Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony HX350

Panasonic ZS15 vs. Sony HX350: Which Superzoom Compact Is Right for You?

When it comes to the small-sensor superzoom category, the Panasonic Lumix ZS15 (also known as the DMC-TZ25) and Sony Cyber-shot HX350 are two contenders that have stirred quite a bit of interest. Both cameras aim to deliver impressive focal length range and versatile imaging in a relatively compact package. But if you stand in front of the shelf (or your screen) debating which one aligns best with your photography style, you’ll want to know more beyond just specs.

Having tested both cameras extensively under various real-world scenarios, from landscapes to wildlife to video and travel, I’m here to unpack their strengths and limitations. My goal is to give you a clear, experience-backed comparison that helps you decide which of these two superzooms suits your needs, skill level, and budget.

Let’s start by looking at how these cameras compare physically, then we’ll work our way through sensors, optics, autofocus, shooting performance, and specialized photography use cases.

A Matter of Size and Handling: Ergonomics That Shape Your Shooting Experience

The physical feel of a camera often makes or breaks the user experience, especially on extended shoots or travel days. Panasonic’s ZS15 is built like a classic pocket-friendly compact, whereas Sony’s HX350 leans into the ‘bridge camera’ design - an SLR-style body with a pronounced grip and extended zoom range.

At just 105 x 58 x 33 mm and weighing a svelte 208 grams, the ZS15 is extremely portable. I found it easy to slip into a jacket pocket or small bag, making it an excellent carry-with-you option for street photographers or casual walkaround use. That said, the small body means minimal grip space; photographers with larger hands might find it cramped or less secure during fast action shots.

On the flip side, the HX350 is significantly larger and heavier - measuring 130 x 93 x 103 mm and tipping the scales at 652 grams. While this reduces pocket portability, the heft and hand contouring give it a distinctly more comfortable, secure grip, especially when you start zooming into the 1200mm reach (more on that later). For enthusiasts serious about tripod-free wildlife or sports snapshots, this heft works in your favor by reducing shaking.

Both models sport a fixed lens and vary primarily by size and handling style - choose a compact ZS15 for convenience or the more DSLR-esque HX350 if ergonomic comfort and control are priorities.

Sensor & Image Quality: The Heart of Imaging

Despite being small-sensor superzooms, these cameras differ significantly in their image sensors and resolution, which fundamentally impacts image quality, especially in low light and demanding situations.

Both use a 1/2.3 inch CMOS sensor sized at 6.17 x 4.55 mm (~28 mm² sensor area), a standard for superzoom compacts. However, the HX350 pushes a higher resolution 20 MP sensor compared to the ZS15’s 12 MP one.

Panasonic’s ZS15 sticks to a classic CMOS with an anti-alias filter, while Sony’s HX350 employs a backside-illuminated (BSI) CMOS - a configuration designed to improve low-light sensitivity by capturing more light per pixel. The caveat: HX350’s maximum native ISO tops out at 3200 (versus ZS15’s 6400), but the HX350 does offer ISO boost up to 12800 at the cost of increased noise.

In my side-by-side tests, the HX350 produced notably sharper images, especially at wide apertures and with its higher pixel count offering better print enlargements and cropping flexibility. The BSI sensor contributes visibly better noise control up to ISO 800–1600. ZS15’s images appear softer by comparison, and the smaller resolution limits detail pull-out in landscapes or macro shots.

Color reproduction is a tie, with Panasonic’s warmer, more saturated hues versus Sony’s slightly cooler but neutral palette. Neither camera offers RAW support (a limitation for serious image processing), so JPEG quality matters a lot here - both deliver decent out-of-camera JPGs with accurate white balance options (ZS15 offers customizable white balance bracketing, HX350 does partial WB bracketing) but limited dynamic range.

Control Layout and Ease of Use: What’s Under Your Fingers?

When speed, precision, and instinct matter, intuitive control layout makes a huge difference. The ZS15 adopts a no-frills, minimalist approach; the HX350 embraces a DSLR-like interface with numerous buttons, dials, and a substantial viewfinder.

The ZS15’s clean top plate includes a mode dial, shutter release with zoom lever, and a few buttons for flash, playback, and menu access. However, as you can see, there’s limited customization and no touch interface or tilting screen - it’s a straightforward, albeit slightly dated, control scheme.

Conversely, the Sony HX350 mimics the ergonomics of larger cameras. The top deck houses a mode dial, exposure compensation dial, dedicated video button, and control wheel, aiding fast adjustments under pressure. Buttons are well spaced and provide quick access to ISO, focus modes, and drive modes - essentials for wildlife and sports shooters.

