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Nikon L840 vs Nikon P500

Portability
67
Imaging
41
Features
48
Overall
43
Nikon Coolpix L840 front
 
Nikon Coolpix P500 front
Portability
67
Imaging
35
Features
44
Overall
38

Nikon L840 vs Nikon P500 Key Specs

Nikon L840
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 23-855mm (F3.0-6.5) lens
  • 538g - 114 x 89 x 96mm
  • Released February 2015
  • Replaced the Nikon L830
Nikon P500
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 160 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 23-810mm (F3.4-5.7) lens
  • 494g - 116 x 84 x 103mm
  • Launched February 2011
  • Replacement is Nikon P510
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Nikon L840 vs Nikon P500 Overview

In this article, we will be matching up the Nikon L840 versus Nikon P500, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras and both of them are manufactured by Nikon. There exists a big gap among the image resolutions of the L840 (16MP) and P500 (12MP) but they use the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The L840 was revealed 4 years after the P500 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before going straight into a complete comparison, below is a short overview of how the L840 matches up versus the P500 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L840 over the Nikon P500

 L840 P500 
LaunchedFebruary 2015February 2011More modern by 49 months

Reasons to pick Nikon P500 over the Nikon L840

 P500 L840 
Manual focus Very exact focus

Common features in the Nikon L840 and Nikon P500

 L840 P500 
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement
Screen resolution921k921kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Nikon L840 vs Nikon P500 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you'll need to take into account its weight and volume. The Nikon L840 enjoys external measurements of 114mm x 89mm x 96mm (4.5" x 3.5" x 3.8") and a weight of 538 grams (1.19 lbs) and the Nikon P500 has sizing of 116mm x 84mm x 103mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 4.1") having a weight of 494 grams (1.09 lbs).

Compare the Nikon L840 versus Nikon P500 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you choose during that time. Below is the front view over all size comparison of the L840 and the P500.

Nikon L840 vs Nikon P500 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the L840 and P500 is 67 and 67 respectively.

Nikon L840 vs Nikon P500 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L840 vs Nikon P500 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is tough to see the contrast in sensor sizes merely by researching technical specs. The image below will help give you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the L840 and P500.

As you have seen, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You should count on the Nikon L840 to render greater detail because of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs far more aggressively. The newer L840 is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon L840 vs Nikon P500 sensor size comparison

Nikon L840 vs Nikon P500 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L840 vs Nikon P500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L840 Portrait photography highlights
Nikon P500 Portrait photography highlights
36
MP count good (16MP)
offers face detect focusing
manual focus not available
no manual mode
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
34
has manual focus
has face detection autofocus
can't use external flash
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon L840 Street photography info
Nikon P500 Street photography info
51
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Optical)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
heavier than competition (538 grams)
50
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
more heavy than others (494g)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L840 Sports photography advice
Nikon P500 Sports photography advice
51
great zoom range (23-855mm 37.2 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
offers tracking focus
better than average battery life (590 per charge)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
36
long zoom range (23-810mm 35.2 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has tracking autofocus
max fps low (1.0 fps)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (220 per charge)
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L840 Travel photography details
Nikon P500 Travel photography details
57
better than average battery life (590 shots)
MP count good (16MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (23mm)
very long zoom (855mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
heavier than competition (538g)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
47
built-in flash
rather wide (23mm)
great reach (810mm)
lack of Timelapse function
not so great battery power (220 CIPA)
more heavy than others (494g)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L840 as a Landscape photography camera
Nikon P500 as a Landscape photography camera
43
decently wide (23mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
better than average battery life (590 CIPA)
manual focus not available
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
no manual mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
missing Time Lapse recording
38
has manual focus
rather wide (23mm)
decent sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
not so great battery power (220 shots)
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L840 as a Vlogging camera
Nikon P500 as a Vlogging camera
27
decently wide (23mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing mic jack
heavier than competition (538g)
26
rather wide (23mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detection autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of external microphone socket
more heavy than others (494 grams)
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Nikon L840 vs Nikon P500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L840 and Nikon P500
 Nikon Coolpix L840Nikon Coolpix P500
General Information
Brand Nikon Nikon
Model type Nikon Coolpix L840 Nikon Coolpix P500
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2015-02-10 2011-02-09
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Chip - Expeed C2
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 160
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 23-855mm (37.2x) 23-810mm (35.2x)
Maximum aperture f/3.0-6.5 f/3.4-5.7
Macro focusing distance 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 921 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech - TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 8 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shooting rate 7.4fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.90 m (at Auto ISO) 8.00 m
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow-sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p), 1280 x 720 (30p, 25p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p) 1920 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
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 538 grams (1.19 lb) 494 grams (1.09 lb)
Dimensions 114 x 89 x 96mm (4.5" x 3.5" x 3.8") 116 x 84 x 103mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 4.1")
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 590 images 220 images
Battery type AA Battery Pack
Battery ID - EN-EL5
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (10 or 2 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SC/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Cost at launch $400 $399