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Nikon L840 vs Sony HX400V

Portability
67
Imaging
41
Features
48
Overall
43
Nikon Coolpix L840 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V front
Portability
62
Imaging
45
Features
60
Overall
51

Nikon L840 vs Sony HX400V 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
  • Announced February 2015
  • Older Model is Nikon L830
Sony HX400V
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1200mm (F2.8-6.3) lens
  • 660g - 130 x 93 x 103mm
  • Launched February 2014
  • Older Model is Sony HX300
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Nikon L840 vs Sony HX400V Overview

Below, we will be evaluating the Nikon L840 and Sony HX400V, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by brands Nikon and Sony. The sensor resolution of the L840 (16MP) and the HX400V (20MP) is relatively similar and they use the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The L840 was manufactured 13 months later than the HX400V which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before we go through a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the L840 grades against the HX400V in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L840 over the Sony HX400V

 L840 HX400V 
LaunchedFebruary 2015February 2014Fresher by 13 months

Reasons to pick Sony HX400V over the Nikon L840

 HX400V L840 
Manually focus More precise focusing

Common features in the Nikon L840 and Sony HX400V

 L840 HX400V 
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen dimensions
Screen resolution921k921kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Nikon L840 vs Sony HX400V Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry your camera, you will want to factor its weight and measurements. The Nikon L840 enjoys outside dimensions 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 Sony HX400V has proportions of 130mm x 93mm x 103mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 4.1") accompanied by a weight of 660 grams (1.46 lbs).

Check the Nikon L840 and Sony HX400V in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are using at the time. Here is the front view scale comparison of the L840 versus the HX400V.

Nikon L840 vs Sony HX400V size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the L840 and HX400V is 67 and 62 respectively.

Nikon L840 vs Sony HX400V top view buttons comparison

Nikon L840 vs Sony HX400V Sensor Comparison

Often, its hard to imagine the contrast between sensor sizing simply by reading specifications. The visual below will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the L840 and HX400V.

Plainly, both cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit different MP. You can count on the Sony HX400V to offer greater detail due to its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop photographs much more aggressively. The more modern L840 should have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon L840 vs Sony HX400V sensor size comparison

Nikon L840 vs Sony HX400V Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L840 vs Sony HX400V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L840 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony HX400V as a Portrait photography camera
36
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
provides face detection focus
no manual focus
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
51
has manual focus
good MP (20MP)
includes face detect focusing
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon L840 Street photography information
Sony HX400V Street photography information
51
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
more heavy than average (538 grams)
50
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
more heavy than competition in class (660g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon L840
Sports photography with Sony HX400V
51
great zoom range (23-855mm 37.2 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
great battery power (590 shots)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
55
incredible zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (20MP)
includes tracking focus
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L840 as a Travel photography camera
Sony HX400V as a Travel photography camera
57
great battery power (590 per charge)
resolution is good (16MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (23mm)
very long reach (855mm)
missing Timelapse mode
more heavy than average (538 grams)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
53
good MP (20MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
long reach (1200mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
more heavy than competition in class (660 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L840 Landscape photography info
Sony HX400V Landscape photography info
43
decently wide (23mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
great battery power (590 per charge)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
no manual mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
missing Timelapse mode
49
has manual focus
fairly wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (20MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L840 as a Vlogging camera
Sony HX400V as a Vlogging camera
27
decently wide (23mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
missing external microphone support
more heavy than average (538 grams)
29
fairly wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes microphone jack
slow max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
more heavy than competition in class (660g)
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Nikon L840 vs Sony HX400V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L840 and Sony HX400V
 Nikon Coolpix L840Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon Coolpix L840 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2015-02-10 2014-02-12
Body design SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz X
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 area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 20MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 5184 x 3888
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
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
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 23-855mm (37.2x) 24-1200mm (50.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.0-6.5 f/2.8-6.3
Macro focusing distance 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Tilting Tilting
Display sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of display 921 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 7.4fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.90 m (at Auto ISO) 8.50 m (ISO Auto)
Flash options - Flash Off / Autoflash / Fill-flash / Slow Sync. / Advanced Flash / Rear Sync. / Wireless (with optional compliant flash)
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p), 1280 x 720 (30p, 25p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone 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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 538g (1.19 lbs) 660g (1.46 lbs)
Dimensions 114 x 89 x 96mm (4.5" x 3.5" x 3.8") 130 x 93 x 103mm (5.1" x 3.7" 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 photos 300 photos
Battery format AA Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, portrait)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SC/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Cost at launch $400 $448