Clicky

Panasonic ZS45 vs Samsung HZ50W

Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
55
Overall
46
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45 front
 
Samsung HZ50W front
Portability
70
Imaging
36
Features
44
Overall
39

Panasonic ZS45 vs Samsung HZ50W 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
  • Introduced January 2015
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ57
  • Superseded the Panasonic ZS40
  • Replacement is Panasonic ZS50
Samsung HZ50W
(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
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

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").

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

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.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS45 over the Samsung HZ50W

 ZS45 HZ50W 
LaunchedJanuary 2015May 2010More modern by 57 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1040k230kSharper 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 dimension3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Panasonic ZS45 vs Samsung HZ50W size comparison

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

Panasonic ZS45 vs Samsung HZ50W top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS45 vs Samsung HZ50W Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS45 vs Samsung HZ50W Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS45
Portrait photography with Samsung HZ50W
37
megapixel count decent (16MP)
offers face detection focus
no manual focus
can't use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
45
you can focus manually
good megapixels (14MP)
delivers RAW formats
can't use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS45 Street photography highlights
Samsung HZ50W Street photography highlights
69
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (249 grams)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
55
built in image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS45 Sports photography highlights
Samsung HZ50W Sports photography highlights
55
excellent zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
good battery (350 per charge)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
48
excellent zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS45 as a Travel photography camera
Samsung HZ50W as a Travel photography camera
71
good battery (350 shots)
lighter than average in class (249g)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (24mm)
very long reach (480mm)
missing Timelapse recording
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
58
good megapixels (14MP)
has built in flash
fairly wide (26mm)
very long reach (676mm)
does not have Timelapse function
does not contain selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f2.8)
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS45 as a Landscape photography camera
Samsung HZ50W as a Landscape photography camera
47
rather wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
good battery (350 shots)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
missing Timelapse recording
51
you can focus manually
fairly wide (26mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
delivers RAW formats
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have Timelapse function
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS45 Vlogging information
Samsung HZ50W Vlogging information
34
rather wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average in class (249g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
missing external microphone port
24
fairly wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not contain selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external microphone jack
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Panasonic ZS45 vs Samsung HZ50W Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS45 and Samsung HZ50W
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45Samsung 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