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Canon SX30 IS vs Panasonic FZ40

Portability
64
Imaging
37
Features
42
Overall
39
Canon PowerShot SX30 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 front
Portability
68
Imaging
36
Features
40
Overall
37

Canon SX30 IS vs Panasonic FZ40 Key Specs

Canon SX30 IS
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-840mm (F2.7-5.8) lens
  • 601g - 123 x 92 x 108mm
  • Introduced September 2010
  • Superseded the Canon SX20 IS
  • Replacement is Canon SX40 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
  • Revealed July 2010
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-FZ45
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Canon SX30 IS vs Panasonic FZ40 Overview

Here, we will be matching up the Canon SX30 IS vs Panasonic FZ40, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Canon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the SX30 IS (14MP) and the FZ40 (14MP) is relatively close and both cameras boast the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SX30 IS was released 2 months later than the FZ40 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before diving into a detailed comparison, here is a brief overview of how the SX30 IS matches up versus the FZ40 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX30 IS over the Panasonic FZ40

 SX30 IS FZ40 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ40 over the Canon SX30 IS

 FZ40 SX30 IS 
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Canon SX30 IS and Panasonic FZ40

 SX30 IS FZ40 
RevealedSeptember 2010July 2010Same generation
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Touch screen Neither includes Touch screen

Canon SX30 IS vs Panasonic FZ40 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry your camera frequently, you should consider its weight and volume. The Canon SX30 IS features external dimensions of 123mm x 92mm x 108mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 4.3") accompanied by a weight of 601 grams (1.32 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FZ40 has sizing of 120mm x 80mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") accompanied by a weight of 494 grams (1.09 lbs).

Contrast the Canon SX30 IS vs Panasonic FZ40 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Here is a front view measurements comparison of the SX30 IS versus the FZ40.

Canon SX30 IS vs Panasonic FZ40 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the SX30 IS and FZ40 is 64 and 68 respectively.

Canon SX30 IS vs Panasonic FZ40 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX30 IS vs Panasonic FZ40 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's difficult to imagine the difference in sensor sizing just by researching technical specs. The graphic here will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX30 IS and FZ40.

As you can tell, both cameras come with the identical sensor size and the same exact MP therefore you should expect comparable quality of photographs though you may want to consider the production date of the cameras into account.

Canon SX30 IS vs Panasonic FZ40 sensor size comparison

Canon SX30 IS vs Panasonic FZ40 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX30 IS vs Panasonic FZ40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX30 IS Portrait photography factors
Panasonic FZ40 Portrait photography factors
42
focusing manually
decent MP (14 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
45
manual focus
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
saves RAW formats
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Canon SX30 IS Street photography details
Panasonic FZ40 Street photography details
49
screen articulates fully
built in image stabilization (Optical)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
heavier than average (601 grams)
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
more heavy than average in class (494 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX30 IS Sports photography info
Panasonic FZ40 Sports photography info
43
amazing zoom range (24-840mm 35.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
43
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14MP)
low fps (2.0 frames per second)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX30 IS Travel photography information
Panasonic FZ40 Travel photography information
58
decent MP (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
selfie friendly display
pretty wide (24mm)
great reach (840mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
heavier than average (601 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f2.7)
54
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
long reach (600mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
more heavy than average in class (494 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX30 IS Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic FZ40 Landscape photography highlights
41
focusing manually
pretty wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.7)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
missing Time Lapse mode
51
manual focus
relatively wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
saves RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of Timelapse recording
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX30 IS Vlogging details
Panasonic FZ40 Vlogging details
50
pretty wide (24mm)
selfie friendly display
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f2.7)
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic support
heavier than average (601g)
22
relatively wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external microphone jack
more heavy than average in class (494g)
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Canon SX30 IS vs Panasonic FZ40 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX30 IS and Panasonic FZ40
 Canon PowerShot SX30 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40
General Information
Make Canon Panasonic
Model type Canon PowerShot SX30 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-FZ45
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2010-09-14 2010-07-21
Body design SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 4 Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4320 x 3240 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-840mm (35.0x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.7-5.8 f/2.8-5.2
Macro focusing range 0cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 secs 60 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/3200 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.80 m 9.50 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 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)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG AVCHD Lite
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected 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 601 grams (1.32 lb) 494 grams (1.09 lb)
Physical dimensions 123 x 92 x 108mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 4.3") 120 x 80 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6")
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 ID NB-7L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 pictures))
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at launch $400 $420