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Panasonic ZS8 vs Samsung HZ15W

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
39
Overall
37
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 front
 
Samsung HZ15W front
Portability
90
Imaging
34
Features
31
Overall
32

Panasonic ZS8 vs Samsung HZ15W Key Specs

Panasonic ZS8
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 210g - 105 x 58 x 33mm
  • Released July 2011
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ18
  • Earlier Model is Panasonic ZS7
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
  • Released February 2009
  • Alternate Name is WB550
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Panasonic ZS8 vs Samsung HZ15W Overview

Lets take a closer look at the Panasonic ZS8 versus Samsung HZ15W, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Panasonic and Samsung. The resolution of the ZS8 (14MP) and the HZ15W (12MP) is pretty well matched and they possess the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The ZS8 was launched 2 years after the HZ15W which is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the ZS8 scores versus the HZ15W with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS8 over the Samsung HZ15W

 ZS8 HZ15W 
ReleasedJuly 2011February 2009More modern by 30 months

Reasons to pick Samsung HZ15W over the Panasonic ZS8

 HZ15W ZS8 
Manually focus More precise focusing
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS8 and Samsung HZ15W

 ZS8 HZ15W 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Panasonic ZS8 vs Samsung HZ15W Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry around your camera, you're going to have to take into account its weight and size. The Panasonic ZS8 has physical dimensions of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") with a weight of 210 grams (0.46 lbs) and the Samsung HZ15W has specifications of 105mm x 61mm x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5") and a weight of 249 grams (0.55 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic ZS8 versus Samsung HZ15W in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you select at that time. Underneath is the front view proportions comparison of the ZS8 versus the HZ15W.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Samsung HZ15W size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the ZS8 and HZ15W is 92 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Samsung HZ15W top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS8 vs Samsung HZ15W Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very hard to visualise the contrast between sensor sizes merely by reading through specifications. The pic below will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the ZS8 and HZ15W.

Plainly, both of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same megapixels. You should expect the Panasonic ZS8 to give you more detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots a little more aggressively. The more recent ZS8 is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Samsung HZ15W sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS8 vs Samsung HZ15W Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS8 vs Samsung HZ15W Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Portrait photography factors
Samsung HZ15W Portrait photography factors
30
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
no external flash support
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
31
has manual focus
has face detect autofocus
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Street photography details
Samsung HZ15W Street photography details
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (210 grams)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
52
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
heavier than competition (249g)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Sports photography highlights
Samsung HZ15W Sports photography highlights
47
excellent zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14MP)
has tracking focus
max frames per second low (2.0 fps)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
27
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no shutter priority mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Travel photography factors
Samsung HZ15W Travel photography factors
69
lighter than competition (210g)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
long zoom (384mm)
no Timelapse mode
does not feature selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.3)
54
built-in flash
decently wide (24mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition (249g)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Landscape photography info
Samsung HZ15W Landscape photography info
44
relatively wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
no Timelapse mode
40
has manual focus
decently wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
lack of manual mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Vlogging advice
Samsung HZ15W Vlogging advice
30
relatively wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (210g)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not feature selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no microphone jack
28
decently wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detect autofocus
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic support
heavier than competition (249 grams)
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Panasonic ZS8 vs Samsung HZ15W Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS8 and Samsung HZ15W
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8Samsung HZ15W
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Samsung
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 Samsung HZ15W
Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ18 WB550
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2011-07-19 2009-02-23
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine FHD -
Sensor type CCD 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 14MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Maximum resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-384mm (16.0x) 24-240mm (10.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/3.3-5.8
Macro focusing range 3cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 16s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.00 m 4.70 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, Auto & Red-eye reduction, Fill-in flash, Slow sync, Flash off, Red eye fix
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (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 file format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 210g (0.46 pounds) 249g (0.55 pounds)
Dimensions 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" 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 340 shots -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (10 sec, 2 sec, Double, Motion Timer)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus, internal
Card slots 1 1
Retail cost $275 $330