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Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic SZ1

Portability
68
Imaging
37
Features
40
Overall
38
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic SZ1 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 SZ1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 131g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Launched January 2012
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Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic SZ1 Overview

Below is a complete assessment of the Panasonic FZ40 and Panasonic SZ1, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact and both are produced by Panasonic. The image resolution of the FZ40 (14MP) and the SZ1 (16MP) is very close and both cameras boast the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

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The FZ40 was brought out 17 months before the SZ1 making them a generation apart from each other. Both cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic FZ40 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic SZ1 being a Compact camera.

Before diving straight to a in depth comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the FZ40 scores against the SZ1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ40 over the Panasonic SZ1

 FZ40 SZ1 
Manually focus Dial precise focusing

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Panasonic FZ40

 SZ1 FZ40 
LaunchedJanuary 2012July 2010More recent by 17 months

Common features in the Panasonic FZ40 and Panasonic SZ1

 FZ40 SZ1 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display size
Display resolution230k230kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic SZ1 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to lug around your camera frequently, you are going to need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FZ40 enjoys outer measurements of 120mm x 80mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") with a weight of 494 grams (1.09 lbs) while the Panasonic SZ1 has dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic FZ40 and Panasonic SZ1 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you use at that time. Following is a front view over all size comparison of the FZ40 versus the SZ1.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic SZ1 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the FZ40 and SZ1 is 68 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic SZ1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic SZ1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be difficult to picture the gap in sensor measurements purely by looking through specifications. The visual below might provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the FZ40 and SZ1.

To sum up, both the cameras feature the identical sensor size but different megapixels. You should expect to see the Panasonic SZ1 to result in greater detail having its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop pics way more aggressively. The older FZ40 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic SZ1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic SZ1 as a Portrait photography camera
46
manual focus
resolution is good (14MP)
saves RAW files
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
34
decent megapixels (16MP)
includes face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Street photography information
Panasonic SZ1 Street photography information
51
image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
more heavy than competition in class (494 grams)
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (131g)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Sports photography details
Panasonic SZ1 Sports photography details
43
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
40
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
includes tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Travel photography factors
Panasonic SZ1 Travel photography factors
54
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
great zoom (600mm)
no Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition in class (494 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
70
lighter than competition in class (131g)
decent megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
great reach (250mm)
missing Timelapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic FZ40
Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ1
51
manual focus
fairly wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14MP)
saves RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no Timelapse mode
43
reasonably wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Vlogging details
Panasonic SZ1 Vlogging details
23
fairly wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
no microphone port
more heavy than competition in class (494g)
32
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focusing
lighter than competition in class (131 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing microphone support
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Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic SZ1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FZ40 and Panasonic SZ1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
Also Known as Lumix DMC-FZ45 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2010-07-21 2012-01-09
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor 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 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4320 x 3240 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 23
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.2 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing range 1cm 4cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 8s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 9.50 m 5.60 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
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)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format AVCHD Lite MPEG-4
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 494g (1.09 pounds) 131g (0.29 pounds)
Physical 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 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 - 250 images
Battery style - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 pictures)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Pricing at release $420 $179