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Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Panasonic FZ40

Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
42
Overall
38
Olympus Tough TG-2 iHS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 front
Portability
68
Imaging
36
Features
40
Overall
37

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Panasonic FZ40 Key Specs

Olympus TG-2 iHS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 230g - 111 x 67 x 29mm
  • Launched June 2013
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
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-FZ45
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Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Panasonic FZ40 Overview

Let's look more in depth at the Olympus TG-2 iHS versus Panasonic FZ40, one is a Waterproof and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the TG-2 iHS (12MP) and the FZ40 (14MP) is very comparable and both cameras boast the same sensor size (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The TG-2 iHS was brought out 2 years after the FZ40 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Olympus TG-2 iHS being a Compact camera and the Panasonic FZ40 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before we go into a comprehensive comparison, here is a short overview of how the TG-2 iHS scores versus the FZ40 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-2 iHS over the Panasonic FZ40

 TG-2 iHS FZ40 
LaunchedJune 2013July 2010Newer by 36 months
Display resolution610k230kCrisper display (+380k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ40 over the Olympus TG-2 iHS

 FZ40 TG-2 iHS 
Focus manually Very exact focusing

Common features in the Olympus TG-2 iHS and Panasonic FZ40

 TG-2 iHS FZ40 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display size
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly display No Touch friendly display

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Panasonic FZ40 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to travel with your camera, you need to consider its weight and measurements. The Olympus TG-2 iHS enjoys physical measurements of 111mm x 67mm x 29mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.1") and a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FZ40 has proportions of 120mm x 80mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") accompanied by a weight of 494 grams (1.09 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus TG-2 iHS versus Panasonic FZ40 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you use during that time. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the TG-2 iHS versus the FZ40.

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Panasonic FZ40 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the TG-2 iHS and FZ40 is 91 and 68 respectively.

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Panasonic FZ40 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Panasonic FZ40 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor dimensions purely by seeing a spec sheet. The pic underneath might give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the TG-2 iHS and FZ40.

Clearly, the two cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different megapixels. You should expect to see the Panasonic FZ40 to show extra detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop pics a bit more aggressively. The more modern TG-2 iHS should have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Panasonic FZ40 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Panasonic FZ40 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Panasonic FZ40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS Portrait photography info
Panasonic FZ40 Portrait photography info
27
features face detect focus
lack of manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
45
you can focus manually
good resolution (14 megapixels)
delivers RAW formats
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS as a Street photography camera
Panasonic FZ40 as a Street photography camera
61
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proof
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
heavier than competition (494g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic FZ40 as a Sports photography camera
40
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features tracking focus
environment proof
great battery pack (350 per charge)
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
43
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
slow frames per second (2.0 frames per second)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus TG-2 iHS
Travel photography with Panasonic FZ40
68
great battery pack (350 shots)
environment proof
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
no Timelapse mode
low MP (12MP)
does not feature selfie friendly display
54
good resolution (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
long reach (600mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
heavier than competition (494 grams)
does not posses selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS Landscape photography info
Panasonic FZ40 Landscape photography info
46
fairly wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
good sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proof
great battery pack (350 CIPA)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
no manual control
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
no Timelapse mode
51
you can focus manually
decently wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14MP)
delivers RAW formats
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS Vlogging advice
Panasonic FZ40 Vlogging advice
36
fairly wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detect focus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not feature selfie friendly display
no microphone jack
22
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
does not posses selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external mic socket
heavier than competition (494g)
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Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Panasonic FZ40 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-2 iHS and Panasonic FZ40
 Olympus Tough TG-2 iHSPanasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus Tough TG-2 iHS Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40
Also called as - Lumix DMC-FZ45
Category Waterproof Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2013-06-28 2010-07-21
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Chip - Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type BSI-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 12MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3968 x 2976 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-100mm (4.0x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Max aperture f/2.0-4.9 f/2.8-5.2
Macro focusing range 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 610k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology OLED -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 5.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 9.50 m
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 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)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD Lite
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None 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 230 gr (0.51 lbs) 494 gr (1.09 lbs)
Physical dimensions 111 x 67 x 29mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.1") 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 life 350 shots -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery ID Li-90B -
Self timer Yes (2 and 12 sec, Pet Auto Shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 pictures))
Time lapse shooting
Storage type - SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Retail cost $380 $420