Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax KP

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax KP

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

Go in depth with our full Panasonic ZS40 Review.

APS-C 366.6mm²
24.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 819,200

Go in depth with our full Pentax KP Review.
How does it shoot? Pentax KP in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the KP.

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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

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

390 vs 300 shots
Capture more photos
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Newer
7 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
0.63x 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

Amazon
Adorama
Read ZS40 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read KP User Reviews

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Panasonic ZS40

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Buy the Pentax KP

Body Only (Black)

Body Only (Black)
Body Only (Silver)

Review Excerpt

We haven’t finished our review of the Panasonic ZS40, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
See our Panasonic ZS40 First Shots

We haven’t finished our review of the Pentax KP, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Pentax KP Shooter's Report

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

Pentax KP

Canon SX700 HS

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$329
1/2.3 inch

NFC
Thinner

Compare Pentax KP 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

Pentax KP

Canon SX710 HS

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$329
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
NFC

Compare Pentax KP 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

Pentax KP

Panasonic ZS60

$999
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$448
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

Compare Pentax KP vs Panasonic ZS60

Compared to Nikon D5600

Panasonic ZS40

Nikon D5600

$380
1/2.3 inch

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1065
APS-C

Larger sensor
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Panasonic ZS40 vs Nikon D5600

Pentax KP

Nikon D5600

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1065
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax KP vs Nikon D5600

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

Compare Panasonic ZS40 vs Canon T7i

Pentax KP

Canon T7i

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$700
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax KP vs Canon T7i

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