Clicky

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic FZ40

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
31
Overall
33
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 front
Portability
68
Imaging
37
Features
40
Overall
38

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic FZ40 Key Specs

Panasonic FX78
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.5-5.9) lens
  • 142g - 100 x 55 x 21mm
  • Released January 2011
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-FX77
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
  • Introduced July 2010
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-FZ45
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic FZ40 Overview

Here is a detailed assessment of the Panasonic FX78 and Panasonic FZ40, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are produced by Panasonic. The image resolution of the FX78 (12MP) and the FZ40 (14MP) is fairly similar and both cameras provide the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

The FX78 was launched 7 months later than the FZ40 and they are both of a similar generation. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic FX78 being a Compact camera and the Panasonic FZ40 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before diving into a in depth comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the FX78 grades against the FZ40 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic FX78 over the Panasonic FZ40

 FX78 FZ40 
IntroducedJanuary 2011July 2010Fresher by 7 months
Display size3.5"3"Larger display (+0.5")
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ40 over the Panasonic FX78

 FZ40 FX78 
Manually focus More precise focusing

Common features in the Panasonic FX78 and Panasonic FZ40

 FX78 FZ40 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic FZ40 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry your camera often, you're going to have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Panasonic FX78 comes with outside dimensions of 100mm x 55mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") with a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs) and the Panasonic FZ40 has proportions of 120mm x 80mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") having a weight of 494 grams (1.09 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic FX78 and Panasonic FZ40 in the all new 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 are using at that time. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the FX78 and the FZ40.

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic FZ40 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the FX78 and FZ40 is 95 and 68 respectively.

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic FZ40 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic FZ40 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's hard to picture the difference between sensor sizing merely by going over a spec sheet. The photograph underneath may give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the FX78 and FZ40.

Clearly, both the cameras feature the identical sensor size but different resolution. You should anticipate the Panasonic FZ40 to offer greater detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will let you crop images way more aggressively. The newer FX78 provides an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic FZ40 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic FZ40 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic FZ40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic FX78
Portrait photography with Panasonic FZ40
21
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
46
has manual focus
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
supports RAW formats
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Street Comparison

Panasonic FX78 Street photography factors
Panasonic FZ40 Street photography factors
57
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
51
image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
more heavy than others in class (494g)
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Sports Comparison

Panasonic FX78 Sports photography details
Panasonic FZ40 Sports photography details
28
image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking focus
low max shutter speed (1/1,400s)
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
not so great battery (200 per charge)
lacks phase detect auto focus
43
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
max fps very slow (2.0 frames/s)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Travel Comparison

Panasonic FX78 Travel photography factors
Panasonic FZ40 Travel photography factors
56
flash built-in
fairly wide (24mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
not so great battery (200 CIPA)
MP count low (12MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.5)
54
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
long reach (600mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
more heavy than others in class (494 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FX78 Landscape photography advice
Panasonic FZ40 Landscape photography advice
36
fairly wide (24mm)
bigger than average screen (3.5 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.5)
manual exposure not available
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
not so great battery (200 shots)
missing Time Lapse mode
51
has manual focus
relatively wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
supports RAW formats
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have Timelapse mode
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FX78 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic FZ40 as a Vlogging camera
33
fairly wide (24mm)
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.5)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
missing mic port
23
relatively wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have microphone port
more heavy than others in class (494 grams)
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic FZ40 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FX78 and Panasonic FZ40
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40
General Information
Brand Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40
Also called Lumix DMC-FX77 Lumix DMC-FZ45
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2011-01-25 2010-07-21
Body design Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine FHD 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 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 11 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-120mm (5.0x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.5-5.9 f/2.8-5.2
Macro focusing range 5cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3.5 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1400 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 4.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.60 m 9.50 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 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)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 142 gr (0.31 pounds) 494 gr (1.09 pounds)
Physical dimensions 100 x 55 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") 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 200 photos -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 pictures))
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail price $210 $420