• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 1200.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic ZS40 advantages over Canon SX540 HS

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 300 vs 205 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    34 mm vs 91 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    240g vs 442g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    920k vs 461k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 5.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon SX540 HS advantages over Panasonic ZS40

  • More telephoto lens reach
    1,200 mm vs 720 mm
    Capture objects farther away

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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
  • 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

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Canon SX700 HS

Panasonic ZS40
Canon SX700 HS
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Faster shutter

Compare Panasonic ZS40 vs Canon SX700 HS

Canon SX540 HS
Canon SX700 HS
  • $364
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • More pixels
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Thinner

Compare Canon SX540 HS vs Canon SX700 HS

Compared to Canon SX520 HS

Panasonic ZS40
Canon SX520 HS
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $345
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Panasonic ZS40 vs Canon SX520 HS

Canon SX540 HS
Canon SX520 HS
  • $364
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $345
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Canon SX540 HS vs Canon SX520 HS

Compared to Canon SX530 HS

Panasonic ZS40
Canon SX530 HS
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $259
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Panasonic ZS40 vs Canon SX530 HS

Canon SX540 HS
Canon SX530 HS
  • $364
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels
  • Shoots 60p video
  • $259
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive

Compare Canon SX540 HS vs Canon SX530 HS

Compared to Sony WX500

Panasonic ZS40
Sony WX500
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony WX500

Canon SX540 HS
Sony WX500
  • $364
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Manual focus
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Canon SX540 HS vs Sony WX500

Compared to Panasonic ZS60

Panasonic ZS40
Panasonic ZS60
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen

Compare Panasonic ZS40 vs Panasonic ZS60

Canon SX540 HS
Panasonic ZS60
  • $364
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • NFC
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon SX540 HS vs Panasonic ZS60

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