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Canon SX240 HS vs Nikon L820

Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
44
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX240 HS front
 
Nikon Coolpix L820 front
Portability
72
Imaging
39
Features
28
Overall
34

Canon SX240 HS vs Nikon L820 Key Specs

Canon SX240 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.5-6.8) lens
  • 224g - 106 x 61 x 33mm
  • Revealed February 2012
  • Old Model is Canon SX230 HS
  • Refreshed by Canon SX260 HS
Nikon L820
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 23-675mm (F3.0-5.8) lens
  • 470g - 111 x 76 x 85mm
  • Announced January 2013
  • Succeeded the Nikon L810
  • Updated by Nikon L830
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Canon SX240 HS vs Nikon L820 Overview

On this page, we will be reviewing the Canon SX240 HS versus Nikon L820, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by competitors Canon and Nikon. There is a huge difference between the image resolutions of the SX240 HS (12MP) and L820 (16MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SX240 HS was brought out 11 months before the L820 and they are of a similar generation. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Canon SX240 HS being a Compact camera and the Nikon L820 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before diving right into a in-depth comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the SX240 HS scores vs the L820 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Canon SX240 HS over the Nikon L820

 SX240 HS L820 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing

Reasons to pick Nikon L820 over the Canon SX240 HS

 L820 SX240 HS 
AnnouncedJanuary 2013February 2012Newer by 11 months
Screen resolution921k461kSharper screen (+460k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX240 HS and Nikon L820

 SX240 HS L820 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen dimensions
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Neither provides Touch screen

Canon SX240 HS vs Nikon L820 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to travel with your camera frequently, you're going to have to take into account its weight and size. The Canon SX240 HS provides physical dimensions of 106mm x 61mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 224 grams (0.49 lbs) and the Nikon L820 has specifications of 111mm x 76mm x 85mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 3.3") with a weight of 470 grams (1.04 lbs).

Look at the Canon SX240 HS versus Nikon L820 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are using at the time. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the SX240 HS compared to the L820.

Canon SX240 HS vs Nikon L820 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the SX240 HS and L820 is 91 and 72 respectively.

Canon SX240 HS vs Nikon L820 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX240 HS vs Nikon L820 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's tough to visualize the gap between sensor dimensions only by reading through technical specs. The pic below may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX240 HS and L820.

As you can tell, each of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different megapixels. You should count on the Nikon L820 to give extra detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop pictures more aggressively. The more aged SX240 HS is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Canon SX240 HS vs Nikon L820 sensor size comparison

Canon SX240 HS vs Nikon L820 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX240 HS vs Nikon L820 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX240 HS Portrait photography highlights
Nikon L820 Portrait photography highlights
37
you can focus manually
provides face detection focusing
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
30
good MP (16MP)
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX240 HS
Street photography with Nikon L820
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (224g)
no articulating screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
38
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
more heavy than average (470 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX240 HS
Sports photography with Nikon L820
36
long zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
bad battery life (230 per charge)
does not have phase detect AF
36
incredible zoom range (23-675mm 29.3 x zoom)
good MP (16 megapixels)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX240 HS Travel photography info
Nikon L820 Travel photography info
61
lighter than competition (224 grams)
has built in flash
really wide (25mm)
long reach (500mm)
lack of Timelapse function
bad battery life (230 CIPA)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
56
good MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
quite wide (23mm)
very long zoom (675mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
more heavy than average (470 grams)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX240 HS Landscape photography factors
Nikon L820 Landscape photography factors
41
you can focus manually
really wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
bad battery life (230 per charge)
lack of Timelapse function
36
quite wide (23mm)
good sized screen (3")
good MP (16MP)
lack of manual focus
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
lack of manual mode
does not have image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX240 HS
Vlogging with Nikon L820
34
really wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (224g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of external microphone jack
24
quite wide (23mm)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have external microphone port
more heavy than average (470 grams)
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Canon SX240 HS vs Nikon L820 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX240 HS and Nikon L820
 Canon PowerShot SX240 HSNikon Coolpix L820
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Model Canon PowerShot SX240 HS Nikon Coolpix L820
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2012-02-07 2013-01-29
Body design Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 5 -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.16 x 4.62mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.5mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 125
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 9 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-500mm (20.0x) 23-675mm (29.3x)
Largest aperture f/3.5-6.8 f/3.0-5.8
Macro focus range 5cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 461k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech PureColor II TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 2.0fps 8.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.50 m -
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync -
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 (240 fps) 1920 x 1080
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format H.264 -
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 224 gr (0.49 lbs) 470 gr (1.04 lbs)
Physical dimensions 106 x 61 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") 111 x 76 x 85mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 230 shots 320 shots
Battery form Battery Pack AA
Battery model NB-6L 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) -
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Price at launch $0 $192