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Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax XG-1

Portability
68
Imaging
37
Features
40
Overall
38
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 front
 
Pentax XG-1 front
Portability
66
Imaging
40
Features
37
Overall
38

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax XG-1 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
  • Introduced July 2010
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-FZ45
Pentax XG-1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1248mm (F2.8-5.6) lens
  • 567g - 119 x 89 x 98mm
  • Revealed July 2014
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Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax XG-1 Overview

Let's take a closer look at the Panasonic FZ40 and Pentax XG-1, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the FZ40 (14MP) and the XG-1 (16MP) is very similar and both cameras posses the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The FZ40 was introduced 5 years before the XG-1 which is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras have the same body design (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before we go into a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the FZ40 scores vs the XG-1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ40 over the Pentax XG-1

 FZ40 XG-1 

Reasons to pick Pentax XG-1 over the Panasonic FZ40

 XG-1 FZ40 
RevealedJuly 2014July 2010More modern by 48 months
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FZ40 and Pentax XG-1

 FZ40 XG-1 
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display dimensions
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly display No Touch friendly display

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax XG-1 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry around your camera often, you'll need to consider its weight and measurements. The Panasonic FZ40 has got external dimensions of 120mm x 80mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") and a weight of 494 grams (1.09 lbs) whilst the Pentax XG-1 has proportions of 119mm x 89mm x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") accompanied by a weight of 567 grams (1.25 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic FZ40 and Pentax XG-1 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you select during that time. The following is a front view dimension comparison of the FZ40 compared to the XG-1.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax XG-1 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the FZ40 and XG-1 is 68 and 66 respectively.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax XG-1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax XG-1 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's tough to visualise the contrast between sensor sizes purely by reviewing specs. The pic underneath will offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the FZ40 and XG-1.

As you can plainly see, both of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same resolution. You should expect to see the Pentax XG-1 to deliver greater detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop photos more aggressively. The more aged FZ40 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax XG-1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax XG-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax XG-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax XG-1 as a Portrait photography camera
46
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
saves RAW formats
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
40
manual focus
decent MP (16 megapixels)
no external flash support
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic FZ40
Street photography with Pentax XG-1
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
heavier than average (494 grams)
43
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
more heavy than others in class (567 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Sports photography highlights
Pentax XG-1 Sports photography highlights
43
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
45
great zoom range (24-1248mm 52.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery (240 shots)
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic FZ40
Travel photography with Pentax XG-1
54
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
great reach (600mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
heavier than average (494g)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
52
decent MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
great zoom (1248mm)
missing Timelapse function
not so great battery (240 per charge)
more heavy than others in class (567g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax XG-1 Landscape photography highlights
51
has manual focus
pretty wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
saves RAW formats
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have Time Lapse mode
45
manual focus
reasonably wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
not so great battery (240 CIPA)
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Vlogging information
Pentax XG-1 Vlogging information
23
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external mic jack
heavier than average (494g)
25
reasonably wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing microphone port
more heavy than others in class (567g)
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Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax XG-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FZ40 and Pentax XG-1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40Pentax XG-1
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 Pentax XG-1
Also called Lumix DMC-FZ45 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2010-07-21 2014-07-15
Body design SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine HD II -
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4320 x 3240 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 24-1248mm (52.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.2 f/2.8-5.6
Macro focus range 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 200k dot
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 4s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames/s 9.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 9.50 m 6.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Force Off, Flash Auto, Force Flash, Slow Sync., Slow Sync. + Red-Eye, Red-Eye Reduction
External flash
AEB
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 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (120 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format AVCHD Lite Motion JPEG
Microphone 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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 494g (1.09 lbs) 567g (1.25 lbs)
Physical dimensions 120 x 80 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") 119 x 89 x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 - 240 photographs
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - LB-060
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
Storage slots Single Single
Launch pricing $420 $599