Discover the Versatility of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 Camera: An In-Depth Review

If you're in the market for a compact camera that delivers high-quality performance and versatility, look no further than the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15. With a range of impressive features like its 12.1-megapixel sensor, fast autofocus, and 16x optical zoom, this camera is perfect for capturing stunning food, travel, and nature shots. In this blog post, we'll take you through a detailed review of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 and help you decide whether it's the right camera for you.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 article cover photo

Key Features

Jun 29 2012

Announced

12 megapixels

Resolution

BrandPanasonic
Sensor Type1/2.3-inch
SensorCMOS
Weight208g
MSRP$279USD

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Overview of the Lumix DMC-ZS15

Compact cameras have come a long way in the last few years, and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 is a shining example of what's possible. This camera is packed with features that make it a great choice for foodies, travelers, and nature enthusiasts alike. Whether you're capturing the intricate details of a dish at your favorite restaurant, exploring the wonders of a new city, or admiring the beauty of the natural world, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 has you covered. In this post, we'll dive deep into its specs and features to help you understand why it's a top-ranking camera on Google.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 camera. We will see what it can do and compare it to other cameras like it. We will tell you what's good about it and what's not so good. This way, you'll know if it's the camera for you!

Pros

12.1 Megapixels
16x Optical Zoom
Intelligent Auto Mode
Enhanced low-light sensitivity
Excellent image stabilization
Full HD video recording
3.0-inch LCD display
Compact design
Easy to use
Good battery life

Cons

Small sensor size
Limited manual controls
No raw image format option
Slow autofocus in low light
No external flash
No viewfinder
Limited zoom control in video mode
No mic or headphone jack
Limited ISO range
No touchscreen display

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15

Weather sealed
Dimensions105 x 58 x 33mm
Weight208g
Thickness33mm
Weight
Min
Avg
This
Max
Thickness
Min
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Max

Weather Sealing

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 is not sealed against water and dust, so it's important to be careful when using it in such conditions. If you often shoot in environments with water or dust, it's recommended to check out another camera with weather sealing.

Design and Handling

Main design features

View FinderNone
Screen TypeFixed Type
Screen Resolution460k dots
Body typeCompact

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a fixed type 3.00" screen, with a display resolution of 460k dots. This makes the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 not as suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you cannot view yourself while shooting selfies easily. Unfortunately, the camera does not have a touch screen, which may make it less user-friendly.

Viewfinder

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 does not include a viewfinder. The lack of a viewfinder on the Lumix DMC-ZS15 camera may make it less suitable for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 has a 12MP sized CMOS sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 12 pixels. Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 has a native ISO range of 100 - 6400 which can be boosted to null - null.

Key Features

Jun 29 2012

Announced

100 - 6400

ISO Range

Sensor1/2.3-inch
Extended ISOnull - null
Max resolution4000 x 3000 pixels

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

not tested

Color Depth

not tested

Dynamic Range

not tested

Low Light ISO

not tested

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 camera has excellent color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also excellent, allowing it to retain high amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is excellent, which is an important factor to consider if you plan to use it in dimly lit indoor environments or at night. Overall the image quality of the Lumix DMC-ZS15 is excellent

Crop Factor

Camera crop factor (or focal length multiplier) refers to how a camera's sensor size affects the apparent field of view of a lens. Crop factor is determined by comparing the size of a camera's sensor to that of a full-frame sensor, which is a standard reference size for camera sensors.

Size comparison

Medium FormatFull FrameAPS-C (Sony, Nikon)

Crop factor calculator

Crop factor

1x

Full frame equivalent

24mm

This camera: 1/2.3-inch

24mm

850100150200

Connectivity, storage, battery

StorageSD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Battery Life260 shots
Battery Model
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 supports SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal with 1 slots for storage. This may suffice for everyday use. However, for professional applications such as wedding photography, it is not recommended as a memory card malfunction could lead to the loss of all footage.

Battery

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 uses the undefined model of battery pack. This is rated for 260 shots shots which is high. If you intend to take photos or record videos for an extended period, it might be a good idea to bring along additional batteries.

Photography Features

Flash

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 has built in flash which is great for event photography and in low light situations. However it lacks an external flash shoe, which limits you to using the built-in flash.

Shutter

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/4000s, which is ideal for shooting fast-moving subjects in bright environments, such as in sports photography. Faster shutter speeds enable you to freeze the action and capture every detail, making it easier to get the perfect shot.

With a continuous mechanical shutter speed of n/a or an electronic shutter speed of n/a, this camera is not capable of capturing the perfect moment more easily, making it not as suited for wedding, sports, and wildlife photography. Higher shutter speeds make it easier to capture fast-paced action, ensuring that you never miss the perfect shot.

Autofocus

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 includes contrast detection autofocus (AF), with 23 number of focus points.

While contrast detection is generally more accurate and precise, phase detection autofocus is faster and more effective in most situations, particularly when photographing moving subjects.

Phase detection autofocus works by dividing the incoming light into pairs and then analyzing how they intersect on the camera's sensor. This method allows the camera to determine not only if a subject is in focus but also the direction and distance needed to adjust the focus to achieve perfect sharpness.

On the other hand, contrast detection autofocus works by analyzing the contrast of an image and adjusting the focus until the highest contrast is detected. While this method is very accurate, it can be slow, especially in low light conditions or when photographing moving subjects.

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FAQ

What is the sensor size of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15?

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 features a CMOS sensor

Is the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 weather sealed?

No the Lumix DMC-ZS15 does not have weather sealing.

When was the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 announced?

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 was announced on Jun 29 2012

Does the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 have in-body image stabilization?

Yes the Lumix DMC-ZS15 does have in-body image stabilization that can compensate for camera shake, making it easier to shoot handheld in low light conditions.

What is the ISO range of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15?

The Lumix DMC-ZS15 has a native ISO range of 100-6400, which can be expanded to ISO null-null for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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