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Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic FZ40

Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
43
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX280 HS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 front
Portability
68
Imaging
36
Features
40
Overall
37

Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic FZ40 Key Specs

Canon SX280 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.5-6.8) lens
  • 233g - 106 x 63 x 33mm
  • Announced March 2013
  • Previous Model is Canon SX270 HS
Panasonic FZ40
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 494g - 120 x 80 x 92mm
  • Introduced July 2010
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-FZ45
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Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic FZ40 Overview

The following is a extensive comparison of the Canon SX280 HS and Panasonic FZ40, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by companies Canon and Panasonic. The resolution of the SX280 HS (12MP) and the FZ40 (14MP) is pretty similar and both cameras posses the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SX280 HS was announced 2 years after the FZ40 which is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Canon SX280 HS being a Compact camera and the Panasonic FZ40 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before we go into a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the SX280 HS grades vs the FZ40 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX280 HS over the Panasonic FZ40

 SX280 HS FZ40 
IntroducedMarch 2013July 2010Newer by 33 months
Screen resolution461k230kClearer screen (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ40 over the Canon SX280 HS

 FZ40 SX280 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX280 HS and Panasonic FZ40

 SX280 HS FZ40 
Focus manually More exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurements
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic FZ40 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to travel with your camera often, you will need to factor its weight and volume. The Canon SX280 HS features outside measurements of 106mm x 63mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3") and a weight of 233 grams (0.51 lbs) and the Panasonic FZ40 has sizing of 120mm x 80mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") along with a weight of 494 grams (1.09 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon SX280 HS and Panasonic FZ40 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are using at the time. Below is a front view dimension comparison of the SX280 HS vs the FZ40.

Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic FZ40 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX280 HS and FZ40 is 91 and 68 respectively.

Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic FZ40 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic FZ40 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is tough to picture the difference between sensor dimensions simply by going over a spec sheet. The picture underneath will provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the SX280 HS and FZ40.

Clearly, the two cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You should expect the Panasonic FZ40 to deliver greater detail with its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will let you crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more recent SX280 HS should have a benefit in sensor technology.

Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic FZ40 sensor size comparison

Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic FZ40 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic FZ40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Portrait photography features
Panasonic FZ40 Portrait photography features
34
has manual focus
has face detection focusing
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
45
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
supports RAW files
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Street photography factors
Panasonic FZ40 Street photography factors
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (233g)
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
51
image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
more heavy than competition (494g)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Sports photography factors
Panasonic FZ40 Sports photography factors
36
excellent zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking autofocus
slow frames per second (4.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
low battery life (210 CIPA)
does not have phase detect AF
43
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
low frames per second (2.0 frames/s)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Canon SX280 HS as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic FZ40 as a Travel photography camera
61
lighter than competitors (233 grams)
has built in flash
rather wide (25mm)
long reach (500mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
low battery life (210 shots)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.5)
54
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
great zoom (600mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
more heavy than competition (494 grams)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Landscape photography features
Panasonic FZ40 Landscape photography features
41
has manual focus
rather wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
low battery life (210 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse recording
51
focusing manually
pretty wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
supports RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX280 HS as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic FZ40 as a Vlogging camera
34
rather wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors (233g)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have external microphone jack
22
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have microphone support
more heavy than competition (494 grams)
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Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic FZ40 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX280 HS and Panasonic FZ40
 Canon PowerShot SX280 HSPanasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40
General Information
Make Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot SX280 HS Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-FZ45
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2013-03-21 2010-07-21
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 6 Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-500mm (20.0x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.5-6.8 f/2.8-5.2
Macro focus distance 5cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 461 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Features
Min shutter speed 15 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 4.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.50 m 9.50 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 (240 fps) 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)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD Lite
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 233g (0.51 lb) 494g (1.09 lb)
Physical dimensions 106 x 63 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3") 120 x 80 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 210 photos -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model NB-6L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 pictures))
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Launch price $325 $420