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Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic FZ40

Portability
62
Imaging
76
Features
86
Overall
80
Nikon Z5 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 front
Portability
68
Imaging
37
Features
40
Overall
38

Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic FZ40 Key Specs

Nikon Z5
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Push to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 675g - 134 x 101 x 70mm
  • Released July 2020
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
  • Revealed July 2010
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-FZ45
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Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic FZ40 Overview

Its time to look a bit more in depth at the Nikon Z5 versus Panasonic FZ40, one is a Advanced Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Nikon and Panasonic. There exists a huge gap among the resolutions of the Z5 (24MP) and FZ40 (14MP) and the Z5 (Full frame) and FZ40 (1/2.3") use totally different sensor sizes.

Photography Glossary

The Z5 was launched 10 years after the FZ40 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Nikon Z5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FZ40 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before getting straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the Z5 grades against the FZ40 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z5 over the Panasonic FZ40

 Z5 FZ40 
RevealedJuly 2020July 2010Newer by 122 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen sizing3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1040k230kClearer screen (+810k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ40 over the Nikon Z5

 FZ40 Z5 

Common features in the Nikon Z5 and Panasonic FZ40

 Z5 FZ40 
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic FZ40 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to travel with your camera, you will need to consider its weight and size. The Nikon Z5 offers physical measurements of 134mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 675 grams (1.49 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FZ40 has specifications of 120mm x 80mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") having a weight of 494 grams (1.09 lbs).

Check out the Nikon Z5 versus Panasonic FZ40 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Following is the front view size comparison of the Z5 versus the FZ40.

Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic FZ40 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the Z5 and FZ40 is 62 and 68 respectively.

Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic FZ40 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic FZ40 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very tough to envision the contrast in sensor dimensions purely by going through specs. The pic below should give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the Z5 and FZ40.

As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The Z5 featuring a bigger sensor will make achieving shallow DOF easier and the Nikon Z5 will provide greater detail utilizing its extra 10 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The fresher Z5 will have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic FZ40 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic FZ40 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic FZ40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z5 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic FZ40 as a Portrait photography camera
85
has manual focus
resolution is good (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
comes with face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
46
you can focus manually
MP count good (14MP)
saves RAW files
can't use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon Z5
Street photography with Panasonic FZ40
74
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
comes with focus by touch
weather sealing
great ISO range (51,200)
heavier than competition (675g)
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
heavier than competition in class (494 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon Z5
Sports photography with Panasonic FZ40
82
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
comes with tracking focus
weather sealing
great battery power (470 per charge)
comes with phase detect AF
slow fps (4.5 frames per second)
43
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14MP)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z5 Travel photography information
Panasonic FZ40 Travel photography information
68
great battery power (470 per charge)
weather sealing
supports bluetooth
comes with focus by touch
resolution is good (24MP)
heavier than competition (675 grams)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
54
MP count good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
great zoom (600mm)
no Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition in class (494g)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z5 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic FZ40 as a Landscape photography camera
86
has manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon Z mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
great ISO range (51,200)
exports RAW formats
weather sealing
great battery power (470 CIPA)
2 card slots
51
you can focus manually
decently wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14MP)
saves RAW files
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z5 Vlogging info
Panasonic FZ40 Vlogging info
34
touchscreen functionality
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detect focusing
high res video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
does have mic support
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
heavier than competition (675g)
23
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no mic jack
heavier than competition in class (494 grams)
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Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic FZ40 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z5 and Panasonic FZ40
 Nikon Z5Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40
General Information
Make Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Z5 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40
Also called as - Lumix DMC-FZ45
Type Advanced Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2020-07-20 2010-07-21
Body design SLR-style mirrorless SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed 6 Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Full frame 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 23.9mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 858.0mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 6016 x 4016 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 51200 6400
Highest boosted ISO 102400 -
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Min boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 273 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon Z fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-600mm (24.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/2.8-5.2
Macro focus range - 1cm
Total lenses 15 -
Focal length multiplier 1 5.9
Screen
Range of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display sizing 3.2 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 1,040k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 3,690k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 4.5fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 9.50 m
Flash options Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, slow rear-curtain sync, off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/200 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 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)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD Lite
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 675 grams (1.49 lbs) 494 grams (1.09 lbs)
Dimensions 134 x 101 x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") 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 life 470 pictures -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery model EN-EL15c -
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 pictures))
Time lapse recording
Storage media Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Two One
Retail cost $1,399 $420