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Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax W90

Portability
68
Imaging
37
Features
40
Overall
38
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 front
 
Pentax Optio W90 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax W90 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
  • Released July 2010
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-FZ45
Pentax W90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 164g - 108 x 59 x 25mm
  • Released February 2010
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Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax W90 Overview

Following is a in depth review of the Panasonic FZ40 versus Pentax W90, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Waterproof by brands Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the FZ40 (14MP) and the W90 (12MP) is very close and they feature the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The FZ40 was released 5 months after the W90 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic FZ40 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax W90 being a Compact camera.

Before going through a more detailed comparison, below is a concise view of how the FZ40 grades vs the W90 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ40 over the Pentax W90

 FZ40 W90 
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Pentax W90 over the Panasonic FZ40

 W90 FZ40 

Common features in the Panasonic FZ40 and Pentax W90

 FZ40 W90 
ReleasedJuly 2010February 2010Same generation
Manually focus More accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither comes with Touch friendly display

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax W90 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry around your camera, you have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FZ40 comes with exterior dimensions of 120mm x 80mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") and a weight of 494 grams (1.09 lbs) and the Pentax W90 has dimensions of 108mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") having a weight of 164 grams (0.36 lbs).

Check the Panasonic FZ40 versus Pentax W90 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you choose at that moment. Below is the front view measurements comparison of the FZ40 against the W90.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax W90 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the FZ40 and W90 is 68 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax W90 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax W90 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's difficult to visualise the difference in sensor sizes simply by researching a spec sheet. The picture here will give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the FZ40 and W90.

As you can see, each of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but not the same MP. You should expect to see the Panasonic FZ40 to render more detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop photos somewhat more aggressively.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax W90 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax W90 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax W90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Portrait photography details
Pentax W90 Portrait photography details
46
manual focus
megapixel count good (14MP)
saves RAW files
no external flash support
small sensor size (1/2.3")
27
you can focus manually
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic FZ40
Street photography with Pentax W90
51
image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
heavier than others in class (494g)
54
environment sealing
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Sports photography information
Pentax W90 Sports photography information
43
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14MP)
max fps very slow (2.0 frames/s)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
24
environment sealing
max fps very slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic FZ40
Travel photography with Pentax W90
54
megapixel count good (14MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
very long zoom (600mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
heavier than others in class (494 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
64
environment sealing
has built in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Landscape photography information
Pentax W90 Landscape photography information
51
manual focus
fairly wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14MP)
saves RAW files
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
37
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (28mm)
environment sealing
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
lack of manual mode
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic FZ40
Vlogging with Pentax W90
23
fairly wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external mic port
heavier than others in class (494g)
25
reasonably wide (28mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic port
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Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax W90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FZ40 and Pentax W90
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40Pentax Optio W90
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 Pentax Optio W90
Also called Lumix DMC-FZ45 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Released 2010-07-21 2010-02-24
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine HD II Prime
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 12 megapixel
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 images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.2 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus range 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 4s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1500s
Continuous shutter speed 2.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 9.50 m 3.90 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
Auto exposure 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) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format AVCHD Lite Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 494 grams (1.09 pounds) 164 grams (0.36 pounds)
Dimensions 120 x 80 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") 108 x 59 x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0")
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 model - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 pictures)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch cost $420 $120