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Panasonic ZS5 vs Samsung HZ15W

Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
30
Overall
33
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 front
 
Samsung HZ15W front
Portability
90
Imaging
34
Features
31
Overall
32

Panasonic ZS5 vs Samsung HZ15W Key Specs

Panasonic ZS5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 214g - 103 x 60 x 32mm
  • Announced June 2010
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ8
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
  • Revealed February 2009
  • Other Name is WB550
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Panasonic ZS5 vs Samsung HZ15W Overview

Let's look much closer at the Panasonic ZS5 and Samsung HZ15W, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Panasonic and Samsung. The image resolution of the ZS5 (12MP) and the HZ15W (12MP) is pretty similar and both cameras posses the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The ZS5 was unveiled 16 months after the HZ15W which makes them a generation away from each other. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving straight to a in depth comparison, here is a simple view of how the ZS5 matches up vs the HZ15W in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS5 over the Samsung HZ15W

 ZS5 HZ15W 
RevealedJune 2010February 2009More modern by 16 months

Reasons to pick Samsung HZ15W over the Panasonic ZS5

 HZ15W ZS5 
Manually focus Very precise focus
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS5 and Samsung HZ15W

 ZS5 HZ15W 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Panasonic ZS5 vs Samsung HZ15W Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry around your camera regularly, you should consider its weight and volume. The Panasonic ZS5 enjoys exterior dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs) and the Samsung HZ15W has sizing of 105mm x 61mm x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5") with a weight of 249 grams (0.55 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic ZS5 and Samsung HZ15W in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are working with at that time. Here is a front view dimensions comparison of the ZS5 against the HZ15W.

Panasonic ZS5 vs Samsung HZ15W size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the ZS5 and HZ15W is 92 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic ZS5 vs Samsung HZ15W top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS5 vs Samsung HZ15W Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be difficult to see the difference between sensor sizes just by reading technical specs. The picture underneath might give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS5 and HZ15W.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the same exact resolution so you can expect similar quality of images although you may want to factor the launch date of the products into consideration. The newer ZS5 will have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZS5 vs Samsung HZ15W sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS5 vs Samsung HZ15W Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS5 vs Samsung HZ15W Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Portrait photography advice
Samsung HZ15W Portrait photography advice
27
has face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
cannot use external flash
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
31
focusing manually
includes face detection focusing
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Street photography features
Samsung HZ15W Street photography features
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (214 grams)
fixed screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
52
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
more heavy than others (249 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic ZS5
Sports photography with Samsung HZ15W
31
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking focus
low max shutter speed (1/1,300s)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
27
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no shutter priority
megapixel count low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Travel photography factors
Samsung HZ15W Travel photography factors
63
lighter than others in class (214 grams)
has built in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
very long reach (300mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
low MP (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
54
has built in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
no Timelapse recording
more heavy than others (249g)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Landscape photography information
Samsung HZ15W Landscape photography information
33
fairly wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
40
focusing manually
pretty wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
lack of manual mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Vlogging info
Samsung HZ15W Vlogging info
31
fairly wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focusing
lighter than others in class (214g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic jack
28
pretty wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detection focusing
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external microphone port
more heavy than others (249 grams)
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Panasonic ZS5 vs Samsung HZ15W Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS5 and Samsung HZ15W
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5Samsung HZ15W
General Information
Brand Panasonic Samsung
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 Samsung HZ15W
Otherwise known as Lumix DMC-TZ8 WB550
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2010-06-16 2009-02-23
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine HD II -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-300mm (12.0x) 24-240mm (10.0x)
Max 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 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 16s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1300s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames per second -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.30 m 4.70 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, Auto & Red-eye reduction, Fill-in flash, Slow sync, Flash off, Red eye fix
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30fps), 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 data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 214 gr (0.47 lb) 249 gr (0.55 lb)
Physical dimensions 103 x 60 x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") 105 x 61 x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus, internal
Storage slots 1 1
Price at launch $300 $330