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Nikon L840 vs Sony HX30V

Portability
67
Imaging
41
Features
48
Overall
43
Nikon Coolpix L840 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V front
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45

Nikon L840 vs Sony HX30V 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
  • Succeeded the Nikon L830
Sony HX30V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
  • Launched February 2012
  • Succeeded the Sony HX20V
  • Later Model is Sony HX50V
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Nikon L840 vs Sony HX30V Overview

Here is a in depth analysis of the Nikon L840 and Sony HX30V, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Nikon and Sony. The resolution of the L840 (16MP) and the HX30V (18MP) is fairly close and they use the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The L840 was released 2 years later than the HX30V and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras come with different body type with the Nikon L840 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony HX30V being a Compact camera.

Before going straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the L840 grades against the HX30V in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L840 over the Sony HX30V

 L840 HX30V 
LaunchedFebruary 2015February 2012Fresher by 36 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Reasons to pick Sony HX30V over the Nikon L840

 HX30V L840 
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Display resolution922k921kCrisper display (+1k dot)

Common features in the Nikon L840 and Sony HX30V

 L840 HX30V 
Display dimension3"3"Identical display size
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch display Absent Touch display

Nikon L840 vs Sony HX30V Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry your camera frequently, you have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Nikon L840 features external dimensions of 114mm x 89mm x 96mm (4.5" x 3.5" x 3.8") and a weight of 538 grams (1.19 lbs) whilst the Sony HX30V has proportions of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") with a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

Check out the Nikon L840 and Sony HX30V in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are utilising at the time. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the L840 versus the HX30V.

Nikon L840 vs Sony HX30V size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the L840 and HX30V is 67 and 90 respectively.

Nikon L840 vs Sony HX30V top view buttons comparison

Nikon L840 vs Sony HX30V Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor sizing simply by looking through technical specs. The graphic underneath will help offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the L840 and HX30V.

As you can tell, each of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but not the same resolution. You should anticipate the Sony HX30V to render extra detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop photos somewhat more aggressively. The younger L840 will have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon L840 vs Sony HX30V sensor size comparison

Nikon L840 vs Sony HX30V Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L840 vs Sony HX30V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L840 Portrait photography advice
Sony HX30V Portrait photography advice
36
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
includes face detect focus
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
45
has manual focus
resolution is good (18MP)
comes with face detection focusing
external flash not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon L840 Street photography highlights
Sony HX30V Street photography highlights
51
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Optical)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
more heavy than others (538g)
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (254g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L840 Sports photography highlights
Sony HX30V Sports photography highlights
51
great zoom range (23-855mm 37.2 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
better than average battery power (590 per charge)
no shutter priority
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
49
amazing zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (18MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L840 Travel photography details
Sony HX30V Travel photography details
57
better than average battery power (590 shots)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (23mm)
long zoom (855mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
more heavy than others (538g)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
69
lighter than others in class (254 grams)
resolution is good (18MP)
has built in flash
quite wide (25mm)
long reach (500mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon L840
Landscape photography with Sony HX30V
43
rather wide (23mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
better than average battery power (590 CIPA)
lack of manual focus
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
lack of manual exposure
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
lack of Timelapse recording
50
has manual focus
quite wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L840 Vlogging details
Sony HX30V Vlogging details
27
rather wide (23mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
lack of microphone port
more heavy than others (538 grams)
34
quite wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others in class (254g)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of external mic jack
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Nikon L840 vs Sony HX30V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L840 and Sony HX30V
 Nikon Coolpix L840Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon Coolpix L840 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2015-02-10 2012-02-28
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - BIONZ
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 megapixels 18 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4896 x 3672
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 23-855mm (37.2x) 25-500mm (20.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.0-6.5 f/3.2-5.8
Macro focusing range 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 921k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology - XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 7.4 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.90 m (at Auto ISO) 7.10 m
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p), 1280 x 720 (30p, 25p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 538g (1.19 pounds) 254g (0.56 pounds)
Dimensions 114 x 89 x 96mm (4.5" x 3.5" x 3.8") 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4")
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 pictures 320 pictures
Type of battery AA Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SC/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at launch $400 $420