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Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon L840

Portability
86
Imaging
40
Features
45
Overall
42
Canon PowerShot SX160 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix L840 front
Portability
67
Imaging
41
Features
48
Overall
43

Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon L840 Key Specs

Canon SX160 IS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-448mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 291g - 111 x 73 x 44mm
  • Released June 2013
  • Older Model is Canon SX150 IS
  • Replacement is Canon SX170 IS
Nikon L840
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 23-855mm (F3.0-6.5) lens
  • 538g - 114 x 89 x 96mm
  • Announced February 2015
  • Succeeded the Nikon L830
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Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon L840 Overview

In this article, we will be matching up the Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon L840, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Canon and Nikon. The image resolution of the SX160 IS (16MP) and the L840 (16MP) is relatively close and they possess the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SX160 IS was manufactured 19 months earlier than the L840 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Canon SX160 IS being a Compact camera and the Nikon L840 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before delving straight into a thorough comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the SX160 IS scores vs the L840 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX160 IS over the Nikon L840

 SX160 IS L840 
Manual focus Very accurate focusing

Reasons to pick Nikon L840 over the Canon SX160 IS

 L840 SX160 IS 
AnnouncedFebruary 2015June 2013More modern by 19 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution921k230kCrisper screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX160 IS and Nikon L840

 SX160 IS L840 
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon L840 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry around your camera regularly, you'll need to factor its weight and proportions. The Canon SX160 IS has got exterior dimensions of 111mm x 73mm x 44mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.7") having a weight of 291 grams (0.64 lbs) while the Nikon L840 has measurements of 114mm x 89mm x 96mm (4.5" x 3.5" x 3.8") accompanied by a weight of 538 grams (1.19 lbs).

Analyze the Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon L840 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are using at that time. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the SX160 IS and the L840.

Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon L840 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX160 IS and L840 is 86 and 67 respectively.

Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon L840 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon L840 Sensor Comparison

Typically, its difficult to envision the difference in sensor sizes only by researching specs. The image below might provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX160 IS and L840.

All in all, both of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the identical MP therefore you can expect comparable quality of photos however you will need to factor the launch date of the cameras into account. The more aged SX160 IS will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon L840 sensor size comparison

Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon L840 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon L840 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Portrait photography information
Nikon L840 Portrait photography information
46
focusing manually
flash sync is higher than normal (1/2,000s)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
comes with face detect focusing
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
36
good MP (16 megapixels)
features face detection focus
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX160 IS
Street photography with Nikon L840
59
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (291 grams)
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
51
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Optical)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
heavier than others (538 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX160 IS as a Sports photography camera
Nikon L840 as a Sports photography camera
51
excellent zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
good battery pack (380 per charge)
max fps low (1.0 fps)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
51
long zoom range (23-855mm 37.2 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
features tracking autofocus
great battery (590 per charge)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Travel photography advice
Nikon L840 Travel photography advice
69
good battery pack (380 shots)
lighter than average (291g)
good megapixels (16MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (28mm)
great reach (448mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
does not offer selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
57
great battery (590 CIPA)
good MP (16MP)
has built in flash
quite wide (23mm)
very long reach (855mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
heavier than others (538 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Landscape photography highlights
Nikon L840 Landscape photography highlights
51
focusing manually
decently wide (28mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good battery pack (380 per charge)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
lack of Timelapse recording
43
quite wide (23mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
great battery (590 per charge)
focusing manually not possible
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
manual exposure not available
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX160 IS as a Vlogging camera
Nikon L840 as a Vlogging camera
31
decently wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focusing
lighter than average (291 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not offer selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone support
27
quite wide (23mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of external mic support
heavier than others (538 grams)
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Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon L840 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX160 IS and Nikon L840
 Canon PowerShot SX160 ISNikon Coolpix L840
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX160 IS Nikon Coolpix L840
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2013-06-21 2015-02-10
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-448mm (16.0x) 23-855mm (37.2x)
Highest aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/3.0-6.5
Macro focusing distance 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/3200 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames/s 7.4 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 6.90 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync -
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/2000 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p), 1280 x 720 (30p, 25p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 291 gr (0.64 lbs) 538 gr (1.19 lbs)
Dimensions 111 x 73 x 44mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.7") 114 x 89 x 96mm (4.5" x 3.5" x 3.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 380 shots 590 shots
Battery style AA AA
Battery ID 2 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SC/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Cost at launch $199 $400