Panasonic ZS40 vs Samsung SL30
90 Imaging
42 Features
58 Overall
48


95 Imaging
32 Features
14 Overall
24
Panasonic ZS40 vs Samsung SL30 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 3200 (Raise to 6400)
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
- 240g - 111 x 64 x 34mm
- Introduced January 2014
- Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ60
- Succeeded the Panasonic ZS35
- Renewed by Panasonic ZS45
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 1600
- 640 x 480 video
- 38-114mm (F2.8-5.7) lens
- 140g - 94 x 61 x 23mm
- Revealed February 2009
- Additionally referred to as ES15

Panasonic ZS40 vs Samsung SL30 Overview
In this article, we will be matching up the Panasonic ZS40 vs Samsung SL30, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Panasonic and Samsung. There exists a noticeable gap among the image resolutions of the ZS40 (18MP) and SL30 (10MP) but they come with the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

The ZS40 was manufactured 4 years after the SL30 which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before getting straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the ZS40 scores vs the SL30 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Panasonic ZS40 vs Samsung SL30 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 & Samsung SL30. The entire galleries are available at Panasonic ZS40 Gallery & Samsung SL30 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS40 over the Samsung SL30
ZS40 | SL30 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | January 2014 | ![]() | February 2009 | More modern by 60 months |
Manual focus | ![]() | More accurate focusing | ||
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.5") |
Screen resolution | 920k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+690k dot) |
Reasons to pick Samsung SL30 over the Panasonic ZS40
SL30 | ZS40 |
---|
Common features in the Panasonic ZS40 and Samsung SL30
ZS40 | SL30 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither has selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Lack of Touch screen |
Panasonic ZS40 vs Samsung SL30 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is planning to carry around your camera, you'll need to consider its weight and proportions. The Panasonic ZS40 has exterior dimensions of 111mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3") and a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs) and the Samsung SL30 has measurements of 94mm x 61mm x 23mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.9") with a weight of 140 grams (0.31 lbs).
Compare the Panasonic ZS40 vs Samsung SL30 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have chosen at that time. Following is the front view scale comparison of the ZS40 and the SL30.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ZS40 and SL30 is 90 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic ZS40 vs Samsung SL30 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it's tough to visualize the gap in sensor sizes simply by checking out technical specs. The image here may give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS40 and SL30.
As you have seen, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You can expect the Panasonic ZS40 to provide more detail due to its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots far more aggressively. The younger ZS40 provides an edge in sensor technology.

Panasonic ZS40 vs Samsung SL30 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 vs Samsung SL30 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 | Samsung SL30 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Panasonic | Samsung |
Model | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 | Samsung SL30 |
Otherwise known as | Lumix DMC-TZ60 | ES15 |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Introduced | 2014-01-06 | 2009-02-17 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Venus Engine | - |
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 18 megapixels | 10 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | - |
Maximum resolution | 4896 x 3672 | 3648 x 2736 |
Maximum native ISO | 3200 | 1600 |
Maximum boosted ISO | 6400 | - |
Min native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Number of focus points | 23 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 24-720mm (30.0x) | 38-114mm (3.0x) |
Maximal aperture | f/3.3-6.4 | f/2.8-5.7 |
Macro focus distance | 3cm | 5cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3 inch | 2.5 inch |
Resolution of display | 920 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Display technology | TFT LCD with AR coating | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic | None |
Viewfinder resolution | 200 thousand dots | - |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | - |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 4 seconds | 8 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/1500 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 10.0 frames per second | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 6.40 m | 4.60 m |
Flash settings | Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off | Auto, On, Off, Auto & Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Fill-in Flash, Flash Off, Red-Eye Fix |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p) | 800 x 592 (20 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 640x480 |
Video format | MPEG-4, AVCHD | Motion JPEG |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | BuiltIn | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 240g (0.53 lbs) | 140g (0.31 lbs) |
Dimensions | 111 x 64 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3") | 94 x 61 x 23mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.9") |
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 | 300 shots | - |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal |
Card slots | One | One |
Price at launch | $450 | $93 |