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Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic ZS15

Portability
68
Imaging
37
Features
40
Overall
38
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 front
Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
37
Overall
36

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic ZS15 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
  • Released July 2010
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-FZ45
Panasonic ZS15
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 208g - 105 x 58 x 33mm
  • Introduced June 2012
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ25
  • Replacement is Panasonic ZS20
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Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic ZS15 Overview

The following is a in-depth analysis of the Panasonic FZ40 and Panasonic ZS15, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras and both are manufactured by Panasonic. The image resolution of the FZ40 (14MP) and the ZS15 (12MP) is fairly close and both cameras posses the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

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The FZ40 was revealed 23 months prior to the ZS15 making them a generation away from each other. Both cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic FZ40 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic ZS15 being a Compact camera.

Before delving right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the FZ40 matches up versus the ZS15 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ40 over the Panasonic ZS15

 FZ40 ZS15 
Manual focus Very accurate focus

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS15 over the Panasonic FZ40

 ZS15 FZ40 
IntroducedJune 2012July 2010Newer by 23 months
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FZ40 and Panasonic ZS15

 FZ40 ZS15 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display size
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch display Neither has Touch display

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic ZS15 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to travel with your camera often, you will need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FZ40 has exterior measurements 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 ZS15 has dimensions of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") having a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic FZ40 and Panasonic ZS15 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are working with at that moment. Here is a front view size comparison of the FZ40 and the ZS15.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic ZS15 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the FZ40 and ZS15 is 68 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic ZS15 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic ZS15 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is tough to see the difference in sensor dimensions only by looking through specifications. The pic underneath might give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the FZ40 and ZS15.

Plainly, both the cameras feature the identical sensor size but not the same resolution. You should anticipate the Panasonic FZ40 to result in more detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop photos way more aggressively. The more aged FZ40 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic ZS15 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic ZS15 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic ZS15 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic FZ40
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS15
46
has manual focus
good MP (14 megapixels)
exports RAW files
can't use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
21
manual focus not available
external flash not possible
low resolution (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS15 as a Street photography camera
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
more heavy than competition (494 grams)
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (208g)
fixed screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic ZS15 Sports photography highlights
43
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14 megapixels)
slow fps (2.0 frames/s)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
36
great zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (2.0 fps)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (260 per charge)
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic FZ40
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS15
54
good MP (14MP)
flash built-in
quite wide (25mm)
long zoom (600mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
more heavy than competition (494 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
61
lighter than average in class (208 grams)
flash built-in
decently wide (24mm)
very long reach (384mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
terrible battery life (260 shots)
low resolution (12MP)
does not feature selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Landscape photography advice
Panasonic ZS15 Landscape photography advice
51
has manual focus
quite wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14MP)
exports RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have Timelapse recording
37
decently wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
terrible battery life (260 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZS15 as a Vlogging camera
23
quite wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have microphone jack
more heavy than competition (494g)
33
decently wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average in class (208g)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not feature selfie friendly display
does not have mic port
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Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic ZS15 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FZ40 and Panasonic ZS15
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15
General Information
Company Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15
Alternative name Lumix DMC-FZ45 Lumix DMC-TZ25
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2010-07-21 2012-06-29
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine HD II -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 12MP
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 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 23
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 24-384mm (16.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.2 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing range 1cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Display resolution 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 15s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 9.50 m 6.40 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format AVCHD Lite MPEG-4, AVCHD
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 494g (1.09 pounds) 208g (0.46 pounds)
Physical dimensions 120 x 80 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
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 - 260 pictures
Form of battery - 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 One One
Retail cost $420 $279