Panasonic Lumix FZ40
Panasonic Lumix FZ40
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Hey! You should know that Panasonic has released a newer version of this product: the Panasonic Lumix FZ47.
Panasonic Lumix FZ40
Editor's Review
The FZ40 is the more modest of Panasonic's two current (in-production) superzooms, but it's certainly no slouch. The lens is of course the centerpiece: a 25mm wide-angle, 24x zoom, f2.8 monster, which is impressive even in the face of the 30x and higher monstrosities out there now. Manual control is here, as well as intelligent Auto, of course. It shares many specs with the decked-out FZ100, but because it's built around a slower CCD sensor, the feature set is a bit more modest -- that is, a pokey continuous drive and "only" 720p video. It also lacks a hot show accessory port, so there's no slot for an external flash or the like. But even as the lesser of Panny's superzooms, it's still a solid buy. For whatever reason -- perhaps the crisis in Japan, though that's speculation -- the FZ40 is a bit hard to find at the moment, and prices are higher than they should be ($400 or less), so make sure you're not overpaying.
Specifications
- 14 megapixels
- 24x optical zoom
- 25mm wide-angle
- f2.8 max aperture
- Optical image stabilization (POWER OIS)
- 3-inch LCD
- 720p HD video (AVCHD Lite)
- Intelligent Auto mode (iAuto)
- Full manual control
- Electronic viewfinder
- Captures to SD/SDHC/SDXC media cards
- Rechargeable lithium-ion battery
- Release Date: Aug 20, 2010
Shop for FZ40 Accessories
Panasonic Lumix FZ40 Comments & Questions (write your own!)
Maureen (01/17/2012)
Hi there. I purchased a Lumix FZ40 ($375.00) back in June and I find I am very disappointed with the quality of my pictures; they are not sharp and clear. My old Canon (half the price) took much better pictures. Any suggestions of what I can do? Thank you. Maureen
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A GOOD REPLACEMENT CHOICE (Joyce Sullivan — 08/01/2011)
My Lumix DMC - FZ 18 That I LOVED is toast because I fell and dropped it in a mud puddle. Would the FZ40 or FZ 35 be a good replacement choice for me?
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Liam McCabe (08/01/2011)
The FZ35 is one of our all-time favorite superzooms -- if you can find one for a good price, you'll be very, very happy with it.
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Joyce Sullivan (08/02/2011)
How about the FZ 40?
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Help Deciding (Maegan — 02/14/2011)
Greetings! I am looking for a camera in the $300 range for taking pictures closeup, but also with some good zoom capabilities. My biggest frustration with my point and shoot now is the time between photos; in addition, the pics tend to be somewhat grainy (I have a Sony Cybershot). I'm looking for a new camera that can take faster pictures because I want to take pics of our newest family member, due any day now. What would you recommend? This camera (FZ40) seems to have good options, but I was drawn to the Nikon Coolpix S8100 (or 9100 that isn't out quite yet). Can you help differentiate these? Thanks so much!
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FZ 40? (Big Al Pro Photo — 02/14/2011)
Save your time and money.
The Pany FZ35 is a much better camera with way higher IQ.
Don't get fooled by a longer lens and higher pixel count ie. 14 vs 12
The fz35 imo is the better camera by far !!!!
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The Pany FZ35 is a much better camera with way higher IQ.
Don't get fooled by a longer lens and higher pixel count ie. 14 vs 12
The fz35 imo is the better camera by far !!!!
FZ 20 up to FZ 35 as opposed to FZ 40 (Deece — 02/25/2011)
I have used an FZ20 for four years now and love it. I want to move up to the FZ 35 hoping for better picture quality due 12 gig sensor, using the video feature.and the longer zoom. Is this a worth while move?
The FZ 40 is also a possibility but I am afraid that it may suffer from the lack of detail in pictures shot above 200 IS0 Is this so?
I realise these cameras cannot produce the picture quality of a DSLR but for what I need, the reduced zoom, the weight and inconvenience of those separate lenses for the DSLRr is a real inconvenience.
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The FZ 40 is also a possibility but I am afraid that it may suffer from the lack of detail in pictures shot above 200 IS0 Is this so?
I realise these cameras cannot produce the picture quality of a DSLR but for what I need, the reduced zoom, the weight and inconvenience of those separate lenses for the DSLRr is a real inconvenience.
wondering (john carpenter — 12/27/2010)
Are the photos really all that clear.
