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Canon SX40 HS vs Nikon P900

Portability
64
Imaging
36
Features
50
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot SX40 HS front
 
Nikon Coolpix P900 front
Portability
52
Imaging
41
Features
63
Overall
49

Canon SX40 HS vs Nikon P900 Key Specs

Canon SX40 HS
(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
  • Introduced September 2011
  • Previous Model is Canon SX30 IS
  • Newer Model is Canon SX50 HS
Nikon P900
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Push to 12800)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-2000mm (F2.8-6.5) lens
  • 899g - 140 x 103 x 137mm
  • Launched March 2015
  • Renewed by Nikon P1000
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Canon SX40 HS vs Nikon P900 Overview

Here, we are analyzing the Canon SX40 HS and Nikon P900, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by brands Canon and Nikon. There exists a sizeable gap between the image resolutions of the SX40 HS (12MP) and P900 (16MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SX40 HS was announced 4 years before the P900 which is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras feature the same body design (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before getting into a step-by-step comparison, here is a short highlight of how the SX40 HS scores versus the P900 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon SX40 HS over the Nikon P900

 SX40 HS P900 

Reasons to pick Nikon P900 over the Canon SX40 HS

 P900 SX40 HS 
LaunchedMarch 2015September 2011Newer by 42 months
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kCrisper display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX40 HS and Nikon P900

 SX40 HS P900 
Manual focus Very accurate focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated display
Selfie screen Both are selfie friendly
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Canon SX40 HS vs Nikon P900 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to travel with your camera, you need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Canon SX40 HS features physical dimensions of 123mm x 92mm x 108mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 4.3") having a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) whilst the Nikon P900 has proportions of 140mm x 103mm x 137mm (5.5" x 4.1" x 5.4") having a weight of 899 grams (1.98 lbs).

Look at the Canon SX40 HS and Nikon P900 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have at that moment. Following is a front view measurements comparison of the SX40 HS against the P900.

Canon SX40 HS vs Nikon P900 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX40 HS and P900 is 64 and 52 respectively.

Canon SX40 HS vs Nikon P900 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX40 HS vs Nikon P900 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very difficult to picture the contrast between sensor dimensions merely by going over a spec sheet. The picture below will offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the SX40 HS and P900.

As you can see, both of these cameras feature the identical sensor size but different resolution. You should expect to see the Nikon P900 to offer extra detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop photos way more aggressively. The more aged SX40 HS is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon SX40 HS vs Nikon P900 sensor size comparison

Canon SX40 HS vs Nikon P900 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX40 HS vs Nikon P900 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX40 HS as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon P900 as a Portrait photography camera
41
manual focus
high flash sync speed (1/2,000 seconds)
features face detection focusing
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
44
you can focus manually
MP count decent (16MP)
provides face detect focus
can't use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX40 HS Street photography advice
Nikon P900 Street photography advice
49
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
more heavy than average (600 grams)
45
screen articulates
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
heavier than competition (899g)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX40 HS as a Sports photography camera
Nikon P900 as a Sports photography camera
43
great zoom range (24-840mm 35.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
better than average battery life (380 CIPA)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
56
long zoom range (24-2000mm 83.3 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
better than average battery pack (360 shots)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX40 HS as a Travel photography camera
Nikon P900 as a Travel photography camera
55
better than average battery life (380 shots)
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
rather wide (24mm)
very long zoom (840mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
more heavy than average (600g)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
60
better than average battery pack (360 shots)
connects via bluetooth
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
rather wide (24mm)
very long zoom (2000mm)
heavier than competition (899g)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX40 HS as a Landscape photography camera
Nikon P900 as a Landscape photography camera
38
manual focus
rather wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
better than average battery life (380 per charge)
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
does not have Timelapse recording
51
you can focus manually
rather wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
better than average battery pack (360 per charge)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX40 HS Vlogging features
Nikon P900 Vlogging features
57
rather wide (24mm)
selfie friendly screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
does not have external microphone socket
more heavy than average (600 grams)
54
rather wide (24mm)
display is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have mic socket
heavier than competition (899 grams)
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Canon SX40 HS vs Nikon P900 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX40 HS and Nikon P900
 Canon PowerShot SX40 HSNikon Coolpix P900
General Information
Brand Name Canon Nikon
Model Canon PowerShot SX40 HS Nikon Coolpix P900
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2011-09-15 2015-03-02
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor - Expeed C2
Sensor type BSI-CMOS 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 12MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Highest enhanced ISO - 12800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-840mm (35.0x) 24-2000mm (83.3x)
Max aperture f/2.7-5.8 f/2.8-6.5
Macro focus distance 0cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Screen diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology PureColor II VA TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 921k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Features
Min shutter speed 15 secs 15 secs
Max shutter speed 1/3200 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 10.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 7.00 m 11.50 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in -
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/2000 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p) 640 x 480 (30p, 25p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file 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 Yes
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 600 gr (1.32 lbs) 899 gr (1.98 lbs)
Physical dimensions 123 x 92 x 108mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 4.3") 140 x 103 x 137mm (5.5" x 4.1" x 5.4")
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 photos 360 photos
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-10L EN-EL23
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Cost at release $330 $600