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Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony RX100 II

Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
37
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II front
Portability
89
Imaging
50
Features
74
Overall
59

Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony RX100 II 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
  • Launched June 2012
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ25
  • Refreshed by Panasonic ZS20
Sony RX100 II
(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
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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.

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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.

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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 
IntroducedJune 2013June 2012More modern by 12 months
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1229k460kClearer screen (+769k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS15 and Sony RX100 II

 ZS15 RX100 II 
Screen sizing3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony RX100 II size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony RX100 II Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony RX100 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS15
Portrait photography with Sony RX100 II
21
no manual focus
external flash not possible
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
70
focusing manually
flash sync is higher than normal (1/2,000s)
good resolution (20MP)
good sensor size (1")
features face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Street photography features
Sony RX100 II Street photography features
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (208g)
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
85
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Optical)
good sensor size (1")
saves RAW formats
lighter than others in class (281 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 as a Sports photography camera
Sony RX100 II as a Sports photography camera
36
incredible zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (260 per charge)
does not have phase detect AF
66
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (1")
features tracking focus
better than average battery (350 per charge)
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 as a Travel photography camera
Sony RX100 II as a Travel photography camera
61
lighter than average (208g)
has built in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
long zoom (384mm)
missing Timelapse mode
terrible battery power (260 per charge)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
79
better than average battery (350 CIPA)
lighter than others in class (281g)
good resolution (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (28mm)
very good max aperture (f1.8)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS15
Landscape photography with Sony RX100 II
37
relatively wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
terrible battery power (260 per charge)
missing Timelapse mode
73
focusing manually
fairly wide (28mm)
very good max aperture (f1.8)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (1")
saves RAW formats
better than average battery (350 shots)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 as a Vlogging camera
Sony RX100 II as a Vlogging camera
33
relatively wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average (208 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing microphone jack
37
fairly wide (28mm)
very good max aperture (f1.8)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others in class (281g)
display is not selfie friendly
no microphone port
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Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony RX100 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS15 and Sony RX100 II
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15Sony 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