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Camera for avid teenager photographer (Jill — 12/09/2010)
I am looking for a camera for my son-he has been through a couple of lower end starter digitals and I am looking for the next step up and a camera that can grow with him, can add lenses, etc.) Would this be that camera? I know almost nothing about cameras.
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Liam McCabe (12/13/2010)
Yeah if he's looking for a more advanced camera, something he can really grow with, he needs a dSLR (digital single lens reflex). The FZ40 here looks advanced and actually does have a fair amount of advanced control, but it can't swap lenses. If you are going to get a dSLR for him, some good starter models, off the top of my head are Pentax K-x, Canon XS, Nikon D3100. These are also more expensive, closer to $500, but they do include starter lenses at this price.
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thank you (Jill Brennan — 12/13/2010)
Thank you for the info- this really helps. I was actually looking at the Nikon and now am satisfied that it will be perfect.
Thank you again~!
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Thank you again~!
Can't decide.... (Laura — 12/06/2010)
I'm trying to decide between FZ40, Canon SX30 and Nikon P100. Any ideas? Thanks.
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FZ35 vs FZ40?? (Linda — 11/29/2010)
I am still on the fence: FZ35 vs FZ40? Now that FZ40 has been out for a while, is there any feedback?
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by James DeRuvo (11/30/2010)
I'd stay forward and gow ith the FZ40.
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Shutter Speed? (Edward Livingston — 11/24/2010)
I am considering purchasing this camera, but I had a question. I would love to have a DSLR, but I dont think I am ready to spend that kind of money on something I am not equipped to use. But one thing that attracted me to the DSLRs so much was the shutter speed. I understand that you cant get that in any sort of point and shoot, but I am fed up with the slow shutter speed of my current point and shoot. What does this model have to offer?
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Liam McCabe (11/24/2010)
Not sure what you're asking, but dSLRs have no shutter lag at all. Shutter speed is something different, I'm pretty sure you mean shutter lag, the time between when you hit the shutter and when it captures the picture. The FZ40 is not a dSLR, so there is a bit of shutter lag, but it's pretty fast, and most likely faster than your current point and shoot, if it's a few years old.
You can reduce shutter lag by pre-focusing -- holding the shutter halfway down to focus a few seconds before you want to shoot, to get the camera ready, and then fully pressing it when you're ready to shoot. This applies to all cameras, by the way.
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You can reduce shutter lag by pre-focusing -- holding the shutter halfway down to focus a few seconds before you want to shoot, to get the camera ready, and then fully pressing it when you're ready to shoot. This applies to all cameras, by the way.
Edward Livingston (11/24/2010)
Ok thank you. That is exactly what I meant! Another question though: Is there a store you would reccomend where I could go and people who know what they are talking about can allow me to hold the camera, and explain to me what everything does/means?
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?!?!!? (Alexis Sheffield — 11/18/2010)
Okay, I am buying my first camera for serious photography, and I have NO IDEA. I mean, how do you upload pictures? Can you change it to black and white on the camera? What do longer lens' do? The list goes on and on. If there's anyone that could tell me if this is a good camera for beginners, thanks.
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by James DeRuvo (11/20/2010)
The easiest way is with a USB card reader. Plug the card in and then the PC reads it as a drive. Then it's a simple drag and drop. No drivers, no muss, no fuss.
The camera processes in color and then strips it according to an arbitrary algorithym. You're far better off changing it to black and white in software like Photoshop Elements or Picasa so you can have greater control over contrast, light and shadow.
A longer lens means you can take images from farther away. But the downside is, the longer it gets, the slower it becomes. But since it's starting at f2.8, it's pretty fast for a superzoom.
Panasonic is making some good cameras right now, and DHQ is calling it a "heck of a buy." Grade - A-.
So, for the money, it's a good place to start, but if you're planning on going into photography as a hobby, I'd be looking at a DSLR like the Canon T1i, which just got a update.
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The camera processes in color and then strips it according to an arbitrary algorithym. You're far better off changing it to black and white in software like Photoshop Elements or Picasa so you can have greater control over contrast, light and shadow.
A longer lens means you can take images from farther away. But the downside is, the longer it gets, the slower it becomes. But since it's starting at f2.8, it's pretty fast for a superzoom.
Panasonic is making some good cameras right now, and DHQ is calling it a "heck of a buy." Grade - A-.
