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Canon SX40 HS vs Nikon L810

Portability
64
Imaging
36
Features
50
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot SX40 HS front
 
Nikon Coolpix L810 front
Portability
74
Imaging
39
Features
38
Overall
38

Canon SX40 HS vs Nikon L810 Key Specs

Canon SX40 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-840mm (F2.7-5.8) lens
  • 600g - 123 x 92 x 108mm
  • Announced September 2011
  • Superseded the Canon SX30 IS
  • Renewed by Canon SX50 HS
Nikon L810
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 23-585mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 430g - 111 x 76 x 83mm
  • Launched February 2012
  • Newer Model is Nikon L820
Photography Glossary

Canon SX40 HS vs Nikon L810 Overview

On this page, we are evaluating the Canon SX40 HS vs Nikon L810, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by rivals Canon and Nikon. There is a significant difference between the resolutions of the SX40 HS (12MP) and L810 (16MP) but both cameras have the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SX40 HS was released 4 months prior to the L810 and they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras have different body design with the Canon SX40 HS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Nikon L810 being a Compact camera.

Before diving into a complete comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the SX40 HS grades versus the L810 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX40 HS over the Nikon L810

 SX40 HS L810 
Manually focus Very accurate focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Nikon L810 over the Canon SX40 HS

 L810 SX40 HS 
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kSharper display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX40 HS and Nikon L810

 SX40 HS L810 
LaunchedSeptember 2011February 2012Similar generation
Touch display Missing Touch display

Canon SX40 HS vs Nikon L810 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you will have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Canon SX40 HS features external dimensions of 123mm x 92mm x 108mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 4.3") along with a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) and the Nikon L810 has measurements of 111mm x 76mm x 83mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 3.3") with a weight of 430 grams (0.95 lbs).

See the Canon SX40 HS vs Nikon L810 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are working with during that time. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the SX40 HS against the L810.

Canon SX40 HS vs Nikon L810 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the SX40 HS and L810 is 64 and 74 respectively.

Canon SX40 HS vs Nikon L810 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX40 HS vs Nikon L810 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's difficult to see the gap between sensor dimensions just by reviewing technical specs. The image below might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX40 HS and L810.

As you have seen, each of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same megapixels. You should anticipate the Nikon L810 to deliver extra detail as a result of its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos more aggressively.

Canon SX40 HS vs Nikon L810 sensor size comparison

Canon SX40 HS vs Nikon L810 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX40 HS vs Nikon L810 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX40 HS Portrait photography info
Nikon L810 Portrait photography info
41
you can focus manually
flash sync is higher than normal (1/2,000s)
comes with face detection autofocus
low resolution (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
34
resolution is good (16MP)
includes face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX40 HS Street photography information
Nikon L810 Street photography information
49
screen articulates fully
image stabilization (Optical)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
heavier than competitors in class (600g)
48
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX40 HS
Sports photography with Nikon L810
43
great zoom range (24-840mm 35.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
better than average battery power (380 CIPA)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
44
long zoom range (23-585mm 25.4 x zoom)
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16MP)
max fps very slow (1.2 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX40 HS Travel photography information
Nikon L810 Travel photography information
55
better than average battery power (380 CIPA)
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
relatively wide (24mm)
very long reach (840mm)
no Time Lapse recording
heavier than competitors in class (600g)
low resolution (12MP)
slow max aperture (f2.7)
60
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (23mm)
long zoom (585mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
does not have a selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX40 HS
Landscape photography with Nikon L810
38
you can focus manually
relatively wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
better than average battery power (380 CIPA)
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.7)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
low resolution (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
no Time Lapse recording
41
fairly wide (23mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX40 HS Vlogging features
Nikon L810 Vlogging features
57
relatively wide (24mm)
display is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow max aperture (f2.7)
no external mic port
heavier than competitors in class (600 grams)
27
fairly wide (23mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detection focusing
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not have a selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external microphone socket
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Canon SX40 HS vs Nikon L810 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX40 HS and Nikon L810
 Canon PowerShot SX40 HSNikon Coolpix L810
General Information
Brand Canon Nikon
Model Canon PowerShot SX40 HS Nikon Coolpix L810
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2011-09-15 2012-02-01
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 3200 1600
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 9 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-840mm (35.0x) 23-585mm (25.4x)
Largest aperture f/2.7-5.8 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus range 0cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7" 3"
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech PureColor II VA TFT LCD TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/3200 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames/s 1.2 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 7.00 m -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow-sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/2000 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
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 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 600g (1.32 pounds) 430g (0.95 pounds)
Physical dimensions 123 x 92 x 108mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 4.3") 111 x 76 x 83mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 3.3")
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 380 pictures 300 pictures
Battery type Battery Pack AA
Battery model NB-10L 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Retail price $330 $280