Clicky

Panasonic FZ40 vs Samsung WB850F

Portability
68
Imaging
37
Features
40
Overall
38
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 front
 
Samsung WB850F front
Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
51
Overall
43

Panasonic FZ40 vs Samsung WB850F 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
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-FZ45
Samsung WB850F
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 23-483mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 250g - 109 x 62 x 25mm
  • Released January 2012
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Panasonic FZ40 vs Samsung WB850F Overview

Let's take a deeper look at the Panasonic FZ40 versus Samsung WB850F, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by manufacturers Panasonic and Samsung. The image resolution of the FZ40 (14MP) and the WB850F (16MP) is very comparable and they come with the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

The FZ40 was introduced 17 months prior to the WB850F making the cameras a generation away from each other. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FZ40 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Samsung WB850F being a Compact camera.

Before we go through a full comparison, below is a quick summary of how the FZ40 grades vs the WB850F in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ40 over the Samsung WB850F

 FZ40 WB850F 

Reasons to pick Samsung WB850F over the Panasonic FZ40

 WB850F FZ40 
ReleasedJanuary 2012July 2010Newer by 17 months
Display resolution614k230kSharper display (+384k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FZ40 and Samsung WB850F

 FZ40 WB850F 
Manually focus Dial accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Panasonic FZ40 vs Samsung WB850F Physical Comparison

When you are intending to travel with your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor in its weight and volume. The Panasonic FZ40 offers external 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 Samsung WB850F has sizing of 109mm x 62mm x 25mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.0") and a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic FZ40 versus Samsung WB850F in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are working with during that time. Below is the front view size comparison of the FZ40 and the WB850F.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Samsung WB850F size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the FZ40 and WB850F is 68 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Samsung WB850F top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FZ40 vs Samsung WB850F Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is tough to see the difference in sensor dimensions merely by going through a spec sheet. The picture underneath might offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the FZ40 and WB850F.

As you can see, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same resolution. You should expect to see the Samsung WB850F to show greater detail using its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop images a little more aggressively. The more aged FZ40 will be behind in sensor technology.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Samsung WB850F sensor size comparison

Panasonic FZ40 vs Samsung WB850F Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FZ40 vs Samsung WB850F Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Portrait photography info
Samsung WB850F Portrait photography info
46
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
supports RAW files
can't use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
43
has manual focus
decent MP (16MP)
supports face detection focusing
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Street Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 as a Street photography camera
Samsung WB850F as a Street photography camera
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
no moving screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
heavier than others in class (494 grams)
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (250 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic FZ40
Sports photography with Samsung WB850F
43
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames/s)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
52
amazing zoom range (23-483mm 21.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
supports tracking autofocus
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Travel Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 as a Travel photography camera
Samsung WB850F as a Travel photography camera
54
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (25mm)
great zoom (600mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
heavier than others in class (494 grams)
does not have selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
69
lighter than average (250g)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
rather wide (23mm)
long zoom (483mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Landscape photography factors
Samsung WB850F Landscape photography factors
51
focusing manually
rather wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
supports RAW files
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have Time Lapse function
49
has manual focus
rather wide (23mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse function
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 as a Vlogging camera
Samsung WB850F as a Vlogging camera
23
rather wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not have selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external mic jack
heavier than others in class (494 grams)
34
rather wide (23mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average (250g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
doesn't have external microphone port
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Panasonic FZ40 vs Samsung WB850F Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FZ40 and Samsung WB850F
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40Samsung WB850F
General Information
Brand Panasonic Samsung
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 Samsung WB850F
Other name Lumix DMC-FZ45 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2010-07-21 2012-01-09
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
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 area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4320 x 3240 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
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) 23-483mm (21.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.2 f/2.8-5.9
Macro focus distance 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230k dot 614k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech - AMOLED display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 8 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 2.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 9.50 m 3.50 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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) 1920 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 480fps (176 x 128), 240fps (384 x 288)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format AVCHD Lite MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 494 gr (1.09 lbs) 250 gr (0.55 lbs)
Dimensions 120 x 80 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") 109 x 62 x 25mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.0")
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-10A
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 pictures)) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Launch cost $420 $599