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Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic ZS5

Portability
68
Imaging
37
Features
40
Overall
38
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 front
Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
30
Overall
33

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic ZS5 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 ZS5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 214g - 103 x 60 x 32mm
  • Introduced June 2010
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ8
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Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic ZS5 Overview

On this page, we will be contrasting the Panasonic FZ40 versus Panasonic ZS5, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras and they are both offered by Panasonic. The image resolution of the FZ40 (14MP) and the ZS5 (12MP) is relatively similar and both cameras posses the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The FZ40 was brought out 2 months after the ZS5 so they are of a similar generation. Both cameras have different body design with the Panasonic FZ40 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic ZS5 being a Compact camera.

Before diving right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a short introduction of how the FZ40 matches up versus the ZS5 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ40 over the Panasonic ZS5

 FZ40 ZS5 
Manual focus More exact focusing
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS5 over the Panasonic FZ40

 ZS5 FZ40 

Common features in the Panasonic FZ40 and Panasonic ZS5

 FZ40 ZS5 
IntroducedJuly 2010June 2010Similar generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic ZS5 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry around your camera often, you should think about its weight and proportions. The Panasonic FZ40 features outside 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 ZS5 has measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic FZ40 versus Panasonic ZS5 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you choose during that time. Here is a front view dimensions comparison of the FZ40 and the ZS5.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic ZS5 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the FZ40 and ZS5 is 68 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic ZS5 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic ZS5 Sensor Comparison

Generally, its tough to visualise the difference between sensor sizes just by reading specs. The pic underneath may give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the FZ40 and ZS5.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You should count on the Panasonic FZ40 to offer you extra detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs a bit more aggressively.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic ZS5 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic ZS5 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic ZS5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic FZ40
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS5
46
you can focus manually
decent MP (14 megapixels)
delivers RAW files
can't use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
27
features face detection autofocus
manual focus not available
external flash not possible
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic FZ40
Street photography with Panasonic ZS5
51
built in image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
screen is fixed
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
heavier than competition (494g)
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (214g)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Sports photography details
Panasonic ZS5 Sports photography details
43
great zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
slow frames per second (2.0 fps)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
31
image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking autofocus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,300s)
max fps low (2.0 fps)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Travel photography information
Panasonic ZS5 Travel photography information
54
decent MP (14MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
great zoom (600mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
heavier than competition (494 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
63
lighter than competitors (214 grams)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
great zoom (300mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Landscape photography features
Panasonic ZS5 Landscape photography features
51
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
delivers RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have Time Lapse recording
33
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7")
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZS5 as a Vlogging camera
23
reasonably wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have mic support
heavier than competition (494g)
31
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection autofocus
lighter than competitors (214 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external mic port
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Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic ZS5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FZ40 and Panasonic ZS5
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5
Also called Lumix DMC-FZ45 Lumix DMC-TZ8
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2010-07-21 2010-06-16
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine HD II 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 surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 11
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.2 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focus distance 1cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 60s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1300s
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 9.50 m 5.30 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
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) 1280 x 720 (30fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video 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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 494 grams (1.09 lb) 214 grams (0.47 lb)
Physical dimensions 120 x 80 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") 103 x 60 x 32mm (4.1" 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
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 pictures)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at release $420 $300