Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic FZ40
88 Imaging
39 Features
50 Overall
43
68 Imaging
36 Features
40 Overall
37
Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic FZ40 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 23-483mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
- 250g - 108 x 70 x 40mm
- Launched June 2013
(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
- Introduced July 2010
- Also Known as Lumix DMC-FZ45
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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").
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firmsThe 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.
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic FZ40 Gallery
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.
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-15 over the Panasonic FZ40
| SZ-15 | FZ40 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduced | June 2013 | July 2010 | More recent by 36 months | |
| Screen resolution | 460k | 230k | Sharper screen (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ40 over the Olympus SZ-15
| FZ40 | SZ-15 |
|---|
Common features in the Olympus SZ-15 and Panasonic FZ40
| SZ-15 | FZ40 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually focus | More exact focusing | |||
| Screen type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed screen | |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" | Same screen measurement | |
| Selfie screen | Neither includes selfie screen | |||
| Touch friendly screen | Missing Touch friendly screen |
Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic FZ40 Physical Comparison
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.
Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic FZ40 Sensor Comparison
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.
Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic FZ40 Screen and ViewFinder
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Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic FZ40 Specifications
| Olympus SZ-15 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Manufacturer | Olympus | Panasonic |
| Model type | Olympus SZ-15 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 |
| Otherwise known as | - | Lumix DMC-FZ45 |
| Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
| Launched | 2013-06-21 | 2010-07-21 |
| Physical type | Compact | SLR-like (bridge) |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Powered by | - | 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 | 16MP | 14MP |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Highest Possible resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4320 x 3240 |
| Maximum native ISO | 3200 | 6400 |
| Lowest native ISO | 100 | 80 |
| RAW data | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focusing | ||
| Touch to focus | ||
| Autofocus continuous | ||
| Single autofocus | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Autofocus selectice | ||
| Center weighted autofocus | ||
| Multi area autofocus | ||
| Live view autofocus | ||
| Face detection focus | ||
| Contract detection focus | ||
| Phase detection focus | ||
| Cross type focus points | - | - |
| Lens | ||
| Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens zoom range | 23-483mm (21.0x) | 25-600mm (24.0x) |
| Largest aperture | f/2.8-5.9 | f/2.8-5.2 |
| Macro focusing distance | 5cm | 1cm |
| Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.9 |
| Screen | ||
| Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Screen sizing | 3 inch | 3 inch |
| Resolution of screen | 460k dots | 230k dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch function | ||
| Screen tech | LCD | - |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | None | Electronic |
| Features | ||
| Minimum shutter speed | 8s | 60s |
| Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/2000s |
| Continuous shutter rate | 10.0 frames per second | 2.0 frames per second |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manually set exposure | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Change white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash distance | 3.50 m | 9.50 m |
| Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync |
| External flash | ||
| Auto exposure bracketing | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment | ||
| Average | ||
| Spot | ||
| Partial | ||
| AF area | ||
| Center weighted | ||
| Video features | ||
| Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 480fps (176 x 128), 240fps (384 x 288) | 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 | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
| Video format | AVI MPEG4, Motion JPEG | AVCHD Lite |
| Microphone support | ||
| Headphone support | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | Built-In | None |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | BuiltIn | None |
| Physical | ||
| Environmental sealing | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 250 grams (0.55 pounds) | 494 grams (1.09 pounds) |
| Physical dimensions | 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") | 120 x 80 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall 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 ID | SLB-10A | - |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 pictures)) |
| Time lapse recording | ||
| Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
| Card slots | One | One |
| Price at release | $200 | $420 |