Clicky

Panasonic ZS45 vs Samsung HZ15W

Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
55
Overall
46
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45 front
 
Samsung HZ15W front
Portability
90
Imaging
34
Features
31
Overall
32

Panasonic ZS45 vs Samsung HZ15W Key Specs

Panasonic ZS45
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 249g - 108 x 60 x 32mm
  • Announced January 2015
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ57
  • Succeeded the Panasonic ZS40
  • Refreshed by Panasonic ZS50
Samsung HZ15W
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-240mm (F3.3-5.8) lens
  • 249g - 105 x 61 x 37mm
  • Announced February 2009
  • Other Name is WB550
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Panasonic ZS45 vs Samsung HZ15W Overview

Here is a comprehensive assessment of the Panasonic ZS45 vs Samsung HZ15W, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Panasonic and Samsung. There exists a sizeable gap between the resolutions of the ZS45 (16MP) and HZ15W (12MP) but they possess the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

The ZS45 was unveiled 5 years later than the HZ15W and that is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving in to a in depth comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the ZS45 grades against the HZ15W when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

        

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS45 over the Samsung HZ15W

 ZS45 HZ15W 
AnnouncedJanuary 2015February 2009Fresher by 72 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1040k460kCrisper screen (+580k dot)

Reasons to pick Samsung HZ15W over the Panasonic ZS45

 HZ15W ZS45 
Focus manually More exact focus

Common features in the Panasonic ZS45 and Samsung HZ15W

 ZS45 HZ15W 
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen size
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Panasonic ZS45 vs Samsung HZ15W Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry your camera frequently, you should factor its weight and volume. The Panasonic ZS45 enjoys exterior dimensions of 108mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 249 grams (0.55 lbs) while the Samsung HZ15W has sizing of 105mm x 61mm x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5") and a weight of 249 grams (0.55 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic ZS45 vs Samsung HZ15W in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Following is the front view size comparison of the ZS45 vs the HZ15W.

Panasonic ZS45 vs Samsung HZ15W size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the ZS45 and HZ15W is 91 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic ZS45 vs Samsung HZ15W top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS45 vs Samsung HZ15W Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be tough to imagine the gap between sensor sizing only by looking at a spec sheet. The visual below will give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS45 and HZ15W.

Clearly, both cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit different MP. You should expect the Panasonic ZS45 to give you extra detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots much more aggressively. The more recent ZS45 provides an advantage in sensor technology.

Panasonic ZS45 vs Samsung HZ15W sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS45 vs Samsung HZ15W Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS45 vs Samsung HZ15W Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS45 as a Portrait photography camera
Samsung HZ15W as a Portrait photography camera
37
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
includes face detect focusing
manual focus not available
can't use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
31
manual focus
includes face detect focus
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS45 Street photography highlights
Samsung HZ15W Street photography highlights
69
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (249g)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
52
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
heavier than average (249 grams)
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic ZS45
Sports photography with Samsung HZ15W
55
long zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
good battery pack (350 per charge)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
27
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no shutter priority
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic ZS45
Travel photography with Samsung HZ15W
71
good battery pack (350 per charge)
lighter than average (249 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (24mm)
long zoom (480mm)
missing Timelapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
54
has built in flash
decently wide (24mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
heavier than average (249g)
low megapixels (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS45 as a Landscape photography camera
Samsung HZ15W as a Landscape photography camera
47
rather wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
good battery pack (350 CIPA)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
missing Timelapse recording
40
manual focus
decently wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
manual exposure not available
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
lack of Time Lapse recording
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS45 as a Vlogging camera
Samsung HZ15W as a Vlogging camera
34
rather wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average (249g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing microphone port
28
decently wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detect focus
slow max aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of mic jack
heavier than average (249 grams)
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Panasonic ZS45 vs Samsung HZ15W Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS45 and Samsung HZ15W
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45Samsung HZ15W
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Samsung
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45 Samsung HZ15W
Otherwise known as Lumix DMC-TZ57 WB550
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2015-01-06 2009-02-23
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS 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 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 21 -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-480mm (20.0x) 24-240mm (10.0x)
Max aperture f/3.3-6.4 f/3.3-5.8
Macro focusing distance 3cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 1,040k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 16 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 10.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.00 m 4.70 m
Flash settings Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, Auto & Red-eye reduction, Fill-in flash, Slow sync, Flash off, Red eye fix
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance 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 (60, 30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 249 grams (0.55 pounds) 249 grams (0.55 pounds)
Dimensions 108 x 60 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") 105 x 61 x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (10 sec, 2 sec, Double, Motion Timer)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus, internal
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $300 $330