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Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony HX50V

Portability
90
Imaging
43
Features
58
Overall
49
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX50V front
Portability
89
Imaging
45
Features
57
Overall
49

Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony HX50V Key Specs

Panasonic ZS40
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Expand to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 240g - 111 x 64 x 34mm
  • Revealed January 2014
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ60
  • Earlier Model is Panasonic ZS35
  • Replacement is Panasonic ZS45
Sony HX50V
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Increase to 12800)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5 - 6.3) lens
  • 272g - 108 x 64 x 38mm
  • Introduced April 2013
  • Older Model is Sony HX30V
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Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony HX50V Overview

Lets take a more detailed look at the Panasonic ZS40 versus Sony HX50V, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the ZS40 (18MP) and the HX50V (20MP) is pretty close and both cameras boast the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The ZS40 was revealed 9 months later than the HX50V and they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick overview of how the ZS40 matches up against the HX50V with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS40 over the Sony HX50V

 ZS40 HX50V 
IntroducedJanuary 2014April 2013Fresher by 9 months

Reasons to pick Sony HX50V over the Panasonic ZS40

 HX50V ZS40 
Screen resolution921k920kCrisper screen (+1k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS40 and Sony HX50V

 ZS40 HX50V 
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen Neither includes Touch screen

Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony HX50V Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry your camera frequently, you should factor its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic ZS40 features physical 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 Sony HX50V has dimensions of 108mm x 64mm x 38mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") having a weight of 272 grams (0.60 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic ZS40 versus Sony HX50V in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are utilising during that time. The following is a front view sizing comparison of the ZS40 vs the HX50V.

Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony HX50V size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the ZS40 and HX50V is 90 and 89 respectively.

Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony HX50V top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony HX50V Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be tough to visualise the difference in sensor sizing purely by viewing specifications. The graphic below will provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS40 and HX50V.

To sum up, both cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same resolution. You should expect the Sony HX50V to result in greater detail because of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots way more aggressively. The more recent ZS40 will have a benefit in sensor technology.

Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony HX50V sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony HX50V Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony HX50V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 Portrait photography details
Sony HX50V Portrait photography details
52
you can focus manually
MP count good (18 megapixels)
provides face detect focus
saves RAW formats
no external flash support
very small sensor (1/2.3")
51
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
provides face detection focusing
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 Street photography factors
Sony HX50V Street photography factors
69
built in image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
lighter than competition (240 grams)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
62
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (272g)
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 Sports photography details
Sony HX50V Sports photography details
54
excellent zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (18 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
58
long zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
provides tracking autofocus
good battery (400 shots)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 Travel photography highlights
Sony HX50V Travel photography highlights
69
lighter than competition (240 grams)
MP count good (18MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (24mm)
very long reach (720mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
71
good battery (400 per charge)
lighter than average in class (272 grams)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
long reach (720mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5 )
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS40
Landscape photography with Sony HX50V
56
you can focus manually
decently wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (18 megapixels)
saves RAW formats
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
missing Time Lapse recording
54
you can focus manually
pretty wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
good battery (400 per charge)
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5 )
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 as a Vlogging camera
Sony HX50V as a Vlogging camera
34
decently wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (240 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
missing mic support
34
pretty wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average in class (272g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5 )
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have external mic support
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Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony HX50V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS40 and Sony HX50V
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX50V
General Information
Company Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX50V
Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ60 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2014-01-06 2013-04-24
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine -
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4896 x 3672 5184 x 2920
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Maximum boosted ISO 6400 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 23 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-720mm (30.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.3-6.4 f/3.5 - 6.3
Macro focusing distance 3cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 920k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT LCD with AR coating XtraFine LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder resolution 200k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.40 m 5.60 m
Flash modes Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync, Rear Sync, Advanced Flash
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1920 x 1080 (60fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 240g (0.53 lbs) 272g (0.60 lbs)
Physical dimensions 111 x 64 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3") 108 x 64 x 38mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 300 pictures 400 pictures
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Launch price $450 $439