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Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon L840

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
41
Overall
40
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix L840 front
Portability
67
Imaging
41
Features
48
Overall
43

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon L840 Key Specs

Canon SX170 IS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-448mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 251g - 108 x 71 x 44mm
  • Announced August 2013
  • Replaced the Canon SX160 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
  • Introduced February 2015
  • Replaced the Nikon L830
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Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon L840 Overview

Here, we will be reviewing the Canon SX170 IS versus Nikon L840, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by competitors Canon and Nikon. The resolution of the SX170 IS (16MP) and the L840 (16MP) is relatively similar and both cameras provide the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SX170 IS was brought out 17 months earlier than the L840 which makes them a generation away from each other. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Canon SX170 IS being a Compact camera and the Nikon L840 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before delving straight to a thorough comparison, here is a simple overview of how the SX170 IS matches up against the L840 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Nikon L840

 SX170 IS L840 
Manual focus Dial precise focusing

Reasons to pick Nikon L840 over the Canon SX170 IS

 L840 SX170 IS 
IntroducedFebruary 2015August 2013Newer by 17 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution921k230kSharper screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX170 IS and Nikon L840

 SX170 IS L840 
Screen size3"3"Same screen size
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon L840 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to travel with your camera, you're going to have to consider its weight and proportions. The Canon SX170 IS features external measurements of 108mm x 71mm x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") with a weight of 251 grams (0.55 lbs) whilst the Nikon L840 has measurements of 114mm x 89mm x 96mm (4.5" x 3.5" x 3.8") and a weight of 538 grams (1.19 lbs).

Contrast the Canon SX170 IS versus Nikon L840 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Below is a front view over all size comparison of the SX170 IS vs the L840.

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon L840 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the SX170 IS and L840 is 88 and 67 respectively.

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon L840 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon L840 Sensor Comparison

Generally, its tough to imagine the contrast between sensor dimensions only by reviewing specs. The image below should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the SX170 IS and L840.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras come with the identical sensor size and the exact same megapixels so you should expect similar quality of pictures however you have to take the production date of the products into consideration. The more aged SX170 IS is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon L840 sensor size comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon L840 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon L840 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX170 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon L840 as a Portrait photography camera
44
has manual focus
decent MP (16 megapixels)
offers face detection focusing
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
36
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
features face detect focusing
no manual focus
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Street photography highlights
Nikon L840 Street photography highlights
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (251 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
51
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
heavier than competitors (538g)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Sports photography factors
Nikon L840 Sports photography factors
48
incredible zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
max fps low (1.0 fps)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
51
incredible zoom range (23-855mm 37.2 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
features tracking focus
great battery pack (590 shots)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SX170 IS
Travel photography with Nikon L840
68
lighter than competition in class (251g)
decent MP (16MP)
built-in flash
really wide (28mm)
very long reach (448mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
57
great battery pack (590 per charge)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (23mm)
great zoom (855mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
heavier than competitors (538g)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Landscape photography details
Nikon L840 Landscape photography details
49
has manual focus
really wide (28mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
missing Time Lapse mode
43
rather wide (23mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
great battery pack (590 per charge)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
lack of manual exposure
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX170 IS
Vlogging with Nikon L840
31
really wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focusing
lighter than competition in class (251g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external mic jack
27
rather wide (23mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
missing mic socket
heavier than competitors (538 grams)
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Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon L840 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX170 IS and Nikon L840
 Canon PowerShot SX170 ISNikon Coolpix L840
General Information
Brand Canon Nikon
Model Canon PowerShot SX170 IS Nikon Coolpix L840
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2013-08-22 2015-02-10
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor 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 surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-448mm (16.0x) 23-855mm (37.2x)
Maximal aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/3.0-6.5
Macro focus distance 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 4s
Max shutter speed 1/3200s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames/s 7.4 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.00 m 6.90 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off -
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported 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)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 251 grams (0.55 pounds) 538 grams (1.19 pounds)
Physical dimensions 108 x 71 x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") 114 x 89 x 96mm (4.5" x 3.5" x 3.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 300 pictures 590 pictures
Battery type Battery Pack AA
Battery model NB-6LH -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SC/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at release $0 $400