Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40: The Ultimate Travel Companion

If you're someone who loves to travel and capture every moment of your trip, you need a reliable camera that can keep up with your adventures. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 is not just any camera - it's packed with features that make it the ultimate travel companion. From its compact size to its powerful zoom lens, this camera is perfect for capturing stunning photos and videos on the go.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 article cover photo

Key Features

Jan 06 2014

Announced

18 megapixels

Resolution

BrandPanasonic
Sensor Type1/2.3-inch
SensorCMOS
Weight240g
MSRP$449USD

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Overview of the Lumix DMC-ZS40

When it comes to digital cameras, Panasonic is a name that's synonymous with quality and innovation. The Lumix DMC-ZS40 is no exception - it's a premium compact camera that's perfect for travel enthusiasts who want to capture every moment of their trip in stunning detail. With 30x optical zoom and advanced features like GPS and Wi-Fi connectivity, this camera is designed to help you capture memories that will last a lifetime. In this blog post, we'll dive into the features of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 and explore why it's the ultimate travel companion for any photographer. Let's get started!

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 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 zoom range (30x optical zoom)
Good image quality
Built-in WiFi and NFC connectivity
GPS functionality
Multiple shooting modes and manual controls
Tilting LCD screen
Compact and lightweight design
Good low-light performance
Fast autofocus

Cons

No viewfinder
Limited battery life
No raw capture option
Limited manual focus capabilities
Limited lens aperture range
No external mic input for video recording
Some features can be complex to use for beginners
Price is higher than some comparable models

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40

Weather sealed
Dimensions111 x 64 x 34mm
Weight240g
Thickness34mm
Weight
Min
Avg
This
Max
Thickness
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Weather Sealing

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 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 Resolution920k dots
Body typeCompact

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a fixed type 3.00" screen, with a display resolution of 920k dots. This makes the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 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-ZS40 includes a electronic viewfinder with 200k dots of resolution with a coverage of 100% and a magnification of n/a. This feature enhances the camera's suitability for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 has a 18MP sized CMOS sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 18 pixels. Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 has a native ISO range of 100 - 3200 which can be boosted to null - 6400. It can also save files in RAW format which gives you a wider room for post processing.

Key Features

Jan 06 2014

Announced

100 - 3200

ISO Range

Sensor1/2.3-inch
Extended ISOnull - 6400
Max resolution4896 x 3672 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-ZS40 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-ZS40 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 Life300 shots
Battery Model
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 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-ZS40 uses the undefined model of battery pack. This is rated for 300 shots 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-ZS40 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-ZS40 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-ZS40 includes contrast detection autofocus (AF), with 23 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-ZS40?

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 features a CMOS sensor

Is the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 weather sealed?

No the Lumix DMC-ZS40 does not have weather sealing.

When was the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 announced?

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 was announced on Jan 06 2014

Does the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 have in-body image stabilization?

Yes the Lumix DMC-ZS40 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-ZS40?

The Lumix DMC-ZS40 has a native ISO range of 100-3200, which can be expanded to ISO null-6400 for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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