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Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic S3

Portability
68
Imaging
37
Features
40
Overall
38
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic S3 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
  • Introduced July 2010
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-FZ45
Panasonic S3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
  • 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Launched January 2011
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Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic S3 Overview

Following is a detailed analysis of the Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic S3, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and they are both manufactured by Panasonic. The image resolution of the FZ40 (14MP) and the S3 (14MP) is pretty close and they use the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The FZ40 was released 5 months before the S3 which means that they are of a similar age. Both cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FZ40 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic S3 being a Compact camera.

Before delving through a more detailed comparison, below is a short summation of how the FZ40 matches up against the S3 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ40 over the Panasonic S3

 FZ40 S3 
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Panasonic FZ40

 S3 FZ40 

Common features in the Panasonic FZ40 and Panasonic S3

 FZ40 S3 
LaunchedJuly 2010January 2011Same age
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic S3 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry around your camera often, you'll need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FZ40 provides exterior dimensions of 120mm x 80mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") having a weight of 494 grams (1.09 lbs) and the Panasonic S3 has dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") with a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic S3 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are working with at the time. The following is the front view sizing comparison of the FZ40 versus the S3.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic S3 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the FZ40 and S3 is 68 and 96 respectively.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic S3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic S3 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be hard to picture the gap in sensor sizes just by researching specs. The pic here should provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the FZ40 and S3.

All in all, both cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the exact same megapixels therefore you can expect comparable quality of files though you should take the launch date of the cameras into account.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic S3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic S3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic S3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic S3 Portrait photography factors
46
has manual focus
good MP (14 megapixels)
saves RAW files
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
28
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
no manual control
external flash not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic FZ40
Street photography with Panasonic S3
51
image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
more heavy than competitors in class (494g)
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (117g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic S3 as a Sports photography camera
43
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14MP)
slow frames per second (2.0 frames/s)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
35
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Travel photography details
Panasonic S3 Travel photography details
54
good MP (14MP)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
great zoom (600mm)
lack of Timelapse function
more heavy than competitors in class (494 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
68
lighter than competitors in class (117 grams)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
has built in flash
really wide (28mm)
no Time Lapse recording
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic S3 as a Landscape photography camera
51
has manual focus
decently wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14MP)
saves RAW files
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of Timelapse function
38
really wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
no manual control
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic FZ40
Vlogging with Panasonic S3
23
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of microphone socket
more heavy than competitors in class (494g)
31
really wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (117g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no mic port
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Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic S3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FZ40 and Panasonic S3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3
General Information
Company Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3
Alternate name Lumix DMC-FZ45 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2010-07-21 2011-01-05
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine HD II Venus Engine IV
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4320 x 3240 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 11
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.2 f/3.1-5.6
Macro focus range 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 8s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 9.50 m 3.30 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
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 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format AVCHD Lite MPEG-4
Mic 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 494 gr (1.09 lb) 117 gr (0.26 lb)
Dimensions 120 x 80 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8")
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 - 250 shots
Battery form - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 pictures)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch price $420 $110