Clicky

Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony A500

Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
37
Overall
35
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 front
Portability
63
Imaging
51
Features
52
Overall
51

Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony A500 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
  • Released June 2012
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ25
  • Replacement is Panasonic ZS20
Sony A500
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 630g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Introduced August 2009
  • Refreshed by Sony A560
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony A500 Overview

Below, we are evaluating the Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony A500, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the ZS15 (12MP) and the A500 (12MP) is very well matched but the ZS15 (1/2.3") and A500 (APS-C) feature different sensor dimensions.

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

The ZS15 was manufactured 2 years after the A500 which is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic ZS15 being a Compact camera and the Sony A500 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going through a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick summation of how the ZS15 scores vs the A500 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

        

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS15 over the Sony A500

 ZS15 A500 
IntroducedJune 2012August 2009More modern by 35 months
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A500 over the Panasonic ZS15

 A500 ZS15 
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Panasonic ZS15 and Sony A500

 ZS15 A500 
Display dimension3"3"Identical display sizing
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony A500 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry around your camera regularly, you are going to need to think about its weight and size. The Panasonic ZS15 enjoys outside measurements of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") having a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs) while the Sony A500 has specifications of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 630 grams (1.39 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony A500 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are utilising at that time. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the ZS15 and the A500.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony A500 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the ZS15 and A500 is 92 and 63 respectively.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony A500 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony A500 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is tough to imagine the contrast between sensor sizes just by looking at specifications. The image below should give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS15 and A500.

Plainly, each of the cameras posses the exact same MP but different sensor sizes. The ZS15 uses the tinier sensor which is going to make achieving shallower DOF more difficult. The more modern ZS15 should have a benefit in sensor technology.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony A500 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony A500 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony A500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS15
Portrait photography with Sony A500
21
manual focus not available
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
62
focusing manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Street photography information
Sony A500 Street photography information
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (208 grams)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
74
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic ZS15
Sports photography with Sony A500
36
excellent zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with tracking autofocus
low fps (2.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
low battery (260 CIPA)
no phase detect autofocus
50
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
max frames per second very slow (5.0 frames/s)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
bad battery (520 shots)
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic ZS15
Travel photography with Sony A500
61
lighter than competition in class (208 grams)
flash built-in
decently wide (24mm)
very long zoom (384mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
low battery (260 CIPA)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
43
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse recording
bad battery (520 per charge)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS15
Landscape photography with Sony A500
36
decently wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
low battery (260 per charge)
does not have Timelapse recording
60
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
resolution not great (12MP)
bad battery (520 shots)
lack of Time Lapse recording
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic ZS15
Vlogging with Sony A500
33
decently wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (208g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
does not have external microphone support
9
can't shoot video
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony A500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS15 and Sony A500
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
Otherwise known as Lumix DMC-TZ25 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2012-06-29 2009-08-27
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4272 x 2848
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 24-384mm (16.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.3-5.9 -
Macro focus distance 3cm -
Number of lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.53x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 6.40 m 12.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) -
Max video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD -
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 208 gr (0.46 lbs) 630 gr (1.39 lbs)
Dimensions 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 64
DXO Color Depth score not tested 21.8
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.6
DXO Low light score not tested 772
Other
Battery life 260 photographs 520 photographs
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $279 $638