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Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic SZ7

Portability
68
Imaging
37
Features
40
Overall
38
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7 front
Portability
95
Imaging
37
Features
41
Overall
38

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic SZ7 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
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-FZ45
Panasonic SZ7
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 133g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Launched January 2012
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Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic SZ7 Overview

Lets take a closer look at the Panasonic FZ40 and Panasonic SZ7, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and they are both produced by Panasonic. The resolution of the FZ40 (14MP) and the SZ7 (14MP) is relatively close and they feature the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The FZ40 was released 17 months earlier than the SZ7 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic FZ40 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic SZ7 being a Compact camera.

Before delving through a complete comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the FZ40 matches up against the SZ7 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ40 over the Panasonic SZ7

 FZ40 SZ7 
Manually focus Very accurate focusing

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ7 over the Panasonic FZ40

 SZ7 FZ40 
LaunchedJanuary 2012July 2010Fresher by 17 months
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FZ40 and Panasonic SZ7

 FZ40 SZ7 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic SZ7 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry your camera regularly, you need to consider its weight and proportions. The Panasonic FZ40 has got outside dimensions of 120mm x 80mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") with a weight of 494 grams (1.09 lbs) whilst the Panasonic SZ7 has measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 133 grams (0.29 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic FZ40 and Panasonic SZ7 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are employing at that time. Here is the front view over all size comparison of the FZ40 vs the SZ7.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic SZ7 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the FZ40 and SZ7 is 68 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic SZ7 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic SZ7 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is tough to see the contrast in sensor sizing only by researching specifications. The graphic below might provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the FZ40 and SZ7.

To sum up, the two cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements and the exact same megapixels and you can expect comparable quality of photographs though you may want to consider the age of the cameras into account. The older FZ40 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic SZ7 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic SZ7 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic SZ7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Portrait photography information
Panasonic SZ7 Portrait photography information
46
manual focus
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
delivers RAW formats
external flash not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
33
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
offers face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic SZ7 as a Street photography camera
51
built in image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
heavier than competition (494 grams)
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (133 grams)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic FZ40
Sports photography with Panasonic SZ7
43
great zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14MP)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
43
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
offers tracking focus
no shutter priority
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic SZ7 as a Travel photography camera
54
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
quite wide (25mm)
very long reach (600mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition (494g)
does not have selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
70
lighter than others (133g)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (25mm)
great zoom (250mm)
no Time Lapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic FZ40
Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ7
51
manual focus
quite wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
delivers RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
42
rather wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic SZ7 as a Vlogging camera
23
quite wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
does not have selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external mic port
heavier than competition (494g)
35
rather wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others (133g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no mic support
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Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic SZ7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FZ40 and Panasonic SZ7
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7
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 CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4320 x 3240 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points - 23
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.2 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus range 1cm 4cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 8 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 9.50 m 5.60 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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) 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format AVCHD Lite MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic 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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 494g (1.09 lbs) 133g (0.29 lbs)
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 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 - 220 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 Single Single
Launch pricing $420 $199