My friend also told me that the paint used on the...
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 or Samsung HZ15W?
Ever since I dropped and broke my camera, I know I needed to get another one for our travels. I would still try to have it repaired but I want a second one for my wife just in case.
My criteria for choosing a new camera would have to be:
- Compact size to fit a jacket pocket
- Wide angle lens
- A lot of optical zoom (my old one has 10x)
- Not powered by AA-batteries
With those factors I know I should be looking for what tech reviewers call “pocket megazooms”. One of the most popular brand, Canon, has the Powershot SX200 IS which also features manual controls that I would be happy to play with. Unfortunately, it’s quite expensive at $350 and I don’t particularly like its build design especially the pop-up flash.
With that, I narrowed my choices down to two. I listed some of their features here and what I think about them but I still can’t decide which one to choose so I’m hoping you could help me.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 (TZ6 in Europe)
- 10 megapixels with 12x optical zoom
25mm – 300mm wide-angle Leica DC Vario-Elmar lens- ISO ratings: 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1250, 1600
- shutter: auto /60x – 1/2000s
- aperture: auto / F3.3 – F6.3 (W) / F4.9 – F6.3 (T)
- weight: 7.3 oz.
- lowest price: $250 at Vann’s
- Sample Image
The ZS1 is the little but newer brother of the ZS3 which is more expensive with HD video-recording capability compared to ZS1’s WVGA. One of the capabilities of the Lumix against other megazooms is that you can zoom in or out while recording videos.
It has an AF Tracking feature that locks on a subject if it’s moving so you don’t have to re-focus your shot. You can also use its Intelligent Auto mode which allows it to select a scene setting that best suits your shot. That I really dig!
Cons would be that it has no manual mode which might be difficult for those low-light situations. I don’t know how to use manual so I’m not sure if I would miss it much. Although it would be nice to play with my shots from time to time with the help of manual settings.
Bottomline is that it’s cheap, compact, and very easy to use for lazy shooters like me. I’ve read a lot of reviews and image quality (up to ISO 400) for this camera is one of the best in its class.
CNET UK rates this at 9.4.
Samsung HZ15W (WB550 in Europe)
12 megapixels with 10x optical zoom- 24mm – 240mm Schneider-KREUZNACH lens
- ISO ratings: 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200
- shutter: auto | manual / 16s – 1/1500s
- aperture: auto / F3.3 – F5.8
- manual focus: 5cm – infinity (Wide)
- weight: 7.9 oz.
- lowest price: $330 at Vann’s
- Sample Image
Samsung is not really a known brand when it comes to digital cameras but this model caught photo enthusiasts by surprise with its 24mm ultra wide lens to go with 10x zoom.
The selling point for the Samsung HZ15W is that it has manual controls (albeit limited) including focus. It can also record 720p HD videos to go along with its HDMI output. It’s cool that you can connect the camera to your PC and at the same time charge its battery.
Cons would have to be the position of the flash which you can accidentally cover with your fingers. It also produces poor result in low-light situation despite its Dual Image Stabilisation. It’s no big deal for me anyway since I rarely take shots when it’s dark.
Bottomline is that it’s on the affordable side for a compact camera with a bit of manual control. But of course, Samsung is not a popular brand for cameras so I don’t know if that bears anything. If the price goes down some more by next month then I would really have to consider this.
What Digital Camera gave this a score of 85%.
Which one should I choose?
Help! Which one should I choose?
I’m still planning to purchase a camera next month so I hope the prices of the two goes down. Did I miss other brands? I don’t like Sony too much because they’re usually expensive for their capability.
Oh how I wish there’s a newer swivel-lens type like my Nikon Coolpix S10 which is the perfect camera to take candid shots.
You might also be interested in:
- A consumer’s review of Panasonic Lumix ZS1
- Waiting for my Panasonic Lumix ZS1
- My Panasonic Lumix ZS1′s trip to FHM Party 2009
- 5 things you should know before buying the Samsung Wave
Filed under: Gadgets n' Games
If your choice is limited to the 2 models mentioned, I think you’re better off with the Lumix.
The advantages of the Samsung model are wider (by 1mm) lens, HD video, higher resolution, higher ISO and supposedly more manual controls.
But it seems your not much into taking “experimental” shots anyway. And you did say you were a lazy shooter. So that already takes care of the last two advantages. Besides, for most typical shots the features on any of these models would already suffice.
Now, if you don’t plan to blowup your pics to be printed bigger than 8×10, the extra 2 mega pixel might not prove to be of any use to you. As for the 1mm difference in wide lens mode, it’s actually also minimal. And unless you’re planning to come up with maybe a scandal video, how often do you really think you’d end up recording something in HD?
The way I see it, the advantages of the Lumix are a better fit for you. Longer reach (up to 300mm), longer optical zoom, lighter in weight and not to mention lower in price.
Just my 2 Philippine centavos worth.
calvin: excellent points! hmmm… what if the price for both cameras are the same?
dunno.. maka-canon pa rin ako.. hahahaha!
calvin: overrated na Canon.
basta hindi sony coz my cybershot sucks!
calvin: ewww. nauto ka ng Sony?
basta baby blue, ok na sa akin. hahaha
I don’t really know all the tech specs that you require or if the Olympus tough series meets your requirements. I just think its cool to have an underwater camera. hehe
thanks! I considered buying an Olympus tough camera before but I learned from friends and read in other forums that they aren’t that tough when used a lot underwater.
I have an Olympus. I’ve used it probably around 10 times underwater but it’s still in good condition.
But anyway, maka-canon din ako. But I heard from friends Lumix is a really nice one. So between Lumix and Samsung, Lumix! 
calvin: akin na lang olympus mo. if you check comments in dpreview they say that just one day of using it during snorkeling nagkakaroon na ng moisture sa loob or nalalagyan talaga ng tubig. mukhang naka-set na ata ako sa lumix. hehehe. Costco is selling it for $230 because of a $50 coupon. May Costco ba malapit sa inyo?
Hi Calvin,
Just want to ask if you have idea where I can buy water proof casing for my canon ixus 100is? Been looking for that in the malls for almost a couple of months now but still cant find one. Pls help.
yeah…it’s hard to find specific waterproof casing here. Try the Canon D-Zone stores (MOA, Trinoma, Glorietta 3, SM North). Usually online nakakabili eh. Kung makakita ka and if it’s too expensive, try yung mga Dicapac casing. maraming nagbebenta nyan dito sa pinas. google mo na lang pero ang alam ko ay yung sa may pasong tamo.
thanks Calvin. I have heard that too. Any idea how much is the cost (dicapac casing)?