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Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic FZ40

Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
42
Overall
40
Olympus Stylus Tough TG-860 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 front
Portability
68
Imaging
37
Features
40
Overall
38

Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic FZ40 Key Specs

Olympus TG-860
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 21-105mm (F3.5-5.7) lens
  • 224g - 110 x 64 x 28mm
  • Introduced February 2015
  • Replacement is Olympus TG-870
Panasonic FZ40
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 494g - 120 x 80 x 92mm
  • Launched July 2010
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-FZ45
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Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic FZ40 Overview

In this article, we are evaluating the Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic FZ40, former is a Waterproof while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the TG-860 (16MP) and the FZ40 (14MP) is fairly close and they come with the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The TG-860 was released 4 years after the FZ40 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus TG-860 being a Ultracompact camera and the Panasonic FZ40 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before diving straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a brief summary of how the TG-860 grades vs the FZ40 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-860 over the Panasonic FZ40

 TG-860 FZ40 
LaunchedFebruary 2015July 2010Newer by 56 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ40 over the Olympus TG-860

 FZ40 TG-860 
Manually focus Very exact focusing

Common features in the Olympus TG-860 and Panasonic FZ40

 TG-860 FZ40 
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display size
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch display Absent Touch display

Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic FZ40 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to travel with your camera often, you will want to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus TG-860 comes with external measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 28mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.1") having a weight of 224 grams (0.49 lbs) while the Panasonic FZ40 has measurements of 120mm x 80mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") with a weight of 494 grams (1.09 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic FZ40 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have attached at the time. The following is the front view measurement comparison of the TG-860 and the FZ40.

Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic FZ40 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the TG-860 and FZ40 is 91 and 68 respectively.

Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic FZ40 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic FZ40 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be tough to visualise the gap in sensor dimensions merely by viewing specifications. The picture below may offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the TG-860 and FZ40.

Plainly, both the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You can anticipate the Olympus TG-860 to result in more detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop pics a little more aggressively. The younger TG-860 will have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic FZ40 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic FZ40 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic FZ40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-860 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic FZ40 Portrait photography advice
35
MP count good (16MP)
supports face detect focusing
no manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
46
you can focus manually
good resolution (14MP)
saves RAW formats
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-860 Street photography factors
Panasonic FZ40 Street photography factors
69
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
environment proofing
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
heavier than average (494 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-860 Sports photography info
Panasonic FZ40 Sports photography info
48
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
environment proofing
no shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
43
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14MP)
slow fps (2.0 frames per second)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-860 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic FZ40 as a Travel photography camera
71
environment proofing
MP count good (16MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (21mm)
does not have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
54
good resolution (14MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
great reach (600mm)
missing Time Lapse function
heavier than average (494g)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-860 Landscape photography info
Panasonic FZ40 Landscape photography info
47
decently wide (21mm)
good sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
environment proofing
no manual focus
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
51
you can focus manually
fairly wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14MP)
saves RAW formats
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus TG-860
Vlogging with Panasonic FZ40
33
decently wide (21mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not have a selfie friendly display
lack of mic socket
23
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external mic support
heavier than average (494g)
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Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic FZ40 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-860 and Panasonic FZ40
 Olympus Stylus Tough TG-860Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus Stylus Tough TG-860 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40
Other name - Lumix DMC-FZ45
Type Waterproof Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2015-02-06 2010-07-21
Physical type Ultracompact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VII Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 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
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 125 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 21-105mm (5.0x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.5-5.7 f/2.8-5.2
Macro focusing distance 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 7.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.00 m (at ISO 1600) 9.50 m
Flash options Auto, redeye reduction, fill flash, off, LED illuminator Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p), 1280 x 720 (60p), 640 x 480 (60p) 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 H.264 AVCHD Lite
Mic 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 Yes None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 224 grams (0.49 lb) 494 grams (1.09 lb)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 28mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.1") 120 x 80 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6")
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 shots -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery ID Li-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 pictures))
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Cost at launch $279 $420