So, for the money, it's a good place to start, but if you're planning on going into photography as a hobby, I'd be looking at a DSLR like the Canon T1i, which just got a update.
Get a book (Big Al Pro Photo — 02/14/2011)
If you are new to photography you should first go to the library and take out a book on photography for beginners. Also a good book would be on the history of photography. Learn how it all started and learn about the first tin type pictures etc.
Then go get yourself a Panasonic DMC FZ35 which I use probably more than my 5000.00 Nikon SLR.
You can do all you'd ever need to do on this and get great results.
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Then go get yourself a Panasonic DMC FZ35 which I use probably more than my 5000.00 Nikon SLR.
You can do all you'd ever need to do on this and get great results.
Upal Mahamud (11/12/2010)
what is the difference between FZ40 and FZ100. I want to buy one of them but confused. can you give me some idea?
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by James DeRuvo (11/13/2010)
The FZ100 has a swing out, swivel LCD and records HD video in 1080p while the FZ40's LCD is fixed and it does video in 720p. Other than that, they're the same camera. Question for your is, would $100 more for the FZ100 be worth it?
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Karren (12/23/2010)
There are a numberr of basic differences differences between the FZ40 and 100, but the main one is the addition of the CMOS sensor in the FZ100. It changes the way many of the camera functions perform particularly speed of capture, and video. Theoretically, the CMOS sensor should give lower noise images.
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mike yehl (01/30/2011)
Can you tell me if the FZ35 has a swivel, swing out LCD and if either the FZ100 or the FZ35 has an active as opposed to passive LCD?
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Good camera to take blog images (Greg Barr — 11/09/2010)
Hi,
I am new to cameras &n photography.
I wish to take great image and natureb photos and be able to display them on my wordpress blog
nectareal.com
Do you have a choice for ease opf uploading to website and quality of digital images
Greg
reply to this comment
I am new to cameras &n photography.
I wish to take great image and natureb photos and be able to display them on my wordpress blog
nectareal.com
Do you have a choice for ease opf uploading to website and quality of digital images
Greg
ZX35/40 vs Z5 or similar (markt — 09/30/2010)
I was going to buy a ZX35 but hate the size - prefer something smaller but dont want to sacrifice image quality. I want great picts inside and out without manual setting, moderate zoom should be fine (8-10x?), and no lag between shots (like my old canon - press..wait, wait, click). Please help. Just give me 2-3 options! I just want to Point and Shoot!
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Liam McCabe (09/30/2010)
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Better class of camera? (M.Pearson — 09/16/2010)
1st.. Xcllent site.. 2nd.. I'm assuming the FZ40 as well as Canon's Powershot SX20 are in a higher end class than the Canon Powershot SX210. So with the extra bells and whistles aside... the FZ35 and SX20 should produce better overall photos? Perhaps even better lower light photos? I'm more concerned about good quality (I have DSLR) photos from a camera that is more mobile, or even as a backup. Thxs in advance for your opinion.
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Liam McCabe (09/16/2010)
Thanks. The FZ35/FZ40 and SX20 are in a different class than the SX210, yes, though they all use basically the same small CCD sensor. In theory, the image quality would be pretty comparable among all of those cameras, but in practice, the superzoom models end up taking higher-quality pictures because the lens is better.
We haven't had the opportunity to test out any of the newest superzooms (Panasonic FZ40/FZ100, Canon SX30) but the FZ35 and SX20, which have been out for a year, surprised a lot of photo elitists with their quality. Preliminary user reviews I've seen of the FZ40 actually seem to indicate that the FZ35 has slightly sharper image quality, though the FZ40 is still strong, and has that extra zoom factor that might come in handy.
If a superzoom seems to big, take a look at one of the better travel zooms -- Panasonic ZS5, Casio FH100, even the Sony HX5V. Maybe even something like the Canon S95/Panasonic LX5 -- more expensive and a small zoom, but much better image quality overall.
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We haven't had the opportunity to test out any of the newest superzooms (Panasonic FZ40/FZ100, Canon SX30) but the FZ35 and SX20, which have been out for a year, surprised a lot of photo elitists with their quality. Preliminary user reviews I've seen of the FZ40 actually seem to indicate that the FZ35 has slightly sharper image quality, though the FZ40 is still strong, and has that extra zoom factor that might come in handy.
