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Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony HX80

Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
37
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX80 front
Portability
91
Imaging
44
Features
60
Overall
50

Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony HX80 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS15
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 208g - 105 x 58 x 33mm
  • Launched June 2012
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ25
  • Newer Model is Panasonic ZS20
Sony HX80
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200 (Raise to 12800)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5-6.4) lens
  • 245g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
  • Released March 2016
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Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony HX80 Overview

In this write-up, we will be comparing the Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony HX80, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by companies Panasonic and Sony. There exists a large gap between the image resolutions of the ZS15 (12MP) and HX80 (18MP) but they possess the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The ZS15 was manufactured 4 years earlier than the HX80 which is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise overview of how the ZS15 matches up against the HX80 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS15 over the Sony HX80

 ZS15 HX80 

Reasons to pick Sony HX80 over the Panasonic ZS15

 HX80 ZS15 
ReleasedMarch 2016June 2012More modern by 44 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution921k460kSharper screen (+461k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Panasonic ZS15 and Sony HX80

 ZS15 HX80 
Manually focus No manual focus
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony HX80 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry around your camera often, you will want to factor its weight and measurements. The Panasonic ZS15 enjoys physical measurements of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") and a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs) while the Sony HX80 has proportions of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") having a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony HX80 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have attached at the time. Underneath is the front view scale comparison of the ZS15 compared to the HX80.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony HX80 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ZS15 and HX80 is 92 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony HX80 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony HX80 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be difficult to picture the gap between sensor sizes only by reading through a spec sheet. The picture here should give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS15 and HX80.

As you can see, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You can expect the Sony HX80 to give greater detail due to its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots far more aggressively. The more aged ZS15 is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony HX80 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony HX80 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony HX80 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Portrait photography details
Sony HX80 Portrait photography details
21
focusing manually not possible
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
39
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
comes with face detect autofocus
manual focus not available
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic ZS15
Street photography with Sony HX80
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (208 grams)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
70
tilting screen
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (245g)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 as a Sports photography camera
Sony HX80 as a Sports photography camera
36
amazing zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery power (260 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect AF
57
long zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (18MP)
comes with tracking focus
better than average battery (390 CIPA)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic ZS15
Travel photography with Sony HX80
61
lighter than others (208 grams)
has built in flash
quite wide (24mm)
long zoom (384mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
bad battery power (260 shots)
megapixel count low (12MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
76
better than average battery (390 per charge)
lighter than average in class (245g)
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
rather wide (24mm)
very long zoom (720mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Landscape photography factors
Sony HX80 Landscape photography factors
37
quite wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
megapixel count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
bad battery power (260 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse recording
49
rather wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
better than average battery (390 CIPA)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 as a Vlogging camera
Sony HX80 as a Vlogging camera
33
quite wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others (208g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
does not have external microphone support
75
rather wide (24mm)
selfie friendly display
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average in class (245g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not have mic port
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Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony HX80 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS15 and Sony HX80
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX80
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX80
Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ25 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2012-06-29 2016-03-07
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 18 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Maximum boosted ISO - 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 23 -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-384mm (16.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/3.5-6.4
Macro focus range 3cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.40 m 5.40 m (with Auto ISO)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, on, slow sync, off, rear sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
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 gr (0.46 lbs) 245 gr (0.54 lbs)
Dimensions 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" 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 390 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick PRO Duo/Pro-HG Duo; SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Launch pricing $279 $368