Clicky

Panasonic ZS3 vs Samsung HZ15W

Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
 
Samsung HZ15W front
Portability
90
Imaging
34
Features
31
Overall
32

Panasonic ZS3 vs Samsung HZ15W Key Specs

Panasonic ZS3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Released May 2009
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ7
Samsung HZ15W
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-240mm (F3.3-5.8) lens
  • 249g - 105 x 61 x 37mm
  • Launched February 2009
  • Alternative Name is WB550
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Panasonic ZS3 vs Samsung HZ15W Overview

The following is a extended analysis of the Panasonic ZS3 versus Samsung HZ15W, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Panasonic and Samsung. The sensor resolution of the ZS3 (10MP) and the HZ15W (12MP) is very close and both cameras have the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

The ZS3 was unveiled 3 months after the HZ15W so they are of a similar generation. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a detailed comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the ZS3 matches up versus the HZ15W when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

        

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Samsung HZ15W

 ZS3 HZ15W 

Reasons to pick Samsung HZ15W over the Panasonic ZS3

 HZ15W ZS3 
Manual focus Dial precise focus

Common features in the Panasonic ZS3 and Samsung HZ15W

 ZS3 HZ15W 
LaunchedMay 2009February 2009Same generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurement
Display resolution460k460kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch display Neither provides Touch display

Panasonic ZS3 vs Samsung HZ15W Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to travel with your camera regularly, you will want to think about its weight and volume. The Panasonic ZS3 provides outside measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs) whilst the Samsung HZ15W has sizing of 105mm x 61mm x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 249 grams (0.55 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic ZS3 versus Samsung HZ15W in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you use at the time. Underneath is a front view scale comparison of the ZS3 compared to the HZ15W.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Samsung HZ15W size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the ZS3 and HZ15W is 91 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Samsung HZ15W top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS3 vs Samsung HZ15W Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's tough to see the contrast in sensor dimensions simply by viewing technical specs. The picture underneath might give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the ZS3 and HZ15W.

As you have seen, both the cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same resolution. You should expect to see the Samsung HZ15W to result in extra detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop images a bit more aggressively.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Samsung HZ15W sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS3 vs Samsung HZ15W Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS3 vs Samsung HZ15W Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Portrait photography highlights
Samsung HZ15W Portrait photography highlights
19
lack of manual focus
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
31
manual focus
has face detection focusing
no manual control
cannot use external flash
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Street photography info
Samsung HZ15W Street photography info
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (229 grams)
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
52
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
heavier than competitors (249g)
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Sports photography details
Samsung HZ15W Sports photography details
24
image stabilization (Optical)
low fps (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
27
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no shutter priority
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic ZS3
Travel photography with Samsung HZ15W
63
lighter than competitors (229g)
has built in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
very long reach (300mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
sensor resolution low (10MP)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
54
has built in flash
really wide (24mm)
missing Time Lapse function
heavier than competitors (249 grams)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Landscape photography info
Samsung HZ15W Landscape photography info
35
fairly wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
manual mode not available
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
lack of Time Lapse function
40
manual focus
really wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
no manual control
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
missing Time Lapse function
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 as a Vlogging camera
Samsung HZ15W as a Vlogging camera
30
fairly wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (229g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external mic jack
28
really wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detection focusing
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external mic socket
heavier than competitors (249 grams)
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Panasonic ZS3 vs Samsung HZ15W Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS3 and Samsung HZ15W
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3Samsung HZ15W
General Information
Company Panasonic Samsung
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 Samsung HZ15W
Other name Lumix DMC-TZ7 WB550
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2009-05-14 2009-02-23
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-300mm (12.0x) 24-240mm (10.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.3-4.9 f/3.3-5.8
Macro focus range 3cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 16 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames per second -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.30 m (Auto ISO) 4.70 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, Auto & Red-eye reduction, Fill-in flash, Slow sync, Flash off, Red eye fix
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format AVCHD Lite Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 229 gr (0.50 lbs) 249 gr (0.55 lbs)
Physical dimensions 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") 105 x 61 x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (10 sec, 2 sec, Double, Motion Timer)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus, internal
Card slots Single Single
Launch cost $200 $330