Panasonic ZS45 vs Samsung HZ50W
91 Imaging
40 Features
55 Overall
46


70 Imaging
36 Features
44 Overall
39
Panasonic ZS45 vs Samsung HZ50W Key Specs
(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
- Introduced January 2015
- Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ57
- Superseded the Panasonic ZS40
- Replacement is Panasonic ZS50
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 64 - 3200 (Bump to 6400)
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 26-676mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
- 426g - 116 x 83 x 91mm
- Launched May 2010
- Additionally referred to as WB5500

Panasonic ZS45 vs Samsung HZ50W Overview
Below, we will be analyzing the Panasonic ZS45 vs Samsung HZ50W, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by companies Panasonic and Samsung. The sensor resolution of the ZS45 (16MP) and the HZ50W (14MP) is pretty comparable and they use the exact same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The ZS45 was revealed 4 years after the HZ50W which is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic ZS45 being a Compact camera and the Samsung HZ50W being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.
Before diving through a in-depth comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the ZS45 matches up against the HZ50W with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Panasonic ZS45 vs Samsung HZ50W Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45 and Samsung HZ50W. The full galleries are provided at Panasonic ZS45 Gallery and Samsung HZ50W Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS45 over the Samsung HZ50W
ZS45 | HZ50W | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | January 2015 | ![]() | May 2010 | More modern by 57 months |
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen resolution | 1040k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+810k dot) |
Reasons to pick Samsung HZ50W over the Panasonic ZS45
HZ50W | ZS45 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial precise focus |
Common features in the Panasonic ZS45 and Samsung HZ50W
ZS45 | HZ50W | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Identical screen measurements |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither features Touch friendly screen |
Panasonic ZS45 vs Samsung HZ50W Physical Comparison
When you are going to carry around your camera often, you will want to consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic ZS45 enjoys external measurements of 108mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 249 grams (0.55 lbs) and the Samsung HZ50W has dimensions of 116mm x 83mm x 91mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.6") along with a weight of 426 grams (0.94 lbs).
Contrast the Panasonic ZS45 vs Samsung HZ50W in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have chosen during that time. The following is the front view scale comparison of the ZS45 and the HZ50W.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the ZS45 and HZ50W is 91 and 70 respectively.

Panasonic ZS45 vs Samsung HZ50W Sensor Comparison
Typically, it is hard to see the contrast in sensor sizes purely by going through a spec sheet. The image here might give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS45 and HZ50W.
As you can see, the 2 cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same MP. You should expect the Panasonic ZS45 to produce extra detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots much more aggressively. The fresher ZS45 will have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZS45 vs Samsung HZ50W Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS45 vs Samsung HZ50W Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45 | Samsung HZ50W | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Panasonic | Samsung |
Model type | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45 | Samsung HZ50W |
Also called as | Lumix DMC-TZ57 | WB5500 |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Introduced | 2015-01-06 | 2010-05-03 |
Body design | Compact | SLR-like (bridge) |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor area | 27.7mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixel | 14 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4320 x 3240 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Maximum enhanced ISO | - | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 64 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch to focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Total focus points | 21 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 24-480mm (20.0x) | 26-676mm (26.0x) |
Maximal aperture | f/3.3-6.4 | f/2.8-5.0 |
Macro focusing distance | 3cm | 10cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.9 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Tilting | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3" | 3" |
Display resolution | 1,040k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | Electronic |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 4s | 16s |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/2000s |
Continuous shutter speed | 10.0 frames per sec | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 6.00 m | 5.60 m |
Flash modes | Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported 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 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | MPEG-4 | H.264 |
Microphone 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 gr (0.55 pounds) | 426 gr (0.94 pounds) |
Dimensions | 108 x 60 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") | 116 x 83 x 91mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.6") |
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 photographs | - |
Battery format | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | - | SLB-11A |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | SC/SDHC, Internal |
Storage slots | One | One |
Retail price | $300 | $250 |