• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 2/3 inch 58.1mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic ZS40 advantages over Fujifilm X30

  • Less expensive
    $450 vs $600 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • More telephoto lens reach
    720 mm vs 112 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Thinner
    34 mm vs 60 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    240g vs 423g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    18.1 vs 12.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle lens
    24 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene

Fujifilm X30 advantages over Panasonic ZS40

  • Larger sensor
    2/3 inch vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Slower slow-motion
    250 fps vs 240 fps
    Supports slower slow-mo
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 2.20 vs 1.26 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.0 vs f/3.3
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 470 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
    0.65x vs 0.46x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.4 fps vs 10.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    15 vs 6 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Both provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

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Buy the Panasonic ZS40
Panasonic ZS40

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Fujifilm X30
Fuji X30 (Silver)
  • Fuji X30 (Silver)
  • Fuji X30 (Black)

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent image quality for its class; Very good optical performance from the bright f/2-2.8 4x lens; Quick autofocus, even in very low light; Fast burst modes; EVF fixes the flaws of optical viewfinder in X20; Tilting high-res LCD screen; Excellent feel in the hands; Very good battery life.

  • Top shutter speed is only 1/1000s when lens is wide open; No built-in ND filter; 28mm eq. may not be wide enough for some; Shallow buffer depths; Default NR processing a bit heavy-handed.

  • Read our Fujifilm X30 Review

The Competition

Compared to Fujifilm X10

Panasonic ZS40
Fujifilm X10
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $900
  • 2/3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic ZS40 vs Fujifilm X10

Fujifilm X30
Fujifilm X10
  • $499
  • 2/3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $900
  • 2/3 inch

Compare Fujifilm X30 vs Fujifilm X10

Compared to Fujifilm X20

Panasonic ZS40
Fujifilm X20
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $900
  • 2/3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Slower slow-motion

Compare Panasonic ZS40 vs Fujifilm X20

Fujifilm X30
Fujifilm X20
  • $499
  • 2/3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $900
  • 2/3 inch

Compare Fujifilm X30 vs Fujifilm X20

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

Fujifilm X30
Canon SX700 HS
  • $499
  • 2/3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Focus peaking
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • NFC

Compare Fujifilm X30 vs Canon SX700 HS

Compared to Sony WX500

Panasonic ZS40
Sony WX500
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony WX500

Fujifilm X30
Sony WX500
  • $499
  • 2/3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • NFC
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Fujifilm X30 vs Sony WX500

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

Fujifilm X30
Panasonic ZS60
  • $499
  • 2/3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen

Compare Fujifilm X30 vs Panasonic ZS60

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