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Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic S2

Portability
68
Imaging
37
Features
40
Overall
38
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 front
Portability
96
Imaging
38
Features
29
Overall
34

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic S2 Key Specs

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
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-FZ45
Panasonic S2
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 112g - 98 x 57 x 21mm
  • Introduced January 2012
Photography Glossary

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic S2 Overview

Here is a complete analysis of the Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic S2, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and they are both created by Panasonic. The resolution of the FZ40 (14MP) and the S2 (14MP) is pretty close and both cameras provide the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The FZ40 was unveiled 17 months prior to the S2 which makes them a generation apart from one another. The two cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic FZ40 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic S2 being a Compact camera.

Before getting right into a more detailed comparison, here is a concise summary of how the FZ40 scores against the S2 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ40 over the Panasonic S2

 FZ40 S2 
Focus manually Very exact focus
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Panasonic S2 over the Panasonic FZ40

 S2 FZ40 
IntroducedJanuary 2012July 2010Fresher by 17 months

Common features in the Panasonic FZ40 and Panasonic S2

 FZ40 S2 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic S2 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry your camera often, you will want to think about its weight and volume. The Panasonic FZ40 offers outside dimensions of 120mm x 80mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") having a weight of 494 grams (1.09 lbs) whilst the Panasonic S2 has sizing of 98mm x 57mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") with a weight of 112 grams (0.25 lbs).

Check the Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic S2 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you use at that moment. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the FZ40 vs the S2.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic S2 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the FZ40 and S2 is 68 and 96 respectively.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic S2 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic S2 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its difficult to visualize the gap in sensor sizing simply by looking through technical specs. The graphic underneath will offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the FZ40 and S2.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras come with the identical sensor size and the same MP so you should expect comparable quality of photos although you will need to factor the release date of the cameras into account. The older FZ40 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic S2 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic S2 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic S2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic S2 as a Portrait photography camera
46
focusing manually
MP count good (14MP)
exports RAW formats
can't use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
34
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
supports face detection focusing
manual focus not available
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic S2 as a Street photography camera
51
image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
more heavy than competition in class (494g)
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (112 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic FZ40
Sports photography with Panasonic S2
43
great zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14MP)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
good battery power (280 shots)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic FZ40
Travel photography with Panasonic S2
54
MP count good (14MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
long reach (600mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition in class (494 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
71
good battery power (280 per charge)
lighter than others in class (112g)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
no Timelapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic S2 Landscape photography highlights
51
focusing manually
fairly wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
exports RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have Timelapse mode
41
pretty wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
good battery power (280 shots)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Vlogging info
Panasonic S2 Vlogging info
23
fairly 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 socket
more heavy than competition in class (494 grams)
33
pretty wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focusing
lighter than others in class (112g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external microphone support
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Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic S2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FZ40 and Panasonic S2
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2
Alternate name Lumix DMC-FZ45 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2010-07-21 2012-01-09
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
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 14 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4320 x 3240 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 23
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.2 f/3.1-6.5
Macro focusing distance 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 8 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting rate 2.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 9.50 m 3.30 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format AVCHD Lite Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 494 gr (1.09 lb) 112 gr (0.25 lb)
Physical dimensions 120 x 80 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") 98 x 57 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 - 280 images
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 pictures)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Launch price $420 $109