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Canon SX540 HS vs Panasonic ZS40

Portability
69 Imaging
46 Features
44 Overall
45
Canon PowerShot SX540 HS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 front
Portability
90 Imaging
42 Features
58 Overall
48

Canon SX540 HS vs Panasonic ZS40 Key Specs

Canon SX540 HS
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1200mm (F3.4-6.5) lens
  • 442g - 120 x 82 x 92mm
  • Released January 2016
Panasonic ZS40
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 240g - 111 x 64 x 34mm
  • Revealed January 2014
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ60
  • Old Model is Panasonic ZS35
  • Later Model is Panasonic ZS45
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Canon SX540 HS vs Panasonic ZS40 Overview

Following is a comprehensive analysis of the Canon SX540 HS versus Panasonic ZS40, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by rivals Canon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SX540 HS (20MP) and the ZS40 (18MP) is very similar and both cameras boast the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SX540 HS was released 2 years after the ZS40 which is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Canon SX540 HS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic ZS40 being a Compact camera.

Before getting right into a detailed comparison, here is a simple view of how the SX540 HS grades against the ZS40 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX540 HS over the Panasonic ZS40

          

          

            
 SX540 HS ZS40 
RevealedJanuary 2016January 2014More modern by 25 months
          

        


        

          

            
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS40 over the Canon SX540 HS

          

          

            
 ZS40 SX540 HS 
Display resolution920k461kSharper display (+459k dot)
          

        


        

          

            
Common features in the Canon SX540 HS and Panasonic ZS40

          

          

            
 SX540 HS ZS40 
Manual focus  Very accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurements
Selfie screen  Missing selfie screen
Touch display  Missing Touch display
          

        

        

	
	
	
	

        

          

            
Canon SX540 HS vs Panasonic ZS40 Physical Comparison

          

          

            
For anyone who is planning to carry around your camera frequently, you need to consider its weight and size. The Canon SX540 HS offers outside dimensions of 120mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") and a weight of 442 grams (0.97 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS40 has specifications of 111mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3") along with a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs).
Check out the Canon SX540 HS versus Panasonic ZS40 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses
Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you use during that time. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the SX540 HS and the ZS40.
Canon SX540 HS vs Panasonic ZS40 size comparison
Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the SX540 HS and ZS40 is 69 and 90 respectively.
Canon SX540 HS vs Panasonic ZS40 top view buttons comparison          

        


        

          

            
Canon SX540 HS vs Panasonic ZS40 Sensor Comparison

          

          

            
Usually, it's hard to imagine the contrast between sensor sizes purely by reviewing specifications. The image here will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the SX540 HS and ZS40.
Plainly, both the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different resolution. You can expect to see the Canon SX540 HS to offer you extra detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop images more aggressively. The fresher SX540 HS provides an edge in sensor innovation.

            Canon SX540 HS vs Panasonic ZS40 sensor size comparison
          

        


        

          

            
Canon SX540 HS vs Panasonic ZS40 Screen and ViewFinder

          

          

                      

          Canon SX540 HS vs Panasonic ZS40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison        


                Photography Glossary        

	
	
	
	

        

          
Photography Type Scores

          

        

