• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Panasonic ZS40 advantages over Canon SL3

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • 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 69 mm
    Thinner
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 5.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Canon SL3 advantages over Panasonic ZS40

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.72 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
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 1070 vs 300 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    5 years vs 10 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
    0.54x vs 0.46x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 18.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 6 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 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
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

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Panasonic ZS40

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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

Compare Panasonic ZS40 vs Canon SX700 HS

Canon SL3
Canon SX700 HS
  • $632
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • NFC

Compare Canon SL3 vs Canon SX700 HS

Compared to 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

Canon SL3
Canon SX710 HS
  • $632
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon SL3 vs Canon SX710 HS

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

Canon SL3
Panasonic ZS60
  • $632
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive

Compare Canon SL3 vs Panasonic ZS60

Compared to Canon SL2

Panasonic ZS40
Canon SL2
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic ZS40 vs Canon SL2

Canon SL3
Canon SL2
  • $632
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • NFC

Compare Canon SL3 vs Canon SL2

Compared to Nikon D3500

Panasonic ZS40
Nikon D3500
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $623
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic ZS40 vs Nikon D3500

Canon SL3
Nikon D3500
  • $632
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $623
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon SL3 vs Nikon D3500

Compare Other Cameras?