• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic ZS40 advantages over Olympus SH-2

  • 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
  • More telephoto lens reach
    720 mm vs 600 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • More dots on screen
    920k vs 461k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen

Olympus SH-2 advantages over Panasonic ZS40

  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 380 vs 300 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.5 fps vs 10.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    16 vs 6 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Both provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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 Olympus SH-50

Panasonic ZS40
Olympus SH-50
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen

Compare Panasonic ZS40 vs Olympus SH-50

Olympus SH-2
Olympus SH-50
  • $499
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • RAW file ability
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive

Compare Olympus SH-2 vs Olympus SH-50

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

Olympus SH-2
Canon SX700 HS
  • $499
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • NFC
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Olympus SH-2 vs Canon SX700 HS

Compared to Olympus SH-1

Panasonic ZS40
Olympus SH-1
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Panasonic ZS40 vs Olympus SH-1

Olympus SH-2
Olympus SH-1
  • $499
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch

Compare Olympus SH-2 vs Olympus SH-1

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

Olympus SH-2
Sony WX500
  • $499
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • NFC

Compare Olympus SH-2 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

Olympus SH-2
Panasonic ZS60
  • $499
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic ZS60

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