• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Panasonic ZS40 advantages over Panasonic G7

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Thinner
    34 mm vs 77 mm
    Thinner
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 8.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Panasonic G7 advantages over Panasonic ZS40

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 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
    ~ 3.77 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
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 360 vs 300 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • 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
    0.70x vs 0.46x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    240 vs 6 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 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 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
  • 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

  • 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
  • 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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Buy the Panasonic ZS40
Panasonic ZS40

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Buy the Panasonic G7
Kit with 14-42mm Lens (Silver)
  • Kit with 14-42mm Lens (Silver)
  • Kit with 14-140mm Lens (Black)
  • Kit with 14-42mm Lens (Black)
All G7 Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Compact and lightweight for a fully-featured interchangeable-lens camera; Really fast autofocus; Good all-around performance too; Generous buffer depth; Versatile tilt/swivel LCD and high-res viewfinder; Touch-screen controls; Very affordable pricetag

  • Out of the box, colors are muted by consumer standards; Warm white balance under incandescent light; Handgrip is a little shallow for those with larger hands; Wi-Fi is overly complex and has limited range

  • Read our Panasonic G7 Review

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic G6

Panasonic ZS40
Panasonic G6
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Built-in GPS
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic ZS40 vs Panasonic G6

Panasonic G7
Panasonic G6
  • $498
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • NFC

Compare Panasonic G7 vs Panasonic G6

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

Panasonic G7
Canon SX700 HS
  • $498
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • NFC

Compare Panasonic G7 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

Panasonic G7
Canon SX710 HS
  • $498
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic G7 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

Panasonic G7
Panasonic ZS60
  • $498
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner

Compare Panasonic G7 vs Panasonic ZS60

Compared to Olympus E-M1 II

Panasonic ZS40
Olympus E-M1 II
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in GPS
  • $949
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic ZS40 vs Olympus E-M1 II

Panasonic G7
Olympus E-M1 II
  • $498
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $949
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • High resolution composite

Compare Panasonic G7 vs Olympus E-M1 II

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