• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 14.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 14.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 525.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic DMC-FZ40 advantages over Nikon L120

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    1.8 fps vs 0.7 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Nikon L120 advantages over Panasonic DMC-FZ40

  • Less expensive
    $280 vs $400 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • More dots on screen
    921k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    19 vs 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 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
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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 Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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

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Buy the Panasonic DMC-FZ40

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon L120

Review Excerpt

  • 21x wide optical zoom; Fast shutter response; Sensor-shift Vibration Reduction; HD video with stereo audio; Smile timer; Very good battery life.

  • Poor autofocus at telephoto; Strong chromatic aberration; Soft video; Sport Continuous mode drops resolution to 3 megapixels; Detail is lost rapidly as ISO rises.

  • Read our Nikon L120 Express Review

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

Nikon L120
Nikon P90
  • $226
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Nikon L120 vs Nikon P90

Compared to Fujifilm S1800

Panasonic DMC-FZ40
Fujifilm S1800
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $207
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive

Compare Panasonic DMC-FZ40 vs Fujifilm S1800

Nikon L120
Fujifilm S1800
  • $226
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Fast startup
  • HDMI out
  • $207
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Nikon L120 vs Fujifilm S1800

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

Nikon L120
Panasonic DMC-FZ100
  • $226
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $500
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Nikon L120 vs Panasonic DMC-FZ100

Compared to Fujifilm S2800HD

Panasonic DMC-FZ40
Fujifilm S2800HD
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $229
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive

Compare Panasonic DMC-FZ40 vs Fujifilm S2800HD

Nikon L120
Fujifilm S2800HD
  • $226
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • Wider angle lens
  • $229
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Longer exposure

Compare Nikon L120 vs Fujifilm S2800HD

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

Nikon L120
Panasonic FZ47
  • $226
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Manual focus

Compare Nikon L120 vs Panasonic FZ47

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