• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 384.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 21.00mm - 105.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic ZS15 advantages over Olympus TG-850

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.54 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • More telephoto lens reach
    384 mm vs 105 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer exposure
    15 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 7.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Olympus TG-850 advantages over Panasonic ZS15

  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle lens
    21 mm vs 24 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    6 vs 4 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Manual focus
    Neither provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic ZS15

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus TG-850

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic ZS10

Panasonic ZS15
Panasonic ZS10
  • $273
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $214
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Olympus TG-850
Panasonic ZS10
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $214
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compared to Panasonic ZS8

Panasonic ZS15
Panasonic ZS8
  • $273
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • HDMI out
  • More dots on screen
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More pixels
Olympus TG-850
Panasonic ZS8
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer exposure

Compared to Panasonic ZS19

Panasonic ZS15
Panasonic ZS19
  • $273
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Faster shutter
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • More telephoto lens reach
Olympus TG-850
Panasonic ZS19
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Olympus TG-860

Panasonic ZS15
Olympus TG-860
  • $273
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
Olympus TG-850
Olympus TG-860
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Built-in GPS

Compared to Olympus TG-870

Panasonic ZS15
Olympus TG-870
  • $273
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
Olympus TG-850
Olympus TG-870
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Built-in GPS
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