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Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS40

Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
29
Overall
35
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 front
Portability
90
Imaging
43
Features
58
Overall
49

Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS40 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • 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
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
  • Announced January 2014
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ60
  • Older Model is Panasonic ZS35
  • Replacement is Panasonic ZS45
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Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS40 Overview

In this article, we are contrasting the Panasonic SZ3 versus Panasonic ZS40, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are sold by Panasonic. The image resolution of the SZ3 (16MP) and the ZS40 (18MP) is very close and they use the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SZ3 was launched 12 months earlier than the ZS40 and they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple overview of how the SZ3 grades versus the ZS40 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Panasonic ZS40

 SZ3 ZS40 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS40 over the Panasonic SZ3

 ZS40 SZ3 
AnnouncedJanuary 2014January 2013Fresher by 12 months
Focus manually Dial exact focusing
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution920k230kClearer display (+690k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic SZ3 and Panasonic ZS40

 SZ3 ZS40 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither contains Touch friendly display

Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS40 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry your camera frequently, you should consider its weight and volume. The Panasonic SZ3 has got external dimensions of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS40 has sizing of 111mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3") and a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic SZ3 versus Panasonic ZS40 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have attached at that time. Below is the front view dimensions comparison of the SZ3 versus the ZS40.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS40 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ3 and ZS40 is 96 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS40 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS40 Sensor Comparison

Often, its difficult to visualise the gap in sensor sizing purely by looking through specs. The photograph here may offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ3 and ZS40.

All in all, the two cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same MP. You should expect to see the Panasonic ZS40 to provide you with more detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop photos far more aggressively. The older SZ3 will be behind in sensor innovation.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS40 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS40 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Portrait photography features
Panasonic ZS40 Portrait photography features
30
good resolution (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
no external flash support
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
52
manual focus
megapixel count decent (18MP)
offers face detection focus
saves RAW formats
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Street photography info
Panasonic ZS40 Street photography info
64
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (126g)
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
69
has image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
lighter than others in class (240g)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Sports photography factors
Panasonic ZS40 Sports photography factors
41
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
offers tracking autofocus
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
54
great zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (18MP)
offers tracking autofocus
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS40 as a Travel photography camera
71
lighter than average (126 grams)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
very long zoom (250mm)
missing Timelapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.1)
69
lighter than others in class (240 grams)
megapixel count decent (18MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (24mm)
great reach (720mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic ZS40 Landscape photography factors
39
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.7")
no manual mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
missing Timelapse mode
56
manual focus
rather wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
saves RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Vlogging advice
Panasonic ZS40 Vlogging advice
31
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (126 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external microphone support
34
rather wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others in class (240 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
doesn't have external microphone port
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Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS40 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ3 and Panasonic ZS40
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40
General Information
Brand Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40
Also Known as - Lumix DMC-TZ60
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2013-01-07 2014-01-06
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - 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 alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Maximum boosted ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 23 23
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-250mm (10.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing range 5cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech TFT LCD TFT LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 200 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 4 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.10 m 6.40 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
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)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 126 gr (0.28 lb) 240 gr (0.53 lb)
Dimensions 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 111 x 64 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3")
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 250 images 300 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $150 $450