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Panasonic LZ40 vs Panasonic SZ3

Portability
67
Imaging
45
Features
35
Overall
41
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
29
Overall
35

Panasonic LZ40 vs Panasonic SZ3 Key Specs

Panasonic LZ40
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Boost to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 22-924mm (F3.0-6.5) lens
  • 524g - 126 x 87 x 94mm
  • Introduced January 2014
  • Succeeded the Panasonic LZ30
Panasonic SZ3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 126g - 95 x 56 x 22mm
  • Announced January 2013
Photography Glossary

Panasonic LZ40 vs Panasonic SZ3 Overview

On this page, we are analyzing the Panasonic LZ40 versus Panasonic SZ3, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact and they are both created by Panasonic. There exists a substantial gap among the resolutions of the LZ40 (20MP) and SZ3 (16MP) but both cameras have the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The LZ40 was released 13 months after the SZ3 making them a generation away from one another. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Panasonic LZ40 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic SZ3 being a Compact camera.

Before going straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a brief view of how the LZ40 grades vs the SZ3 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic LZ40 over the Panasonic SZ3

 LZ40 SZ3 
AnnouncedJanuary 2014January 2013More modern by 13 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Panasonic LZ40

 SZ3 LZ40 

Common features in the Panasonic LZ40 and Panasonic SZ3

 LZ40 SZ3 
Manually focus No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch display Absent Touch display

Panasonic LZ40 vs Panasonic SZ3 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry around your camera, you should consider its weight and size. The Panasonic LZ40 features outer measurements of 126mm x 87mm x 94mm (5.0" x 3.4" x 3.7") with a weight of 524 grams (1.16 lbs) whilst the Panasonic SZ3 has specifications of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic LZ40 versus Panasonic SZ3 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilising at the time. The following is a front view dimension comparison of the LZ40 compared to the SZ3.

Panasonic LZ40 vs Panasonic SZ3 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the LZ40 and SZ3 is 67 and 96 respectively.

Panasonic LZ40 vs Panasonic SZ3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic LZ40 vs Panasonic SZ3 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very difficult to envision the contrast in sensor sizes simply by going through specifications. The image underneath will help provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the LZ40 and SZ3.

To sum up, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same MP. You can expect to see the Panasonic LZ40 to show more detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop photos more aggressively. The more modern LZ40 is going to have an edge in sensor technology.

Panasonic LZ40 vs Panasonic SZ3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic LZ40 vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic LZ40 vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic LZ40 Portrait photography information
Panasonic SZ3 Portrait photography information
40
MP count good (20 megapixels)
supports face detection focus
manual focus not available
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
30
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic LZ40 Street photography information
Panasonic SZ3 Street photography information
45
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
more heavy than others in class (524 grams)
64
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (126g)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic LZ40 Sports photography advice
Panasonic SZ3 Sports photography advice
47
incredible zoom range (22-924mm 42.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (20 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
41
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
slow frames per second (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic LZ40 Travel photography advice
Panasonic SZ3 Travel photography advice
55
MP count good (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (22mm)
very long zoom (924mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
more heavy than others in class (524g)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.0)
71
lighter than competition in class (126g)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
great reach (250mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic LZ40 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic SZ3 as a Landscape photography camera
44
fairly wide (22mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (20 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
does not have Timelapse recording
39
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.7")
manual exposure not available
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic LZ40
Vlogging with Panasonic SZ3
27
fairly wide (22mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focus
includes external microphone port
slow max aperture (f3.0)
display isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
more heavy than others in class (524 grams)
31
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (126 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external microphone jack
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Panasonic LZ40 vs Panasonic SZ3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic LZ40 and Panasonic SZ3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2014-01-06 2013-01-07
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Full resolution 5152 x 3864 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Max boosted ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 9 23
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 22-924mm (42.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.0-6.5 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech TFT LCD TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 60s
Highest shutter speed 1/1500s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 10.80 m 4.10 m
Flash settings Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 524g (1.16 lbs) 126g (0.28 lbs)
Physical dimensions 126 x 87 x 94mm (5.0" x 3.4" x 3.7") 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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 life 320 pictures 250 pictures
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $219 $150