• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 14.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 6400

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Differences

Panasonic DMC-FZ40 advantages over Panasonic GF5

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 580 vs 330 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More pixels
    14.1 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos

Panasonic GF5 advantages over Panasonic DMC-FZ40

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.33 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.33 vs 1.42 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Thinner
    36 mm vs 91 mm
    Thinner
  • 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
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    4.0 fps vs 1.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • 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

  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • 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

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Buy the Panasonic GF5

Review Excerpt

  • Small body pairs nicely with compact, retractable Power Zoom lens. Extremely fast autofocus. Worthwhile improvements in image quality. Touchscreen overlays can now be hidden.

  • LCD panel is prone to fingerprint smudges. Weak flash, and no hot shoe. Modest burst performance, and very limited buffer for raw shooting. Noise levels and dynamic range still lag competition.

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
Panasonic GF5
Nikon P90
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

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
Panasonic GF5
Panasonic DMC-FZ100
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $500
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Olympus E-PL3

Panasonic DMC-FZ40
Olympus E-PL3
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Panasonic GF5
Olympus E-PL3
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Fast startup
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen

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
Panasonic GF5
Panasonic FZ47
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Panasonic GF3X

Panasonic DMC-FZ40
Panasonic GF3X
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Panasonic GF5
Panasonic GF3X
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More dynamic range
  • $750
  • 4/3
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