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Olympus SH-50 vs Panasonic ZS40

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
48
Overall
43
Olympus SH-50 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 front
Portability
90
Imaging
43
Features
58
Overall
49

Olympus SH-50 vs Panasonic ZS40 Key Specs

Olympus SH-50
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 269g - 112 x 63 x 42mm
  • Revealed January 2013
Panasonic ZS40
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Bump to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 240g - 111 x 64 x 34mm
  • Introduced January 2014
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ60
  • Previous Model is Panasonic ZS35
  • Replacement is Panasonic ZS45
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Olympus SH-50 vs Panasonic ZS40 Overview

The following is a in-depth overview of the Olympus SH-50 and Panasonic ZS40, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the SH-50 (16MP) and the ZS40 (18MP) is fairly similar and they come with the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SH-50 was released 12 months earlier than the ZS40 so they are of a similar age. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving through a detailed comparison, below is a simple view of how the SH-50 matches up versus the ZS40 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus SH-50 over the Panasonic ZS40

 SH-50 ZS40 
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS40 over the Olympus SH-50

 ZS40 SH-50 
IntroducedJanuary 2014January 2013Newer by 12 months
Display resolution920k460kClearer display (+460k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SH-50 and Panasonic ZS40

 SH-50 ZS40 
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Olympus SH-50 vs Panasonic ZS40 Physical Comparison

If you're going to travel with your camera regularly, you will want to factor its weight and size. The Olympus SH-50 provides exterior dimensions of 112mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.7") and a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS40 has specifications of 111mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs).

Examine the Olympus SH-50 and Panasonic ZS40 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are working with at that moment. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the SH-50 against the ZS40.

Olympus SH-50 vs Panasonic ZS40 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the SH-50 and ZS40 is 88 and 90 respectively.

Olympus SH-50 vs Panasonic ZS40 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SH-50 vs Panasonic ZS40 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's tough to envision the contrast between sensor dimensions purely by reading technical specs. The pic here might provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the SH-50 and ZS40.

As you have seen, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You can anticipate the Panasonic ZS40 to offer you greater detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop photos a little more aggressively. The more aged SH-50 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus SH-50 vs Panasonic ZS40 sensor size comparison

Olympus SH-50 vs Panasonic ZS40 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SH-50 vs Panasonic ZS40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SH-50 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZS40 as a Portrait photography camera
44
manual focus
decent MP (16MP)
supports face detection autofocus
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
52
manual focus
megapixel count good (18MP)
offers face detect focus
saves RAW formats
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Olympus SH-50 Street photography highlights
Panasonic ZS40 Street photography highlights
64
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with focus by touch
lighter than competitors (269 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
69
image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
lighter than competitors (240g)
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SH-50 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZS40 as a Sports photography camera
48
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
54
excellent zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (18 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SH-50
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS40
69
lighter than competitors (269 grams)
comes with focus by touch
decent MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (25mm)
very long zoom (600mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
does not feature selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
69
lighter than competitors (240g)
megapixel count good (18MP)
flash built-in
decently wide (24mm)
long reach (720mm)
missing Timelapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SH-50 Landscape photography features
Panasonic ZS40 Landscape photography features
49
manual focus
rather wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
lack of Timelapse mode
56
manual focus
decently wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (18MP)
saves RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SH-50 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZS40 as a Vlogging camera
34
rather wide (25mm)
screen is touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors (269g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
lack of external microphone port
34
decently wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors (240 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
missing microphone jack
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Olympus SH-50 vs Panasonic ZS40 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SH-50 and Panasonic ZS40
 Olympus SH-50Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus SH-50 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-TZ60
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2013-01-08 2014-01-06
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VI 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 surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 18 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Maximum boosted ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 125 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points - 23
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing distance 5cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 460k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech - TFT LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 200k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15s 4s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 12.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.00 m 6.40 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 480fps (176 x 128), 240fps (384 x 288) 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 269 gr (0.59 lb) 240 gr (0.53 lb)
Dimensions 112 x 63 x 42mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.7") 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 - 300 shots
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID SLB-10A -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, Pet Auto Shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Price at launch $300 $450