• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 840.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 288.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon SX40 HS advantages over Panasonic SZ8

  • 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
  • More telephoto lens reach
    840 mm vs 288 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 380 vs 200 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • 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 1.2 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 SZ8 advantages over Canon SX40 HS

  • Less expensive
    $170 vs $430 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Thinner
    26 mm vs 107 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    159g vs 606g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    460k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • 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

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
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • 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

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Buy the Canon SX40 HS

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Panasonic SZ8

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 SZ8
Fujifilm HS10
  • $226
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $500
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic SZ8 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 SZ8
Canon SX30 IS
  • $226
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $440
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Panasonic SZ8 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 SZ8
Sony HX100V
  • $226
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $312
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony HX100V

Compared to Nikon S6400

Canon SX40 HS
Nikon S6400
  • $342
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen

Compare Canon SX40 HS vs Nikon S6400

Panasonic SZ8
Nikon S6400
  • $226
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • HDMI out

Compare Panasonic SZ8 vs Nikon S6400

Compared to Samsung WB50F

Canon SX40 HS
Samsung WB50F
  • $342
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon SX40 HS vs Samsung WB50F

Panasonic SZ8
Samsung WB50F
  • $226
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Manual focus

Compare Panasonic SZ8 vs Samsung WB50F

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