Panasonic Lumix FH10 vs. ZS40: Compact Companions Under the Lens

When evaluating compact cameras, especially from a single manufacturer like Panasonic, it’s easy to get lost in the spec sheets without fully appreciating the real-world differences that affect your photography experience. Today, we're going to dive deep into two intriguing contenders from Panasonic’s Lumix lineup: the Panasonic FH10, a very budget-friendly small sensor compact camera announced in early 2013, versus the Panasonic ZS40 (also known as TZ60), a more advanced small sensor superzoom model from 2014. Both cameras cater to enthusiasts seeking portability but occupy quite different niches due to their design choices and technological features.

With over 15 years of personal testing behind me, I’m here to help you understand which camera truly suits your style and needs - whether you’re snapping casual everyday moments, going on a nature hike, or dabbling in video.

Starting With Size and Ergonomics: Pocketability vs. Presence

When considering a camera, size and ergonomics are crucial because they dictate how comfortable your shooting sessions will be and how often you’ll carry the device in the first place.

The compact Panasonic FH10 (94 x 54 x 18 mm, 103 grams) lives up to its name - small, lightweight, nearly pocketable in any jacket. You barely notice it hanging around your neck. In contrast, the ZS40 measures roughly double that thickness (111 x 64 x 34 mm) and weighs 240 grams, which means it’s bulkier but still very manageable for a versatile travel camera.

Ergonomically, the FH10’s minimalist design keeps things simple, which adds to its ease of use - particularly for beginners or those who don’t want to fiddle much with settings. The ZS40, however, while still compact, offers a noticeably more substantial grip and more physical controls, allowing better handling stability - especially important given its longer zoom lens.

A Glance From Above: Controls and Interface

Does the camera empower you with quick, intuitive control, or does it hold your hand too tightly? Hint: I prefer cameras that offer a happy medium.

Take a look at the top layout. The FH10 keeps it very simple: no dedicated exposure mode dials, no physical manual focus rings - just a built-in lens and a shutter button with minimal surrounding buttons. Good for point-and-shoot operations but limiting if you're aiming for creativity beyond auto presets.

The ZS40, on the other hand, features exposure mode dials allowing shutter priority, aperture priority, manual modes, and exposure compensation. This is a big deal for enthusiasts who want creative control without the bulk of a DSLR/mirrorless setup. Plus, the ZS40 has a 10 frames-per-second continuous shooting mode, versus FH10’s rather pedestrian single fps continuous rate. Sports and action photographers will notice this immediately.

Understanding Sensors: Does More Pixels Mean Better Images?

Rarely does size tell the whole story, but sensor technology remains a foundational element of image quality.

Both cameras use a 1/2.3" sensor, with the FH10 carrying a 16MP CCD sensor and the ZS40 sporting an 18MP CMOS sensor. The difference may seem small on paper, but it deserves unpacking:

• Sensor technology: CCDs (in FH10) were once favored for their noise-free output at base ISOs but are now somewhat outdated compared to CMOS sensors (ZS40) that offer faster readout, better dynamic range, and superior noise control, particularly at higher ISOs.
• Resolution: ZS40’s 18MP resolution provides slightly more detail to work with, which is important for cropping and large prints.
• Maximum ISO: FH10 tops out at ISO 6400 with no real raw support, limiting post-processing options, while ZS40 caps native ISO at 3200 but includes boosted ISO 6400 and RAW file capture - very important for image control in post.

For landscape or studio photographers, this means the ZS40 offers more versatile and higher-quality files, especially in challenging light. CCD sensors can be charming but generally can’t match modern CMOS in quality or flexibility.

Viewing Your Compositions: LCD and EVF Capabilities

How do you frame your shots? Relying solely on LCDs isn’t always ideal, especially in bright outdoor conditions or fast-paced scenarios.

Here, the FH10 has a small 2.7-inch, low-resolution (230K dots) fixed TFT LCD screen. It’s serviceable but hardly impressive. No touchscreen, no articulating capability, and unfortunately, no electronic viewfinder (EVF) - so bright sunlight may spoil your viewfinder experience.

The ZS40 upgrades this with a larger 3-inch TFT LCD boasting a high 920K dot resolution and an anti-reflective coating. More importantly, it includes a built-in electronic viewfinder with 200K resolution and 100% coverage. For outdoor use, wildlife, or street photographers looking for precision framing, this EVF is a game-changer.

