• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 14.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Panasonic DMC-FZ40 advantages over Olympus SH-50

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Olympus SH-50 advantages over Panasonic DMC-FZ40

  • Less expensive
    $300 vs $400 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Thinner
    42 mm vs 91 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    269g vs 498g
    Lighter weight
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 1.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    17 vs 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic DMC-FZ40

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus SH-50

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Nikon P90

Panasonic DMC-FZ40
Nikon P90
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Panasonic DMC-FZ40 vs Nikon P90

Olympus SH-50
Nikon P90
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Olympus SH-50 vs Nikon P90

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FZ100

Panasonic DMC-FZ40
Panasonic DMC-FZ100
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $500
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Hot shoe

Compare Panasonic DMC-FZ40 vs Panasonic DMC-FZ100

Olympus SH-50
Panasonic DMC-FZ100
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $500
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Olympus SH-50 vs Panasonic DMC-FZ100

Compared to Panasonic FZ47

Panasonic DMC-FZ40
Panasonic FZ47
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Panasonic DMC-FZ40 vs Panasonic FZ47

Olympus SH-50
Panasonic FZ47
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Manual focus

Compare Olympus SH-50 vs Panasonic FZ47

Compared to Olympus SZ-31MR

Panasonic DMC-FZ40
Olympus SZ-31MR
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • RAW file ability
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight

Compare Panasonic DMC-FZ40 vs Olympus SZ-31MR

Olympus SH-50
Olympus SZ-31MR
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • Shoots 60p video

Compare Olympus SH-50 vs Olympus SZ-31MR

Compared to Olympus SH-1

Panasonic DMC-FZ40
Olympus SH-1
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • RAW file ability
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic DMC-FZ40 vs Olympus SH-1

Olympus SH-50
Olympus SH-1
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Olympus SH-50 vs Olympus SH-1

Compare Other Cameras?