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Nikon S33 vs Panasonic ZS40

Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
31
Overall
34
Nikon Coolpix S33 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 front
Portability
90
Imaging
43
Features
58
Overall
49

Nikon S33 vs Panasonic ZS40 Key Specs

Nikon S33
(Full Review)
  • 13MP - 1/3.1" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 30-90mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 221g - 110 x 66 x 27mm
  • Launched February 2015
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
  • Released January 2014
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ60
  • Replaced the Panasonic ZS35
  • Replacement is Panasonic ZS45
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Nikon S33 vs Panasonic ZS40 Overview

Let's take a more detailed look at the Nikon S33 versus Panasonic ZS40, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Nikon and Panasonic. There is a considerable difference among the image resolutions of the S33 (13MP) and ZS40 (18MP) and the S33 (1/3.1") and ZS40 (1/2.3") have totally different sensor sizes.

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The S33 was introduced 14 months after the ZS40 making them a generation away from each other. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go right into a in-depth comparison, here is a short view of how the S33 matches up versus the ZS40 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S33 over the Panasonic ZS40

 S33 ZS40 
ReleasedFebruary 2015January 2014Newer by 14 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS40 over the Nikon S33

 ZS40 S33 
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution920k230kClearer display (+690k dot)

Common features in the Nikon S33 and Panasonic ZS40

 S33 ZS40 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch display Neither offers Touch display

Nikon S33 vs Panasonic ZS40 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to travel with your camera frequently, you will want to consider its weight and volume. The Nikon S33 offers exterior measurements of 110mm x 66mm x 27mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.1") with a weight of 221 grams (0.49 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS40 has sizing of 111mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3") along with a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs).

See the Nikon S33 versus Panasonic ZS40 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have chosen at the time. The following is a front view sizing comparison of the S33 vs the ZS40.

Nikon S33 vs Panasonic ZS40 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the S33 and ZS40 is 91 and 90 respectively.

Nikon S33 vs Panasonic ZS40 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S33 vs Panasonic ZS40 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its hard to see the difference in sensor dimensions only by researching technical specs. The picture below will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the S33 and ZS40.

As you can tell, both cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The S33 using its smaller sensor will make shooting shallow DOF more challenging and the Panasonic ZS40 will render extra detail using its extra 5MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop images a bit more aggressively. The more modern S33 will have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Nikon S33 vs Panasonic ZS40 sensor size comparison

Nikon S33 vs Panasonic ZS40 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S33 vs Panasonic ZS40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S33 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic ZS40 Portrait photography factors
33
MP count decent (13MP)
supports face detect focusing
manual focus not available
no manual control
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/3.1")
lack of RAW files
52
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
offers face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Nikon S33 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS40 as a Street photography camera
58
image stabilization (Digital)
environment proofing
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/3.1")
lack of RAW files
heavier than competition (221g)
69
has image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
lighter than competitors in class (240g)
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S33 Sports photography details
Panasonic ZS40 Sports photography details
43
image stabilization (Digital)
MP count decent (13 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
environment proofing
max fps low (4.7 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor is small (1/3.1")
lack of phase detect AF
54
amazing zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S33 Travel photography details
Panasonic ZS40 Travel photography details
58
environment proofing
MP count decent (13MP)
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse recording
heavier than competition (221 grams)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
69
lighter than competitors in class (240 grams)
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
flash built-in
really wide (24mm)
great reach (720mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S33 Landscape photography info
Panasonic ZS40 Landscape photography info
36
image stabilization (Digital)
MP count decent (13 megapixels)
environment proofing
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
no manual control
sensor is small (1/3.1")
lack of RAW files
missing Time Lapse recording
56
has manual focus
really wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
saves RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon S33
Vlogging with Panasonic ZS40
29
image stabilization (Digital)
supports face detect focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
missing mic support
heavier than competition (221g)
34
really wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors in class (240 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have external microphone support
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Nikon S33 vs Panasonic ZS40 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S33 and Panasonic ZS40
 Nikon Coolpix S33Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40
General Information
Company Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix S33 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40
Also called as - Lumix DMC-TZ60
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2015-02-10 2014-01-06
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - Venus Engine
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/3.1" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 4.7 x 3.5mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 16.5mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 13MP 18MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4160 x 3120 4896 x 3672
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Max boosted ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 23
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 30-90mm (3.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Max aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing distance 5cm 3cm
Crop factor 7.7 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7" 3"
Screen resolution 230k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech - TFT LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 200k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 4.7 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.10 m (at Auto ISO) 6.40 m
Flash settings - Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30p, 25p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p), 320 x 240 (30p, 25p) 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None 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 221 gr (0.49 lbs) 240 gr (0.53 lbs)
Physical dimensions 110 x 66 x 27mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.1") 111 x 64 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" 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 220 photographs 300 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL19 -
Self timer Yes (10 sec, smile timer) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Launch pricing $150 $450