• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.8 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 75.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Panasonic ZS40 advantages over Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)

  • More telephoto lens reach
    720 mm vs 75 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    34 mm vs 55 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    240g vs 405g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    18.1 vs 12.8 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Leica D-LUX (Typ 109) advantages over Panasonic ZS40

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.86 vs 1.26 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/1.7 vs f/3.3
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • 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
    0.70x vs 0.46x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25000 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic ZS40
Panasonic ZS40
All ZS40 Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)
Leica D-LUX (Typ 109) (Black)
  • Leica D-LUX (Typ 109) (Black)
  • Leica D-LUX (Typ 109) (Gray)
All D-LUX (Typ 109) Deals

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

Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)
Canon SX700 HS
  • $875
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Internal flash

Compare Leica D-LUX (Typ 109) vs Canon SX700 HS

Compared to Panasonic LX100

Panasonic ZS40
Panasonic LX100
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Built-in GPS
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic ZS40 vs Panasonic LX100

Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)
Panasonic LX100
  • $875
  • 4/3
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter

Compare Leica D-LUX (Typ 109) vs Panasonic LX100

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

Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)
Sony WX500
  • $875
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Leica D-LUX (Typ 109) 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

Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)
Panasonic ZS60
  • $875
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen

Compare Leica D-LUX (Typ 109) vs Panasonic ZS60

Compared to Panasonic LX100 II

Panasonic ZS40
Panasonic LX100 II
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Built-in GPS
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic ZS40 vs Panasonic LX100 II

Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)
Panasonic LX100 II
  • $875
  • 4/3
  • Bigger pixels
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Bluetooth

Compare Leica D-LUX (Typ 109) vs Panasonic LX100 II

Compare Other Cameras?