• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Nikon D5300 advantages over Panasonic ZS40

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.92 vs 1.26 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Better color depth
    24.0 vs 19.0 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,338 vs 117 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    13.9 vs 10.6 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 600 vs 300 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting 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
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.55x vs 0.46x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 18.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    100 vs 6 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic ZS40 advantages over Nikon D5300

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Thinner
    34 mm vs 76 mm
    Thinner
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 5.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in GPS
    Both provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • 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
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent image quality similar to more expensive DSLRs (like the D7100); Great dynamic range; Responsive all-around performer; Excellent Full HD video-shooting quality; Built-in Wi-Fi with remote control and sharing features; Built-in GPS; Compact and lightweight size; 18-140mm kit lens performs well for its type and has a very versatile focus length range.

  • AA-filterless sensor makes it more prone to moire; Burst speed slows with highest quality 14-bit RAW images; Live View mode not as good as some competitors; No external headphone jack; GPS receiver not very sensitive.

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D7100

Nikon D5300
Nikon D7100
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $750
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
Panasonic ZS40
Nikon D7100
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $750
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Pentax K-3

Nikon D5300
Pentax K-3
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Fast startup
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Panasonic ZS40
Pentax K-3
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Canon SX700 HS

Nikon D5300
Canon SX700 HS
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • NFC
Panasonic ZS40
Canon SX700 HS
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Faster shutter

Compared to Canon T6s

Nikon D5300
Canon T6s
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup
  • $619
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • NFC
Panasonic ZS40
Canon T6s
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $619
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Panasonic ZS60

Nikon D5300
Panasonic ZS60
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
Panasonic ZS40
Panasonic ZS60
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
Compare Other Cameras?