Nikon D3100 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40

      Nikon D3100

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40
      61
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      55
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      Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

      Overview

      In this comparison, we will evaluate the Nikon D3100 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

      Nikon D3100 was introduced in December 2010 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40 was introduced in January 2014. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Nikon D3100 Highlights

      • 14 MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
      • 100 - 3,200 Native ISO
      • 11 Focus Points (11 Cross-type)
      • 3.0" 230k dot Fixed Screen
      • Optical (pentamirror) Viewfinder
      • 3.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1920 x 1080 Video Shooting
      • Built-in Flash

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40 Highlights

      • 20 MP 1/2.3-inch CCD Sensor
      • 100 - 1,600 Native ISO
      • 9 Focus Points (9 Cross-type)
      • Image Stabilization
      • 3.0" 460k dot Fixed Screen
      • 1.1 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1280 x 720 Video Shooting
      • Built-in Flash
      Table of Contents
      1. Overview
      2. Pros and Cons
      3. Advantage of Nikon D3100
      4. Advantage of Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40
      5. Common Strengths and Weaknesses
      6. Screen and Viewfinder
      7. Sensor
      8. Photography Features
      9. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
      10. Other Features
      11. Physical Parameters
      12. For Different Types of Photography
      13. Evaluations
      14. Specifications  

      Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Nikon D3100 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40.

      PROS

      Nikon D3100

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40

      •   Video Capture
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Orientation Sensor
      •   Video Capture
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   Orientation Sensor

      CONS

      Nikon D3100

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40

      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 14 Megapixel
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   1 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 550 shots
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/1500 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 1.1 fps
      •   No External Flash Connectivity
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 320 shots


      And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

      AVERAGE

      Nikon D3100

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40

      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   -1 EV Min AF Detection
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/200 sec
      •   DxO Overall Score - 67
      •   Weight - 505 g (1.11 lb / 17.81 oz)
      •   Sensor Resolution - 20 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Weight - 524 g (1.16 lb / 18.48 oz)

      Advantage of Nikon D3100

      Nikon D3100
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Nikon D3100 over Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40.

      Nikon D3100 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40
      Larger Sensor APS-C vs 1/2.3-inch
      RAW Support vs
      More Focus Points 11 vs 9
      More Cross-type Focus Points 1 vs 0
      Selective Autofocus vs
      Phase Detection for Autofocus vs
      Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) vs
      Lower Min Shutter Speed 30 sec vs 15 sec
      Higher Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) 1/4000 sec vs 1/1500 sec
      Higher Max Continuous Shooting 3.0 fps vs 1.1 fps
      External Flash Connectivity vs
      Aperture Priority vs
      Shutter Priority vs
      Average Metering vs
      Higher Video Resolution 1920 x 1080 vs 1280 x 720
      HDMI Output Mini Type C vs
      Lighter 505 g (1.11 lb / 17.81 oz) vs 524 g (1.16 lb / 18.48 oz)
      Longer Battery Life 550 shots vs 320 shots

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Nikon D3100.

      Nikon D3000
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      APS-C

      10.2 MP

      Nikon D3500
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      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Nikon D3400
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Nikon D3300
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Nikon D3200
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Canon SX530 HS
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      1/2.3-inch

      16 MP

      Nikon Z7 II
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      Full Frame

      45.7 MP

      Canon SX150 IS
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      14.1 MP

      Pentax WG-3 GPS
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      1/2.3-inch

      16 MP

      Pentax K100D Super
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      APS-C

      6.1 MP

      Panasonic ZS8
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      1/2.33-inch

      14.1 MP

      Canon 5DS
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      Full Frame

      50.6 MP

      Advantage of Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40

      Panasonic LZ40
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40 over Nikon D3100.

      Nikon D3100 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40
      Higher Sensor Resolution 14 Megapixel vs 20 Megapixel
      Higher Native ISO 3,200 vs 1,600
      Higher Boosted ISO 12,800 vs 6,400
      Max Image Resolution 4608 x 3072 vs 5152 x 3864
      Center Autofocus vs
      Image Stabilization vs
      Higher Resolution Screen 230k dot vs 460k dot
      Spot Metering vs
      Microphone Input vs

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40.

      Panasonic LZ30
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      1/2.3-inch

      16.1 MP

      Panasonic LZ20
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      1/2.33-inch

      16 MP

      Canon R5 C
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      Full Frame

      45.0 MP

      Canon R50
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      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Nikon Z8
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      Full Frame

      45.7 MP

      Canon R7
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      APS-C

      32.5 MP

      Canon Rebel T5
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      APS-C

      18.0 MP

      Canon 7D II
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      APS-C

      20.2 MP

      Nikon Z30
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      APS-C

      20.9 MP

      Sony a6600
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      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Canon R3
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      Full Frame

      24.1 MP

      Sony a6100
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      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

      STRENGTHS Nikon D3100 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40
        Video Capture
        Face Detection
        Live View Autofocus
        Built-in Flash
        Orientation Sensor
      WEAKNESSES Nikon D3100 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40
        Timelapse Recording
        Few Focus Points119
        Few Cross-type Focus Points10
        Screen TypeFixedFixed
        Low Resolution Screen230k dot460k dot
        Low Max Continuous Shooting3.0 fps1.1 fps
        Low Video Resolution1920 x 10801280 x 720
        No Headphone Output
        No Built-in GPS
        No Built-In Wi-Fi via Eye-Fi
        No Built-In Bluetooth
        No Environmental Sealing
        Short Battery Life550 shots320 shots

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Screen

      Nikon D3100 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40 have 3.0" Fixed screens with 230k dot and 460k dot resolutions respectively.


