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Nikon L820 vs Panasonic FZ40

Portability
72
Imaging
39
Features
28
Overall
34
Nikon Coolpix L820 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 front
Portability
68
Imaging
36
Features
40
Overall
37

Nikon L820 vs Panasonic FZ40 Key Specs

Nikon L820
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 23-675mm (F3.0-5.8) lens
  • 470g - 111 x 76 x 85mm
  • Revealed January 2013
  • Earlier Model is Nikon L810
  • Renewed by Nikon L830
Panasonic FZ40
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 494g - 120 x 80 x 92mm
  • Launched July 2010
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-FZ45
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Nikon L820 vs Panasonic FZ40 Overview

Here, we will be matching up the Nikon L820 and Panasonic FZ40, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the L820 (16MP) and the FZ40 (14MP) is relatively well matched and both cameras provide the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The L820 was released 2 years later than the FZ40 and that is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before getting straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the L820 matches up vs the FZ40 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Nikon L820 over the Panasonic FZ40

 L820 FZ40 
LaunchedJanuary 2013July 2010More recent by 31 months
Screen resolution921k230kSharper screen (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ40 over the Nikon L820

 FZ40 L820 
Focus manually More accurate focusing

Common features in the Nikon L820 and Panasonic FZ40

 L820 FZ40 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Nikon L820 vs Panasonic FZ40 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to lug around your camera often, you need to consider its weight and size. The Nikon L820 has got outer measurements of 111mm x 76mm x 85mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 3.3") with a weight of 470 grams (1.04 lbs) and the Panasonic FZ40 has specifications of 120mm x 80mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") having a weight of 494 grams (1.09 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon L820 and Panasonic FZ40 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you choose at the time. Below is a front view overall size comparison of the L820 compared to the FZ40.

Nikon L820 vs Panasonic FZ40 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the L820 and FZ40 is 72 and 68 respectively.

Nikon L820 vs Panasonic FZ40 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L820 vs Panasonic FZ40 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's difficult to see the contrast between sensor measurements just by looking at specs. The graphic underneath will provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the L820 and FZ40.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same resolution. You should count on the Nikon L820 to give you more detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will help you crop photographs way more aggressively. The younger L820 will have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon L820 vs Panasonic FZ40 sensor size comparison

Nikon L820 vs Panasonic FZ40 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L820 vs Panasonic FZ40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L820 Portrait photography information
Panasonic FZ40 Portrait photography information
30
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
manual focus not available
no manual control
can't use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
45
has manual focus
good MP (14 megapixels)
exports RAW formats
external flash not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Nikon L820 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic FZ40 as a Street photography camera
38
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
more heavy than others (470g)
51
built in image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
more heavy than competition in class (494g)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L820 Sports photography features
Panasonic FZ40 Sports photography features
36
incredible zoom range (23-675mm 29.3 x zoom)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
43
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14 megapixels)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L820 Travel photography advice
Panasonic FZ40 Travel photography advice
56
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (23mm)
long reach (675mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
more heavy than others (470g)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
54
good MP (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
long reach (600mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition in class (494g)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L820 Landscape photography information
Panasonic FZ40 Landscape photography information
36
really wide (23mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
no manual control
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse function
51
has manual focus
relatively wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14MP)
exports RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L820 Vlogging info
Panasonic FZ40 Vlogging info
24
really wide (23mm)
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have microphone port
more heavy than others (470g)
22
relatively wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external microphone jack
more heavy than competition in class (494g)
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Nikon L820 vs Panasonic FZ40 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L820 and Panasonic FZ40
 Nikon Coolpix L820Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40
General Information
Make Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix L820 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40
Alternative name - Lumix DMC-FZ45
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2013-01-29 2010-07-21
Body design SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Powered by - Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.16 x 4.62mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.5mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO 125 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 23-675mm (29.3x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.0-5.8 f/2.8-5.2
Macro focusing distance - 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 921k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 60 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 8.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 9.50 m
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format - AVCHD Lite
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 470 gr (1.04 pounds) 494 gr (1.09 pounds)
Physical dimensions 111 x 76 x 85mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 3.3") 120 x 80 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6")
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 320 shots -
Style of battery AA -
Battery ID 4 x AA -
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 pictures))
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $192 $420