• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 14.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 960.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Panasonic DMC-FZ40 advantages over Canon SX720 HS

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.42 vs 1.19 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.8 vs f/3.3
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 580 vs 250 shots
    Capture more 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

Canon SX720 HS advantages over Panasonic DMC-FZ40

  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • More telephoto lens reach
    960 mm vs 600 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Thinner
    35 mm vs 91 mm
    Thinner
  • Newer
    9 years vs 14 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Lighter weight
    270g vs 498g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    20.3 vs 14.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.9 fps vs 1.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/3200 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

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.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic DMC-FZ40

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon SX720 HS
Canon SX720 HS
All SX720 HS Deals

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Nikon P90

Panasonic DMC-FZ40
Nikon P90
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Panasonic DMC-FZ40 vs Nikon P90

Canon SX720 HS
Nikon P90
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon SX720 HS vs Nikon P90

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FZ100

Panasonic DMC-FZ40
Panasonic DMC-FZ100
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $500
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Hot shoe

Compare Panasonic DMC-FZ40 vs Panasonic DMC-FZ100

Canon SX720 HS
Panasonic DMC-FZ100
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC
  • $500
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon SX720 HS vs Panasonic DMC-FZ100

Compared to Panasonic FZ47

Panasonic DMC-FZ40
Panasonic FZ47
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Panasonic DMC-FZ40 vs Panasonic FZ47

Canon SX720 HS
Panasonic FZ47
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon SX720 HS vs Panasonic FZ47

Compared to Nikon A900

Panasonic DMC-FZ40
Nikon A900
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels
  • $397
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic DMC-FZ40 vs Nikon A900

Canon SX720 HS
Nikon A900
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Manual focus
  • $397
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon SX720 HS vs Nikon A900

Compared to Canon SX730 HS

Panasonic DMC-FZ40
Canon SX730 HS
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels
  • $399
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Panasonic DMC-FZ40 vs Canon SX730 HS

Canon SX720 HS
Canon SX730 HS
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $399
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in Bluetooth

Compare Canon SX720 HS vs Canon SX730 HS

Compare Other Cameras?