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Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Panasonic ZS40

Portability
69
Imaging
37
Features
35
Overall
36
Olympus SP-800 UZ front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 front
Portability
90
Imaging
43
Features
58
Overall
49

Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Panasonic ZS40 Key Specs

Olympus SP-800 UZ
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 3200 (Expand to 1000)
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-840mm (F2.8-5.6) lens
  • 455g - 110 x 90 x 91mm
  • Introduced February 2010
  • Refreshed by Olympus SP-810 UZ
Panasonic ZS40
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Expand to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 240g - 111 x 64 x 34mm
  • Announced January 2014
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ60
  • Superseded the Panasonic ZS35
  • Updated by Panasonic ZS45
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Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Panasonic ZS40 Overview

Here, we will be evaluating the Olympus SP-800 UZ versus Panasonic ZS40, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. There is a big difference between the image resolutions of the SP-800 UZ (14MP) and ZS40 (18MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SP-800 UZ was introduced 4 years earlier than the ZS40 and that is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the SP-800 UZ scores against the ZS40 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-800 UZ over the Panasonic ZS40

 SP-800 UZ ZS40 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS40 over the Olympus SP-800 UZ

 ZS40 SP-800 UZ 
AnnouncedJanuary 2014February 2010More recent by 47 months
Manually focus More precise focus
Screen resolution920k230kCrisper screen (+690k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SP-800 UZ and Panasonic ZS40

 SP-800 UZ ZS40 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Panasonic ZS40 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to lug around your camera often, you will have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Olympus SP-800 UZ has got physical dimensions of 110mm x 90mm x 91mm (4.3" x 3.5" x 3.6") accompanied by a weight of 455 grams (1.00 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS40 has proportions of 111mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3") along with a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus SP-800 UZ versus Panasonic ZS40 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you select during that time. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the SP-800 UZ versus the ZS40.

Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Panasonic ZS40 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the SP-800 UZ and ZS40 is 69 and 90 respectively.

Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Panasonic ZS40 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Panasonic ZS40 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's tough to visualize the difference between sensor measurements only by reading a spec sheet. The photograph underneath might offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the SP-800 UZ and ZS40.

Clearly, both of those cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different resolution. You should expect the Panasonic ZS40 to offer more detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The older SP-800 UZ is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Panasonic ZS40 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Panasonic ZS40 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Panasonic ZS40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-800 UZ Portrait photography advice
Panasonic ZS40 Portrait photography advice
28
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
manual focus not available
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
52
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
provides face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-800 UZ Street photography features
Panasonic ZS40 Street photography features
46
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
69
image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
lighter than others (240g)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-800 UZ Sports photography info
Panasonic ZS40 Sports photography info
47
excellent zoom range (28-840mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
features tracking focus
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
54
incredible zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-800 UZ Travel photography information
Panasonic ZS40 Travel photography information
61
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
long reach (840mm)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
69
lighter than others (240g)
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
flash built-in
pretty wide (24mm)
long reach (720mm)
no Timelapse mode
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SP-800 UZ
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS40
41
reasonably wide (28mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
lack of manual exposure
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
56
has manual focus
pretty wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
saves RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-800 UZ as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZS40 as a Vlogging camera
24
reasonably wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of microphone jack
34
pretty wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others (240g)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
no microphone socket
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Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Panasonic ZS40 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-800 UZ and Panasonic ZS40
 Olympus SP-800 UZPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus SP-800 UZ Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-TZ60
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2010-02-02 2014-01-06
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic III Venus Engine
Sensor type CCD 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 14MP 18MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4288 x 3216 4896 x 3672
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Highest boosted ISO 1000 6400
Lowest native ISO 64 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 143 23
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-840mm (30.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.6 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing distance 1cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech - TFT LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 200k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Features
Slowest shutter speed 12 seconds 4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.10 m 6.40 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone port
Headphone port
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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 455 grams (1.00 lb) 240 grams (0.53 lb)
Physical dimensions 110 x 90 x 91mm (4.3" x 3.5" x 3.6") 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 photos
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID Li-50B -
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Price at launch $270 $450