Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic ZS40

Here, we are analyzing the Olympus TG-860 and Panasonic ZS40, one being a Waterproof and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the TG-860 (16MP) and the ZS40 (18MP) is very well matched and both cameras posses the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The TG-860 was released 14 months later than the ZS40 making them a generation apart from each other. Both cameras feature different body design with the Olympus TG-860 being a Ultracompact camera and the Panasonic ZS40 being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a short highlight of how the TG-860 grades against the ZS40 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Below is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus Stylus Tough TG-860 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40. The complete galleries are provided at Olympus TG-860 Gallery and Panasonic ZS40 Gallery.

For those who are planning to lug around your camera frequently, you will need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Olympus TG-860 features external dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 28mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.1") with a weight of 224 grams (0.49 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS40 has proportions of 111mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3") along with a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus TG-860 and Panasonic ZS40 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you choose during that time. Following is a front view overall size comparison of the TG-860 against the ZS40.

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the TG-860 and ZS40 is 91 and 90 respectively.

In many cases, it is very hard to visualize the contrast between sensor measurements simply by reading through specifications. The photograph here will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the TG-860 and ZS40.

To sum up, each of the cameras come with the identical sensor size but different megapixels. You should expect to see the Panasonic ZS40 to resolve extra detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The newer TG-860 provides a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.