• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Panasonic ZS40 advantages over Nikon D5600

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Thinner
    34 mm vs 70 mm
    Thinner
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 5.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Nikon D5600 advantages over Panasonic ZS40

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.92 vs 1.26 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Better color depth
    24.1 vs 19.0 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,306 vs 117 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    14.0 vs 10.6 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 970 vs 300 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • 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
    0.55x vs 0.46x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 18.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    100 vs 6 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 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
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • 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

  • 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
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic ZS40

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D5600

Review Excerpt

  • Compact camera body; Very good touchscreen display; Excellent image quality for its class; Good overall performance.

  • Not many improvements compared to its predecessor, with some downgrades; No 4K video recording.

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
Nikon D5600
Canon SX700 HS
  • $898
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner

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
Nikon D5600
Sony WX500
  • $898
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

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
Nikon D5600
Panasonic ZS60
  • $898
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive

Compared to Pentax KP

Panasonic ZS40
Pentax KP
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in GPS
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Nikon D5600
Pentax KP
  • $898
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Canon SL2

Panasonic ZS40
Canon SL2
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
Nikon D5600
Canon SL2
  • $898
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect
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