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Panasonic SZ7 vs Panasonic ZS40

Portability
95
Imaging
37
Features
41
Overall
38
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 front
Portability
90
Imaging
43
Features
58
Overall
49

Panasonic SZ7 vs Panasonic ZS40 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ7
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 133g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Announced January 2012
Panasonic ZS40
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Increase 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
Photography Glossary

Panasonic SZ7 vs Panasonic ZS40 Overview

In this write-up, we are looking at the Panasonic SZ7 versus Panasonic ZS40, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both created by Panasonic. There exists a crucial gap between the resolutions of the SZ7 (14MP) and ZS40 (18MP) but they use the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SZ7 was unveiled 24 months earlier than the ZS40 making the cameras a generation apart from one another. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go through a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the SZ7 scores versus the ZS40 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ7 over the Panasonic ZS40

 SZ7 ZS40 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS40 over the Panasonic SZ7

 ZS40 SZ7 
AnnouncedJanuary 2014January 2012Fresher by 24 months
Manual focus More precise focus
Display resolution920k460kClearer display (+460k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic SZ7 and Panasonic ZS40

 SZ7 ZS40 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurements
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch display Neither comes with Touch display

Panasonic SZ7 vs Panasonic ZS40 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry your camera regularly, you're going to have to factor its weight and size. The Panasonic SZ7 comes with exterior measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 133 grams (0.29 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS40 has specifications of 111mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs).

See the Panasonic SZ7 versus Panasonic ZS40 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Below is the front view scale comparison of the SZ7 against the ZS40.

Panasonic SZ7 vs Panasonic ZS40 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SZ7 and ZS40 is 95 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic SZ7 vs Panasonic ZS40 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ7 vs Panasonic ZS40 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its tough to see the gap between sensor sizing merely by reading through technical specs. The graphic here should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ7 and ZS40.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same resolution. You should expect to see the Panasonic ZS40 to give you greater detail having an extra 4MP. Greater resolution will help you crop images far more aggressively. The older SZ7 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Panasonic SZ7 vs Panasonic ZS40 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ7 vs Panasonic ZS40 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ7 vs Panasonic ZS40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ7 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic ZS40 Portrait photography advice
33
megapixel count good (14MP)
supports face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
no manual exposure
no external flash support
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
52
focusing manually
good resolution (18 megapixels)
comes with face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
can't use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ7 Street photography advice
Panasonic ZS40 Street photography advice
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (133g)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
69
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
lighter than competitors (240g)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ7 Sports photography features
Panasonic ZS40 Sports photography features
43
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
54
excellent zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (18MP)
comes with tracking focus
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ7 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS40 as a Travel photography camera
70
lighter than others in class (133g)
megapixel count good (14MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
long zoom (250mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
does not posses selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
69
lighter than competitors (240 grams)
good resolution (18MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
great reach (720mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ7 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic ZS40 Landscape photography factors
42
relatively wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
no manual exposure
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
missing Time Lapse recording
56
focusing manually
relatively wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (18MP)
supports RAW formats
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ7 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZS40 as a Vlogging camera
35
relatively wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others in class (133g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not posses selfie friendly display
missing mic support
34
relatively wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competitors (240 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
missing mic support
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Panasonic SZ7 vs Panasonic ZS40 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ7 and Panasonic ZS40
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-TZ60
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2012-01-09 2014-01-06
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - Venus Engine
Sensor type CMOS 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 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4320 x 3240 4896 x 3672
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Highest enhanced ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 23 23
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-250mm (10.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Max aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing range 4cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 460k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology TFT Color LCD TFT LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 200k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Features
Min shutter speed 8s 4s
Max shutter speed 1/1600s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 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
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, 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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 133g (0.29 lb) 240g (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 Overall 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 220 pictures 300 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail cost $199 $450