The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-ZS15 Digital Camera (Silver) features a 16x Leica zoom lens, 1080i HD video, optical image stabilization, and built-in HDR and panorama shooting.
The ZS15 has an ultra wide-angle 24mm (35mm equivalent) lens with a 16x super zoom range that reaches out to 384mm (35mm equivalent) telephoto lens. And that 24-384mm lens is made by Leica. There's a high res 12.1MP MOS sensor, full 1920 x 1080 60i high definition video, and it focuses in a lightning-fast 0.1 second. There's even 32x Intelligent Zoom that extends your lens to an astounding 768mm ultra telephoto.
POWER O.I.S. image stabilization keeps your images sharp and clear, whether you're shooting in dim light, taking extreme close-up macro shots, or using the longest telephoto setting. There's even an Active Mode that helps to keep your videos from jumping around. The Venus Engine processor and Intelligent Noise Reduction System deliver the best image quality possible. A host of creative functions and modes like Intelligent HDR (High Dynamic Range), Panorama Shot, burst shooting of 10 frames per second at full 12.1PM resolution, and color modes galore will help you make every photo and every video you create an inspiration.
Intelligent ISO control/motion detection and AF tracking for moving subjects make this one of the easiest cameras ever to use. A 3D photo mode lets you explore the 3D world with your photos and the Handheld Night Shot mode allows you to take gorgeous photos at night--without a tripod! The large, bright 3" 460K-dot LCD makes composing and viewing your images a treat.
All of this comes in a compact package that measures just 4.1 x 2.2 x 1.3" and weighs only 6.5 oz! Your Lumix DMC-ZS15 is ready when you are.
Lens Performance
Powerful 16x Optical Zoom
The DMC-ZS15's powerful 16x optical zoom (35mm camera equivalent: 24-384mm; 27-432mm in video recording) draws your subjects right up close, and lets you freely capture decisive sports scenes, along with the natural expressions of people and animals, and details that you can't see with the naked eye. In addition, this single camera lets you record 16x zoom in video recording.
32x Intelligent Zoom
The Intelligent Zoom is an extensive zoom function using digital zoom, however, you can even draw the subject 2x closer than the original optical zoom with minimum deterioration of image quality thanks to the Intelligent Resolution technology. This means the 16x optical can virtually extend to 32x equivalent.
24mm Ultra Wide-angle Lens
The 24mm ultra wide-angle lens - rare on a compact camera - gives you a wider range of composition possibilities with approx. 213% larger viewing space compared to that of a 35mm lens. The high-quality Leica DC lens minimizes distortion at the wide end.
Leica DC Vario-Elmar Lens
Newly developed Leica DC lens system that achieves both high image quality and small size is redesigned to further extend its powerful zoom to 16x (35mm camera equivalent: 24-384mm). Comprising 12 elements in 10 groups including 3 aspherical lenses with 6 aspherical surfaces and 2 ED lenses, adoption of ultra thin lens for its new structure optical system makes the unit's overall length short to fit in the slim body despite its versatile zoom range from 24mm ultra wide-angle to 16x telephoto.
Nano Surface Coating
The Panasonic's black box technology Nano Surface Coating boasts extremely low reflectance ratio and it is applied to DMC-ZS15 for exceptional optical performance with stunning clarity by minimizing flaring and ghosts.
POWER O.I.S.
The POWER O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) suppresses the low-frequency vibration hand-shake component, which is physically generated when pressing the shutter button or when shooting at night with a slow shutter speed. The POWER O.I.S. also works for powerful zoom shots, which are especially susceptible to hand-shake in a compact camera. Active mode is effective for video recording.
Shooting Functions
Creative Control / Creative Retouch
You can add different effects by applying one of the filters both in the recording mode (Creative Control) and the playback mode (Creative Retouch). Includes modes such as Expressive, Low Key, Retro, High Dynamic, Soft Focus, Sepia, Toy Effect, High Key, Dynamic Monochrome, and Miniature Effect.
Panorama Shot
The Panorama Shot Mode makes it is possible to shoot a 360-degree horizontal / vertical panoramic image with consequent shots taken by overlaying the previous picture.
Auto Retouch
The Auto Retouch function adjusts contrast and brightness to give different impression to the photo with just a press of a button. Appropriate retouch is automatically applied depending on the image - if the image was shot too dark, it can be made clear and bright with this function.
