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Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony HX99

Portability
90
Imaging
43
Features
58
Overall
49
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99 front
Portability
91
Imaging
45
Features
67
Overall
53

Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony HX99 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
  • Launched January 2014
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ60
  • Old Model is Panasonic ZS35
  • Updated by Panasonic ZS45
Sony HX99
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3-inch Sensor
  • 3.00" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5-6.4) lens
  • 242g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
  • Revealed September 2018
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Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony HX99 Overview

Its time to look a bit more closely at the Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony HX99, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by companies Panasonic and Sony. The sensor resolution of the ZS40 (18MP) and the HX99 (18MP) is pretty similar but the ZS40 (1/2.3") and HX99 (1/2.3-inch) boast different sensor sizing.

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The ZS40 was launched 5 years prior to the HX99 which is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving right into a full comparison, here is a concise summation of how the ZS40 grades vs the HX99 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS40 over the Sony HX99

 ZS40 HX99 

Reasons to pick Sony HX99 over the Panasonic ZS40

 HX99 ZS40 
RevealedSeptember 2018January 2014Newer by 56 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution921k920kClearer screen (+1k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Panasonic ZS40 and Sony HX99

 ZS40 HX99 
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Screen size3"3.00"Same screen measurement

Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony HX99 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to travel with your camera often, you will have to consider its weight and size. The Panasonic ZS40 provides exterior dimensions of 111mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3") with a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs) while the Sony HX99 has specifications of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") and a weight of 242 grams (0.53 lbs).

Check the Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony HX99 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have attached at that time. Here is a front view dimensions comparison of the ZS40 compared to the HX99.

Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony HX99 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the ZS40 and HX99 is 90 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony HX99 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony HX99 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very tough to imagine the contrast between sensor dimensions merely by reviewing a spec sheet. The image below may give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the ZS40 and HX99.

Clearly, each of these cameras feature the identical resolution albeit different sensor dimensions. The ZS40 contains the bigger sensor which will make achieving bokeh easier. The more aged ZS40 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony HX99 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony HX99 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony HX99 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS40
Portrait photography with Sony HX99
52
you can focus manually
MP count decent (18MP)
features face detect focusing
saves RAW files
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
53
you can focus manually
MP count good (18MP)
supports face detection focusing
exports RAW files
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3-inch)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 Street photography info
Sony HX99 Street photography info
69
built in image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
lighter than others (240g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
77
has a tilting screen
image stabilization
exports RAW files
lighter than competition in class (242 grams)
very small sensor (1/2.3-inch)
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 as a Sports photography camera
Sony HX99 as a Sports photography camera
54
long zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
features tracking focus
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
58
amazing zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization
MP count good (18MP)
supports tracking autofocus
good battery power (360 shots)
very small sensor (1/2.3-inch)
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic ZS40
Travel photography with Sony HX99
69
lighter than others (240g)
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (24mm)
very long zoom (720mm)
does not have Timelapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
76
good battery power (360 CIPA)
lighter than competition in class (242g)
MP count good (18MP)
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
relatively wide (24mm)
very long zoom (720mm)
no Timelapse mode
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 Landscape photography features
Sony HX99 Landscape photography features
56
you can focus manually
really wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (18MP)
saves RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have Timelapse function
58
you can focus manually
relatively wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3.00")
image stabilization
MP count good (18MP)
exports RAW files
good battery power (360 CIPA)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
very small sensor (1/2.3-inch)
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 Vlogging information
Sony HX99 Vlogging information
34
really wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others (240g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have microphone jack
76
relatively wide (24mm)
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen
image stabilization
supports face detection focusing
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (242g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
no external microphone support
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Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony HX99 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS40 and Sony HX99
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99
Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ60 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2014-01-06 2018-09-01
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine -
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3-inch
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixels 18 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4896 x 3672 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 3200 12800
Maximum boosted ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 23 -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-720mm (30.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.3-6.4 f/3.5-6.4
Macro focus range 3cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3 inches 3.00 inches
Resolution of display 920k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech TFT LCD with AR coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 200k dots 638k dots
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.5x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.40 m 5.40 m (with Auto ISO)
Flash modes Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, flash on, slow sync, flash off, rear sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 3840 x 2160 (30p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p, 120p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone 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 None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 240 grams (0.53 lbs) 242 grams (0.53 lbs)
Physical dimensions 111 x 64 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3") 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4")
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 pictures 360 pictures
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $450 $469