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Canon SX40 HS vs Panasonic ZS45

Portability
64
Imaging
36
Features
50
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot SX40 HS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45 front
Portability
91
Imaging
41
Features
55
Overall
46

Canon SX40 HS vs Panasonic ZS45 Key Specs

Canon SX40 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-840mm (F2.7-5.8) lens
  • 600g - 123 x 92 x 108mm
  • Launched September 2011
  • Superseded the Canon SX30 IS
  • Successor is Canon SX50 HS
Panasonic ZS45
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 249g - 108 x 60 x 32mm
  • Revealed January 2015
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ57
  • Earlier Model is Panasonic ZS40
  • New Model is Panasonic ZS50
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Canon SX40 HS vs Panasonic ZS45 Overview

Here, we will be evaluating the Canon SX40 HS and Panasonic ZS45, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by companies Canon and Panasonic. There exists a huge gap among the image resolutions of the SX40 HS (12MP) and ZS45 (16MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SX40 HS was introduced 4 years before the ZS45 and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Canon SX40 HS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic ZS45 being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the SX40 HS scores vs the ZS45 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX40 HS over the Panasonic ZS45

 SX40 HS ZS45 
Manual focus Very precise focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS45 over the Canon SX40 HS

 ZS45 SX40 HS 
RevealedJanuary 2015September 2011More recent by 40 months
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1040k230kClearer screen (+810k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX40 HS and Panasonic ZS45

 SX40 HS ZS45 
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Canon SX40 HS vs Panasonic ZS45 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to lug around your camera, you'll have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Canon SX40 HS features physical dimensions of 123mm x 92mm x 108mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 4.3") along with a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS45 has proportions of 108mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 249 grams (0.55 lbs).

Compare the Canon SX40 HS and Panasonic ZS45 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are utilizing at that time. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the SX40 HS versus the ZS45.

Canon SX40 HS vs Panasonic ZS45 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX40 HS and ZS45 is 64 and 91 respectively.

Canon SX40 HS vs Panasonic ZS45 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX40 HS vs Panasonic ZS45 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is difficult to see the contrast in sensor measurements purely by going through technical specs. The graphic here should give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX40 HS and ZS45.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit not the same megapixels. You should count on the Panasonic ZS45 to provide greater detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The older SX40 HS will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon SX40 HS vs Panasonic ZS45 sensor size comparison

Canon SX40 HS vs Panasonic ZS45 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX40 HS vs Panasonic ZS45 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SX40 HS
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS45
41
has manual focus
above average flash sync (1/2,000 seconds)
supports face detection focus
sensor resolution low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
37
MP count good (16 megapixels)
offers face detect focusing
no manual focus
can't use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX40 HS Street photography features
Panasonic ZS45 Street photography features
49
screen articulates fully
has image stabilization (Optical)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
heavier than others (600g)
69
tilting screen
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (249g)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX40 HS as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZS45 as a Sports photography camera
43
excellent zoom range (24-840mm 35.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
better than average battery power (380 CIPA)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
56
amazing zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
offers tracking focus
great battery (350 shots)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX40 HS Travel photography highlights
Panasonic ZS45 Travel photography highlights
55
better than average battery power (380 per charge)
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
fairly wide (24mm)
very long zoom (840mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
heavier than others (600 grams)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.7)
71
great battery (350 CIPA)
lighter than competition in class (249 grams)
MP count good (16MP)
flash built-in
quite wide (24mm)
great reach (480mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Canon SX40 HS Landscape photography info
Panasonic ZS45 Landscape photography info
38
has manual focus
fairly wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
better than average battery power (380 shots)
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.7)
small screen (2.7 inch)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse function
48
quite wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
great battery (350 CIPA)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX40 HS Vlogging details
Panasonic ZS45 Vlogging details
57
fairly wide (24mm)
selfie friendly screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.7)
doesn't have external mic socket
heavier than others (600 grams)
34
quite wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (249g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
does not have microphone jack
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Canon SX40 HS vs Panasonic ZS45 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX40 HS and Panasonic ZS45
 Canon PowerShot SX40 HSPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45
General Information
Brand Name Canon Panasonic
Model type Canon PowerShot SX40 HS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45
Also Known as - Lumix DMC-TZ57
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2011-09-15 2015-01-06
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
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 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 9 21
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-840mm (35.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.7-5.8 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing range 0cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fully Articulated Tilting
Display sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 1,040 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech PureColor II VA TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/3200 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 10.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 7.00 m 6.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/2000 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 240 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 600g (1.32 pounds) 249g (0.55 pounds)
Physical dimensions 123 x 92 x 108mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 4.3") 108 x 60 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.4" 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 380 photographs 350 photographs
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-10L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Retail price $330 $300