Intelligent Handheld Night Shot
The Intelligent Handheld Night Shot in the iA Mode facilitates sharp, beautiful photos at night by multi-layering the images automatically shot consecutively. Bright, glamorous night scenery can be recorded without using a tripod. The Handheld Night Shot Mode is also available in the Scene Mode.
3D Photo Mode
The 3D Photo Mode produces a 3D image in the camera. The image-processing method records beautiful images with less distortion or visible image links. 20 panning shots are taken and the camera selects the two most suitable images - one for the right eye and one for the left eye - to synthesize a 3D composite.
Response
10 fps With 12.1MP Full Resolution
The newly developed MOS sensor lets the DMC-ZS15 shoot 10 fps in 12.1MP full resolution with mechanical shutter, for a max of 4 shots. You can take a series of shots, then choose the ones you like the best.
5 fps / 2 fps With AF Tracking
You can snap off consecutive shots at approx. 5 fps or 2 fps with AF Tracking, for a max of 100 shots.
60 fps in 3.5MP Resolution
Even higher-speed burst shooting is possible when the electronic shutter and a lower resolution are used.
Intelligent Burst Mode
The Intelligent Burst Shooting automatically sets the frame rate of burst shooting according to the subject's movement.
Image Quality
12.1MP MOS Sensor
The 12.1MP High Sensitivity MOS sensor is newly developed for the DMC-ZS15 for even higher image quality. Together with the performance of the Venus Engine, the quality of an image shot in low-light situations is dramatically improved, reducing the noise to half the previous level.
Venus Engine
The DMC-ZS15's Venus Engine processes large amounts of progressive full HD data at high speed. At the same time, the multi-task image-processing engine produces a super-fast response time.
Intelligent Noise Reduction System
The excellent S/N ratio of the MOS sensor and the Intelligent Noise Reduction system in the Venus Engine give both photos and videos shot at any sensitivity from low to high outstanding clarity.
Multi-Process Noise Reduction System
Newly developed Multi-Process Noise Reduction applies optimum noise reduction according to the brightness of the part of the image. Images recorded in low-lit situations are now dramatically clear.
Intelligent HDR
The DMC-ZS15 integrates Intelligent HDR (High Dynamic Range) in the iA Mode. Several still pictures consecutively shot at different exposure levels are overlaid to produce a single composite picture with greatly improved contrast. The HDR Mode is also available in the Scene Mode. Auto (AE) Bracketing: 1/3 -1EV step, Max +/-1EV, 3 frames
iA (Intelligent Auto) Mode
In the iA (Intelligent Auto) Mode, the camera does all the work, leaving you free to compose shots and capture moments in both photo and video recording. The Intelligent Resolution technology, 40x Intelligent Zoom and Intelligent Burst are always activated in the iA Mode.
Shake Detection--POWER O.I.S.
Gyrosensors detect hand-shaking and the O.I.S. lens shifts to compensate, helping prevent blurring caused by hand-shaking.
Motion Deblur
The Motion Deblur Mode judges the appropriate shutter speed and suppresses motion blur. The shutter speed rises as high as possible activating the high-sensitivity recording by pixel mixed readout method.
Motion Detection--Intelligent ISO Control
The Intelligent ISO Control function detects subject movement and automatically adjusts the ISO setting and shutter speed to best suit the movement and light conditions.
Face Recognition
The Face Recognition function remembers faces that have been registered in the camera and provides the faces with optimal focus and exposure.
Face Detection--Face Detection AF/AE
The Face Detection function detects faces anywhere in the frame and automatically chooses the optimal focus and exposure. The Face Detection also features the Digital Red-eye Correction (Red-eye Removal) in photo recording.
Subject Detection--AF Tracking
Once you focus on your subject, the AF Tracking automatically and continuously tracks it and keeps it in focus and proper exposure.
Scene Detection--Intelligent Scene Selector
The Intelligent Scene Selector senses the ambient conditions and automatically selects a Scene Mode: Photo (Scenery, Portrait, Macro, Night Portrait*6, Night Scenery, Sunset or Handheld Night Shot), Video (Scenery, Portrait, Macro or Low Light).
Happy Mode
The Happy Mode optimizes color, saturation and brightness to make images more vivid and true to the color of the scene you remember.
Light Detection--Intelligent Exposure
The Intelligent Exposure corrects the brightness in parts of the image that are too dark due to insufficient lighting, backlighting or use of the flash. This produces natural images that are closer to the way they actually look to the human eyes.
Intelligent HDR (High Dynamic Range)
Several still pictures consecutively shot at different exposure levels are overlaid to produce a single composite picture without whiteout (over-exposure) or blackout (under-exposure).
