• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic ZS40 advantages over Olympus TG-5

  • 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 100 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • More dots on screen
    920k vs 461k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    18.1 vs 12.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Olympus TG-5 advantages over Panasonic ZS40

  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • Slower slow-motion
    480 fps vs 240 fps
    Supports slower slow-mo
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.54 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/2.0 vs f/3.3
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Newer
    7 years vs 11 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    20.0 fps vs 10.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    21 vs 6 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 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
  • 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
  • Built-in GPS
    Both provide
    Geotag your photos
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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

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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
Olympus TG-5
Canon SX700 HS
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • NFC
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Olympus TG-4

Panasonic ZS40
Olympus TG-4
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $379
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Larger lens aperture
Olympus TG-5
Olympus TG-4
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $379
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Fast startup
  • More pixels

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
Olympus TG-5
Sony WX500
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • NFC

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
Olympus TG-5
Panasonic ZS60
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Touchscreen

Compared to Olympus TG-6

Panasonic ZS40
Olympus TG-6
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $449
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Slower slow-motion
Olympus TG-5
Olympus TG-6
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $449
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Fast startup
  • More dots on screen
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