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Canon SX420 IS vs Panasonic ZS40

Portability
80
Imaging
46
Features
34
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot SX420 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 front
Portability
90
Imaging
43
Features
58
Overall
49

Canon SX420 IS vs Panasonic ZS40 Key Specs

Canon SX420 IS
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-1008mm (F3.5-6.6) lens
  • 325g - 104 x 69 x 85mm
  • Announced January 2016
Panasonic ZS40
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Push 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
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ60
  • Replaced the Panasonic ZS35
  • Replacement is Panasonic ZS45
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Canon SX420 IS vs Panasonic ZS40 Overview

In this article, we are contrasting the Canon SX420 IS vs Panasonic ZS40, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Canon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the SX420 IS (20MP) and the ZS40 (18MP) is very close and they feature the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SX420 IS was announced 2 years after the ZS40 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Canon SX420 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic ZS40 being a Compact camera.

Before delving straight into a thorough comparison, below is a quick overview of how the SX420 IS matches up vs the ZS40 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX420 IS over the Panasonic ZS40

 SX420 IS ZS40 
LaunchedJanuary 2016January 2014Newer by 25 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS40 over the Canon SX420 IS

 ZS40 SX420 IS 
Display resolution920k230kSharper display (+690k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX420 IS and Panasonic ZS40

 SX420 IS ZS40 
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither contains Touch friendly display

Canon SX420 IS vs Panasonic ZS40 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to travel with your camera regularly, you are going to need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX420 IS has got outside measurements of 104mm x 69mm x 85mm (4.1" x 2.7" x 3.3") having a weight of 325 grams (0.72 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS40 has dimensions 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 SX420 IS vs Panasonic ZS40 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have attached at the time. The following is the front view dimensions comparison of the SX420 IS against the ZS40.

Canon SX420 IS vs Panasonic ZS40 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX420 IS and ZS40 is 80 and 90 respectively.

Canon SX420 IS vs Panasonic ZS40 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX420 IS vs Panasonic ZS40 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is difficult to see the gap in sensor dimensions just by researching a spec sheet. The picture here might provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the SX420 IS and ZS40.

As you can see, both the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You can expect to see the Canon SX420 IS to render extra detail with its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop photos far more aggressively. The more modern SX420 IS is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon SX420 IS vs Panasonic ZS40 sensor size comparison

Canon SX420 IS vs Panasonic ZS40 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX420 IS vs Panasonic ZS40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX420 IS Portrait photography advice
Panasonic ZS40 Portrait photography advice
44
you can focus manually
MP count good (20 megapixels)
includes face detection autofocus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
52
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
supports face detection focus
saves RAW files
no external flash support
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX420 IS
Street photography with Panasonic ZS40
52
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
69
built in image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
lighter than others (240g)
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX420 IS Sports photography highlights
Panasonic ZS40 Sports photography highlights
41
incredible zoom range (24-1008mm 42.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (20 megapixels)
low frames per second (0.5 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
bad battery life (195 CIPA)
lack of phase detect autofocus
54
incredible zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SX420 IS
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS40
61
MP count good (20MP)
flash built-in
decently wide (24mm)
long reach (1008mm)
no Time Lapse recording
bad battery life (195 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
69
lighter than others (240g)
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
very long zoom (720mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX420 IS
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS40
47
you can focus manually
decently wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (20 megapixels)
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
bad battery life (195 CIPA)
no Time Lapse recording
56
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
saves RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX420 IS Vlogging info
Panasonic ZS40 Vlogging info
29
decently wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection autofocus
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external mic port
34
reasonably wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others (240g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of external microphone jack
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Canon SX420 IS vs Panasonic ZS40 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX420 IS and Panasonic ZS40
 Canon PowerShot SX420 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40
General Information
Company Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot SX420 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40
Also called as - Lumix DMC-TZ60
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2016-01-05 2014-01-06
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by DIGIC 4+ Venus Engine
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 18 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 5152 x 3864 4896 x 3672
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Max boosted ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points - 23
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-1008mm (42.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.5-6.6 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus range 0cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech - TFT LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 200k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15s 4s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 0.5 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.00 m 6.40 m
Flash modes Auto, flash on, slow synchro, flash off Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
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 325 grams (0.72 lb) 240 grams (0.53 lb)
Dimensions 104 x 69 x 85mm (4.1" x 2.7" x 3.3") 111 x 64 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 195 images 300 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-11LH -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $299 $450