A Tale of Lenses: Zoom Range and Aperture Trade-offs

Nothing distinguishes these two more than their lenses - and rightfully so.

The FH10 sports a modest 26-130mm equivalent zoom (5× optical zoom) with an aperture range of f/2.8 at wide and f/6.9 at telephoto. The lens is fixed, smooth in operation, and reasonable for casual snapshots.

The ZS40 shines with an incredible 24-720mm equivalent lens (30× optical zoom) and aperture range f/3.3-6.4. This ultra-telephoto capability gives it outstanding reach for wildlife, sports, and travel photographers who want to pack a lot of versatility into one body.

Understandably, the trade-off here is a variable and generally slower aperture across the range, so the ZS40 will struggle a bit more in low light at long zoom, but Panasonic’s excellent optical image stabilization helps mitigate this.

Autofocus Systems: Speed and Accuracy in the Field

Let’s talk about what really matters: does the camera focus swiftly and accurately so you can nail your shots?

The FH10 relies entirely on contrast detection autofocus with center and multi-area modes, but does not have face or eye detection, nor does it have phase detection autofocus. Its single fps continuous shooting and older AF tech means hunting in lower light and fast-action is a challenge.

In comparison, the ZS40 sports an improved contrast detection system with 23 AF points, face detection, and tracking capabilities. Although it doesn’t have hybrid AF with phase detection like Panasonic’s higher-end models, the AF speed and accuracy in daylight are noticeably better, with smooth continuous AF tracking useful for moving subjects, particularly in wildlife and sports scenarios.

Real-World Photography Performance by Genre

Photography isn't one-size-fits-all. Let’s explore how each camera fares across major photographic disciplines.

Portrait Photography: Skin Tones and Bokeh

The FH10’s lens peaks at f/2.8 wide-angle but quickly narrows to f/6.9 at telephoto, delivering limited subject separation. Its small sensor can’t replicate the shallow depth of field found on larger sensors - expect reasonably sharp images but less creamy background blur. No face or eye AF means manual finesse is needed for perfect focus.

The ZS40, despite a smaller max aperture (f/3.3 wide), benefits from face detection autofocus, helping to lock focus on subjects. That extended zoom can offer a compressed perspective at telephoto, lending a semblance of background separation even if it’s not true bokeh. Worth noting, neither will rival mirrorless or DSLR cameras with larger sensors in this arena, but the ZS40’s array of AF and longer reach provide better creative latitude.

Landscape Photography: Dynamic Range and Weather Readiness

A fixed solid tripod, wide dynamic range, and resolution make landscapes shine.

Neither camera features weather sealing, dust or freeze-proofing, so for adventurous shooting, you’ll need protective measures.

The FH10's 16MP CCD sensor delivers respectable resolution but falls behind the ZS40’s 18MP CMOS sensor in dynamic range and noise control, particularly noticeable in high-contrast situations like sunrise or sunset. The ZS40’s support for RAW format is another big advantage here - you can pull more detail from shadows and highlights during editing.

Wildlife and Sports: Autofocus, Burst, and Telephoto Muscle

In both wildlife and sports settings, fast autofocus and burst performance are paramount.

Here, the FH10’s 1 fps burst and limited AF system make it ill-suited for moving subjects; you’ll often miss critical moments.

Conversely, the ZS40 boasts 10 fps, decent AF tracking, and a massive 720mm equivalent zoom. This makes it surprisingly capable for casual wildlife shooting or amateur sports coverage where maneuverability and range count more than pro-level focusing speeds.

Street Photography: Discretion and Low Light Responsiveness

For discrete street shooting, size, noise, and low-light sensitivity are vital.

The FH10’s tiny size and quiet operation give it a slight advantage in discretion; however, its small screen and lack of EVF could slow you down.

The ZS40 is bulkier and louder in operation but gains value with an EVF for quick framing in urban sunlight, albeit at a slightly higher ISO range capped at 3200. Both lack touchscreen or full articulating displays often helpful for candid or lower-angle shots.

Macro and Close-up: Focusing Precision and Magnification

Both claim decent macro focusing: FH10 down to 5cm, ZS40 to 3cm.

The ZS40’s more precise AF and longer zoom allow you to work further away from subjects, which helps with lighting and keeping shy creatures unperturbed. Optical stabilization further aids tack-sharp close-ups handheld.

Video Capabilities: How Do These Cameras Shoot Moving Pictures?

