The Lowdown on Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 Camera: Features, Reviews, and More

Are you on the hunt for a new camera that offers high-quality images but also fits within your budget? Look no further than the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40. This popular camera offers advanced features, intuitive controls, and versatile lens capabilities that make it a top choice for both amateur and professional photographers. In this blog post, we'll dive deep into the Lumix DMC-FZ40's features, highlighting its strengths and potential weaknesses.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 article cover photo

Key Features

Jul 21 2010

Announced

14 megapixels

Resolution

BrandPanasonic
Sensor Type1/2.3-inch
SensorCCD
Weight494g
MSRP$399USD

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Overview of the Lumix DMC-FZ40

Capturing memorable moments in life is important, whether it's for personal reasons or for work. That's where the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 comes in, with its advanced features and intuitive controls. The Lumix DMC-FZ40 has become a top choice for those looking for a camera that offers both high-quality images and budget-friendliness. In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at the camera's features and see why it's considered a great option for both amateur and professional photographers. We'll also highlight user reviews, potential shortcomings, and give tips on how to get the most out of your Lumix DMC-FZ40. So, let's dive in!

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 camera. We will see what it can do and compare it to other cameras like it. We will tell you what's good about it and what's not so good. This way, you'll know if it's the camera for you!

Pros

High resolution (14.1 MP)
24x optical zoom
720p HD video recording
Image stabilization
Large LCD screen
Fast autofocus
Multiple shooting modes
Easy to use

Cons

No manual focus ring
No full HD video
Limited low light performance
No RAW shooting mode
Mediocre battery life
Heavy and bulky
Slow burst speed
Limited dynamic range.

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40

Weather sealed
Dimensions120 x 80 x 92mm
Weight494g
Thickness92mm
Weight
Min
Avg
This
Max
Thickness
Min
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Max

Weather Sealing

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 is not sealed against water and dust, so it's important to be careful when using it in such conditions. If you often shoot in environments with water or dust, it's recommended to check out another camera with weather sealing.

Design and Handling

Main design features

View FinderElectronic
Screen TypeFixed Type
Screen Resolution230k dots
Body typeSLR-like (bridge)

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a fixed type 3.00" screen, with a display resolution of 230k dots. This makes the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 not as suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you cannot view yourself while shooting selfies easily. Unfortunately, the camera does not have a touch screen, which may make it less user-friendly.

Viewfinder

Lumix DMC-FZ40 includes a electronic viewfinder with n/a of resolution with a coverage of n/a and a magnification of n/a. This feature enhances the camera's suitability for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 has a 14MP sized CCD sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 14 pixels. Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 has a native ISO range of 80 - 6400 which can be boosted to null - null. It can also save files in RAW format which gives you a wider room for post processing.

Key Features

Jul 21 2010

Announced

80 - 6400

ISO Range

Sensor1/2.3-inch
Extended ISOnull - null
Max resolution4320 x 3240 pixels

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

not tested

Color Depth

not tested

Dynamic Range

not tested

Low Light ISO

not tested

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 camera has excellent color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also excellent, allowing it to retain high amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is excellent, which is an important factor to consider if you plan to use it in dimly lit indoor environments or at night. Overall the image quality of the Lumix DMC-FZ40 is excellent

Crop Factor

Camera crop factor (or focal length multiplier) refers to how a camera's sensor size affects the apparent field of view of a lens. Crop factor is determined by comparing the size of a camera's sensor to that of a full-frame sensor, which is a standard reference size for camera sensors.

Size comparison

Medium FormatFull FrameAPS-C (Sony, Nikon)

Crop factor calculator

Crop factor

1x

Full frame equivalent

24mm

This camera: 1/2.3-inch

24mm

850100150200

Connectivity, storage, battery

StorageSD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Battery Life
Battery Model
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 supports SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal with 1 slots for storage. This may suffice for everyday use. However, for professional applications such as wedding photography, it is not recommended as a memory card malfunction could lead to the loss of all footage.

Battery

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 uses the undefined model of undefined. This is rated for undefined shots which is high. If you intend to take photos or record videos for an extended period, it might be a good idea to bring along additional batteries.

Photography Features

Flash

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 has built in flash which is great for event photography and in low light situations. However it lacks an external flash shoe, which limits you to using the built-in flash.

Shutter

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/2000s, which is ideal for shooting fast-moving subjects in bright environments, such as in sports photography. Faster shutter speeds enable you to freeze the action and capture every detail, making it easier to get the perfect shot.

With a continuous mechanical shutter speed of n/a or an electronic shutter speed of n/a, this camera is not capable of capturing the perfect moment more easily, making it not as suited for wedding, sports, and wildlife photography. Higher shutter speeds make it easier to capture fast-paced action, ensuring that you never miss the perfect shot.

Autofocus

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 includes contrast detection autofocus (AF), with null number of focus points.

While contrast detection is generally more accurate and precise, phase detection autofocus is faster and more effective in most situations, particularly when photographing moving subjects.

Phase detection autofocus works by dividing the incoming light into pairs and then analyzing how they intersect on the camera's sensor. This method allows the camera to determine not only if a subject is in focus but also the direction and distance needed to adjust the focus to achieve perfect sharpness.

On the other hand, contrast detection autofocus works by analyzing the contrast of an image and adjusting the focus until the highest contrast is detected. While this method is very accurate, it can be slow, especially in low light conditions or when photographing moving subjects.

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FAQ

What is the sensor size of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40?

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 features a CCD sensor

Is the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 weather sealed?

No the Lumix DMC-FZ40 does not have weather sealing.

When was the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 announced?

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 was announced on Jul 21 2010

Does the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 have in-body image stabilization?

Yes the Lumix DMC-FZ40 does have in-body image stabilization that can compensate for camera shake, making it easier to shoot handheld in low light conditions.

What is the ISO range of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40?

The Lumix DMC-FZ40 has a native ISO range of 80-6400, which can be expanded to ISO null-null for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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