Canon SX40 HS vs Nikon L120
64 Imaging
35 Features
50 Overall
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75 Imaging
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Canon SX40 HS vs Nikon L120 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fully Articulated Screen
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-840mm (F2.7-5.8) lens
- 600g - 123 x 92 x 108mm
- Revealed September 2011
- Superseded the Canon SX30 IS
- Successor is Canon SX50 HS
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-525mm (F3.1-5.8) lens
- 431g - 110 x 77 x 78mm
- Revealed February 2011
- Replaced the Nikon L110
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Below is a thorough review of the Canon SX40 HS versus Nikon L120, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by competitors Canon and Nikon. The image resolution of the SX40 HS (12MP) and the L120 (14MP) is pretty comparable and they come with the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").
Mastering Nature Photography with a Digital Microscope CameraThe SX40 HS was revealed 8 months later than the L120 and they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras come with different body type with the Canon SX40 HS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Nikon L120 being a Compact camera.
Before diving through a in-depth comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the SX40 HS grades versus the L120 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
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The following is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot SX40 HS and Nikon Coolpix L120. The full galleries are provided at Canon SX40 HS Gallery and Nikon L120 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX40 HS over the Nikon L120
| SX40 HS | L120 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revealed | September 2011 | February 2011 | More recent by 8 months | |
| Manually focus | Dial precise focus | |||
| Screen type | Fully Articulated | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen | |
| Selfie screen | Easy selfies |
Reasons to pick Nikon L120 over the Canon SX40 HS
| L120 | SX40 HS | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen dimension | 3" | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") | |
| Screen resolution | 921k | 230k | Crisper screen (+691k dot) |
Common features in the Canon SX40 HS and Nikon L120
| SX40 HS | L120 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Touch friendly screen | Missing Touch friendly screen |
Canon SX40 HS vs Nikon L120 Physical Comparison
If you are going to lug around your camera often, you are going to need to think about its weight and proportions. The Canon SX40 HS enjoys outer measurements of 123mm x 92mm x 108mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 4.3") along with a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) whilst the Nikon L120 has measurements of 110mm x 77mm x 78mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 3.1") along with a weight of 431 grams (0.95 lbs).
Examine the Canon SX40 HS versus Nikon L120 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you choose at that time. The following is the front view proportions comparison of the SX40 HS vs the L120.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SX40 HS and L120 is 64 and 75 respectively.
Canon SX40 HS vs Nikon L120 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it is very difficult to envision the gap in sensor measurements just by checking out a spec sheet. The visual below will give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the SX40 HS and L120.
As you can see, each of the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same resolution. You should expect the Nikon L120 to produce extra detail because of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures much more aggressively. The fresher SX40 HS is going to have an advantage in sensor tech.
Canon SX40 HS vs Nikon L120 Screen and ViewFinder
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Canon SX40 HS vs Nikon L120 Specifications
| Canon PowerShot SX40 HS | Nikon Coolpix L120 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand Name | Canon | Nikon |
| Model | Canon PowerShot SX40 HS | Nikon Coolpix L120 |
| Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
| Revealed | 2011-09-15 | 2011-02-09 |
| Physical type | SLR-like (bridge) | Compact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor | - | Expeed C2 |
| Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CCD |
| 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 | 12 megapixels | 14 megapixels |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
| Highest resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4320 x 3240 |
| Highest native ISO | 3200 | 6400 |
| Minimum native ISO | 100 | 80 |
| RAW files | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Touch focus | ||
| AF continuous | ||
| Single AF | ||
| Tracking AF | ||
| AF selectice | ||
| Center weighted AF | ||
| Multi area AF | ||
| Live view AF | ||
| Face detection AF | ||
| Contract detection AF | ||
| Phase detection AF | ||
| Number of focus points | 9 | 9 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens focal range | 24-840mm (35.0x) | 25-525mm (21.0x) |
| Maximal aperture | f/2.7-5.8 | f/3.1-5.8 |
| Macro focus distance | 0cm | 1cm |
| Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
| Screen | ||
| Screen type | Fully Articulated | Fixed Type |
| Screen diagonal | 2.7" | 3" |
| Screen resolution | 230 thousand dots | 921 thousand dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch function | ||
| Screen technology | PureColor II VA TFT LCD | TFT LCD with Anti-reflection coating |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | Electronic | None |
| Features | ||
| Lowest shutter speed | 15s | 4s |
| Highest shutter speed | 1/3200s | 1/4000s |
| Continuous shooting rate | 10.0 frames/s | 1.0 frames/s |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manually set exposure | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
| Change WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Integrated flash | ||
| Flash range | 7.00 m | 6.00 m |
| Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye |
| External flash | ||
| AE bracketing | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Highest flash synchronize | 1/2000s | - |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment exposure | ||
| Average exposure | ||
| Spot exposure | ||
| Partial exposure | ||
| AF area exposure | ||
| Center weighted exposure | ||
| Video features | ||
| Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (24fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 240 fps) | 1280 x 720p (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) |
| Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
| Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | Motion JPEG |
| Mic support | ||
| Headphone support | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | None |
| 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 | 600 gr (1.32 lb) | 431 gr (0.95 lb) |
| Dimensions | 123 x 92 x 108mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 4.3") | 110 x 77 x 78mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 3.1") |
| 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 | 380 shots | 330 shots |
| Form of battery | Battery Pack | AA |
| Battery model | NB-10L | 4 x AA |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (10 or 2 sec) |
| Time lapse shooting | ||
| Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
| Card slots | One | One |
| Price at launch | $330 | $300 |