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Canon SX40 HS vs Panasonic ZS7

Portability
64
Imaging
35
Features
50
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot SX40 HS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 front
Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
33
Overall
34

Canon SX40 HS vs Panasonic ZS7 Key Specs

Canon SX40 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-840mm (F2.7-5.8) lens
  • 600g - 123 x 92 x 108mm
  • Released September 2011
  • Superseded the Canon SX30 IS
  • New Model is Canon SX50 HS
Panasonic ZS7
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 218g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Launched July 2011
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ10
  • Renewed by Panasonic ZS8
Photography Glossary

Canon SX40 HS vs Panasonic ZS7 Overview

Let's look more in depth at the Canon SX40 HS versus Panasonic ZS7, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by brands Canon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SX40 HS (12MP) and the ZS7 (12MP) is relatively close and both cameras boast the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SX40 HS was announced 2 months later than the ZS7 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Canon SX40 HS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic ZS7 being a Compact camera.

Before we go straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a simple overview of how the SX40 HS grades against the ZS7 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX40 HS over the Panasonic ZS7

 SX40 HS ZS7 
Manual focus Very accurate focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS7 over the Canon SX40 HS

 ZS7 SX40 HS 
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX40 HS and Panasonic ZS7

 SX40 HS ZS7 
LaunchedSeptember 2011July 2011Same generation
Touch screen Neither provides Touch screen

Canon SX40 HS vs Panasonic ZS7 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to lug around your camera frequently, you should take into account its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX40 HS provides exterior measurements of 123mm x 92mm x 108mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 4.3") accompanied by a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS7 has dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 218 grams (0.48 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon SX40 HS versus Panasonic ZS7 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are employing at the time. Below is a front view scale comparison of the SX40 HS against the ZS7.

Canon SX40 HS vs Panasonic ZS7 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX40 HS and ZS7 is 64 and 91 respectively.

Canon SX40 HS vs Panasonic ZS7 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX40 HS vs Panasonic ZS7 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's difficult to imagine the contrast in sensor measurements merely by looking through technical specs. The photograph here might provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the SX40 HS and ZS7.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras feature the identical sensor size and the identical resolution therefore you should expect comparable quality of photos but you may want to take the release date of the cameras into account.

Canon SX40 HS vs Panasonic ZS7 sensor size comparison

Canon SX40 HS vs Panasonic ZS7 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX40 HS vs Panasonic ZS7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX40 HS Portrait photography advice
Panasonic ZS7 Portrait photography advice
41
manual focus
flash sync speed is above average (1/2,000 seconds)
supports face detect focusing
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
21
lack of manual focus
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX40 HS Street photography factors
Panasonic ZS7 Street photography factors
49
screen articulates fully
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
heavier than competition (600g)
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (218 grams)
fixed screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX40 HS Sports photography factors
Panasonic ZS7 Sports photography factors
42
amazing zoom range (24-840mm 35.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
better than average battery (380 per charge)
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
27
image stabilization (Optical)
slow fps (2.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX40 HS Travel photography information
Panasonic ZS7 Travel photography information
54
better than average battery (380 CIPA)
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
pretty wide (24mm)
great reach (840mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
heavier than competition (600 grams)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
63
lighter than competition in class (218 grams)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
great zoom (300mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX40 HS
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS7
38
manual focus
pretty wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
better than average battery (380 CIPA)
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse function
38
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX40 HS Vlogging factors
Panasonic ZS7 Vlogging factors
57
pretty wide (24mm)
selfie friendly display
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
doesn't have mic jack
heavier than competition (600g)
30
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (218 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic jack
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Canon SX40 HS vs Panasonic ZS7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX40 HS and Panasonic ZS7
 Canon PowerShot SX40 HSPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot SX40 HS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7
Also called as - Lumix DMC-TZ10
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2011-09-15 2011-07-19
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-840mm (35.0x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.7-5.8 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focus distance 0cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology PureColor II VA TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 7.00 m 5.30 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/2000 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 240 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD Lite
Mic 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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 600 grams (1.32 pounds) 218 grams (0.48 pounds)
Physical dimensions 123 x 92 x 108mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 4.3") 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
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 380 images -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery model NB-10L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Price at release $330 $350