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Olympus SZ-10 vs Panasonic FZ40

Portability
90
Imaging
37
Features
36
Overall
36
Olympus SZ-10 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 front
Portability
68
Imaging
37
Features
40
Overall
38

Olympus SZ-10 vs Panasonic FZ40 Key Specs

Olympus SZ-10
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-504mm (F3.1-4.4) lens
  • 215g - 106 x 67 x 38mm
  • Announced February 2011
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
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-FZ45
Photography Glossary

Olympus SZ-10 vs Panasonic FZ40 Overview

Let's take a more detailed look at the Olympus SZ-10 versus Panasonic FZ40, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the SZ-10 (14MP) and the FZ40 (14MP) is relatively well matched and both cameras boast the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SZ-10 was released 7 months after the FZ40 and they are of a similar age. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus SZ-10 being a Compact camera and the Panasonic FZ40 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before delving straight to a thorough comparison, here is a short highlight of how the SZ-10 grades vs the FZ40 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-10 over the Panasonic FZ40

 SZ-10 FZ40 
RevealedFebruary 2011July 2010More modern by 7 months
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ40 over the Olympus SZ-10

 FZ40 SZ-10 
Manually focus More precise focusing

Common features in the Olympus SZ-10 and Panasonic FZ40

 SZ-10 FZ40 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurement
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Olympus SZ-10 vs Panasonic FZ40 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry around your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SZ-10 has got external dimensions of 106mm x 67mm x 38mm (4.2" x 2.6" x 1.5") with a weight of 215 grams (0.47 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FZ40 has dimensions of 120mm x 80mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") with a weight of 494 grams (1.09 lbs).

See the Olympus SZ-10 versus Panasonic FZ40 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you choose at the time. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the SZ-10 versus the FZ40.

Olympus SZ-10 vs Panasonic FZ40 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ-10 and FZ40 is 90 and 68 respectively.

Olympus SZ-10 vs Panasonic FZ40 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-10 vs Panasonic FZ40 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very hard to picture the contrast between sensor sizes simply by reading through technical specs. The picture underneath may give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ-10 and FZ40.

As you have seen, both of the cameras feature the identical sensor size and the same MP and you can expect similar quality of images though you should always take the age of the products into consideration. The younger SZ-10 provides an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus SZ-10 vs Panasonic FZ40 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-10 vs Panasonic FZ40 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-10 vs Panasonic FZ40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SZ-10
Portrait photography with Panasonic FZ40
33
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
includes face detection autofocus
manual focus not available
no manual control
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
46
you can focus manually
good resolution (14 megapixels)
supports RAW files
no external flash support
very small sensor (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-10 Street photography information
Panasonic FZ40 Street photography information
60
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors (215 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
more heavy than competitors in class (494 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-10 Sports photography details
Panasonic FZ40 Sports photography details
40
great zoom range (28-504mm 18.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
low battery (220 per charge)
no phase detect autofocus
43
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14MP)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 fps)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-10 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic FZ40 as a Travel photography camera
65
lighter than competitors (215 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
really wide (28mm)
long zoom (504mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
low battery (220 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
54
good resolution (14MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (25mm)
long zoom (600mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
more heavy than competitors in class (494 grams)
does not have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SZ-10
Landscape photography with Panasonic FZ40
40
really wide (28mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
low battery (220 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse recording
51
you can focus manually
decently wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
supports RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus SZ-10
Vlogging with Panasonic FZ40
31
really wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detection autofocus
lighter than competitors (215 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external mic port
23
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not have a selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone support
more heavy than competitors in class (494g)
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Olympus SZ-10 vs Panasonic FZ40 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-10 and Panasonic FZ40
 Olympus SZ-10Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus SZ-10 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40
Also called - Lumix DMC-FZ45
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2011-02-08 2010-07-21
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic III+ Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4288 x 3216 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-504mm (18.0x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.1-4.4 f/2.8-5.2
Macro focus distance 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 7.10 m 9.50 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15fps) 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)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG AVCHD Lite
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 215 gr (0.47 lb) 494 gr (1.09 lb)
Physical dimensions 106 x 67 x 38mm (4.2" x 2.6" x 1.5") 120 x 80 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 220 shots -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model LI-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 pictures))
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Price at release $300 $420