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Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic ZS40

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
31
Overall
33
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 front
Portability
90
Imaging
43
Features
58
Overall
49

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic ZS40 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
  • Revealed January 2011
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-FX77
Panasonic ZS40
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Push to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 240g - 111 x 64 x 34mm
  • Released January 2014
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ60
  • Replaced the Panasonic ZS35
  • New Model is Panasonic ZS45
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Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic ZS40 Overview

In this article, we are matching up the Panasonic FX78 versus Panasonic ZS40, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both sold by Panasonic. There is a sizable difference among the image resolutions of the FX78 (12MP) and ZS40 (18MP) but they possess the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The FX78 was launched 3 years earlier than the ZS40 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going through a complete comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the FX78 scores versus the ZS40 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FX78 over the Panasonic ZS40

 FX78 ZS40 
Display sizing3.5"3"Larger display (+0.5")
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS40 over the Panasonic FX78

 ZS40 FX78 
ReleasedJanuary 2014January 2011More modern by 35 months
Manually focus More precise focusing
Display resolution920k230kCrisper display (+690k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FX78 and Panasonic ZS40

 FX78 ZS40 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic ZS40 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry around your camera frequently, you should factor its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FX78 offers exterior measurements of 100mm x 55mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") and a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS40 has dimensions of 111mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs).

Check the Panasonic FX78 versus Panasonic ZS40 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have attached at that moment. Underneath is the front view scale comparison of the FX78 against the ZS40.

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic ZS40 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the FX78 and ZS40 is 95 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic ZS40 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic ZS40 Sensor Comparison

Generally, its tough to envision the contrast in sensor sizes merely by going through a spec sheet. The picture underneath may offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the FX78 and ZS40.

As you can see, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same resolution. You can expect to see the Panasonic ZS40 to produce extra detail utilizing its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop photos far more aggressively. The more aged FX78 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic ZS40 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic ZS40 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic ZS40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic FX78
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS40
21
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
low resolution sensor (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
52
you can focus manually
MP count good (18MP)
supports face detection focusing
exports RAW files
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic FX78
Street photography with Panasonic ZS40
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
69
built in image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
lighter than competitors in class (240g)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FX78 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZS40 as a Sports photography camera
28
has image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking focus
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,400s)
max frames per second very slow (4.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery power (200 CIPA)
lack of phase detect AF
54
excellent zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (18MP)
supports tracking autofocus
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FX78 Travel photography factors
Panasonic ZS40 Travel photography factors
56
built-in flash
rather wide (24mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
bad battery power (200 CIPA)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f2.5)
69
lighter than competitors in class (240 grams)
MP count good (18 megapixels)
has built in flash
decently wide (24mm)
long zoom (720mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic FX78
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS40
36
rather wide (24mm)
very good size screen (3.5 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.5)
lack of manual exposure
low resolution sensor (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
bad battery power (200 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
56
you can focus manually
decently wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (18MP)
exports RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FX78 Vlogging information
Panasonic ZS40 Vlogging information
33
rather wide (24mm)
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish max aperture (f2.5)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
doesn't have microphone support
34
decently wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors in class (240 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have external mic support
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Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic ZS40 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FX78 and Panasonic ZS40
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40
Alternate name Lumix DMC-FX77 Lumix DMC-TZ60
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2011-01-25 2014-01-06
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine FHD Venus Engine
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 18 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Maximum boosted ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 11 23
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-120mm (5.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Max aperture f/2.5-5.9 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus range 5cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3.5 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology TFT LCD TFT LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 200k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 4 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1400 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 4.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.60 m 6.40 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 142 grams (0.31 pounds) 240 grams (0.53 pounds)
Dimensions 100 x 55 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") 111 x 64 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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
Battery life 200 photographs 300 photographs
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Price at launch $210 $450