      Optical (pentamirror) Viewfinder on Nikon D3100

      Nikon D3100 has a built-in Optical (pentamirror) viewfinder. It has a 95% coverage and 0.80x (0.53x 35mm equivalent) magnification. There is no built-in or optional viewfinder available on Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40.

      Sensor

      Nikon D3100 features a 14 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with dimensions of 23.1 x 15.4 mm and a total area of 355.7 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 3,200 and expands to 100 - 12,800 in boosted mode. Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40 features a 20 megapixel 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor with dimensions of 6.17 x 4.55 mm and a total area of 20.7 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 1,600 and expands to 100 - 6,400 in boosted mode.

      Photography Features

      Nikon D3100 is equipped with EXPEED 2 processor and can take pictures up to 4608 x 3072 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3456 x 2304, 2304 x 1536 with 3:2 aspect ratios. Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40 can take pictures up to 5152 x 3864 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 5152 x 3432, 5252 x 2896, 3856 x 3856, 3264 x 2448, 3264 x 2176, 2048 x 1536, 2048 x 1536, 1536 x 1536, 1920 x 1080, 640 x 480 with 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios.

      Image Stabilization on Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40 has an image stabilization.

      Connectivity, Battery and Storage

      USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

      Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. connector for video signal output.


      Battery

      Nikon D3100 comes with EN-EL14 battery pack with battery life of 550 shots.


      External Storage Slots

      Cameras have a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Nikon D3100 has Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Nikon D3100, and up to 1/1500 sec on Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40. Nikon D3100 can shoot continuously up to 3.0 fps. Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40 can shoot continuously up to 1.1 fps.


      Focusing

      Nikon D3100 has 11 (1 cross-type) focusing points and Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40 has 9 focusing points. Nikon D3100 has detection range from -1 to +19 EV.


      Exposure

      Exposure meterings of Nikon D3100 ranges from 0 to +20 EV and you can set the exposure compensation within the ±5 EV range on Nikon D3100 and ±5 EV range on Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40. You can also do exposure lock and manual exposure adjustment on Nikon D3100 and exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40.


      Flash

      Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 12.00 m at ISO 100 on Nikon D3100 and 10.80 m on Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40. Nikon D3100 also accepts external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe with sync and data contacts and safety lock. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/200 sec on Nikon D3100.

      Physical Parameters

      Nikon D3100 body has dimensions of 124 x 96 x 75 mm (4.88 x 3.78 x 2.95") and Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40 body has dimensions of 126 x 87 x 94 mm (4.96 x 3.43 x 3.7"). Nikon D3100 weighs 505 g (1.11 lb / 17.81 oz) and Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40 weighs 524 g (1.16 lb / 18.48 oz).

      Nikon D3100

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40

      124 mm

      96 mm

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      126 mm

      87 mm

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      96 mm

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      87 mm

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      75 mm

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      94 mm

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      Size comparisons of Nikon D3100 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40

      Nikon D3100 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40 for Different Types of Photography

      We give scores to the cameras for six types of photography based on their features and specifications. Let us see how suitable they are for each type of photography.

      Landscape Photography

      Nikon D3100

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40

      AVERAGE
      69
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      POOR
      50
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Nikon D3100

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40

      AVERAGE
      66
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   1 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   Short Battery Life - 550 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      GOOD
      70
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 1.1 fps
      •   Short Battery Life - 320 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Wildlife Photography

      Nikon D3100

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40

      AVERAGE
      58
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   1 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 550 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      GOOD
      70
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 1.1 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 320 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Portrait Photography

      Nikon D3100

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40

      GOOD
      78
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   1 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/200 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor
      GOOD
      70
      •   Small Sensor
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No External Flash Connectivity
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Street Photography

      Nikon D3100

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40

      GOOD
      78
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   1 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 505 g (1.11 lb / 17.81 oz)
      GOOD
      77
      •   Small Sensor
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 524 g (1.16 lb / 18.48 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Nikon D3100

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40

      GOOD
      79
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 505 g (1.11 lb / 17.81 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 550 shots
      GOOD
      80
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 524 g (1.16 lb / 18.48 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 320 shots

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Nikon D3100 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40 and give them scores of 61 and 55 out of 100 recpectively. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


      Nikon D3100

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40

      OVERALL
      61
      OVERALL
      55

      Sensor

      Nikon D3100

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40

      AVERAGE
      67
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 14 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   DxO Overall Score - 67
      POOR
      46
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Sensor Resolution - 20 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO

      Photo

      Nikon D3100

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40

      AVERAGE
      59
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/200 sec
      AVERAGE
      61
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/1500 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 1.1 fps
      •   No External Flash Connectivity

      Video

      Nikon D3100

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40

      BAD
      14
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      POOR
      43
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720

      Focusing

      Nikon D3100

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40

      GOOD
      82
      •   -1 EV Min AF Detection
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   1 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      AVERAGE
      68
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Nikon D3100

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40

      AVERAGE
      66
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      POOR
      53
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Viewfinder

      Connectivity

      Nikon D3100

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40

      AVERAGE
      61
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      AVERAGE
      62
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Nikon D3100

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40

      POOR
      43
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 505 g (1.11 lb / 17.81 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 550 shots
      POOR
      42
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 524 g (1.16 lb / 18.48 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 320 shots


      For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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