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Panasonic FZ40 vs Samsung HZ50W

Portability
68
Imaging
37
Features
40
Overall
38
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 front
 
Samsung HZ50W front
Portability
70
Imaging
37
Features
44
Overall
39

Panasonic FZ40 vs Samsung HZ50W 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
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-FZ45
Samsung HZ50W
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 3200 (Expand to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-676mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 426g - 116 x 83 x 91mm
  • Announced May 2010
  • Also Known as WB5500
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Panasonic FZ40 vs Samsung HZ50W Overview

Below is a in depth analysis of the Panasonic FZ40 and Samsung HZ50W, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by competitors Panasonic and Samsung. The image resolution of the FZ40 (14MP) and the HZ50W (14MP) is very similar and both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The FZ40 was brought out 3 months later than the HZ50W which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras have the same body design (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before delving into a in depth comparison, here is a brief overview of how the FZ40 scores versus the HZ50W in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ40 over the Samsung HZ50W

 FZ40 HZ50W 

Reasons to pick Samsung HZ50W over the Panasonic FZ40

 HZ50W FZ40 

Common features in the Panasonic FZ40 and Samsung HZ50W

 FZ40 HZ50W 
AnnouncedJuly 2010May 2010Similar generation
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly display No Touch friendly display

Panasonic FZ40 vs Samsung HZ50W Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you're going to have to consider its weight and size. The Panasonic FZ40 enjoys outer measurements 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 Samsung HZ50W has specifications of 116mm x 83mm x 91mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.6") with a weight of 426 grams (0.94 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic FZ40 and Samsung HZ50W in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Here is a front view measurement comparison of the FZ40 and the HZ50W.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Samsung HZ50W size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the FZ40 and HZ50W is 68 and 70 respectively.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Samsung HZ50W top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FZ40 vs Samsung HZ50W Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's difficult to visualise the gap between sensor measurements just by reading a spec sheet. The visual below will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the FZ40 and HZ50W.

As you can see, each of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the same resolution therefore you should expect similar quality of photos however you have to take the production date of the products into consideration.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Samsung HZ50W sensor size comparison

Panasonic FZ40 vs Samsung HZ50W Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FZ40 vs Samsung HZ50W Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 as a Portrait photography camera
Samsung HZ50W as a Portrait photography camera
46
has manual focus
good MP (14 megapixels)
exports RAW formats
no external flash support
sensor is small (1/2.3")
46
has manual focus
decent MP (14 megapixels)
saves RAW files
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Street photography highlights
Samsung HZ50W Street photography highlights
51
built in image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
more heavy than average in class (494 grams)
56
image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Sports photography advice
Samsung HZ50W Sports photography advice
43
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14MP)
low frames per second (2.0 frames per second)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
48
long zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Travel photography advice
Samsung HZ50W Travel photography advice
54
good MP (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
decently wide (25mm)
very long reach (600mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
more heavy than average in class (494 grams)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
58
decent MP (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
rather wide (26mm)
great zoom (676mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Landscape photography info
Samsung HZ50W Landscape photography info
51
has manual focus
decently wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14 megapixels)
exports RAW formats
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have Timelapse function
51
has manual focus
rather wide (26mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
saves RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Vlogging info
Samsung HZ50W Vlogging info
23
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have microphone support
more heavy than average in class (494g)
24
rather wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have mic socket
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Panasonic FZ40 vs Samsung HZ50W Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FZ40 and Samsung HZ50W
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40Samsung HZ50W
General Information
Brand Panasonic Samsung
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 Samsung HZ50W
Otherwise known as Lumix DMC-FZ45 WB5500
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2010-07-21 2010-05-03
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Chip 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 area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4320 x 3240 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Maximum boosted ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 64
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 26-676mm (26.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.2 f/2.8-5.0
Macro focus range 1cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 16 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 9.50 m 5.60 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
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 (60, 30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format AVCHD Lite H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 494 gr (1.09 lbs) 426 gr (0.94 lbs)
Physical dimensions 120 x 80 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") 116 x 83 x 91mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.6")
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 model - SLB-11A
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 pictures)) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SC/SDHC, Internal
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $420 $250