• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 1200.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon SX50 advantages over Panasonic ZS40

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.54 vs 1.26 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • More telephoto lens reach
    1,200 mm vs 720 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Higher effective ISO
    179 vs 117 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • 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
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    13.0 fps vs 10.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    10 vs 6 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Panasonic ZS40 advantages over Canon SX50

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Thinner
    34 mm vs 105 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    240g vs 603g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    920k vs 461k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    18.1 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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
  • 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

  • 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
  • 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
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

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Buy the Canon SX50
Canon SX50

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Buy the Panasonic ZS40
Panasonic ZS40

Review Excerpt

  • 50x optical zoom with whopping 24-1200mm-equivalent reach; Excellent image quality for its class; 2.8-inch vari-angle LCD; Ergonomic design and controls; Improved image stabilization and Zoom Framing Assist; Shoots RAW; Full 1080p HD video.

  • Poor low-light AF performance; Image quality deteriorates at ISO 800 and above; Sluggish cycle times; Below average battery life.

  • Read our Canon SX50 Express Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon P600

Canon SX50
Nikon P600
  • $459
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Bigger pixels
  • $345
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Canon SX50 vs Nikon P600

Panasonic ZS40
Nikon P600
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • RAW file ability
  • $345
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Panasonic ZS40 vs Nikon P600

Compared to Canon SX700 HS

Canon SX50
Canon SX700 HS
  • $459
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Canon SX50 vs 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

Compared to Canon SX60

Canon SX50
Canon SX60
  • $459
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $449
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Canon SX50 vs Canon SX60

Panasonic ZS40
Canon SX60
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in GPS
  • $449
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Panasonic ZS40 vs Canon SX60

Compared to Canon SX710 HS

Canon SX50
Canon SX710 HS
  • $459
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC

Compare Canon SX50 vs Canon SX710 HS

Panasonic ZS40
Canon SX710 HS
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Faster shutter

Compare Panasonic ZS40 vs Canon SX710 HS

Compared to Nikon P610

Canon SX50
Nikon P610
  • $459
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Bigger pixels
  • $399
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking

Compare Canon SX50 vs Nikon P610

Panasonic ZS40
Nikon P610
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • RAW file ability
  • $399
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Panasonic ZS40 vs Nikon P610

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