Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic ZS40
95 Imaging
33 Features
17 Overall
26


90 Imaging
42 Features
58 Overall
48
Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic ZS40 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 35-105mm (F2.8-4.9) lens
- 160g - 86 x 55 x 22mm
- Released February 2009
- Other Name is Digital IXUS 95 IS
(Full Review)
- 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 3200 (Push to 6400)
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
- 240g - 111 x 64 x 34mm
- Introduced January 2014
- Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ60
- Superseded the Panasonic ZS35
- New Model is Panasonic ZS45

Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic ZS40 Overview
On this page, we are matching up the Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic ZS40, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Canon and Panasonic. There is a sizable difference between the sensor resolutions of the SD1200 IS (10MP) and ZS40 (18MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

The SD1200 IS was revealed 5 years before the ZS40 which is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before getting into a in depth comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the SD1200 IS scores against the ZS40 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic ZS40 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS & Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40. The full galleries are available at Canon SD1200 IS Gallery & Panasonic ZS40 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SD1200 IS over the Panasonic ZS40
SD1200 IS | ZS40 |
---|
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS40 over the Canon SD1200 IS
ZS40 | SD1200 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | January 2014 | ![]() | February 2009 | More modern by 59 months |
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial accurate focus | ||
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.5") |
Display resolution | 920k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer display (+690k dot) |
Common features in the Canon SD1200 IS and Panasonic ZS40
SD1200 IS | ZS40 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Missing selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Neither provides Touch friendly display |
Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic ZS40 Physical Comparison
For those who are aiming to carry around your camera, you are going to need to factor in its weight and volume. The Canon SD1200 IS provides external measurements of 86mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.4" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS40 has sizing of 111mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs).
Check the Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic ZS40 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are working with at the time. Here is a front view dimensions comparison of the SD1200 IS compared to the ZS40.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the SD1200 IS and ZS40 is 95 and 90 respectively.

Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic ZS40 Sensor Comparison
Often, it is very difficult to see the gap between sensor sizes just by looking at specs. The pic underneath will give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the SD1200 IS and ZS40.
As you can plainly see, both cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same MP. You can expect to see the Panasonic ZS40 to give you more detail because of its extra 8MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos a bit more aggressively. The more aged SD1200 IS is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic ZS40 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic ZS40 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Canon | Panasonic |
Model type | Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 |
Also called | Digital IXUS 95 IS | Lumix DMC-TZ60 |
Type | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Released | 2009-02-18 | 2014-01-06 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | - | Venus Engine |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10 megapixel | 18 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4896 x 3672 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Maximum boosted ISO | - | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Total focus points | 9 | 23 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 35-105mm (3.0x) | 24-720mm (30.0x) |
Maximal aperture | f/2.8-4.9 | f/3.3-6.4 |
Macro focusing range | 3cm | 3cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 2.5 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of display | 230k dot | 920k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Display tech | - | TFT LCD with AR coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (tunnel) | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 200k dot |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 100 percent |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 15 secs | 4 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/1500 secs | 1/2000 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | 1.0fps | 10.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.50 m | 6.40 m |
Flash modes | Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off | Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p) |
Maximum video resolution | 640x480 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | BuiltIn |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 160g (0.35 lbs) | 240g (0.53 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 86 x 55 x 22mm (3.4" x 2.2" x 0.9") | 111 x 64 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 260 shots | 300 shots |
Battery format | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | NB-6L | - |
Self timer | Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD MMCplus | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Retail pricing | $250 | $450 |