Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony RX100
90 Imaging
42 Features
58 Overall
48


91 Imaging
50 Features
68 Overall
57
Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony RX100 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 3200 (Increase 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
- Earlier Model is Panasonic ZS35
- Renewed by Panasonic ZS45
(Full Review)
- 20MP - 1" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 25600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 28-100mm (F1.8-4.9) lens
- 240g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
- Introduced August 2012
- Later Model is Sony RX100 II

Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony RX100 Overview
Lets look a bit more closely at the Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony RX100, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the ZS40 (18MP) and the RX100 (20MP) is pretty well matched but the ZS40 (1/2.3") and RX100 (1") enjoy totally different sensor measurements.

The ZS40 was announced 17 months later than the RX100 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic ZS40 being a Compact camera and the Sony RX100 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.
Before we go through a in-depth comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the ZS40 matches up versus the RX100 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony RX100 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100. The whole galleries are available at Panasonic ZS40 Gallery and Sony RX100 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS40 over the Sony RX100
ZS40 | RX100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | January 2014 | ![]() | August 2012 | More recent by 17 months |
Reasons to pick Sony RX100 over the Panasonic ZS40
RX100 | ZS40 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen resolution | 1229k | ![]() | 920k | Clearer screen (+309k dot) |
Common features in the Panasonic ZS40 and Sony RX100
ZS40 | RX100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial exact focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Identical screen measurements |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither includes selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither includes Touch friendly screen |
Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony RX100 Physical Comparison
When you are going to lug around your camera frequently, you have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Panasonic ZS40 features 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) whilst the Sony RX100 has measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") along with a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs).
Look at the Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony RX100 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are employing at the time. Following is the front view scale comparison of the ZS40 compared to the RX100.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the ZS40 and RX100 is 90 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony RX100 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it is hard to visualise the contrast between sensor measurements simply by checking specs. The graphic underneath may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS40 and RX100.
All in all, both of the cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The ZS40 using its tinier sensor will make getting bokeh harder and the Sony RX100 will give you greater detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop shots much more aggressively. The fresher ZS40 will have an advantage in sensor technology.

Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony RX100 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony RX100 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Panasonic | Sony |
Model type | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 |
Also called as | Lumix DMC-TZ60 | - |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Large Sensor Compact |
Released | 2014-01-06 | 2012-08-28 |
Body design | Compact | Large Sensor Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Venus Engine | - |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 13.2 x 8.8mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 116.2mm² |
Sensor resolution | 18 megapixels | 20 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 4896 x 3672 | 5472 x 3648 |
Max native ISO | 3200 | 25600 |
Max boosted ISO | 6400 | - |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Total focus points | 23 | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 24-720mm (30.0x) | 28-100mm (3.6x) |
Max aperture | f/3.3-6.4 | f/1.8-4.9 |
Macro focusing distance | 3cm | 5cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 2.7 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Display resolution | 920k dot | 1,229k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Display tech | TFT LCD with AR coating | WhiteMagic TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic | None |
Viewfinder resolution | 200k dot | - |
Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | - |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 4s | 30s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/2000s |
Continuous shooting speed | 10.0 frames per second | 10.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 6.40 m | - |
Flash settings | Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash sync | - | 1/2000s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
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), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | MPEG-4, AVCHD | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | BuiltIn | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 240 grams (0.53 lbs) | 240 grams (0.53 lbs) |
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 rating | not tested | 66 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 22.6 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 12.4 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 390 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 300 photographs | 330 photographs |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | - | NP-BX1 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2) |
Time lapse recording | With downloadable app | |
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Cost at launch | $450 | $448 |