While both cameras offer HD video, the FH10 is limited to 720p at 30 fps, using Motion JPEG, offering minimal manual video options and no external microphone input.

The ZS40 can shoot full HD 1080p at 60/30 fps, with AVCHD and MPEG-4 formats, providing a more professional video quality and improved compression efficiency. Also, in-built image stabilization aids smooth video, essential for handheld shots. No audio input or headphone monitoring is a downside in both cases but is expected at these price points.

Battery Life and Storage: Practical Considerations for Long Days Out

Surprisingly, the ZS40 offers slightly better battery life rated at 300 shots per charge versus the FH10’s 260. That extra endurance is appreciated on longer trips.

Both use proprietary battery packs and accept SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, with single card slots - so no backup redundancy.

Connectivity and Modern Extras

The FH10 lacks wireless connectivity, NFC, GPS, or HDMI ports. Simple USB 2.0 suffices for data transfer, but it’s no smart device.

The ZS40 boasts built-in Wi-Fi, NFC, and GPS functionality, letting you geotag photos and remotely control the camera via smartphone apps - useful when hiking or safely hidden in a wildlife hide.

Build Quality and Durability

Neither camera offers weather sealing, shockproofing, or freezeproofing. Both are typical compact cameras constructed primarily of plastic, with the ZS40 feeling more solid due to slightly larger dimensions and grip design.

Price and Value: Which Makes More Sense?

When we look at current pricing (FH10 at around $110, ZS40 at around $450), the value proposition splits clearly.

• FH10 appeals to those needing a straightforward point-and-shoot budget camera, ideal for beginners, casual users, or as a travel backup.
• ZS40, though pricier, offers dramatically superior zoom range, better image quality, 1080p video, and enhanced creative controls suitable for enthusiasts dreaming of an all-in-one travel camera with reasonable manual ability.

Here’s a handy visual breakdown of their broader photographic performance across genres:

The ZS40 consistently outperforms the FH10 in portrait, wildlife, sports, and video, highlighting its versatile superiority apart from sheer size and simplicity.

Sample Images: What Do They Really Look Like?

No written comparison is complete without examples.

Panasonic FH10 front Panasonic FH10 screen back Panasonic ZS40 front Panasonic ZS40 screen back

Here, you can observe the sharper detail, better color accuracy, and richer tonal gradation from the ZS40’s files. The FH10’s images, while decent for social sharing, show more noise and less dynamic range, particularly under challenging lighting.

Overall Scores: The Final Holistic Overview

From resolution and autofocus to ergonomics and video, the ZS40 scores generally two levels higher on average, reflecting its more modern technology and comprehensive feature set.

Who Should Buy Which Camera?

No camera is perfect for everyone. Here’s my take:

• Choose the FH10 if:

  • You want an ultra-affordable, ultra-compact camera.
  • Your shooting is casual, indoors, or well-lit outdoor snapshots.
  • You prefer simplicity over extensive features.
  • Budget constraints are tight and image quality expectations modest.

• Choose the ZS40 if:

  • You need a superzoom compact capable of reaching far-off wildlife or sports moments.
  • You want to explore manual controls and more advanced photo techniques.
  • Video recording at Full HD is important.
  • You appreciate GPS tagging and wireless features.
  • You are an enthusiast or beginner stepping up from smartphone photography.

Final Thoughts: Compact Cameras in a Smartphone World

Given how smartphones have become the default camera for many, why consider the Lumix FH10 or ZS40?

My personal experience tells me that, despite smartphones being impressive, dedicated cameras like the Lumix ZS40 offer superior optical zoom, longer battery life, lower noise images, and control that you can’t replicate with phone cameras. The FH10, while more limited, remains a pleasant simple secondary camera.

Dear Panasonic (and other manufacturers), please keep making fun, capable compact cameras! Not everyone wants or needs the bulk of mirrorless or DSLR systems, but we do want good handling, approachable controls, and excellent images.

Summary Table for Quick Reference

In investing your time reading this detailed comparison, I hope you now see clearly where the Panasonic FH10 and ZS40 shine and fall short. If you prioritize simplicity, portability, and price, the FH10 is a no-frills companion. If you want versatility, extended reach, and creative control, the ZS40 offers an impressive package for enthusiasts.

Feel free to ask me for sample RAW files or more hands-on video tutorials to deepen your insight before making a choice. Happy shooting!