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Nikon L840 vs Panasonic SZ8

Portability
67
Imaging
40
Features
48
Overall
43
Nikon Coolpix L840 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36

Nikon L840 vs Panasonic SZ8 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
  • Previous Model is Nikon L830
Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
  • Launched January 2014
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Nikon L840 vs Panasonic SZ8 Overview

In this article, we are contrasting the Nikon L840 vs Panasonic SZ8, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the L840 (16MP) and the SZ8 (16MP) is fairly comparable and they come with the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The L840 was revealed 14 months after the SZ8 making the cameras a generation away from one another. Both cameras offer different body type with the Nikon L840 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic SZ8 being a Compact camera.

Before going straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick overview of how the L840 grades vs the SZ8 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L840 over the Panasonic SZ8

 L840 SZ8 
LaunchedFebruary 2015January 2014More modern by 14 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution921k460kClearer display (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Nikon L840

 SZ8 L840 

Common features in the Nikon L840 and Panasonic SZ8

 L840 SZ8 
Manual focus Lack of manual focus
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Nikon L840 vs Panasonic SZ8 Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry around your camera often, you have to consider its weight and proportions. The Nikon L840 provides physical dimensions of 114mm x 89mm x 96mm (4.5" x 3.5" x 3.8") with a weight of 538 grams (1.19 lbs) while the Panasonic SZ8 has measurements of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") with a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

Examine the Nikon L840 vs Panasonic SZ8 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are using at that time. Here is the front view overall size comparison of the L840 compared to the SZ8.

Nikon L840 vs Panasonic SZ8 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the L840 and SZ8 is 67 and 94 respectively.

Nikon L840 vs Panasonic SZ8 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L840 vs Panasonic SZ8 Sensor Comparison

Normally, its tough to envision the contrast in sensor sizes only by going through a spec sheet. The picture below will help provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the L840 and SZ8.

As you can see, the 2 cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the identical megapixels and you can expect comparable quality of photographs although you have to take the launch date of the cameras into account. The more modern L840 is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon L840 vs Panasonic SZ8 sensor size comparison

Nikon L840 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L840 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon L840
Portrait photography with Panasonic SZ8
35
decent MP (16 megapixels)
supports face detection focus
no manual focus
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
35
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
supports face detect focus
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon L840 Street photography factors
Panasonic SZ8 Street photography factors
51
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
more heavy than competition (538 grams)
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (159g)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon L840
Sports photography with Panasonic SZ8
51
incredible zoom range (23-855mm 37.2 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
great battery (590 shots)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
34
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery life (200 shots)
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon L840
Travel photography with Panasonic SZ8
57
great battery (590 CIPA)
decent MP (16MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (23mm)
great zoom (855mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition (538g)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.0)
67
lighter than others in class (159 grams)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
quite wide (24mm)
very long zoom (288mm)
missing Time Lapse function
bad battery life (200 per charge)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L840 Landscape photography info
Panasonic SZ8 Landscape photography info
43
pretty wide (23mm)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
great battery (590 per charge)
no manual focus
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
no manual exposure
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse mode
42
quite wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not available
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
bad battery life (200 per charge)
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon L840
Vlogging with Panasonic SZ8
27
pretty wide (23mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
doesn't have external microphone jack
more heavy than competition (538 grams)
32
quite wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focus
lighter than others in class (159 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic socket
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Nikon L840 vs Panasonic SZ8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L840 and Panasonic SZ8
 Nikon Coolpix L840Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix L840 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2015-02-10 2014-01-06
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - Venus Engine
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 6400 1600
Highest enhanced ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 23-855mm (37.2x) 24-288mm (12.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.0-6.5 f/3.1-6.3
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 921k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 8 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 7.4 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.90 m (at Auto ISO) 5.20 m
Flash modes - Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p), 1280 x 720 (30p, 25p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p) 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 538 gr (1.19 lb) 159 gr (0.35 lb)
Dimensions 114 x 89 x 96mm (4.5" x 3.5" x 3.8") 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1")
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 590 images 200 images
Style of battery AA Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SC/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Retail price $400 $275