Clicky

Panasonic FZ40 vs Sony WX300

Portability
68
Imaging
37
Features
40
Overall
38
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX300 front
Portability
94
Imaging
42
Features
38
Overall
40

Panasonic FZ40 vs Sony WX300 Key Specs

Panasonic FZ40
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • 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
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-FZ45
Sony WX300
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.5-6.5) lens
  • 166g - 96 x 55 x 25mm
  • Revealed February 2013
  • New Model is Sony WX350
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Panasonic FZ40 vs Sony WX300 Overview

Here, we will be looking at the Panasonic FZ40 versus Sony WX300, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. There exists a huge gap among the sensor resolutions of the FZ40 (14MP) and WX300 (18MP) but both cameras posses the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

The FZ40 was revealed 3 years before the WX300 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic FZ40 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony WX300 being a Compact camera.

Before getting into a in depth comparison, here is a short overview of how the FZ40 scores versus the WX300 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ40 over the Sony WX300

 FZ40 WX300 
Manual focus More precise focus

Reasons to pick Sony WX300 over the Panasonic FZ40

 WX300 FZ40 
RevealedFebruary 2013July 2010More modern by 31 months
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FZ40 and Sony WX300

 FZ40 WX300 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Panasonic FZ40 vs Sony WX300 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry around your camera, you will want to factor its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FZ40 offers 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) while the Sony WX300 has dimensions of 96mm x 55mm x 25mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") and a weight of 166 grams (0.37 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic FZ40 versus Sony WX300 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are employing at that moment. Here is a front view scale comparison of the FZ40 vs the WX300.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Sony WX300 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the FZ40 and WX300 is 68 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Sony WX300 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FZ40 vs Sony WX300 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very difficult to imagine the contrast in sensor sizes merely by looking through specs. The picture below might give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the FZ40 and WX300.

All in all, the two cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different MP. You should expect the Sony WX300 to render greater detail because of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will let you crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The more aged FZ40 will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Sony WX300 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FZ40 vs Sony WX300 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FZ40 vs Sony WX300 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Portrait photography information
Sony WX300 Portrait photography information
46
focusing manually
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
exports RAW formats
can't use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
36
resolution is good (18MP)
offers face detection focus
no manual focus
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Street Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Street photography info
Sony WX300 Street photography info
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
more heavy than competitors in class (494g)
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (166g)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Sports Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Sports photography info
Sony WX300 Sports photography info
43
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14MP)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames per second)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
49
excellent zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (18MP)
offers tracking autofocus
no shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Travel Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 as a Travel photography camera
Sony WX300 as a Travel photography camera
54
good megapixels (14MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
great reach (600mm)
missing Timelapse function
more heavy than competitors in class (494 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
71
lighter than others in class (166 grams)
resolution is good (18MP)
flash built-in
quite wide (25mm)
very long reach (500mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.5)
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic FZ40
Landscape photography with Sony WX300
51
focusing manually
fairly wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14MP)
exports RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
missing Timelapse function
44
quite wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
no manual focus
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
no manual exposure
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
does not have Time Lapse mode
Cutting-edge AI developed by Apple deciphers subtle nuances in pixels

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 as a Vlogging camera
Sony WX300 as a Vlogging camera
23
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing microphone support
more heavy than competitors in class (494 grams)
35
quite wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others in class (166 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
does not have external mic support
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Panasonic FZ40 vs Sony WX300 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FZ40 and Sony WX300
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX300
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX300
Also Known as Lumix DMC-FZ45 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2010-07-21 2013-02-20
Physical type 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 dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 18 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4320 x 3240 4896 x 3672
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 25-500mm (20.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.2 f/3.5-6.5
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 2.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 9.50 m 4.30 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync -
External flash
AE bracketing
WB 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 (60, 50 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format AVCHD Lite AVCHD
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 494 gr (1.09 lbs) 166 gr (0.37 lbs)
Physical dimensions 120 x 80 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") 96 x 55 x 25mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery ID - NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 pictures)) -
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Retail cost $420 $330