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Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Panasonic FZ40

Portability
69
Imaging
35
Features
27
Overall
31
Olympus SP-600 UZ front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 front
Portability
68
Imaging
37
Features
40
Overall
38

Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Panasonic FZ40 Key Specs

Olympus SP-600 UZ
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-420mm (F3.5-5.4) lens
  • 455g - 110 x 90 x 91mm
  • Revealed February 2010
  • Older Model is Olympus SP-590 UZ
  • Renewed by Olympus SP-610UZ
Panasonic FZ40
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 494g - 120 x 80 x 92mm
  • Introduced July 2010
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-FZ45
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Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Panasonic FZ40 Overview

Let's examine more in depth at the Olympus SP-600 UZ versus Panasonic FZ40, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SP-600 UZ (12MP) and the FZ40 (14MP) is very close and they enjoy the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SP-600 UZ was revealed 5 months before the FZ40 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras offer different body type with the Olympus SP-600 UZ being a Compact camera and the Panasonic FZ40 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before we go through a complete comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the SP-600 UZ scores vs the FZ40 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-600 UZ over the Panasonic FZ40

 SP-600 UZ FZ40 

Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ40 over the Olympus SP-600 UZ

 FZ40 SP-600 UZ 
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Common features in the Olympus SP-600 UZ and Panasonic FZ40

 SP-600 UZ FZ40 
IntroducedFebruary 2010July 2010Same generation
Manual focus More accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Panasonic FZ40 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to lug around your camera regularly, you will need to factor its weight and volume. The Olympus SP-600 UZ features outside dimensions of 110mm x 90mm x 91mm (4.3" x 3.5" x 3.6") along with a weight of 455 grams (1.00 lbs) while the Panasonic FZ40 has sizing of 120mm x 80mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") along with a weight of 494 grams (1.09 lbs).

See the Olympus SP-600 UZ versus Panasonic FZ40 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have attached at the time. Here is the front view proportions comparison of the SP-600 UZ and the FZ40.

Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Panasonic FZ40 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the SP-600 UZ and FZ40 is 69 and 68 respectively.

Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Panasonic FZ40 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Panasonic FZ40 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very difficult to visualise the difference in sensor measurements merely by looking through a spec sheet. The graphic below might give you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the SP-600 UZ and FZ40.

As you can see, the two cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You should expect to see the Panasonic FZ40 to result in greater detail because of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop images far more aggressively.

Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Panasonic FZ40 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Panasonic FZ40 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Panasonic FZ40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-600 UZ as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic FZ40 as a Portrait photography camera
27
focusing manually
manual mode not available
no external flash support
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
46
you can focus manually
good resolution (14 megapixels)
exports RAW formats
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-600 UZ Street photography features
Panasonic FZ40 Street photography features
36
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
51
built in image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
heavier than average in class (494g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-600 UZ Sports photography features
Panasonic FZ40 Sports photography features
31
amazing zoom range (28-420mm 15.0 x zoom)
has tracking focus
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
43
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14MP)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames/s)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SP-600 UZ
Travel photography with Panasonic FZ40
51
has built in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
very long reach (420mm)
lack of Timelapse function
MP count low (12MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
54
good resolution (14MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (25mm)
very long reach (600mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
heavier than average in class (494 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-600 UZ Landscape photography info
Panasonic FZ40 Landscape photography info
29
focusing manually
pretty wide (28mm)
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7 inches)
manual mode not available
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
lack of Timelapse function
51
you can focus manually
relatively wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
exports RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-600 UZ Vlogging information
Panasonic FZ40 Vlogging information
20
pretty wide (28mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone socket
23
relatively wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external mic support
heavier than average in class (494 grams)
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Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Panasonic FZ40 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-600 UZ and Panasonic FZ40
 Olympus SP-600 UZPanasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus SP-600 UZ Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40
Also called as - Lumix DMC-FZ45
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2010-02-02 2010-07-21
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic III Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 3968 x 2976 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 143 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-420mm (15.0x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.5-5.4 f/2.8-5.2
Macro focusing distance 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7" 3"
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Features
Lowest shutter speed 1/2 secs 60 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 10.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.10 m 9.50 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 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 1280x720 1280x720
Video format H.264 AVCHD Lite
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 455g (1.00 lbs) 494g (1.09 lbs)
Dimensions 110 x 90 x 91mm (4.3" x 3.5" x 3.6") 120 x 80 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6")
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
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 pictures))
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Retail cost $189 $420