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Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon L840

Portability
69
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot SX520 HS front
 
Nikon Coolpix L840 front
Portability
67
Imaging
40
Features
48
Overall
43

Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon L840 Key Specs

Canon SX520 HS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1008mm (F3.4-6.0) lens
  • 441g - 120 x 82 x 92mm
  • Released July 2014
  • Replaced the Canon SX510 HS
  • Replacement is Canon SX530 HS
Nikon L840
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 23-855mm (F3.0-6.5) lens
  • 538g - 114 x 89 x 96mm
  • Introduced February 2015
  • Earlier Model is Nikon L830
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Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon L840 Overview

Its time to look closer at the Canon SX520 HS and Nikon L840, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by rivals Canon and Nikon. The image resolution of the SX520 HS (16MP) and the L840 (16MP) is very well matched and they use the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SX520 HS was unveiled 6 months earlier than the L840 so they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras offer different body type with the Canon SX520 HS being a Compact camera and the Nikon L840 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before delving in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick summation of how the SX520 HS scores against the L840 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon SX520 HS over the Nikon L840

 SX520 HS L840 
Manual focus Dial exact focus

Reasons to pick Nikon L840 over the Canon SX520 HS

 L840 SX520 HS 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution921k461kCrisper display (+460k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX520 HS and Nikon L840

 SX520 HS L840 
IntroducedJuly 2014February 2015Similar generation
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display size
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Missing Touch display

Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon L840 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to lug around your camera, you need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX520 HS comes with outer measurements of 120mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") having a weight of 441 grams (0.97 lbs) while the Nikon L840 has dimensions of 114mm x 89mm x 96mm (4.5" x 3.5" x 3.8") having a weight of 538 grams (1.19 lbs).

Examine the Canon SX520 HS and Nikon L840 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the SX520 HS versus the L840.

Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon L840 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX520 HS and L840 is 69 and 67 respectively.

Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon L840 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon L840 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be hard to see the difference between sensor measurements simply by looking at specifications. The graphic below will help give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the SX520 HS and L840.

Plainly, each of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the identical megapixels so you should expect similar quality of photos although you will want to take the release date of the products into consideration.

Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon L840 sensor size comparison

Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon L840 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon L840 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SX520 HS
Portrait photography with Nikon L840
44
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16MP)
features face detection focus
can't use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
35
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
provides face detection autofocus
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX520 HS
Street photography with Nikon L840
46
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
51
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
heavier than average in class (538 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX520 HS as a Sports photography camera
Nikon L840 as a Sports photography camera
45
amazing zoom range (24-1008mm 42.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (2.0 fps)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery power (210 shots)
has no phase detect auto focus
51
great zoom range (23-855mm 37.2 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
great battery life (590 shots)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Travel photography details
Nikon L840 Travel photography details
55
good megapixels (16MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (24mm)
long reach (1008mm)
missing Timelapse recording
low battery power (210 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.4)
57
great battery life (590 per charge)
megapixel count good (16MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (23mm)
great zoom (855mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
heavier than average in class (538g)
does not posses selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX520 HS
Landscape photography with Nikon L840
45
you can focus manually
fairly wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
low battery power (210 CIPA)
missing Timelapse recording
43
decently wide (23mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
great battery life (590 shots)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
lack of manual mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Vlogging factors
Nikon L840 Vlogging factors
29
fairly wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
display is not selfie friendly
missing external microphone port
27
decently wide (23mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
does not posses selfie friendly display
doesn't have external mic socket
heavier than average in class (538g)
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Canon SX520 HS vs Nikon L840 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX520 HS and Nikon L840
 Canon PowerShot SX520 HSNikon Coolpix L840
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Model Canon PowerShot SX520 HS Nikon Coolpix L840
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2014-07-29 2015-02-10
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 4+ -
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 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-1008mm (42.0x) 23-855mm (37.2x)
Largest aperture f/3.4-6.0 f/3.0-6.5
Macro focus range 0cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 461 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15s 4s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames per sec 7.4 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.50 m 6.90 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, on, off, slow synchro -
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p), 1280 x 720 (30p, 25p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
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 441 grams (0.97 lbs) 538 grams (1.19 lbs)
Dimensions 120 x 82 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") 114 x 89 x 96mm (4.5" x 3.5" x 3.8")
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 210 images 590 images
Style of battery Battery Pack AA
Battery model NB-6LH -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SC/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Price at release $219 $400