• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 819,200

Buy From

Differences

Panasonic ZS40 advantages over Pentax KP

  • 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 75 mm
    Thinner
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Lighter weight
    240g vs 699g
    Lighter weight
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 7.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Pentax KP advantages over Panasonic ZS40

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.91 vs 1.26 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 390 vs 300 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    8 years vs 11 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • 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
    0.63x vs 0.46x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    24.3 vs 18.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    35 vs 6 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/24000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    819200 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
  • 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
  • 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.

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
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • 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 Pentax KP

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
Pentax KP
Canon SX700 HS
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • NFC
  • 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
Pentax KP
Sony WX500
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

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
Pentax KP
Panasonic ZS60
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video

Compared to Nikon D5600

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

Compared to Canon T7i

Panasonic ZS40
Canon T7i
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Pentax KP
Canon T7i
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
Compare Other Cameras?