        
Portrait Comparison
Canon SX540 HS Portrait photography features
Panasonic ZS40 Portrait photography features
47
 focusing manually
 sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
 offers face detection focusing
 external flash not possible
 very small sensor size (1/2.3")
 has no RAW format
51
 manual focus
 megapixel count good (18 megapixels)
 supports face detection focusing
 supports RAW formats
 cannot use external flash
 very small sensor (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison
Canon SX540 HS Street photography info
Panasonic ZS40 Street photography info
48
 image stabilization (Optical)
 screen is fixed
 very small sensor size (1/2.3")
 has no RAW format
69
 has image stabilization (Optical)
 supports RAW formats
 lighter than competition (240 grams)
 screen does not articulate
 very small sensor (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison
Canon SX540 HS Sports photography highlights
Panasonic ZS40 Sports photography highlights
44
 amazing zoom range (24-1200mm  50.0 x zoom)
 image stabilization (Optical)
 sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
 max frames per second very slow (5.9 frames/s)
 very small sensor size (1/2.3")
 terrible battery pack (205 CIPA)
 has no phase detect AF
54
 long zoom range (24-720mm  30.0 x zoom)
 has image stabilization (Optical)
 megapixel count good (18 megapixels)
 supports tracking autofocus
 very small sensor (1/2.3")
 has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison
Canon SX540 HS Travel photography information
Panasonic ZS40 Travel photography information
56
 sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
 built-in flash
 pretty wide (24mm)
 great zoom (1200mm)
 lack of Time Lapse function
 terrible battery pack (205 per charge)
 does not have selfie friendly screen
 slow max aperture (f3.4)
69
 lighter than competition (240 grams)
 megapixel count good (18MP)
 built-in flash
 relatively wide (24mm)
 long reach (720mm)
 lack of Timelapse recording
 display is not selfie friendly
 sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison
Landscape photography with Canon SX540 HS
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS40
48
 focusing manually
 pretty wide (24mm)
 decent sized screen (3")
 image stabilization (Optical)
 sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
 lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
 slow max aperture (f3.4)
 very small sensor size (1/2.3")
 has no RAW format
 terrible battery pack (205 CIPA)
 lack of Time Lapse function
55
 manual focus
 relatively wide (24mm)
 good sized screen (3 inches)
 has image stabilization (Optical)
 megapixel count good (18 megapixels)
 supports RAW formats
 can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
 sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
 very small sensor (1/2.3")
 lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison
 Canon SX540 HS as a Vlogging camera
 Panasonic ZS40 as a Vlogging camera
29
 pretty wide (24mm)
 image stabilization (Optical)
 offers face detection focusing
 high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
 slow max aperture (f3.4)
 does not have selfie friendly screen
 lack of external mic port
34
 relatively wide (24mm)
 has image stabilization (Optical)
 supports face detection focusing
 high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
 lighter than competition (240 grams)
 sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
 display is not selfie friendly
 lack of external microphone support
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Canon SX540 HS vs Panasonic ZS40 Specifications

          

          

                      


          

            Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX540 HS and Panasonic ZS40
 Canon PowerShot SX540 HSPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40
General Information
Brand Canon Panasonic
Model type Canon PowerShot SX540 HS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40
Also called as - Lumix DMC-TZ60
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2016-01-05 2014-01-06
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Chip DIGIC 6 Venus Engine
Sensor type BSI-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 20 megapixel 18 megapixel
Anti alias filter    
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and  16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and  16:9
Peak resolution 5184 x 3888 4896 x 3672
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Highest enhanced ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW support    
Autofocusing
Focus manually    
Touch focus    
AF continuous    
AF single    
Tracking AF    
Selective AF    
AF center weighted    
Multi area AF    
AF live view    
Face detect AF    
Contract detect AF    
Phase detect AF    
Total focus points - 23
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-1200mm (50.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.4-6.5 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing distance 0cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 461 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly    
Liveview    
Touch functionality    
Display tech - TFT LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 200 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Features
Min shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 5.9 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 5.50 m (at Auto ISO) 6.40 m
Flash modes Auto, on, off, slow synchro Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
External flash    
AEB    
WB bracketing    
Exposure
Multisegment metering    
Average metering    
Spot metering    
Partial metering    
AF area metering    
Center weighted metering    
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone support    
Headphone support    
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 sealing    
Water proofing    
Dust proofing    
Shock proofing    
Crush proofing    
Freeze proofing    
Weight 442g (0.97 lb) 240g (0.53 lb)
Physical dimensions 120 x 82 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") 111 x 64 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 205 shots 300 shots
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-6LH -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature    
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail price $399 $450