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Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS40

Portability
95 Imaging
39 Features
34 Overall
37
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 front
Portability
90 Imaging
43 Features
58 Overall
49

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS40 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 131g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Introduced January 2012
Panasonic ZS40
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Boost to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 240g - 111 x 64 x 34mm
  • Launched January 2014
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ60
  • Earlier Model is Panasonic ZS35
  • Newer Model is Panasonic ZS45
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Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS40 Overview

In this article, we are comparing the Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS40, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are offered by Panasonic. The resolution of the SZ1 (16MP) and the ZS40 (18MP) is very comparable and they feature the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SZ1 was brought out 24 months earlier than the ZS40 making the cameras a generation apart from each other. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the SZ1 grades against the ZS40 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Panasonic ZS40

		

		

			
 SZ1 ZS40 
		

	

	
	

		

		
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS40 over the Panasonic SZ1

		

		

			
 ZS40 SZ1 
LaunchedJanuary 2014January 2012More recent by 24 months
Manually focus  Very accurate focusing
Display resolution920k230kCrisper display (+690k dot)
		

	

	
	

		

		
Common features in the Panasonic SZ1 and Panasonic ZS40

		

		

			
 SZ1 ZS40 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions
Selfie screen  Lack of selfie screen
Touch display  Lack of Touch display
		

	

	

	
	
	
	

	

		

		
Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS40 Physical Comparison

		

		

			
In case you're going to lug around your camera often, you will have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic SZ1 provides outer dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS40 has dimensions of 111mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs).
Compare the Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS40 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses
Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have at the time. Underneath is the front view physical size comparison of the SZ1 against the ZS40.
Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS40 size comparison
Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ1 and ZS40 is 95 and 90 respectively.
Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS40 top view buttons comparison		

	

	
	

		

		
Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS40 Sensor Comparison

		

		

			
Usually, it is hard to imagine the contrast in sensor measurements just by seeing specifications. The photograph below should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ1 and ZS40.
To sum up, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different megapixels. You should expect to see the Panasonic ZS40 to show more detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop pics far more aggressively. The older SZ1 will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.
	
			Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS40 sensor size comparison			
		

	

	
	

		

		
Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS40 Screen and ViewFinder

		

		

					

		Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison	

	
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Photography Type Scores

		

	

	
Portrait Comparison
Panasonic SZ1 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic ZS40 Portrait photography advice
34
 sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
 offers face detect autofocus
 focusing manually not possible
 manual exposure not possible
 no external flash support
 tiny sensor (1/2.3")
 no RAW format
52
 has manual focus
 megapixel count good (18 megapixels)
 has face detect autofocus
 exports RAW files
 cannot use external flash
 sensor  is small (1/2.3")
Photography Glossary
Street Comparison
Panasonic SZ1 Street photography factors
Panasonic ZS40 Street photography factors
63
 built in image stabilization (Optical)
 lighter than competition (131 grams)
 fixed screen
 tiny sensor (1/2.3")
 no RAW format
69
 built in image stabilization (Optical)
 exports RAW files
 lighter than average (240g)
 screen is fixed
 sensor  is small (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison
Sports photography with Panasonic SZ1
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS40
40
 built in image stabilization (Optical)
 sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
 offers tracking focus
 max fps low (1.0 frames/s)
 lack of shutter priority mode
 tiny sensor (1/2.3")
 no phase detect autofocus
54
 great zoom range (24-720mm  30.0 x zoom)
 built in image stabilization (Optical)
 megapixel count good (18MP)
 has tracking focus
 sensor  is small (1/2.3")
 lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison
Panasonic SZ1 Travel photography information
Panasonic ZS40 Travel photography information
70
 lighter than competition (131g)
 sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
 flash built-in
 rather wide (25mm)
 very long zoom (250mm)
 does not have Timelapse recording
 does not have a selfie friendly screen
 sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
69
 lighter than average (240g)
 megapixel count good (18MP)
 has built in flash
 fairly wide (24mm)
 great zoom (720mm)
 no Timelapse recording
 doesn't offer selfie friendly display
 sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison
Panasonic SZ1 Landscape photography features
Panasonic ZS40 Landscape photography features
43
 rather wide (25mm)
 nice screen size (3 inches)
 built in image stabilization (Optical)
 sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
 focusing manually not possible
 lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
 sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
 manual exposure not possible
 tiny sensor (1/2.3")
 no RAW format
 does not have Timelapse recording
56
 has manual focus
 fairly wide (24mm)
 nice screen size (3 inches)
 built in image stabilization (Optical)
 megapixel count good (18 megapixels)
 exports RAW files
 cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
 sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
 sensor  is small (1/2.3")
 no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison
Vlogging with Panasonic SZ1
Vlogging with Panasonic ZS40
32
 rather wide (25mm)
 built in image stabilization (Optical)
 offers face detect autofocus
 lighter than competition (131g)
 sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
 does not have a selfie friendly screen
 video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
 does not have microphone socket
34
 fairly wide (24mm)
 built in image stabilization (Optical)
 has face detect autofocus
 video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
 lighter than average (240 grams)
 sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
 doesn't offer selfie friendly display
 no microphone support
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Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS40 Specifications

		

		

					

		
		

			Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ1 and Panasonic ZS40
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-TZ60
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2012-01-09 2014-01-06
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Venus Engine
Sensor type CCD 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 16 megapixels 18 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 4608 x 3456 4896 x 3672
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Highest boosted ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW images    
Autofocusing
Manual focus    
Touch focus    
Autofocus continuous    
Autofocus single    
Tracking autofocus    
Selective autofocus    
Autofocus center weighted    
Multi area autofocus    
Autofocus live view    
Face detect autofocus    
Contract detect autofocus    
Phase detect autofocus    
Number of focus points 23 23
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-250mm (10.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Max aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus range 4cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 230k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly    
Liveview    
Touch functionality    
Display tech TFT Color LCD TFT LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 200k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 1.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority    
Aperture priority    
Expose Manually    
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance    
Image stabilization    
Built-in flash    
Flash range 5.60 m 6.40 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe    
Auto exposure bracketing    
White balance bracketing    
Exposure
Multisegment exposure    
Average exposure    
Spot exposure    
Partial exposure    
AF area exposure    
Center weighted exposure    
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone 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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing    
Water proof    
Dust proof    
Shock proof    
Crush proof    
Freeze proof    
Weight 131 gr (0.29 lb) 240 gr (0.53 lb)
Dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 111 x 64 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3")
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 250 photos 300 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature    
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail price $179 $450