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Panasonic ZS45 vs Pentax RS1500

Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
55
Overall
46
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45 front
 
Pentax Optio RS1500 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
30
Overall
34

Panasonic ZS45 vs Pentax RS1500 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS45
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 249g - 108 x 60 x 32mm
  • Released January 2015
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ57
  • Superseded the Panasonic ZS40
  • Replacement is Panasonic ZS50
Pentax RS1500
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-110mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Released March 2011
Photography Glossary

Panasonic ZS45 vs Pentax RS1500 Overview

The following is a comprehensive overview of the Panasonic ZS45 versus Pentax RS1500, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the ZS45 (16MP) and the RS1500 (14MP) is pretty comparable and they feature the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The ZS45 was launched 3 years after the RS1500 which is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the ZS45 matches up versus the RS1500 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS45 over the Pentax RS1500

 ZS45 RS1500 
ReleasedJanuary 2015March 2011Newer by 47 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1040k230kSharper screen (+810k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax RS1500 over the Panasonic ZS45

 RS1500 ZS45 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing

Common features in the Panasonic ZS45 and Pentax RS1500

 ZS45 RS1500 
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Panasonic ZS45 vs Pentax RS1500 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to travel with your camera regularly, you have to factor its weight and measurements. The Panasonic ZS45 features exterior measurements of 108mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 249 grams (0.55 lbs) whilst the Pentax RS1500 has proportions of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic ZS45 versus Pentax RS1500 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you choose during that time. The following is the front view dimension comparison of the ZS45 versus the RS1500.

Panasonic ZS45 vs Pentax RS1500 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the ZS45 and RS1500 is 91 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic ZS45 vs Pentax RS1500 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS45 vs Pentax RS1500 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its difficult to visualize the gap in sensor dimensions just by going through a spec sheet. The image here will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the ZS45 and RS1500.

As you can see, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You can expect the Panasonic ZS45 to produce more detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures far more aggressively. The more modern ZS45 provides a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic ZS45 vs Pentax RS1500 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS45 vs Pentax RS1500 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS45 vs Pentax RS1500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS45
Portrait photography with Pentax RS1500
37
MP count decent (16MP)
features face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
35
manual focus
MP count decent (14MP)
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS45 Street photography info
Pentax RS1500 Street photography info
69
screen tilts
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (249 grams)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
54
environment proofing
no moving screen
no image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS45 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax RS1500 as a Sports photography camera
55
great zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
features tracking autofocus
good battery pack (350 per charge)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
37
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
environment proofing
low fps (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS45 Travel photography highlights
Pentax RS1500 Travel photography highlights
71
good battery pack (350 shots)
lighter than others in class (249 grams)
MP count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
really wide (24mm)
very long zoom (480mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
67
environment proofing
MP count decent (14MP)
has built in flash
really wide (28mm)
no Time Lapse function
does not have a selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS45
Landscape photography with Pentax RS1500
47
really wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
good battery pack (350 CIPA)
lack of manual focus
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
does not have Time Lapse mode
40
manual focus
really wide (28mm)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
environment proofing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
manual mode not possible
no image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS45 Vlogging highlights
Pentax RS1500 Vlogging highlights
34
really wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others in class (249g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have external mic jack
25
really wide (28mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external mic socket
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Panasonic ZS45 vs Pentax RS1500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS45 and Pentax RS1500
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45Pentax Optio RS1500
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45 Pentax Optio RS1500
Also called as Lumix DMC-TZ57 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2015-01-06 2011-03-16
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 21 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-480mm (20.0x) 28-110mm (3.9x)
Maximal aperture f/3.3-6.4 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing range 3cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 1,040k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 4 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.00 m 3.90 m
Flash modes Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 249 gr (0.55 lb) 157 gr (0.35 lb)
Dimensions 108 x 60 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 350 photos 260 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Launch price $300 $150