Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic FZ40

Below is a in-depth review of the Olympus SZ-15 and Panasonic FZ40, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SZ-15 (16MP) and the FZ40 (14MP) is relatively similar and both cameras offer the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SZ-15 was launched 2 years later than the FZ40 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Olympus SZ-15 being a Compact camera and the Panasonic FZ40 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before delving into a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick summation of how the SZ-15 grades vs the FZ40 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus SZ-15 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40. The complete galleries are provided at Olympus SZ-15 Gallery & Panasonic FZ40 Gallery.

For anyone who is intending to lug around your camera, you are going to need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SZ-15 features exterior measurements of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") and a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FZ40 has dimensions 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 Olympus SZ-15 and Panasonic FZ40 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have attached during that time. Following is a front view proportions comparison of the SZ-15 vs the FZ40.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-15 and FZ40 is 88 and 68 respectively.

Quite often, its difficult to envision the gap between sensor measurements simply by going over a spec sheet. The visual here should provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-15 and FZ40.

As you can see, both of those cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same resolution. You can count on the Olympus SZ-15 to offer more detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop photographs way more aggressively. The more modern SZ-15 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.