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Canon 30D vs Panasonic FZ40

Portability
58
Imaging
46
Features
39
Overall
43
Canon EOS 30D front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 front
Portability
68
Imaging
37
Features
40
Overall
38

Canon 30D vs Panasonic FZ40 Key Specs

Canon 30D
(Full Review)
  • 8MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Increase to 3200)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Canon EF/EF-S Mount
  • 784g - 144 x 106 x 74mm
  • Announced April 2006
  • Succeeded the Canon 20D
  • New Model is Canon 40D
Panasonic FZ40
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 494g - 120 x 80 x 92mm
  • Launched July 2010
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-FZ45
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Canon 30D vs Panasonic FZ40 Overview

On this page, we are matching up the Canon 30D and Panasonic FZ40, one is a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Canon and Panasonic. There is a big difference between the resolutions of the 30D (8MP) and FZ40 (14MP) and the 30D (APS-C) and FZ40 (1/2.3") boast different sensor dimensions.

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The 30D was unveiled 5 years prior to the FZ40 which is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Canon 30D being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Panasonic FZ40 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before we go straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a short introduction of how the 30D matches up vs the FZ40 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon 30D over the Panasonic FZ40

 30D FZ40 

Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ40 over the Canon 30D

 FZ40 30D 
LaunchedJuly 2010April 2006More modern by 52 months
Display dimensions3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")

Common features in the Canon 30D and Panasonic FZ40

 30D FZ40 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither contains Touch friendly display

Canon 30D vs Panasonic FZ40 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry around your camera often, you will have to think about its weight and size. The Canon 30D has got physical dimensions of 144mm x 106mm x 74mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 2.9") with a weight of 784 grams (1.73 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FZ40 has specifications of 120mm x 80mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") with a weight of 494 grams (1.09 lbs).

Look at the Canon 30D and Panasonic FZ40 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are using at the time. Below is a front view measurement comparison of the 30D and the FZ40.

Canon 30D vs Panasonic FZ40 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the 30D and FZ40 is 58 and 68 respectively.

Canon 30D vs Panasonic FZ40 top view buttons comparison

Canon 30D vs Panasonic FZ40 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be tough to picture the contrast between sensor sizes simply by looking at a spec sheet. The picture here will offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the 30D and FZ40.

Clearly, the two cameras have different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The 30D using its larger sensor is going to make shooting bokeh less difficult and the Panasonic FZ40 will give you greater detail having an extra 6MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop images a bit more aggressively. The more aged 30D is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon 30D vs Panasonic FZ40 sensor size comparison

Canon 30D vs Panasonic FZ40 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 30D vs Panasonic FZ40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon 30D Portrait photography information
Panasonic FZ40 Portrait photography information
51
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
no liveview
sensor resolution not great (8MP)
46
has manual focus
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
delivers RAW formats
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Canon 30D Street photography advice
Panasonic FZ40 Street photography advice
52
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
heavier than competitors in class (494g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon 30D
Sports photography with Panasonic FZ40
44
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
no liveview
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (8MP)
43
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14MP)
max fps very slow (2.0 fps)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon 30D
Travel photography with Panasonic FZ40
42
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse function
sensor resolution not great (8 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
54
MP count decent (14MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
very long reach (600mm)
no Time Lapse recording
heavier than competitors in class (494g)
does not have selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon 30D as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic FZ40 as a Landscape photography camera
46
has manual focus
swap lenses (Canon EF/EF-S mount)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
tiny screen (2.5 inch)
no liveview
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (8MP)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
51
has manual focus
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14MP)
delivers RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon 30D Vlogging highlights
Panasonic FZ40 Vlogging highlights
9
no video
23
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not have selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no mic port
heavier than competitors in class (494g)
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Canon 30D vs Panasonic FZ40 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 30D and Panasonic FZ40
 Canon EOS 30DPanasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40
General Information
Brand Name Canon Panasonic
Model type Canon EOS 30D Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-FZ45
Type Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2006-04-04 2010-07-21
Body design Mid-size SLR SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 22.5 x 15mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 337.5mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 8 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3504 x 2336 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Highest enhanced ISO 3200 -
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type Canon EF/EF-S fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-600mm (24.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/2.8-5.2
Macro focusing range - 1cm
Total lenses 326 -
Focal length multiplier 1.6 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.5 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.56x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 5.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (ISO 100) 9.50 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Red-eye reduction, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/250 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1280x720
Video format - AVCHD Lite
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 784 grams (1.73 lbs) 494 grams (1.09 lbs)
Physical dimensions 144 x 106 x 74mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 2.9") 120 x 80 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 59 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.8 not tested
DXO Low light rating 736 not tested
Other
Self timer Yes (10 sec (2 sec with mirror lock-up)) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 pictures))
Time lapse shooting
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I or II) SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Launch cost $773 $420