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Canon SX1 IS vs Panasonic ZS40

Portability
64
Imaging
32
Features
53
Overall
40
Canon PowerShot SX1 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 front
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
58
Overall
48

Canon SX1 IS vs Panasonic ZS40 Key Specs

Canon SX1 IS
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.8" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-560mm (F2.8-5.7) lens
  • 615g - 128 x 88 x 88mm
  • Introduced March 2009
Panasonic ZS40
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Bump to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 240g - 111 x 64 x 34mm
  • Launched January 2014
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ60
  • Previous Model is Panasonic ZS35
  • Newer Model is Panasonic ZS45
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Canon SX1 IS vs Panasonic ZS40 Overview

The following is a in-depth overview of the Canon SX1 IS and Panasonic ZS40, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Canon and Panasonic. There is a substantial difference among the resolutions of the SX1 IS (10MP) and ZS40 (18MP) but they come with the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SX1 IS was launched 5 years prior to the ZS40 which is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Canon SX1 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic ZS40 being a Compact camera.

Before diving straight into a detailed comparison, below is a short view of how the SX1 IS scores vs the ZS40 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX1 IS over the Panasonic ZS40

 SX1 IS ZS40 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS40 over the Canon SX1 IS

 ZS40 SX1 IS 
LaunchedJanuary 2014March 2009Newer by 58 months
Screen sizing3"2.8"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution920k230kSharper screen (+690k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX1 IS and Panasonic ZS40

 SX1 IS ZS40 
Manually focus More precise focusing
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Canon SX1 IS vs Panasonic ZS40 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to travel with your camera, you'll need to think about its weight and size. The Canon SX1 IS features external dimensions of 128mm x 88mm x 88mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.5") with a weight of 615 grams (1.36 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS40 has specifications of 111mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3") and a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon SX1 IS and Panasonic ZS40 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you use at that moment. Following is the front view scale comparison of the SX1 IS against the ZS40.

Canon SX1 IS vs Panasonic ZS40 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the SX1 IS and ZS40 is 64 and 90 respectively.

Canon SX1 IS vs Panasonic ZS40 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX1 IS vs Panasonic ZS40 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is hard to visualise the difference in sensor dimensions just by looking through technical specs. The pic underneath should provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX1 IS and ZS40.

As you have seen, the two cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same megapixels. You can count on the Panasonic ZS40 to result in extra detail utilizing its extra 8MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots far more aggressively. The more aged SX1 IS will be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Canon SX1 IS vs Panasonic ZS40 sensor size comparison

Canon SX1 IS vs Panasonic ZS40 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX1 IS vs Panasonic ZS40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX1 IS Portrait photography features
Panasonic ZS40 Portrait photography features
45
you can focus manually
flash sync is higher than normal (1/500s)
includes face detect focus
supports RAW formats
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
51
focusing manually
MP count good (18MP)
features face detection focus
exports RAW formats
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX1 IS
Street photography with Panasonic ZS40
56
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
heavier than competitors (615 grams)
69
image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
lighter than competition (240 grams)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX1 IS
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS40
32
great zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (4.0 fps)
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
54
excellent zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (18 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX1 IS as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS40 as a Travel photography camera
52
has built in flash
selfie friendly screen
fairly wide (28mm)
very long reach (560mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
heavier than competitors (615 grams)
low megapixels (10MP)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
69
lighter than competition (240g)
MP count good (18 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (24mm)
great reach (720mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX1 IS Landscape photography information
Panasonic ZS40 Landscape photography information
44
you can focus manually
fairly wide (28mm)
good sized screen (2.8")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
missing Time Lapse recording
55
focusing manually
relatively wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (18 megapixels)
exports RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX1 IS Vlogging highlights
Panasonic ZS40 Vlogging highlights
57
fairly wide (28mm)
selfie friendly screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
missing mic socket
heavier than competitors (615 grams)
34
relatively wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (240g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
doesn't have external mic jack
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Canon SX1 IS vs Panasonic ZS40 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX1 IS and Panasonic ZS40
 Canon PowerShot SX1 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40
General Information
Company Canon Panasonic
Model type Canon PowerShot SX1 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40
Also called - Lumix DMC-TZ60
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2009-03-27 2014-01-06
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - Venus Engine
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 18MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 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 files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 23
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-560mm (20.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.7 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing distance 0cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 2.8" 3"
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology - TFT LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 200 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/3200 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 4.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.20 m 6.40 m
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/500 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic 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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 615g (1.36 pounds) 240g (0.53 pounds)
Dimensions 128 x 88 x 88mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.5") 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 - 300 photos
Battery format - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec or custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/MMC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail cost $600 $450