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Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony HX20V

Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
37
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V front
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45

Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony HX20V 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
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ25
  • Successor is Panasonic ZS20
Sony HX20V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
  • Announced July 2012
  • Superseded the Sony HX10V
  • Successor is Sony HX30V
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Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony HX20V Overview

Let's take a closer look at the Panasonic ZS15 and Sony HX20V, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. There exists a sizeable gap among the image resolutions of the ZS15 (12MP) and HX20V (18MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The ZS15 was introduced very close to the HX20V so they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go into a detailed comparison, here is a simple overview of how the ZS15 scores versus the HX20V in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS15 over the Sony HX20V

 ZS15 HX20V 

Reasons to pick Sony HX20V over the Panasonic ZS15

 HX20V ZS15 
Manual focus More precise focus
Display resolution922k460kClearer display (+462k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS15 and Sony HX20V

 ZS15 HX20V 
AnnouncedJune 2012July 2012Same generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display size
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither offers Touch friendly display

Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony HX20V Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to lug around your camera frequently, you need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic ZS15 offers outer dimensions of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") along with a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs) and the Sony HX20V has dimensions of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") along with a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic ZS15 and Sony HX20V in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are utilising at that time. The following is a front view overall size comparison of the ZS15 versus the HX20V.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony HX20V size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ZS15 and HX20V is 92 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony HX20V top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony HX20V Sensor Comparison

Typically, its difficult to picture the contrast in sensor measurements simply by viewing a spec sheet. The graphic underneath might provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS15 and HX20V.

Clearly, both the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different resolution. You should anticipate the Sony HX20V to result in extra detail using its extra 6MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop images more aggressively.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony HX20V sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony HX20V Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony HX20V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Portrait photography details
Sony HX20V Portrait photography details
21
focusing manually not possible
no external flash support
low MP (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
45
you can focus manually
good megapixels (18 megapixels)
supports face detect focus
can't use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Street photography highlights
Sony HX20V Street photography highlights
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (208 grams)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (254 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Sports photography info
Sony HX20V Sports photography info
36
incredible zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with tracking autofocus
max frames per second very slow (2.0 frames/s)
low MP (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
low battery (260 shots)
lack of phase detect AF
49
long zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (18 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Travel photography information
Sony HX20V Travel photography information
61
lighter than others (208g)
built-in flash
really wide (24mm)
long zoom (384mm)
no Timelapse recording
low battery (260 CIPA)
low MP (12MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.3)
69
lighter than competition in class (254g)
good megapixels (18 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
very long zoom (500mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony HX20V as a Landscape photography camera
37
really wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
low MP (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
low battery (260 shots)
no Timelapse recording
50
you can focus manually
fairly wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (18 megapixels)
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 as a Vlogging camera
Sony HX20V as a Vlogging camera
33
really wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others (208g)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
no external microphone socket
34
fairly wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (254g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of microphone socket
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Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony HX20V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS15 and Sony HX20V
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
Also called Lumix DMC-TZ25 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2012-06-29 2012-07-20
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - BIONZ
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 18 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
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 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-384mm (16.0x) 25-500mm (20.0x)
Max aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/3.2-5.8
Macro focus range 3cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 460k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech - XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.40 m 7.10 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
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) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 208 gr (0.46 lbs) 254 gr (0.56 lbs)
Physical dimensions 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4")
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 photos 320 photos
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Retail price $279 $397