• 1/2.5 inch 24.7mm2
  • 8.1 megapixels
  • 38.00mm - 114.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 480.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Samsung S860 advantages over Panasonic ZS45

  • Less expensive
    $179 vs $300 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.76 vs 1.33 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.8 vs f/3.3
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Lighter weight
    123g vs 249g
    Lighter weight

Panasonic ZS45 advantages over Samsung S860

  • Larger sensor
    1/2.33 inch vs 1/2.5 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • More telephoto lens reach
    480 mm vs 114 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Newer
    10 years vs 17 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    1040k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 8.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle lens
    24 mm vs 38 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 8 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 1000 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Samsung S760

Samsung S860
Samsung S760
  • $179
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • $169
  • 1/2.5 inch

Compare Samsung S860 vs Samsung S760

Panasonic ZS45
Samsung S760
  • $199
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $169
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic ZS45 vs Samsung S760

Compared to Sony DSC-S780

Samsung S860
Sony DSC-S780
  • $179
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • Longer exposure
  • $180
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Manual focus

Compare Samsung S860 vs Sony DSC-S780

Panasonic ZS45
Sony DSC-S780
  • $199
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $180
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic ZS45 vs Sony DSC-S780

Compared to Pentax E50

Samsung S860
Pentax E50
  • $179
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • Longer exposure
  • $150
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Manual focus

Compare Samsung S860 vs Pentax E50

Panasonic ZS45
Pentax E50
  • $199
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $150
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic ZS45 vs Pentax E50

Compared to Sony H90

Samsung S860
Sony H90
  • $179
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $223
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Samsung S860 vs Sony H90

Panasonic ZS45
Sony H90
  • $199
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $223
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Panasonic ZS45 vs Sony H90

Compared to Panasonic ZS35

Samsung S860
Panasonic ZS35
  • $179
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Samsung S860 vs Panasonic ZS35

Panasonic ZS45
Panasonic ZS35
  • $199
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Manual focus
  • More dots on screen
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch

Compare Panasonic ZS45 vs Panasonic ZS35

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