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Panasonic FH1 vs Panasonic FZ40

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 front
Portability
68
Imaging
37
Features
40
Overall
38

Panasonic FH1 vs Panasonic FZ40 Key Specs

Panasonic FH1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
  • 163g - 98 x 55 x 23mm
  • Introduced January 2010
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-FS10
Panasonic FZ40
(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
  • Launched July 2010
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-FZ45
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Panasonic FH1 vs Panasonic FZ40 Overview

Lets look closer at the Panasonic FH1 versus Panasonic FZ40, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are sold by Panasonic. The image resolution of the FH1 (12MP) and the FZ40 (14MP) is pretty comparable and both cameras boast the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The FH1 was launched 6 months before the FZ40 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic FH1 being a Compact camera and the Panasonic FZ40 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before diving into a complete comparison, here is a short introduction of how the FH1 scores versus the FZ40 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FH1 over the Panasonic FZ40

 FH1 FZ40 

Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ40 over the Panasonic FH1

 FZ40 FH1 
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Panasonic FH1 and Panasonic FZ40

 FH1 FZ40 
LaunchedJanuary 2010July 2010Same generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen Neither provides Touch screen

Panasonic FH1 vs Panasonic FZ40 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to lug around your camera often, you'll need to think about its weight and size. The Panasonic FH1 provides exterior measurements of 98mm x 55mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 163 grams (0.36 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FZ40 has specifications of 120mm x 80mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") having a weight of 494 grams (1.09 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic FH1 versus Panasonic FZ40 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you choose during that time. Underneath is a front view dimension comparison of the FH1 against the FZ40.

Panasonic FH1 vs Panasonic FZ40 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the FH1 and FZ40 is 95 and 68 respectively.

Panasonic FH1 vs Panasonic FZ40 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FH1 vs Panasonic FZ40 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very hard to envision the difference in sensor measurements just by seeing technical specs. The graphic underneath will help offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the FH1 and FZ40.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same megapixels. You should expect the Panasonic FZ40 to provide more detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots more aggressively.

Panasonic FH1 vs Panasonic FZ40 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FH1 vs Panasonic FZ40 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FH1 vs Panasonic FZ40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FH1 Portrait photography features
Panasonic FZ40 Portrait photography features
21
manual focus not available
no manual control
can't use external flash
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
46
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (14MP)
delivers RAW files
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Panasonic FH1 Street photography highlights
Panasonic FZ40 Street photography highlights
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
51
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
more heavy than competitors (494 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FH1 Sports photography features
Panasonic FZ40 Sports photography features
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
43
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames per second)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FH1 Travel photography advice
Panasonic FZ40 Travel photography advice
58
has built in flash
quite wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
MP count low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
54
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
very long zoom (600mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
more heavy than competitors (494g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FH1 Landscape photography advice
Panasonic FZ40 Landscape photography advice
32
quite wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
no manual control
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
lack of Time Lapse recording
51
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
delivers RAW files
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FH1 Vlogging features
Panasonic FZ40 Vlogging features
29
quite wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of mic port
23
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have microphone port
more heavy than competitors (494g)
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Panasonic FH1 vs Panasonic FZ40 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FH1 and Panasonic FZ40
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH1Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40
Otherwise known as Lumix DMC-FS10 Lumix DMC-FZ45
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2010-01-06 2010-07-21
Body design Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-6.9 f/2.8-5.2
Macro focus distance 5cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 6.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 6.80 m 9.50 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 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 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG AVCHD Lite
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 163 gr (0.36 lb) 494 gr (1.09 lb)
Physical dimensions 98 x 55 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") 120 x 80 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 pictures))
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at release $150 $420