Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony RX100 II
92 Imaging
36 Features
37 Overall
36


89 Imaging
50 Features
74 Overall
59
Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony RX100 II Key Specs
(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
- Launched June 2012
- Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ25
- Refreshed by Panasonic ZS20
(Full Review)
- 20MP - 1" Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 160 - 12800 (Bump to 25600)
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 28-100mm (F1.8-4.9) lens
- 281g - 102 x 58 x 38mm
- Introduced June 2013
- Succeeded the Sony RX100
- Refreshed by Sony RX100 III

Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony RX100 II Overview
In this article, we will be contrasting the Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony RX100 II, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by companies Panasonic and Sony. There exists a large gap among the sensor resolutions of the ZS15 (12MP) and RX100 II (20MP) and the ZS15 (1/2.3") and RX100 II (1") use totally different sensor sizes.

The ZS15 was brought out 12 months earlier than the RX100 II which means that they are of a similar age. Both cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic ZS15 being a Compact camera and the Sony RX100 II being a Large Sensor Compact camera.
Before we go in to a in-depth comparison, below is a short overview of how the ZS15 matches up vs the RX100 II when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony RX100 II Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II. The entire galleries are provided at Panasonic ZS15 Gallery & Sony RX100 II Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS15 over the Sony RX100 II
ZS15 | RX100 II |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony RX100 II over the Panasonic ZS15
RX100 II | ZS15 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | June 2013 | ![]() | June 2012 | More modern by 12 months |
Focus manually | ![]() | More accurate focusing | ||
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen resolution | 1229k | ![]() | 460k | Clearer screen (+769k dot) |
Common features in the Panasonic ZS15 and Sony RX100 II
ZS15 | RX100 II | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen dimensions |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither provides selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither provides Touch friendly screen |
Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony RX100 II Physical Comparison
If you are going to carry around your camera often, you'll need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic ZS15 provides outside measurements of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") with a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs) while the Sony RX100 II has dimensions of 102mm x 58mm x 38mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.5") having a weight of 281 grams (0.62 lbs).
Compare the Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony RX100 II in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Below is the front view size comparison of the ZS15 and the RX100 II.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ZS15 and RX100 II is 92 and 89 respectively.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony RX100 II Sensor Comparison
Typically, it is hard to see the contrast in sensor sizes just by viewing a spec sheet. The picture underneath might provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the ZS15 and RX100 II.
As you can see, the 2 cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The ZS15 because of its smaller sensor will make shooting shallower DOF tougher and the Sony RX100 II will render more detail having its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop shots a little more aggressively. The more aged ZS15 will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony RX100 II Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony RX100 II Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Panasonic | Sony |
Model type | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II |
Otherwise known as | Lumix DMC-TZ25 | - |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Large Sensor Compact |
Launched | 2012-06-29 | 2013-06-27 |
Body design | Compact | Large Sensor Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 13.2 x 8.8mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 116.2mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12MP | 20MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 5472 x 3648 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 12800 |
Highest boosted ISO | - | 25600 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 160 |
RAW images | ||
Min boosted ISO | - | 100 |
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Total focus points | 23 | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 24-384mm (16.0x) | 28-100mm (3.6x) |
Maximum aperture | f/3.3-5.9 | f/1.8-4.9 |
Macro focusing distance | 3cm | 5cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 2.7 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display sizing | 3" | 3" |
Resolution of display | 460 thousand dot | 1,229 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Display tech | - | Xtra Fine WhiteMagic TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | Electronic (optional) |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 15 secs | 30 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/2000 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | 2.0 frames/s | 10.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 6.40 m | 15.00 m (ISO Auto (W)) |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Maximum flash sync | - | 1/2000 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, AVCHD | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Microphone 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 | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 208 grams (0.46 pounds) | 281 grams (0.62 pounds) |
Dimensions | 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") | 102 x 58 x 38mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.5") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | not tested | 67 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 22.5 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 12.4 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 483 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 260 pictures | 350 pictures |
Battery form | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | - | NP-BX1 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (10 sec. / 2 sec. / Self-portrait One-person/ Self-portrait Two-person/ Self timer Continuous (3 or 5 shots)) |
Time lapse feature | With downloadable app | |
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Retail price | $279 | $598 |