Panasonic pocket superzoom with 20x Leica zoom, Wi-Fi, NFC, and GPS — the ultimate pocketable travel camera.
The Panasonic Lumix TZ40, known as the ZS30 in North America, is an upgraded pocket superzoom from 2013 that added Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity to the TZ series formula. The 20x Leica DC Vario-Elmar zoom covers 24-480mm equivalent with Power O.I.S., and the 18.1-megapixel MOS sensor provides excellent detail for a compact.
The addition of Wi-Fi and NFC was a significant upgrade over the TZ35, enabling wireless image transfer to smartphones and remote camera control via the Panasonic Image App. GPS geotagging remains included, and the camera offers full HD video recording with stereo sound. The touchscreen interface provides intuitive menu navigation.
Build quality is a step above the TZ35 with refined materials and a slightly different control layout. The Leica-branded zoom provides consistent image quality across the zoom range, and Panasonic's Venus Engine FHD II processor handles noise reduction and image processing effectively for natural-looking output.
The TZ40 commands slightly higher used prices than the TZ35 thanks to the Wi-Fi connectivity that bridges the gap between camera and smartphone. It remains one of the most capable pocket travel cameras available at used prices, offering telephoto reach that no smartphone can match in a genuinely pocketable package.