Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony QX1

Below is a complete review of the Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony QX1, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Lens-style by companies Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the ZS40 (18MP) and the QX1 (20MP) is pretty close but the ZS40 (1/2.3") and QX1 (APS-C) come with different sensor measurements.

Photography Glossary

The ZS40 was introduced 8 months earlier than the QX1 and they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic ZS40 being a Compact camera and the Sony QX1 being a Lens-style camera.

Before diving in to a more detailed comparison, below is a simple summary of how the ZS40 matches up against the QX1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Following is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 and Sony Alpha QX1. The whole galleries are viewable at Panasonic ZS40 Gallery and Sony QX1 Gallery.

If you're planning to lug around your camera frequently, you need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Panasonic ZS40 provides outside measurements of 111mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3") along with a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs) whilst the Sony QX1 has measurements of 74mm x 70mm x 53mm (2.9" x 2.8" x 2.1") along with a weight of 216 grams (0.48 lbs).

See the Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony QX1 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have at that time. Underneath is the front view scale comparison of the ZS40 vs the QX1.

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the ZS40 and QX1 is 90 and 90 respectively.

Generally, it is very hard to imagine the difference in sensor measurements merely by viewing specs. The visual underneath should offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS40 and QX1.

All in all, both of the cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The ZS40 having a smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallow depth of field tougher and the Sony QX1 will provide you with extra detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The older ZS40 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.