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Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony NEX-5

Portability
90
Imaging
43
Features
58
Overall
49
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5 front
Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
58
Overall
55

Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony NEX-5 Key Specs

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
  • Replaced the Panasonic ZS35
  • Refreshed by Panasonic ZS45
Sony NEX-5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 287g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
  • Launched June 2010
  • Later Model is Sony NEX-5N
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Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony NEX-5 Overview

Its time to look much closer at the Panasonic ZS40 and Sony NEX-5, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. There exists a noticeable gap among the image resolutions of the ZS40 (18MP) and NEX-5 (14MP) and the ZS40 (1/2.3") and NEX-5 (APS-C) use different sensor size.

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The ZS40 was brought out 3 years later than the NEX-5 and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic ZS40 being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting through a detailed comparison, below is a brief overview of how the ZS40 grades against the NEX-5 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS40 over the Sony NEX-5

 ZS40 NEX-5 
LaunchedJanuary 2014June 2010Fresher by 44 months

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5 over the Panasonic ZS40

 NEX-5 ZS40 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Panasonic ZS40 and Sony NEX-5

 ZS40 NEX-5 
Manual focus Dial precise focusing
Display dimension3"3"Identical display size
Display resolution920k920kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither comes with Touch friendly display

Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony NEX-5 Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry your camera frequently, you'll need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic ZS40 comes with outer dimensions of 111mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3") with a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-5 has dimensions of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") and a weight of 287 grams (0.63 lbs).

Check the Panasonic ZS40 and Sony NEX-5 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you choose at the time. The following is the front view sizing comparison of the ZS40 vs the NEX-5.

Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony NEX-5 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ZS40 and NEX-5 is 90 and 89 respectively.

Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony NEX-5 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony NEX-5 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's tough to visualize the contrast in sensor sizing merely by going through a spec sheet. The photograph here might provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the ZS40 and NEX-5.

Clearly, each of these cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The ZS40 because of its smaller sensor is going to make shooting bokeh tougher and the Panasonic ZS40 will produce more detail having its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images somewhat more aggressively. The more modern ZS40 should have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony NEX-5 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 Portrait photography features
Sony NEX-5 Portrait photography features
52
focusing manually
good megapixels (18MP)
has face detect focus
delivers RAW files
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
72
manual focus
good MP (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 as a Street photography camera
Sony NEX-5 as a Street photography camera
69
built in image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
lighter than average (240 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
76
screen tilts up and down
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 Sports photography factors
Sony NEX-5 Sports photography factors
54
excellent zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (18MP)
has tracking focus
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
52
good MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
no image stabilization
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 Travel photography details
Sony NEX-5 Travel photography details
69
lighter than average (240 grams)
good megapixels (18MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (24mm)
long zoom (720mm)
does not have Timelapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
59
good MP (14MP)
no Time Lapse mode
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 Landscape photography factors
Sony NEX-5 Landscape photography factors
56
focusing manually
relatively wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (18 megapixels)
delivers RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have Timelapse function
68
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
good MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
no image stabilization
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic ZS40
Vlogging with Sony NEX-5
34
relatively wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average (240g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have microphone socket
28
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
no external mic support
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Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony NEX-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS40 and Sony NEX-5
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40Sony Alpha NEX-5
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 Sony Alpha NEX-5
Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ60 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2014-01-06 2010-06-07
Physical type Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4896 x 3672 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 3200 12800
Highest boosted ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 23 25
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 24-720mm (30.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.3-6.4 -
Macro focusing distance 3cm -
Amount of lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 920k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology TFT LCD with AR coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 200k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames per sec 7.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.40 m 12.00 m
Flash settings Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/160 secs
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) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD AVCHD
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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 240g (0.53 lb) 287g (0.63 lb)
Dimensions 111 x 64 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3") 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 69
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.2
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.2
DXO Low light rating not tested 796
Other
Battery life 300 photos 330 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Retail cost $450 $599