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Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony A7R III

Portability
90
Imaging
43
Features
58
Overall
49
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 front
 
Sony Alpha A7R III front
Portability
63
Imaging
78
Features
93
Overall
84

Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony A7R III Key Specs

Panasonic ZS40
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Bump to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 240g - 111 x 64 x 34mm
  • Released January 2014
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ60
  • Previous Model is Panasonic ZS35
  • Successor is Panasonic ZS45
Sony A7R III
(Full Review)
  • 42MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Bump to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 657g - 127 x 96 x 74mm
  • Revealed October 2017
  • Old Model is Sony A7R II
  • Later Model is Sony A7R IV
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Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony A7R III Overview

Its time to look much closer at the Panasonic ZS40 versus Sony A7R III, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Pro Mirrorless by rivals Panasonic and Sony. There exists a huge gap between the resolutions of the ZS40 (18MP) and A7R III (42MP) and the ZS40 (1/2.3") and A7R III (Full frame) feature totally different sensor size.

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The ZS40 was introduced 4 years before the A7R III which is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic ZS40 being a Compact camera and the Sony A7R III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a quick summation of how the ZS40 scores vs the A7R III when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS40 over the Sony A7R III

 ZS40 A7R III 

Reasons to pick Sony A7R III over the Panasonic ZS40

 A7R III ZS40 
RevealedOctober 2017January 2014More modern by 46 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1440k920kClearer display (+520k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Panasonic ZS40 and Sony A7R III

 ZS40 A7R III 
Focus manually More exact focus
Display dimension3"3"Identical display size
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony A7R III Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry around your camera frequently, you will need to take into account its weight and volume. The Panasonic ZS40 enjoys outer dimensions of 111mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3") and a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs) while the Sony A7R III has sizing of 127mm x 96mm x 74mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.9") along with a weight of 657 grams (1.45 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic ZS40 versus Sony A7R III in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you use at that moment. Underneath is the front view measurement comparison of the ZS40 versus the A7R III.

Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony A7R III size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the ZS40 and A7R III is 90 and 63 respectively.

Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony A7R III top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony A7R III Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be tough to see the gap between sensor sizes only by checking a spec sheet. The picture here may provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS40 and A7R III.

Clearly, both of the cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The ZS40 using its tinier sensor will make getting shallower depth of field trickier and the Sony A7R III will resolve extra detail using its extra 24 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop photos somewhat more aggressively. The more aged ZS40 is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony A7R III sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony A7R III Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony A7R III Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 Portrait photography details
Sony A7R III Portrait photography details
52
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (18MP)
comes with face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
86
you can focus manually
megapixel count high (42MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
includes face detect focusing
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 as a Street photography camera
Sony A7R III as a Street photography camera
69
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
lighter than competition in class (240 grams)
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
79
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports RAW files
has focus via touch
environment sealing
great high ISO (32,000)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A7R III as a Sports photography camera
54
excellent zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (18MP)
comes with tracking focus
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
89
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count high (42MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
includes tracking focus
environment sealing
good battery pack (650 CIPA)
has phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 Travel photography factors
Sony A7R III Travel photography factors
69
lighter than competition in class (240 grams)
megapixel count decent (18MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (24mm)
very long zoom (720mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
does not contain selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
74
good battery pack (650 per charge)
environment sealing
connects via bluetooth
has focus via touch
megapixel count high (42MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A7R III as a Landscape photography camera
56
has manual focus
rather wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
supports RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have Time Lapse recording
87
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count high (42 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
doesnt have low pass filter
great high ISO (32,000)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
good battery pack (650 per charge)
2 card slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 Vlogging factors
Sony A7R III Vlogging factors
34
rather wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (240g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
does not have mic jack
37
touchscreen functionality
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detect focusing
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
has mic support
display isn't selfie friendly
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Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony A7R III Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS40 and Sony A7R III
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40Sony Alpha A7R III
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 Sony Alpha A7R III
Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ60 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Pro Mirrorless
Released 2014-01-06 2017-10-25
Physical type Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixel 42 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4896 x 3672 7952 x 5304
Max native ISO 3200 32000
Max enhanced ISO 6400 102400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Minimum enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 23 425
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 24-720mm (30.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.3-6.4 -
Macro focus distance 3cm -
Total lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 920 thousand dots 1,440 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology TFT LCD with AR coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 200 thousand dots 3,686 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.78x
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.40 m no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Off, Auto, Fill-flash, Slow Sync, Rear Sync, Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 3840 x 2160 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.1 Gen 1(5 GBit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 240 gr (0.53 lb) 657 gr (1.45 lb)
Dimensions 111 x 64 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3") 127 x 96 x 74mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 100
DXO Color Depth score not tested 26.0
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 14.7
DXO Low light score not tested 3523
Other
Battery life 300 photos 650 photos
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures))
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Two SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II support on one)
Card slots Single Dual
Retail cost $450 $2,800