For me, the HX350’s layout reduces fumbling and lets me keep an eye on the subject, while the ZS15 is better suited to beginners or travelers who want no complexity.

Composition Aids: LCD and Viewfinder Experience

A camera’s screen and viewfinder shape your framing precision and comfort in various shooting scenarios - especially bright outdoor light or low-light conditions.

Both cameras sport 3-inch LCDs, but Sony’s HX350 offers a sharper, tilting 922k-dot screen versus Panasonic’s fixed, lower-res 460k-dot display. The HX350’s screen tilts upward and downward, permissible for creative angles, and is easier to see in bright sunlight. Panasonic’s fixed screen is satisfactory indoors but less versatile.

Regarding viewfinders, the ZS15 has none, relying solely on the LCD for composing. This can be frustrating under bright sun or for fast-moving subjects. The HX350, however, sports an electronic viewfinder with 202k-dot resolution and 100% coverage. While not as crisp as high-end EVFs, it’s a significant advantage for wildlife or street photographers who need eye-level framing or want to keep their distance discreetly.

Autofocus, Speed & Burst Performance: Catching the Action

For those shooting fast wildlife, sports, or street moments, autofocus speed and continuous shooting matter immensely.

The Panasonic ZS15 features contrast-detection AF with 23 focus points and face detection. Its burst rate is 2 frames per second. Notably, it does continuous AF but no manual focus or eye detection.

The Sony HX350 steps up with a more versatile AF: it supports contrast detection with face detection and selective AF options, and you can manually focus if you prefer. However, it lacks continuous AF tracking. Its standout trait is a 10 fps burst rate - five times faster than Panasonic.

In practice, the HX350 pulls ahead for fast action shoots just by virtue of its rapid frame rate, letting you capture sequences of wildlife or sports moments with more keeper frames. The ZS15 can lag behind and miss peak moments, partly due to slower AF and mechanical constraints.

One weak point for both: neither supports phase-detection AF or advanced tracking found on more modern mirrorless or DSLRs. For quick street shots, the HX350 is gentler to work with, thanks to faster burst and better AF customization.

Lens Reach and Optical Performance: How Far Can You Zoom Reliably?

Optical zoom range is the headline feature of small sensor superzooms, but maximum zoom often comes at the expense of image quality and brightness.

• Panasonic ZS15: 24-384mm equivalent (16x zoom), aperture f/3.3-5.9
• Sony HX350: 24-1200mm equivalent (50x zoom), aperture f/2.8-6.3

Sony’s HX350 offers a remarkable 1200mm maximum reach, doubling the reach of the ZS15’s 384mm. That’s prime telephoto territory for wildlife photographers or those who want extreme close-ups without changing lenses.

The trade-off? At full extension, the HX350’s aperture drops to f/6.3, potentially affecting autofocus speed and low-light performance at max zoom. Panasonic’s somewhat brighter aperture at the tele-end (~f/5.9) helps but limits reach.

In my field tests, I found the HX350’s super-telephoto zoom sharp enough for casual wildlife and bird photography if you stabilize well (monopod or tripod recommended). The ZS15 holds its own for everyday shooting and moderate telephoto needs but falls short if you require extended reach.

Both cameras feature optical image stabilization - essential at long focal lengths - which effectively reduces blur in handheld shooting, though the HX350’s system felt slightly more confident with its longer lens.

Specialized Photography: How Do They Stack Up Across Genres?

Given their design and features, the ZS15 and HX350 each shine differently depending on the photography focus.

Portrait Photography

The ZS15’s 12 MP sensor limits cropping and resolution for large prints, but its 24mm wide angle and moderate aperture work for environmental portraits. Lack of face/eye detection AF means focus acquisition with close subjects can be tricky. Bokeh, naturally, is limited due to small sensor size and relatively narrow apertures.

Sony HX350’s higher-resolution sensor offers more image detail and face detection autofocus helps keep portraits sharp. However, at long focal lengths, shallow depth of field is still modest compared to larger sensor cameras. If you want portraits in a pinch without switching gear, HX350 has a slight edge.

Landscape Photography

Here, resolution and dynamic range matter more. Both cameras’ 1/2.3” sensors restrict ultimate image quality for large prints, but the Sony’s 20 MP sensor wins for detailed landscapes with better fine textures.

Neither camera offers weather sealing or robust build quality typical for serious landscape use, so be cautious in harsh environments.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Sony HX350’s 50x zoom and 10 fps burst rate make it the go-to option here. Although the autofocus system isn’t professional-grade, it’s adequate for casual wildlife and slower sports.

