Panasonic TZ40 review

Travel compact camera gets an upgrade - but how does it fare?

Panasonic TZ40 review
We take a closer look at Panasonic's latest long zoom compact

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Panasonic TZ40 review

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With its 28mm wide-angle optic (35mm equivalent), the Panasonic TZ40 offers good scope for different subject matters and is ideal for general and landscape shots.

Panasonic TZ40 review

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Although the Panasonic TZ40 is capable of resolving a good amount of detail, if you zoom into this image to 100%, there is some noticeable smoothing to be seen. It's not too much of a problem when viewing images at normal print and web sizes.

Panasonic TZ40 review

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Panoramic images can be captured by the Panasonic TZ40 by sweeping the camera across a scene. For the first time, digital filters can also be used with panoramas for added creativity.

Panasonic TZ40 review

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Automatic metering does a good job of providing well exposed scenes, even when there are areas of mixed lighting or contrast.

Panasonic TZ40 review

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The Panasonic TZ40 is equipped with several digital filters. This is the Dynamic Monochrome setting, which gives the effect of a high contrast black and white scene.

Panasonic TZ40 review

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This Dramatic Tone filter gives the effect of a high dynamic range image, boosting contrast and colours. It works well with landscapes, but is probably best avoided for certain subjects, such as portraits.

Panasonic TZ40 review

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Toy Camera is another example of the digital filter effects that are available on the Panasonic TZ40.

Panasonic TZ40 review

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Macro focusing enables you to get close to the subject, to fill the frame. Focusing is a little slower, but generally accurate.

Panasonic TZ40 review

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Despite the small sensor size of the Panasonic TZ40, you can still get pleasing shallow depth of field effects.

Panasonic TZ40 review

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The 20x optical zoom length gives great flexibility - this shot is taken at the widest end of the focal range.

Panasonic TZ40 review

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This shot is taken right at the end of the 20x optical zoom range, enabling you to get very close. The optical stabilisation system has done a good job of keeping blur to a minimum here.

Amy Davies

Amy has been writing about cameras, photography and associated tech since 2009. Amy was once part of the photography testing team for Future Publishing working across TechRadar, Digital Camera, PhotoPlus, N Photo and Photography Week. For her photography, she has won awards and has been exhibited. She often partakes in unusual projects - including one intense year where she used a different camera every single day. Amy is currently the Features Editor at Amateur Photographer magazine, and in her increasingly little spare time works across a number of high-profile publications including Wired, Stuff, Digital Camera World, Expert Reviews, and just a little off-tangent, PetsRadar.