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Nikon L840 vs Olympus SH-3

Portability
67
Imaging
40
Features
48
Overall
43
Nikon Coolpix L840 front
 
Olympus Stylus SH-3 front
Portability
88
Imaging
41
Features
51
Overall
45

Nikon L840 vs Olympus SH-3 Key Specs

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
  • Replaced the Nikon L830
Olympus SH-3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 271g - 109 x 63 x 42mm
  • Launched February 2016
  • Old Model is Olympus SH-2
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Nikon L840 vs Olympus SH-3 Overview

Its time to look much closer at the Nikon L840 and Olympus SH-3, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by rivals Nikon and Olympus. The image resolution of the L840 (16MP) and the SH-3 (16MP) is relatively similar and both cameras offer the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The L840 was released 12 months prior to the SH-3 so they are of a similar age. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Nikon L840 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Olympus SH-3 being a Compact camera.

Before going right into a in-depth comparison, here is a simple summary of how the L840 grades against the SH-3 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L840 over the Olympus SH-3

 L840 SH-3 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution921k460kCrisper screen (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus SH-3 over the Nikon L840

 SH-3 L840 
LaunchedFebruary 2016February 2015More modern by 12 months
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Nikon L840 and Olympus SH-3

 L840 SH-3 
Focus manually Lack of manual focus
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Nikon L840 vs Olympus SH-3 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry around your camera regularly, you are going to need to think about its weight and volume. The Nikon L840 features external dimensions of 114mm x 89mm x 96mm (4.5" x 3.5" x 3.8") having a weight of 538 grams (1.19 lbs) while the Olympus SH-3 has sizing of 109mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") and a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs).

Compare the Nikon L840 and Olympus SH-3 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Here is a front view measurement comparison of the L840 vs the SH-3.

Nikon L840 vs Olympus SH-3 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the L840 and SH-3 is 67 and 88 respectively.

Nikon L840 vs Olympus SH-3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L840 vs Olympus SH-3 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is hard to visualise the contrast between sensor sizes purely by reading technical specs. The picture underneath will help offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the L840 and SH-3.

As you have seen, both cameras feature the identical sensor size and the same exact resolution so you can expect similar quality of images though you would want to take the age of the products into consideration. The more aged L840 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon L840 vs Olympus SH-3 sensor size comparison

Nikon L840 vs Olympus SH-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L840 vs Olympus SH-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L840 Portrait photography features
Olympus SH-3 Portrait photography features
35
resolution is good (16MP)
includes face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
no manual mode
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
44
good MP (16MP)
includes face detect focus
saves RAW formats
focusing manually not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Nikon L840 as a Street photography camera
Olympus SH-3 as a Street photography camera
51
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
heavier than average in class (538 grams)
70
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW formats
has focus via touch
lighter than others in class (271 grams)
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L840 as a Sports photography camera
Olympus SH-3 as a Sports photography camera
51
amazing zoom range (23-855mm 37.2 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
includes tracking autofocus
better than average battery power (590 shots)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
51
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16MP)
includes tracking focus
better than average battery (380 per charge)
no shutter priority
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L840 Travel photography details
Olympus SH-3 Travel photography details
57
better than average battery power (590 CIPA)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (23mm)
very long zoom (855mm)
no Time Lapse mode
heavier than average in class (538g)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.0)
74
better than average battery (380 shots)
lighter than others in class (271 grams)
has focus via touch
good MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (25mm)
great reach (600mm)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L840 as a Landscape photography camera
Olympus SH-3 as a Landscape photography camera
43
fairly wide (23mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
better than average battery power (590 CIPA)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
no manual mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
no Time Lapse mode
55
relatively wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16MP)
saves RAW formats
better than average battery (380 per charge)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon L840
Vlogging with Olympus SH-3
27
fairly wide (23mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
no external mic socket
heavier than average in class (538g)
35
relatively wide (25mm)
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detect focus
video res high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
lighter than others in class (271g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
display is not selfie friendly
doesn't have mic support
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Nikon L840 vs Olympus SH-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L840 and Olympus SH-3
 Nikon Coolpix L840Olympus Stylus SH-3
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Olympus
Model type Nikon Coolpix L840 Olympus Stylus SH-3
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2015-02-10 2016-02-08
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - TruePic VII
Sensor type CMOS BSI-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 alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 125
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 23-855mm (37.2x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.0-6.5 f/3.0-6.9
Macro focusing range 1cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 921 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting rate 7.4fps 11.5fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.90 m (at Auto ISO) 8.30 m (at ISO 3200)
Flash settings - Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off
Hot shoe
AEB
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) 3840 x 2160 (15 fps), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 538 grams (1.19 lb) 271 grams (0.60 lb)
Physical dimensions 114 x 89 x 96mm (4.5" x 3.5" x 3.8") 109 x 63 x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7")
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 shots 380 shots
Battery style AA Battery Pack
Battery ID - LI-92B
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SC/SDHC/SDXC SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $400 $579