Canon SX40 HS vs Nikon Coolpix P510: A Deep Dive into Two Superzoom Bridge Cameras

Stepping into the realm of large zoom bridge cameras is like straddling the line between the simplicity of a compact and the complexity of a DSLR. The Canon PowerShot SX40 HS and Nikon Coolpix P510 are two stalwarts from an era when megapixel wars and zoom battles defined camera shopping lists. Both promise immense zoom reach, manual controls, and enthusiast-friendly features, but how do they actually stack up in the hands of a photographer who has put thousands of shots through cameras of similar ilk? After putting these two through their paces across various photography genres and testing scenarios - as well as dissecting their technical bones - I’m here to share what matters, what dazzles, and what disappoints.

Let’s embark on a thorough exploration, breaking down everything from image quality to ergonomics, and from autofocus prowess to video capabilities. Buckle up - and let’s zoom!

First Impressions and Handling: Size, Feel, and Controls

The SX40 HS and the P510 are both bridge cameras designed to offer DSLR-style controls with the convenience of a fixed superzoom lens. But as I often tell shooters: size and ergonomics are silently critical - they’re the filter through which every photo experience is tempered.

Canon’s SX40 HS presents a slightly larger and heftier package. Measuring approximately 123x92x108 mm and weighing in at 600 grams, it feels robust and reassuringly substantial in my grip. Nikon’s P510 is a bit more compact at 120x83x102 mm and lighter by about 45 grams. That may seem minor, but for extended shooting periods - travel days or wildlife waits - it counts.

Both have the characteristic SLR-like shape with pronounced grips and plenty of external buttons, but differences surface upon closer inspection. The SX40’s layout boasts a fully articulated 2.7-inch swivel screen, which I found immensely handy when shooting tricky angles or recording video. Nikon’s P510 has a larger 3.0-inch tilting display with better resolution (921k dots vs. Canon’s 230k dots), making it easier to frame and review images outdoors.

Now, the control schemes themselves - peek at this top-down view:

Canon’s button placement leans towards traditional DSLR ergonomics, with dedicated dials for ISO, exposure compensation, and shooting modes. Nikon, while still rich in controls, has fewer dedicated buttons and relies more on menus - a downside if you thrive on tactile, quick adjustments during fast-paced sessions.

My takeaway: If you prize physical control and a fully articulated screen, the Canon SX40 HS nudges ahead. But those concerned about portability or prefer a sharper, larger rear screen might favor Nikon’s P510.

Sensor and Image Quality: Pixels and Performance in the Real World

Both cameras share the same sensor size - a 1/2.3” BSI-CMOS sensor, measuring 6.17x4.55 mm, about 28 mm² surface area. But the Nikon edges out in resolution with 16 megapixels (4608x3456), compared to Canon’s 12 megapixels (4000x3000).

In theory, more pixels mean finer detail, but the difference between 12 MP and 16 MP on such a small sensor isn’t dramatically impactful, especially considering noise performance and pixel pitch. The Canon’s larger pixels (in relative terms) can sometimes translate to somewhat better noise control at higher ISOs. Both cameras max out at ISO 3200, but neither excels in low light - something to keep in mind depending on your shooting style (more on this later).

From my controlled shooting sessions - both in outdoor daylight and under indoor tungsten lighting - the Nikon P510 produced images with slightly punchier colors and better apparent resolution. However, Canon’s images were more consistent in rendering pleasing skin tones and generally handled highlight rolloff nicely, making it my personal pick for portrait situations.

The Canon’s anti-aliasing filter (present on both, which generally softens images slightly) dulled micro-detail but helped reduce moire - a tradeoff I’ve often seen with superzoom cameras.

When it came to dynamic range, neither camera delivered miracles. However, Nikon’s processor (Expeed C2) seemed more efficient at maintaining detail in shadows, a small victory for landscape shooters after the sun dips behind the ridge.

LCD and Viewfinder: How You See the World Matters

Both cameras sport electronic viewfinders (EVF) and LCDs, but the experience varies.

Canon’s PureColor II VA TFT LCD is fully articulated but at a modest resolution of 230k dots. It’s serviceable but somewhat grainy and tricky to interpret in bright daylight.

Nikon’s P510 offers a tilting 3-inch 921k-dot TFT LCD with anti-reflection coating. It feels positively crisp compared to the Canon’s, which made framing and reviewing images a breeze during sunny hikes.

As for EVFs, neither camera provides detailed resolution specs, but from practical use, they felt similar - both adequate for composing shots but lacking the clarity of modern EVFs you’d find on top-tier mirrorless models.

