• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 840.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 875.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon SX40 HS advantages over Panasonic LZ30

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.54 vs 1.33 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.3 fps vs 1.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/3200 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Panasonic LZ30 advantages over Canon SX40 HS

  • More dots on screen
    460k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

User reviews

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Buy the Canon SX40 HS

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Buy the Panasonic LZ30
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Review Excerpt

  • Wide, long all-purpose zoom lens performs well; Very good image quality; Articulating LCD; Good grip; Excellent controls.

  • Rear scroll wheel is too sensitive; Low-res LCD; No lens hood included; Slow startup time; Slow cycle time.

  • Read our Canon SX40 HS Express Review

The Competition

Compared to Fujifilm HS10

Canon SX40 HS
Fujifilm HS10
  • $342
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $500
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • RAW file ability

Compare Canon SX40 HS vs Fujifilm HS10

Panasonic LZ30
Fujifilm HS10
  • $160
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Thinner
  • $500
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic LZ30 vs Fujifilm HS10

Compared to Canon SX30 IS

Canon SX40 HS
Canon SX30 IS
  • $342
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoots 24p video
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $440
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels
  • Higher extended ISO

Compare Canon SX40 HS vs Canon SX30 IS

Panasonic LZ30
Canon SX30 IS
  • $160
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • $440
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Panasonic LZ30 vs Canon SX30 IS

Compared to Sony HX100V

Canon SX40 HS
Sony HX100V
  • $342
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $312
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Integrated ND filter

Compare Canon SX40 HS vs Sony HX100V

Panasonic LZ30
Sony HX100V
  • $160
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $312
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Panasonic LZ30 vs Sony HX100V

Compared to Fujifilm S4500

Canon SX40 HS
Fujifilm S4500
  • $342
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $260
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon SX40 HS vs Fujifilm S4500

Panasonic LZ30
Fujifilm S4500
  • $160
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Manual focus
  • $260
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Panasonic LZ30 vs Fujifilm S4500

Compared to Sony H300

Canon SX40 HS
Sony H300
  • $342
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels
  • $198
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • More dots on screen

Compare Canon SX40 HS vs Sony H300

Panasonic LZ30
Sony H300
  • $160
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $198
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • More pixels

Compare Panasonic LZ30 vs Sony H300

Compare Other Cameras?