Clicky

Canon SX510 HS vs Panasonic ZS40

Portability
80
Imaging
36
Features
41
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX510 HS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 front
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
58
Overall
48

Canon SX510 HS vs Panasonic ZS40 Key Specs

Canon SX510 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.4-5.8) lens
  • 349g - 104 x 70 x 80mm
  • Revealed August 2013
  • Superseded the Canon SX500 IS
  • Refreshed by Canon SX520 HS
Panasonic ZS40
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Increase to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 240g - 111 x 64 x 34mm
  • Released January 2014
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ60
  • Older Model is Panasonic ZS35
  • Successor is Panasonic ZS45
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Canon SX510 HS vs Panasonic ZS40 Overview

On this page, we are analyzing the Canon SX510 HS and Panasonic ZS40, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by manufacturers Canon and Panasonic. There exists a sizable gap among the image resolutions of the SX510 HS (12MP) and ZS40 (18MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SX510 HS was revealed 4 months before the ZS40 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before getting right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief summation of how the SX510 HS grades vs the ZS40 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

        

Reasons to pick Canon SX510 HS over the Panasonic ZS40

 SX510 HS ZS40 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS40 over the Canon SX510 HS

 ZS40 SX510 HS 
Display resolution920k461kClearer display (+459k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX510 HS and Panasonic ZS40

 SX510 HS ZS40 
ReleasedAugust 2013January 2014Same age
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Canon SX510 HS vs Panasonic ZS40 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to carry your camera frequently, you'll need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX510 HS comes with physical measurements of 104mm x 70mm x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") along with a weight of 349 grams (0.77 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS40 has dimensions of 111mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs).

See the Canon SX510 HS and Panasonic ZS40 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you choose at that time. The following is a front view dimensions comparison of the SX510 HS and the ZS40.

Canon SX510 HS vs Panasonic ZS40 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX510 HS and ZS40 is 80 and 90 respectively.

Canon SX510 HS vs Panasonic ZS40 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX510 HS vs Panasonic ZS40 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be tough to picture the difference in sensor sizing purely by researching technical specs. The graphic below will help offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the SX510 HS and ZS40.

As you can tell, both cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different resolution. You can anticipate the Panasonic ZS40 to result in greater detail because of its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics a bit more aggressively.

Canon SX510 HS vs Panasonic ZS40 sensor size comparison

Canon SX510 HS vs Panasonic ZS40 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX510 HS vs Panasonic ZS40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX510 HS as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZS40 as a Portrait photography camera
34
focusing manually
comes with face detect focus
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
51
you can focus manually
good megapixels (18MP)
comes with face detection focusing
supports RAW files
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Street Comparison

Canon SX510 HS Street photography advice
Panasonic ZS40 Street photography advice
50
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
69
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
lighter than average (240 grams)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Sports Comparison

Canon SX510 HS Sports photography advice
Panasonic ZS40 Sports photography advice
36
great zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with tracking focus
max frames per second very slow (4.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (250 shots)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
54
long zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (18 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Travel Comparison

Canon SX510 HS Travel photography highlights
Panasonic ZS40 Travel photography highlights
54
built-in flash
rather wide (24mm)
very long reach (720mm)
no Time Lapse recording
bad battery pack (250 shots)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
does not have selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
69
lighter than average (240g)
good megapixels (18 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
great zoom (720mm)
does not have Timelapse function
does not posses selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Landscape Comparison

Canon SX510 HS Landscape photography info
Panasonic ZS40 Landscape photography info
40
focusing manually
rather wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
bad battery pack (250 shots)
no Time Lapse recording
55
you can focus manually
fairly wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (18 megapixels)
supports RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have Timelapse function
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX510 HS as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZS40 as a Vlogging camera
31
rather wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
does not have selfie friendly screen
no mic port
34
fairly wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average (240 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not posses selfie friendly display
does not have external microphone socket
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Canon SX510 HS vs Panasonic ZS40 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX510 HS and Panasonic ZS40
 Canon PowerShot SX510 HSPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40
General Information
Company Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot SX510 HS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40
Also Known as - Lumix DMC-TZ60
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2013-08-22 2014-01-06
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 4 Venus Engine
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 18MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4896 x 3672
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Highest enhanced ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 1 23
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-720mm (30.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.4-5.8 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus distance 0cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of display 461k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech TFT Color LCD TFT LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 200k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 4s
Max shutter speed 1/1600s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 4.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.00 m 6.40 m
Flash modes Auto, on, slow synchro, off Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone port
Headphone port
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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 349 grams (0.77 lb) 240 grams (0.53 lb)
Physical dimensions 104 x 70 x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") 111 x 64 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" 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 250 shots 300 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-6LH -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail cost $249 $450