If you rely heavily on LCD for composition and playback, Nikon is the winner here.

Autofocus Systems: Speed, Accuracy, and Real-World Behavior

Autofocus is the backbone of many genres, particularly wildlife, sports, and street photography. Let’s dissect.

The Canon SX40 HS uses a 9-point contrast-detection AF system with face detection and selective AF modes. It supports continuous AF - which is rather unique in this category and generation - and it works reasonably well in decent light. Yet, the contrast-based system sometimes hunts in dim or low-contrast scenes, making it frustrating for fast action.

The Nikon P510, however, employs a somewhat more complex AF system, with face detection and AF tracking capabilities. Despite lacking continuous AF in live view, in practice I found the P510 slightly more successful in tracking moving subjects, likely aided by its sophisticated Expeed processor.

In burst scenarios, Canon’s 10 fps continuous shooting rate is impressive but hampered by small buffer sizes. Nikon’s 7 fps is more manageable but also limited by buffer and slower write speeds.

For wildlife and sports: Nikon’s AF tracking and shutter speed range (up to 1/8000s) give it a slight edge for freeze-frame fast subjects or bright-light shooting.

Lens and Zoom Capability: How Far Can They Go?

This is where both cameras really flex their superzoom muscles.

Canon’s SX40 HS boasts a 24–840 mm equivalent zoom (35×), with a maximum aperture range of f/2.7–5.8. The fast wide end (f/2.7) is great for low light and portraiture; however, the aperture narrows at the tele end, which can affect sharpness and bokeh quality.

Nikon’s P510 extends further with a 24–1000 mm equivalent zoom (41.7×), starting at f/3.0 and closing to f/5.9. That extra reach is seductive - especially to birders or distant wildlife shooters.

The question, inevitably, is whether image quality holds up at these extremes. Both lenses display some softness and chromatic aberration at max zoom, but thankfully in-camera processing and lens correction help tame these issues. Still, handholding at 1000 mm is a challenge, and the efficacy of image stabilization becomes vital.

And speaking of stabilization...

Image Stabilization: Do They Keep It Steady?

Both cameras utilize optical image stabilization systems designed to combat handshake - a necessity given their massive zoom ranges.

The Canon SX40 HS uses an effective optical stabilizer (details undisclosed), and in my shoots, it managed to yield sharp images handheld at surprisingly slow shutter speeds for telephoto shots.

Nikon’s P510 also features optical vibration reduction and performed slightly better in my tests, especially at maximum zoom, where it allowed relatively stable framing without resorting to tripods.

While I don't have specialized gear to quantify stabilization in “stops” advantage, my subjective review suggests P510’s system is just a touch more effective at taming camera shake in challenging zoom and low-light conditions.

Battery Life and Storage: Endurance for a Day in the Field

Battery life is often an afterthought, but a camera that dies before golden hour hurts.

Canon’s SX40 HS packs a rechargeable NB-10L battery, rated at approximately 380 shots per charge. Nikon’s P510 holds an EN-EL5 battery with a significantly shorter life of around 200 shots.

In practice, the Canon lasted comfortably through a full day of moderate shooting, including bursts and video clips. Nikon required more frequent backups or spare batteries - a critical consideration if you’re away from recharge points.

Both use SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, with single card slots - standard fare for this class.

Video Capabilities: Can They Double as Video Cameras?

In an age where stills and video blend seamlessly, how do these two fare?

Canon’s SX40 HS shoots Full HD 1080p at 24 fps and HD 720p at 30 fps, with additional options for slow-motion at lower resolutions (up to 240 fps at 320x240). The articulating screen aids video framing, but a lack of microphone and headphone ports limits audio control. No 4K or advanced modes here, unsurprisingly.

Nikon’s P510 matches Full HD (1080p) at 15 or 30 fps and 720p at 60 fps, with 120 fps slow-motion at VGA resolution. No external mic inputs, but timelapse recording is built-in - a small but welcome bonus for creative video endeavors.

Neither camera targets serious videographers, but for casual movies, they’re both adequate. Canon’s video quality felt slightly smoother, while Nikon’s higher slow-mo fps adds creative flexibility.

Specialty Photography: Macro, Night, Street, Travel, and More

Having covered the basics, let’s jump through the less obvious but equally important use cases…

Macro

Canon’s SX40 HS impresses with a claimed macro focus distance of 0 cm - meaning you can get almost lens-tip close. In practice, this allows fascinating close-ups of flowers, insects, and textures with nice background separation, despite the small sensor.

