sony A9 over the Panasonic ZS15

 A9 ZS15 
RevealedApril 2017June 2012Fresher by 58 months
Manual focus Very exact focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1440k460kCrisper screen (+980k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Panasonic ZS15 and Sony A9

 ZS15 A9 
Screen size3"3"Same screen size
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony A9 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry your camera regularly, you have to think about its weight and volume. The Panasonic ZS15 enjoys exterior measurements of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") having a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs) and the Sony A9 has sizing of 127mm x 96mm x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") accompanied by a weight of 673 grams (1.48 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic ZS15 versus Sony A9 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are using at that time. Here is a front view dimensions comparison of the ZS15 and the A9.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony A9 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the ZS15 and A9 is 92 and 65 respectively.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony A9 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony A9 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its hard to envision the difference in sensor sizing purely by seeing specs. The visual underneath will help give you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the ZS15 and A9.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The ZS15 with its smaller sensor will make getting bokeh trickier and the Sony A9 will produce extra detail having an extra 12MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The older ZS15 will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony A9 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony A9 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony A9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS15
Portrait photography with Sony A9
21
no manual focus
external flash not possible
low resolution (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
83
manual focus
megapixel count good (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports face detection focusing
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Street photography highlights
Sony A9 Street photography highlights
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (208g)
fixed screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
79
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW files
has focus via touch
environment proof
very good ISO range (51,200)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Sports photography features
Sony A9 Sports photography features
36
great zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports tracking focus
slow fps (2.0 frames/s)
low resolution (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (260 CIPA)
does not have phase detect autofocus
86
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
quiet shooting (1/32,000s)
high max fps (20.0 frames/s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports tracking autofocus
environment proof
great battery power (650 CIPA)
has phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Travel photography information
Sony A9 Travel photography information
61
lighter than competition (208 grams)
has built in flash
decently wide (24mm)
great reach (384mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
bad battery pack (260 per charge)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
73
great battery power (650 CIPA)
environment proof
connects via bluetooth
has focus via touch
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Landscape photography highlights
Sony A9 Landscape photography highlights
37
decently wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
low resolution (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
bad battery pack (260 shots)
does not have Time Lapse function
85
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
very good ISO range (51,200)
exports RAW files
environment proof
great battery power (650 per charge)
has double storage slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Vlogging advice
Sony A9 Vlogging advice
33
decently wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (208 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have mic jack
36
has touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detection focusing
high video quality (3840 x 2160 resolution)
has external mic port
display isn't selfie friendly
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Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony A9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS15 and Sony A9
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15Sony Alpha A9
General Information
Make Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 Sony Alpha A9
Also called as Lumix DMC-TZ25 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Pro Mirrorless
Announced 2012-06-29 2017-04-19
Body design Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - BIONZ X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 6400 51200
Max boosted ISO - 204800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Min boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 23 693
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 24-384mm (16.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.3-5.9 -
Macro focus distance 3cm -
Amount of lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 460k dot 1,440k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 3,686k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.78x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/8000s
Highest quiet shutter speed - 1/32000s
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames per second 20.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 6.40 m no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) -
Max video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
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 208 grams (0.46 lb) 673 grams (1.48 lb)
Physical dimensions 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") 127 x 96 x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 92
DXO Color Depth score not tested 24.9
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.3
DXO Low light score not tested 3517
Other
Battery life 260 images 650 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible)
Storage slots Single Two
Cost at launch $279 $4,498