• 1/2.5 inch 24.7mm2
  • 8.1 megapixels
  • 35.00mm - 105.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Sony DSC-S780 advantages over Panasonic ZS40

  • Less expensive
    $180 vs $450 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.76 vs 1.26 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.8 vs f/3.3
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Lighter weight
    128g vs 240g
    Lighter weight

Panasonic ZS40 advantages over Sony DSC-S780

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    1/2.3 inch vs 1/2.5 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • More telephoto lens reach
    720 mm vs 105 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Newer
    10 years vs 16 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    920k vs 153k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    18.1 vs 8.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Wider angle lens
    24 mm vs 35 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 1 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 1250 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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
  • 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

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Samsung S860

Sony DSC-S780
Samsung S860
  • $180
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Manual focus
  • $179
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • Longer exposure
Panasonic ZS40
Samsung S860
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $179
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Samsung S760

Sony DSC-S780
Samsung S760
  • $180
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Manual focus
  • $169
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • Longer exposure
Panasonic ZS40
Samsung S760
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $169
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Pentax E50

Sony DSC-S780
Pentax E50
  • $180
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • $150
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer exposure
Panasonic ZS40
Pentax E50
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $150
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Canon SX700 HS

Sony DSC-S780
Canon SX700 HS
  • $180
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Panasonic ZS40
Canon SX700 HS
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Faster shutter

Compared to Canon SX710 HS

Sony DSC-S780
Canon SX710 HS
  • $180
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Thinner
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Panasonic ZS40
Canon SX710 HS
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Faster shutter
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