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Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic SZ3

Portability
68
Imaging
37
Features
40
Overall
38
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
29
Overall
35

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic SZ3 Key Specs

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
  • Revealed July 2010
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-FZ45
Panasonic SZ3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 126g - 95 x 56 x 22mm
  • Released January 2013
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Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic SZ3 Overview

Here is a extended comparison of the Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic SZ3, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact and both are created by Panasonic. The resolution of the FZ40 (14MP) and the SZ3 (16MP) is very close and both cameras have the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The FZ40 was launched 3 years earlier than the SZ3 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic FZ40 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic SZ3 being a Compact camera.

Before we go into a in depth comparison, here is a brief summary of how the FZ40 grades vs the SZ3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ40 over the Panasonic SZ3

 FZ40 SZ3 
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Panasonic FZ40

 SZ3 FZ40 
ReleasedJanuary 2013July 2010Fresher by 30 months

Common features in the Panasonic FZ40 and Panasonic SZ3

 FZ40 SZ3 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic SZ3 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry your camera, you are going to need to factor its weight and size. The Panasonic FZ40 has physical 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 SZ3 has specifications of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic SZ3 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you select at that time. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the FZ40 versus the SZ3.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic SZ3 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the FZ40 and SZ3 is 68 and 96 respectively.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic SZ3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic SZ3 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's hard to envision the gap in sensor sizing simply by researching a spec sheet. The visual underneath will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the FZ40 and SZ3.

Clearly, both of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same resolution. You can expect to see the Panasonic SZ3 to result in extra detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop pics more aggressively. The older FZ40 will be behind in sensor innovation.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic SZ3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Portrait photography details
Panasonic SZ3 Portrait photography details
46
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
supports RAW formats
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
30
MP count good (16MP)
no manual focus
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Street photography features
Panasonic SZ3 Street photography features
51
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
heavier than competition in class (494g)
64
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (126g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Sports photography advice
Panasonic SZ3 Sports photography advice
43
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
slow fps (2.0 frames/s)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
41
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic SZ3 Travel photography highlights
54
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
very long reach (600mm)
no Time Lapse function
heavier than competition in class (494g)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
71
lighter than competition (126g)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (25mm)
long zoom (250mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic SZ3 Landscape photography factors
51
you can focus manually
pretty wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
supports RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no Time Lapse function
39
relatively wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
no manual exposure
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Vlogging advice
Panasonic SZ3 Vlogging advice
23
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external mic port
heavier than competition in class (494 grams)
31
relatively wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (126g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external mic port
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Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic SZ3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FZ40 and Panasonic SZ3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3
Otherwise known as Lumix DMC-FZ45 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2010-07-21 2013-01-07
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine HD II -
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 14MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Full resolution 4320 x 3240 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points - 23
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.2 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus distance 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 2.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 9.50 m 4.10 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
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)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format AVCHD Lite Motion JPEG
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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 494 gr (1.09 lb) 126 gr (0.28 lb)
Physical dimensions 120 x 80 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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 pictures
Battery form - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 pictures)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail cost $420 $150