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Canon SX540 HS vs Nikon L840

Portability
69
Imaging
46
Features
44
Overall
45
Canon PowerShot SX540 HS front
 
Nikon Coolpix L840 front
Portability
67
Imaging
41
Features
48
Overall
43

Canon SX540 HS vs Nikon L840 Key Specs

Canon SX540 HS
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1200mm (F3.4-6.5) lens
  • 442g - 120 x 82 x 92mm
  • Released January 2016
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
  • Launched February 2015
  • Earlier Model is Nikon L830
Photography Glossary

Canon SX540 HS vs Nikon L840 Overview

On this page, we are evaluating the Canon SX540 HS vs Nikon L840, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by companies Canon and Nikon. There is a substantial difference between the sensor resolutions of the SX540 HS (20MP) and L840 (16MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SX540 HS was unveiled 11 months later than the L840 which means that they are both of a similar age. Each of the cameras have the same body design (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before diving straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a concise overview of how the SX540 HS matches up against the L840 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX540 HS over the Nikon L840

 SX540 HS L840 
LaunchedJanuary 2016February 2015More recent by 11 months
Manually focus Very exact focus

Reasons to pick Nikon L840 over the Canon SX540 HS

 L840 SX540 HS 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution921k461kClearer display (+460k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX540 HS and Nikon L840

 SX540 HS L840 
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Canon SX540 HS vs Nikon L840 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to lug around your camera, you will need to think about its weight and measurements. The Canon SX540 HS has got outer dimensions of 120mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") having a weight of 442 grams (0.97 lbs) while the Nikon L840 has proportions of 114mm x 89mm x 96mm (4.5" x 3.5" x 3.8") with a weight of 538 grams (1.19 lbs).

Examine the Canon SX540 HS vs Nikon L840 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have chosen during that time. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the SX540 HS against the L840.

Canon SX540 HS vs Nikon L840 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the SX540 HS and L840 is 69 and 67 respectively.

Canon SX540 HS vs Nikon L840 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX540 HS vs Nikon L840 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very hard to picture the difference between sensor measurements simply by reviewing specs. The visual underneath will give you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the SX540 HS and L840.

All in all, both cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different resolution. You can expect to see the Canon SX540 HS to offer greater detail having an extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop pics a bit more aggressively. The more recent SX540 HS provides an edge in sensor tech.

Canon SX540 HS vs Nikon L840 sensor size comparison

Canon SX540 HS vs Nikon L840 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX540 HS vs Nikon L840 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX540 HS as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon L840 as a Portrait photography camera
47
manual focus
megapixel count good (20MP)
comes with face detection autofocus
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
36
good MP (16MP)
features face detect focus
no manual focus
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX540 HS
Street photography with Nikon L840
48
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
51
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Optical)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
heavier than average in class (538g)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX540 HS Sports photography factors
Nikon L840 Sports photography factors
44
great zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (20MP)
continuous shooting slow (5.9 fps)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (205 shots)
lacks phase detect autofocus
51
long zoom range (23-855mm 37.2 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
features tracking focus
better than average battery power (590 CIPA)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX540 HS Travel photography highlights
Nikon L840 Travel photography highlights
56
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
quite wide (24mm)
very long zoom (1200mm)
missing Timelapse mode
not so great battery power (205 CIPA)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
57
better than average battery power (590 per charge)
good MP (16MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (23mm)
very long reach (855mm)
no Time Lapse recording
heavier than average in class (538 grams)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX540 HS Landscape photography advice
Nikon L840 Landscape photography advice
48
manual focus
quite wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (20MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
not so great battery power (205 CIPA)
missing Timelapse mode
43
decently wide (23mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
better than average battery power (590 CIPA)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
no manual mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX540 HS Vlogging factors
Nikon L840 Vlogging factors
29
quite wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
missing external microphone jack
27
decently wide (23mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
no mic support
heavier than average in class (538 grams)
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Canon SX540 HS vs Nikon L840 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX540 HS and Nikon L840
 Canon PowerShot SX540 HSNikon Coolpix L840
General Information
Brand Name Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX540 HS Nikon Coolpix L840
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2016-01-05 2015-02-10
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor DIGIC 6 -
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 area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3
Maximum resolution 5184 x 3888 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-1200mm (50.0x) 23-855mm (37.2x)
Maximal aperture f/3.4-6.5 f/3.0-6.5
Macro focusing range 0cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 461k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 5.9 frames per sec 7.4 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.50 m (at Auto ISO) 6.90 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, on, off, slow synchro -
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p), 1280 x 720 (30p, 25p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 442g (0.97 pounds) 538g (1.19 pounds)
Physical 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 All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 205 pictures 590 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack AA
Battery ID NB-6LH -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SC/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Retail price $399 $400