Easy Manual Control / Custom Mode
The DMC-ZS15 provides easy-to-use manual controls. A total of 4 custom setting patterns can also be memorized to the camera (1 on C1 and 3 on C2).
Manual Exposure Mode
You can set both the aperture and shutter speed. The Manual Exposure Assist function shows how much your setting differs from the setting the camera considers optimal. This serves as a convenient guide for anyone using the Manual Exposure Mode.
Aperture-Priority Mode
The Aperture-Priority mode lets you open the aperture up wide for impressive portraits and flowers with softly focused backgrounds.
Shutter-Priority Mode
Fast shutter speeds can be used to freeze moving subjects, and slow shutter speeds can create a motion blur that exaggerates the feeling of movement.
AC / USB Battery Charging
The DMC-ZS15 offers USB power charging in addition to the conventional AC power supply. The energy-saving Venus Engine and the efficient, rechargeable lithium-ion battery let you take approx. 260 shots on a single battery charge.
Additional Functions
Built-In Memory, Focus Range Display, Travel Date Setting, Copy, Guide Line, Zoom Resume, Real-Time Histogram, Minimum Shutter Speed, and World Time Setting.
Video
1920 x 1080 60i (NTSC) Full HD Video in AVCHD Progressive Format
The DMC-ZS15 is an advanced photographic tool for recording not only great photos but also beautiful full HD 1,920 x 1,080/60i/30fps or 1280 x 720/60p/30fps videos in AVCHD (MPEG-4 / H.264) format / MP4 format. The AVCHD format excels in the compatibility with AV equipment like HDTVs or Blu-ray Disc players. The MP4 format has higher compatibility with computers.
POWER O.I.S. With Active Mode
The Active Mode effectively suppresses blur in video recording especially at wide angle while walking or playing with your children. In addition, it's an optical system so there's no image degradation. It's especially good for active video shooting.
16x Optical Zoom in Video Recording
The powerful 16x optical zoom with 2-step zoom function is available in video recording.
Auto Wind Cut Function
The Auto Wind Cut function is also available to block out most of the noise from background wind automatically making the human voice stand out.
Creative Control
The Creative Control renders highly unique expressions by matching the colors to your subject and surroundings. In Miniature Effect Mode, the video recorded is played back in 10x fast-forwarding for humorous effect.
Additional Functions
iA (Intelligent Auto) Mode/Scene Mode: The camera makes the optimal settings automatically.
Still Image Recording: It is possible to take a still image while recording video simultaneously. The picture size is fixed to 3.5MP (16:9).
Cut Animation: You can cut out a clear still image from a video in the camera thanks to the Intelligent Resolution technology.
Video Divide: You can divide a single video into two parts using only the camera.
Still Image Recording: It is possible to take a still image while recording video simultaneously. The picture size is fixed to 3.5MP (16:9).
Cut Animation: You can cut out a clear still image from a video in the camera thanks to the Intelligent Resolution technology.
Video Divide: You can divide a single video into two parts using only the camera.
Archive and Share
3D Image Viewer / VIERA Link
Photos or videos recorded in AVCHD on SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Cards are easy to view on a Panasonic VIERA TV. Simply insert the card into the VIERA Image Viewer (SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Card slot) on VIERA TV or Blu-ray Disc players to playback your contents. With the DMC-ZS20, you can use an optional HDMI mini cable to output images you took from the camera directly to the TV for VIERA Link. The pictures taken with the 3D Photo Mode via the 3D Image Viewer offers you a whole new exciting experience.
LUMIX Image Uploader
You can upload images to Facebook (photos and videos) and YouTube (videos) with simple operation.
PHOTOfunSTUDIO
The PHOTOfunSTUDIO 8.1 Premium Edition makes it possible to sort and organize photos and videos not only of those newly taken but also of those stored in your computer with quick start-up and fast read-in of images. Recorded videos can be edited with the Short Movie Story function and written into MPEG2 to burn onto a BD / DVD disc. You can also enjoy making photos and videos slideshows with a variety of effects and use your iTunes music library as background music. It is also possible to put a title or add comments on the scene utilizing the information from the people's names registered in Face Recognition.
Additional Included Software
Adobe Reader
Additional Functions
Slideshow With Music, Category Playback, Set Favorites, Cropping (Trimming), DPOF Print Setting, Title Edit/Text Stamp, PictBridge Compatible, 12/30 Thumbnails Display, Set Protection, Calendar Display, and Resize.