Clicky

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic ZR3

Portability
68
Imaging
37
Features
40
Overall
38
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 front
Portability
94
Imaging
36
Features
26
Overall
32

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic ZR3 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
  • Revealed July 2010
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-FZ45
Panasonic ZR3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-200mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 159g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
  • Announced January 2010
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-ZX3
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic ZR3 Overview

Here, we are contrasting the Panasonic FZ40 versus Panasonic ZR3, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact and they are both created by Panasonic. The image resolution of the FZ40 (14MP) and the ZR3 (14MP) is very comparable and both cameras offer the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

The FZ40 was manufactured 6 months after the ZR3 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic FZ40 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic ZR3 being a Compact camera.

Before getting into a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple overview of how the FZ40 grades vs the ZR3 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ40 over the Panasonic ZR3

 FZ40 ZR3 
Manually focus More precise focusing
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR3 over the Panasonic FZ40

 ZR3 FZ40 

Common features in the Panasonic FZ40 and Panasonic ZR3

 FZ40 ZR3 
AnnouncedJuly 2010January 2010Same generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic ZR3 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to travel with your camera regularly, you should consider its weight and proportions. The Panasonic FZ40 provides physical 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 ZR3 has measurements of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") having a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic FZ40 versus Panasonic ZR3 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are working with during that time. Below is a front view overall size comparison of the FZ40 compared to the ZR3.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic ZR3 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the FZ40 and ZR3 is 68 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic ZR3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic ZR3 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its difficult to envision the gap in sensor dimensions purely by checking out a spec sheet. The pic underneath may provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the FZ40 and ZR3.

As you can see, the 2 cameras come with the identical sensor size and the exact same resolution therefore you should expect comparable quality of photos however you really should take the release date of the cameras into account.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic ZR3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic ZR3 Portrait photography factors
46
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
delivers RAW formats
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
28
decent MP (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
external flash not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Street Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZR3 as a Street photography camera
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
heavier than competition (494 grams)
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic FZ40
Sports photography with Panasonic ZR3
43
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
low frames per second (2.0 frames/s)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
36
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,300 seconds)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Travel Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Travel photography factors
Panasonic ZR3 Travel photography factors
54
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
really wide (25mm)
very long reach (600mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition (494 grams)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f2.8)
64
decent MP (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
really wide (25mm)
lack of Timelapse function
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic FZ40
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZR3
51
has manual focus
really wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
delivers RAW formats
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
37
really wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7")
no manual mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
lack of Timelapse function
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic FZ40
Vlogging with Panasonic ZR3
23
really wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external mic jack
heavier than competition (494 grams)
29
really wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone socket
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic ZR3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FZ40 and Panasonic ZR3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3
Also called Lumix DMC-FZ45 Lumix DMC-ZX3
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2010-07-21 2010-01-26
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine HD II 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 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4320 x 3240 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 11
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 25-200mm (8.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.2 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing range 1cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 60s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1300s
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 9.50 m 5.30 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format AVCHD Lite AVCHD Lite
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 494 grams (1.09 lbs) 159 grams (0.35 lbs)
Physical dimensions 120 x 80 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0")
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
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
Price at launch $420 $280