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Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic FZ40

Portability
92
Imaging
40
Features
51
Overall
44
Nikon Coolpix S6500 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 front
Portability
68
Imaging
37
Features
40
Overall
38

Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic FZ40 Key Specs

Nikon S6500
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-300mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 250g - 95 x 58 x 26mm
  • Released January 2013
Panasonic FZ40
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 494g - 120 x 80 x 92mm
  • Announced July 2010
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-FZ45
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Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic FZ40 Overview

Following is a thorough comparison of the Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic FZ40, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by rivals Nikon and Panasonic. The resolution of the S6500 (16MP) and the FZ40 (14MP) is pretty well matched and they possess the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The S6500 was unveiled 2 years after the FZ40 which is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Nikon S6500 being a Compact camera and the Panasonic FZ40 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before going through a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the S6500 matches up vs the FZ40 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S6500 over the Panasonic FZ40

 S6500 FZ40 
AnnouncedJanuary 2013July 2010More modern by 31 months
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ40 over the Nikon S6500

 FZ40 S6500 

Common features in the Nikon S6500 and Panasonic FZ40

 S6500 FZ40 
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen dimensions
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic FZ40 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you should consider its weight and proportions. The Nikon S6500 offers outer measurements of 95mm x 58mm x 26mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 1.0") having a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FZ40 has measurements of 120mm x 80mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") having a weight of 494 grams (1.09 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic FZ40 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are working with at that moment. Underneath is the front view measurement comparison of the S6500 and the FZ40.

Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic FZ40 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the S6500 and FZ40 is 92 and 68 respectively.

Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic FZ40 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic FZ40 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's hard to envision the difference between sensor sizes just by checking a spec sheet. The image below may offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the S6500 and FZ40.

Clearly, both of those cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Nikon S6500 to give you more detail having an extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The younger S6500 is going to have an edge in sensor tech.

Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic FZ40 sensor size comparison

Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic FZ40 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic FZ40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S6500 Portrait photography features
Panasonic FZ40 Portrait photography features
44
manual focus
decent megapixels (16MP)
provides face detection autofocus
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
46
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (14MP)
exports RAW files
cannot use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Nikon S6500 Street photography advice
Panasonic FZ40 Street photography advice
62
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (250g)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
51
built in image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
more heavy than average (494 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S6500 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic FZ40 as a Sports photography camera
50
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
43
great zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
max frames per second very slow (2.0 frames per second)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S6500 Travel photography information
Panasonic FZ40 Travel photography information
69
lighter than competition in class (250g)
decent megapixels (16MP)
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
great zoom (300mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
54
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (25mm)
great zoom (600mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
more heavy than average (494g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S6500 Landscape photography information
Panasonic FZ40 Landscape photography information
50
manual focus
pretty wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
lack of Timelapse recording
51
focusing manually
rather wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
exports RAW files
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon S6500
Vlogging with Panasonic FZ40
34
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (250g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of external microphone jack
23
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have microphone support
more heavy than average (494 grams)
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Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic FZ40 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S6500 and Panasonic FZ40
 Nikon Coolpix S6500Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40
General Information
Make Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix S6500 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40
Alternative name - Lumix DMC-FZ45
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2013-01-08 2010-07-21
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor - Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
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 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-300mm (12.0x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/2.8-5.2
Macro focus range 5cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech AMOLED display -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8s 60s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting rate 10.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.50 m 9.50 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 480fps (176 x 128), 240fps (384 x 288) 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD Lite
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 250 gr (0.55 lbs) 494 gr (1.09 lbs)
Dimensions 95 x 58 x 26mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 1.0") 120 x 80 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6")
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 model SLB-10A -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 pictures))
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Launch price $170 $420