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Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic ZS45

Portability
68
Imaging
37
Features
40
Overall
38
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45 front
Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
55
Overall
46

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic ZS45 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
  • Announced July 2010
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-FZ45
Panasonic ZS45
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 249g - 108 x 60 x 32mm
  • Introduced January 2015
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ57
  • Replaced the Panasonic ZS40
  • Refreshed by Panasonic ZS50
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Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic ZS45 Overview

In this write-up, we are reviewing the Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic ZS45, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras and they are both sold by Panasonic. The image resolution of the FZ40 (14MP) and the ZS45 (16MP) is fairly well matched and they feature the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The FZ40 was revealed 5 years prior to the ZS45 and that is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FZ40 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic ZS45 being a Compact camera.

Before going straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the FZ40 grades vs the ZS45 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ40 over the Panasonic ZS45

 FZ40 ZS45 
Focus manually Very precise focus

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS45 over the Panasonic FZ40

 ZS45 FZ40 
IntroducedJanuary 2015July 2010More recent by 54 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1040k230kClearer display (+810k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FZ40 and Panasonic ZS45

 FZ40 ZS45 
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display size
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic ZS45 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to lug around your camera often, you'll need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FZ40 offers physical measurements of 120mm x 80mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") accompanied by a weight of 494 grams (1.09 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS45 has dimensions of 108mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 249 grams (0.55 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic ZS45 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are working with at the time. Here is the front view measurement comparison of the FZ40 versus the ZS45.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic ZS45 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the FZ40 and ZS45 is 68 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic ZS45 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic ZS45 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is tough to visualize the difference between sensor measurements just by looking at specs. The visual here may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the FZ40 and ZS45.

All in all, the 2 cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different resolution. You should anticipate the Panasonic ZS45 to resolve greater detail because of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop images a little more aggressively. The older FZ40 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic ZS45 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic ZS45 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic ZS45 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Portrait photography details
Panasonic ZS45 Portrait photography details
46
focusing manually
good megapixels (14MP)
supports RAW formats
can't use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
37
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
features face detection focusing
manual focus not available
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic FZ40
Street photography with Panasonic ZS45
51
image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/2.3")
more heavy than average in class (494 grams)
69
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (249g)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic FZ40
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS45
43
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
55
incredible zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
great battery pack (350 per charge)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS45 as a Travel photography camera
54
good megapixels (14MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (25mm)
long reach (600mm)
no Timelapse mode
more heavy than average in class (494g)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
71
great battery pack (350 per charge)
lighter than average (249 grams)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
really wide (24mm)
very long zoom (480mm)
no Time Lapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic ZS45 Landscape photography factors
51
focusing manually
relatively wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14MP)
supports RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no Timelapse mode
47
really wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
great battery pack (350 CIPA)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZS45 as a Vlogging camera
23
relatively wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no microphone socket
more heavy than average in class (494g)
34
really wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average (249g)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no external mic support
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Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic ZS45 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FZ40 and Panasonic ZS45
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45
General Information
Make Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45
Other name Lumix DMC-FZ45 Lumix DMC-TZ57
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2010-07-21 2015-01-06
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine HD II -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 16 megapixel
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 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 21
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.2 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus range 1cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 230k dots 1,040k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 9.50 m 6.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
External flash
AE bracketing
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) 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format AVCHD Lite MPEG-4
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 494 grams (1.09 lb) 249 grams (0.55 lb)
Dimensions 120 x 80 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") 108 x 60 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3")
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 - 350 photos
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 type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Cost at release $420 $300