Nikon P510’s macro focus floor sits at 2 cm, still excellent but less flexible. Both cameras benefit from decent focusing precision in macro mode.

Night and Astro

Neither camera excels in night or astrophotography due to sensor size and modest ISO ranges limiting noise control. Canon’s slightly larger pixels and higher maximum shutter speed (up to 1/3200 s vs Nikon’s 1/8000 s max but slower at longer exposures) offer some options for creative long exposures, but don’t expect stellar starfield shots.

Street Photography

Weight and discreetness are generally adversaries here. The SX40 HS’s articulated screen lets you shoot from waist level for more candid shots, while Nikon’s sharper tilting screen is less flexible for quick street framing. Both have large lenses that call attention on the street; neither is inconspicuous.

Travel

Versatility and battery life tip the scale for travel. The Canon’s longer battery life and articulation win favor, but Nikon’s longer zoom might be tempting for birdwatchers or remote landscapes. Size-wise, Nikon’s slightly smaller build means it fits better in travel packs.

Professional Considerations: Reliability and Workflow

For professionals looking at these bridges as workhorses or backups, there are limitations to keep in mind.

Neither model supports RAW capture - a dealbreaker for serious postprocessing control. Both shoot JPEG-only, which constrains dynamic range and detail recovery.

Build quality is decent but not weather-sealed. Neither is shockproof or freezeproof, so harsh environments require caution.

Connectivity is limited to Eye-Fi card compatibility and USB 2.0. Neither has modern wireless options like Bluetooth or NFC, though Nikon does have built-in GPS for geotagging - a nice touch for travel or wildlife shoots.

Value Assessment: Price vs. Performance

Currently, Canon’s SX40 HS can be found for around $330, while Nikon’s P510 trades at nearly double - about $600.

Canon provides excellent bang for your buck with longer battery life, full articulation, faster burst shooting, and slightly better low-light exposure control.

Nikon lures with greater zoom reach, a bigger and sharper screen, GPS, and marginally better image stabilization.

For budget-conscious buyers who want solid handling and image quality, Canon is a logical pick. Enthusiasts craving that extra zoom and don’t mind smaller battery life or a slightly more constrained AF system might prefer Nikon.

Summing It Up: Which Superzoom Bridge Camera Should You Choose?

To distill this comparison, here’s how I assess them for various shooting needs:

Canon SX40 HS front Canon SX40 HS screen back Nikon P510 front Nikon P510 screen back

Portrait Photography

Canon wins for natural skin tones and usable face-detection autofocus. Its faster wide aperture aids background separation.

Landscape Photography

Nikon’s higher resolution sensor and better dynamic range tip scales here, but neither camera can match higher-end mirrorless or DSLRs.

Wildlife Photography

Nikon’s longer zoom and better tracking AF system deliver more punch.

Sports Photography

Canon’s higher continuous shooting (10 fps) is handy, but limited buffer and contrast-detect AF hinder fast action.

Street Photography

Neither is ideal due to size and noise; Canon’s articulated screen aids in candid framing.

Macro Photography

Canon’s close focus gives it a slight advantage.

Night and Astro Photography

Both struggle, but Canon provides more shutter speed flexibility.

Video Capabilities

Canon’s fully articulated screen and slightly better stabilization make it friendlier for casual video.

Travel Photography

Canon wins on battery life and screen versatility; Nikon’s zoom and GPS shine for specialized travel.

Professional Work

Neither camera is a professional staple given no RAW support, limited connectivity, or ruggedness.

Final Thoughts

The Canon SX40 HS and Nikon Coolpix P510 are classic superzoom bridge cameras that continue to offer viable options for photography enthusiasts on moderate budgets. Both have strengths that cater to different priorities - in handling, zoom reach, autofocus, and battery life.

If you want faster burst shooting, an articulated screen, and better battery conservation, Canon’s SX40 HS is your pal. Want more zoom reach, sharper screens, and GPS functionality? Nikon’s P510 is worth the premium.

Neither will replace a DSLR or mirrorless system for advanced or professional photo work, but they are capable travel companions and superzoom machines for casual use and exploration.

The choice boils down to your shooting priorities, budget, and tolerance for tradeoffs. Whichever you pick, these cameras invite you to zoom far beyond standard compacts - and that, to me, is the fun heart of bridge photography.

Happy shooting!

Disclosure: All testing and comparisons were performed under consistent lighting and conditions with identical SD cards, batteries charged to full, and firmware up-to-date. Images and performance notes reflect hands-on use accumulated over several weeks of field and studio trials.