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Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony A35

Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
58
Overall
48
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 front
 
Sony SLT-A35 front
Portability
69
Imaging
56
Features
70
Overall
61

Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony A35 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS40
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 240g - 111 x 64 x 34mm
  • Introduced January 2014
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ60
  • Succeeded the Panasonic ZS35
  • Replacement is Panasonic ZS45
Sony A35
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 415g - 124 x 92 x 85mm
  • Released September 2011
  • Succeeded the Sony A33
  • Renewed by Sony A37
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Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony A35 Overview

Its time to look more in depth at the Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony A35, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Panasonic and Sony. The sensor resolution of the ZS40 (18MP) and the A35 (16MP) is relatively close but the ZS40 (1/2.3") and A35 (APS-C) provide different sensor measurements.

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The ZS40 was launched 2 years later than the A35 and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic ZS40 being a Compact camera and the Sony A35 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go into a full comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the ZS40 scores versus the A35 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS40 over the Sony A35

 ZS40 A35 
ReleasedJanuary 2014September 2011Fresher by 28 months

Reasons to pick Sony A35 over the Panasonic ZS40

 A35 ZS40 
Screen resolution921k920kCrisper screen (+1k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS40 and Sony A35

 ZS40 A35 
Manual focus Very accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurements
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony A35 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry your camera frequently, you'll have to consider its weight and volume. The Panasonic ZS40 provides outer 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 A35 has sizing of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 415 grams (0.91 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony A35 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have attached at that time. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the ZS40 vs the A35.

Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony A35 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ZS40 and A35 is 90 and 69 respectively.

Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony A35 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony A35 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is tough to visualize the difference in sensor sizing purely by viewing a spec sheet. The photograph underneath may give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the ZS40 and A35.

Clearly, both of these cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The ZS40 due to its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF more challenging and the Panasonic ZS40 will result in extra detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop photographs way more aggressively. The more recent ZS40 should have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony A35 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony A35 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony A35 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 Portrait photography features
Sony A35 Portrait photography features
51
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (18 megapixels)
features face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
73
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 Street photography advice
Sony A35 Street photography advice
69
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
lighter than others (240 grams)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
71
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
lighter than average (415 grams)
great ISO range (25,600)
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 Sports photography details
Sony A35 Sports photography details
54
amazing zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (18MP)
features tracking focus
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
61
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports phase detect AF
max frames per second low (6.0 frames per second)
bad battery life (440 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 Travel photography factors
Sony A35 Travel photography factors
69
lighter than others (240 grams)
decent megapixels (18 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (24mm)
long zoom (720mm)
does not have Timelapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
58
lighter than average (415g)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse mode
bad battery life (440 per charge)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A35 as a Landscape photography camera
55
you can focus manually
rather wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (18 megapixels)
supports RAW files
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have Timelapse function
69
manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
great ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW files
bad battery life (440 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A35 as a Vlogging camera
34
rather wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others (240g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have microphone jack
36
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with external mic support
lighter than average (415g)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
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Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony A35 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS40 and Sony A35
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40Sony SLT-A35
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 Sony SLT-A35
Also called Lumix DMC-TZ60 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2014-01-06 2011-09-20
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4896 x 3672 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 3200 25600
Highest enhanced ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 23 15
Cross focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 24-720mm (30.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.3-6.4 -
Macro focus range 3cm -
Number of lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 920 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology TFT LCD with AR coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 200 thousand dots 1,150 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.73x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames per sec 6.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 6.40 m 12.00 m
Flash modes Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/160s
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, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 240g (0.53 lb) 415g (0.91 lb)
Physical dimensions 111 x 64 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3") 124 x 92 x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 74
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.3
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.7
DXO Low light score not tested 763
Other
Battery life 300 images 440 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Launch pricing $450 $598