Clicky

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic ZS40

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
50
Overall
44
Olympus SZ-15 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 front
Portability
90
Imaging
43
Features
58
Overall
49

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic ZS40 Key Specs

Olympus SZ-15
(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
  • Announced June 2013
Panasonic ZS40
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Raise 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
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ60
  • Previous Model is Panasonic ZS35
  • Renewed by Panasonic ZS45
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic ZS40 Overview

The following is a complete analysis of the Olympus SZ-15 and Panasonic ZS40, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the SZ-15 (16MP) and the ZS40 (18MP) is pretty comparable and they enjoy the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

The SZ-15 was launched 6 months earlier than the ZS40 and they are of a similar generation. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving in to a complete comparison, below is a short highlight of how the SZ-15 scores against the ZS40 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-15 over the Panasonic ZS40

 SZ-15 ZS40 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS40 over the Olympus SZ-15

 ZS40 SZ-15 
Screen resolution920k460kClearer screen (+460k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SZ-15 and Panasonic ZS40

 SZ-15 ZS40 
AnnouncedJune 2013January 2014Same generation
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic ZS40 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to travel with your camera regularly, you will need to consider its weight and measurements. The Olympus SZ-15 enjoys physical dimensions of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") with a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS40 has proportions of 111mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3") having a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus SZ-15 and Panasonic ZS40 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are working with at the time. Following is the front view measurements comparison of the SZ-15 compared to the ZS40.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic ZS40 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-15 and ZS40 is 88 and 90 respectively.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic ZS40 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic ZS40 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's difficult to picture the contrast in sensor dimensions purely by checking out a spec sheet. The pic underneath might offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ-15 and ZS40.

Clearly, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different resolution. You should expect the Panasonic ZS40 to show extra detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop photographs far more aggressively.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic ZS40 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic ZS40 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic ZS40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SZ-15
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS40
44
manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
provides face detect autofocus
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
52
has manual focus
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
supports face detect focusing
saves RAW files
can't use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Street photography details
Panasonic ZS40 Street photography details
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (250 grams)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
69
built in image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
lighter than competition in class (240g)
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZS40 as a Sports photography camera
53
long zoom range (23-483mm 21.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
provides tracking focus
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
54
incredible zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (18MP)
supports tracking focus
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Travel photography factors
Panasonic ZS40 Travel photography factors
68
lighter than competition in class (250g)
resolution is good (16MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (23mm)
long zoom (483mm)
missing Timelapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
69
lighter than competition in class (240 grams)
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
great zoom (720mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.3)
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic ZS40 Landscape photography highlights
49
manual focus
fairly wide (23mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
missing Timelapse function
56
has manual focus
reasonably wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
saves RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have Time Lapse recording
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Vlogging factors
Panasonic ZS40 Vlogging factors
34
fairly wide (23mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (250g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing microphone port
34
reasonably wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (240g)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
does not have mic port
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic ZS40 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-15 and Panasonic ZS40
 Olympus SZ-15Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus SZ-15 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-TZ60
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2013-06-21 2014-01-06
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - Venus Engine
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 18 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4896 x 3672
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Highest boosted ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 23
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 23-483mm (21.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus distance 5cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology LCD TFT LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 200k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8 secs 4 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 10.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.50 m 6.40 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 480fps (176 x 128), 240fps (384 x 288) 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format AVI MPEG4, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 250 grams (0.55 lb) 240 grams (0.53 lb)
Dimensions 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") 111 x 64 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 - 300 pictures
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model SLB-10A -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $200 $450