If a superzoom seems to big, take a look at one of the better travel zooms -- Panasonic ZS5, Casio FH100, even the Sony HX5V. Maybe even something like the Canon S95/Panasonic LX5 -- more expensive and a small zoom, but much better image quality overall.
Hooked on some zoom (M.Pearson — 09/16/2010)
You mentioned a couple of travel zooms (ZS5 & HX5V) that would likely suffice in the zoom dept for me. I thought though, that since these were 'travel zooms' (like the SX210), that the superzooms (FZ35 OR 40) would outpreform the travel zooms in general photo quality. By dimensions the superzooms don't seem too clumsy for me, but I really do have to 'get my hands on one'. Thnxs agin for your opinion.
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FZ40 Launch.! (Nazim Kapadia — 08/15/2010)
When are they launching FZ40, I need to see the price difference for FZ35 so I can buy either of them. Any tentative date is available for the launch of FZ40...???
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Liam McCabe (08/16/2010)
It should be available any day now -- Panasonic said that it would be ready mid-August, and here we are in mid-August. The suggested retail price is $399, which I imagine will be what it costs for a few months. The FZ35 is about $80 cheaper than that now.
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Hi! (Nazim — 08/16/2010)
So is there a possibility of a reduction in price of Fz35 further. If you can assist me if its worth paying $100 more for fz40. I need a camera at the earliest becuase I am leaving for India next month and I need to shortlist n buy a camera ASAP.
Thanks in anticipation.
Cheers.!
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Thanks in anticipation.
Cheers.!
Depends on you time (Jarka — 08/18/2010)
Seems that fz40 will be released rather towards the end of august. Plus time for shipping, do you really have that time? And is 6x more zoom so important for you? If yes, you can try and take a risk to wait, order through amazon, get trial prime membership to get your camera in 2 days, and your full price will be around 430. I recomend to preorder to make sure you do not need to wait too long in case item is out of stock for few days. Other option is, to save some money, search for seller with no tax and free shipping. Remember, shipping will take time. So is it worth it? Or find the best price for fz38 and get it now. You can save on tax and free shipping. Just be careful for those baiting techniques offering things too cheap.
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tina (08/13/2010)
ru able 2 use the full 24 optical zoom in movie recording mode or is this reduced?
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Liam McCabe (08/13/2010)
Not sure because we haven't seen it yet, but yes I'd bet that you can use the full zoom -- it'll just be very slow to extend fully.
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Should I wait or should I go now? (jer — 08/01/2010)
I was prepared to purchase a FZ35 at about $314.00, now they are going to release the FZ40 starting at almost $400.00, should I wait for the FZ40? Is it worth the extra cost? Will it go down in price? Will the FZ35 go now in price?
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Liam McCabe (08/03/2010)
Short answer: Wait.
Longer answer: The biggest difference between the cameras is the FZ40's extra zoom -- 24x vs 18x -- and there are a few other tweaks that could make the image quality a little better as well. When I spoke with Panasonic about three weeks ago, they had not yet decided if they were going to phase out the FZ35, or keep it around as a lower-end complement to the FZ40. Either way, the FZ35's price should drop when the FZ40 comes out, but I'm really not sure by how much.
So, which camera you should get depends on how much zoom you want. Is 6x extra zoom and what should be slightly better image quality (though that's no guarantee) worth an extra $85? Whatever you decide, I'd wait 2/3 weeks until the FZ40 comes out, so we can see if/how much the FZ35 price drops.
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Longer answer: The biggest difference between the cameras is the FZ40's extra zoom -- 24x vs 18x -- and there are a few other tweaks that could make the image quality a little better as well. When I spoke with Panasonic about three weeks ago, they had not yet decided if they were going to phase out the FZ35, or keep it around as a lower-end complement to the FZ40. Either way, the FZ35's price should drop when the FZ40 comes out, but I'm really not sure by how much.
So, which camera you should get depends on how much zoom you want. Is 6x extra zoom and what should be slightly better image quality (though that's no guarantee) worth an extra $85? Whatever you decide, I'd wait 2/3 weeks until the FZ40 comes out, so we can see if/how much the FZ35 price drops.
Should I wait or should I go now? (jer — 08/03/2010)
Thanks for the advise, I think I agree. In a case like this a little patience is a good thing. I wonder how long it will take for someone to discount the FZ40 after it has been released?
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for camera (ppdhar — 07/21/2010)
amazing for all
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