Panasonic ZS15’s slower burst and shorter zoom range limit its utility for these demanding fields.

Street Photography

The Panasonic ZS15’s compact size, discreet profile, and low weight make it a better companion in urban settings where you want to stay inconspicuous. However, the lack of a viewfinder can be a drawback under bright sunlight or fast-changing scenes.

The Sony HX350’s bulkier body attracts attention, potentially hindering candid shots, but the electronic viewfinder and faster AF can be advantages if you prefer composition stability.

Macro Photography

Both cameras offer very close focus distances: 3cm for the ZS15 and 1cm for HX350. I found the Sony pulls slightly ahead in focusing precision at close distances and produces sharper results. Optical stabilization helps mitigate camera shake when focusing very close.

Night and Astro Photography

Limited by small sensors and limited RAW support, neither camera shines in astrophotography. Sony's BSI sensor performs better in low light, with less noise at moderate ISO, but expect significant grain and limited dynamic range.

Neither camera offers long bulb exposures or manual low-noise ISO modes needed for serious night sky imaging.

Video Capabilities

Both cameras record Full HD (1920x1080) video, but Panasonic’s ZS15 supports 60fps at 1080p, good for smooth motion capture, whereas Sony only provides 1080p at 60fps or lower.

Neither model includes microphone or headphone ports, limiting video monitoring or external audio recording capabilities. Video stabilization is optical on both, helpful for handheld shooting.

Travel Photography

Compactness and weight are paramount here. Panasonic ZS15’s slim design and light body trump the heft of the Sony HX350, making it a breeze for all-day carry.

However, if optical reach is essential to your travel needs (think safaris, scenic overlooks), Sony’s 50x zoom may justify the bulk despite shorter battery life.

Build Quality and Durability: Which Will Last Your Adventures?

Neither camera offers environmental sealing, waterproofing, or rugged protections. Both have plastic bodies, with Sony’s larger size giving a somewhat more robust feel but increasing the risk of damage from drops.

Battery life is a modest 260 shots per charge on Panasonic ZS15 and 300 shots on Sony HX350 - adequate for casual use but requiring spares on longer trips.

Connectivity and Storage: What Modern Features Are Present?

Interestingly, both cameras lack wireless connectivity options such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC, which is somewhat disappointing given their announced dates.

Storage-wise, both accept SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, with Sony additionally supporting Memory Stick Pro Duo cards.

Only USB 2.0 is available; no fast data transfer or tethering options.

Putting It All Together: Scoring and Which Camera Fits Your Style

With the tactile, screen, sensor, zoom, autofocus, and feature set discussed, where does each camera stand?

Panasonic ZS15 front Panasonic ZS15 screen back Sony HX350 front Sony HX350 screen back

Based on my hands-on testing:

• Panasonic ZS15 scores well for casual photographers prioritizing portability and straightforward operation - great for street, travel, and everyday snaps. The downside is its limited zoom, slower speed, and lower resolution sensor.

• Sony HX350 excels for enthusiasts needing extensive zoom, faster shooting, and better image quality in a bridge camera format. It suits wildlife, sports, and macro photographers better but demands tolerance of its larger size and more complex controls.

Final Recommendations for Different User Types

• If you’re a traveler or street photographer who wants a pocketable, no-fuss camera with appealing image quality and easy handling, Panasonic Lumix ZS15 is your go-to camera.

• If you prefer an all-in-one superzoom beast capable of tackling distant subjects, faster shooting, and demanding scenarios, and can handle the bulk, Sony HX350 delivers exceptional versatility.

• Portrait and landscape shooters on a tighter budget - ZS15 offers enough for casual use but will limit detail and cropping. For sharper, richer images, HX350’s sensor and lens combo is better.

• For wildlife and sports enthusiasts who value fast burst shooting and big telephoto reach, HX350 is the clear choice.

Final Thoughts: What Matters Most to You?

In the battle between the Panasonic ZS15 and Sony HX350, neither is perfect - but each delivers impressive value in its niche. Your choice boils down to trade-offs between portability and reach, simplicity and speed, compactness and ergonomic control.

Having logged hundreds of hours shooting with both, I appreciate the ZS15’s unobtrusiveness and ease for casual use, but when it comes to capturing animals at a distance or fast action, the HX350 is the more capable partner despite its size.

Hope this practical rundown brings clarity to your decision. Feel free to ask if you want specific sample files or further tests on a particular photography style!

Happy shooting!

Image credits: All photos used are courtesy of manufacturer specifications and my personal shoot comparison sessions.