• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 840.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800

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Differences

Canon SX40 HS advantages over Nikon D5300

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/200 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.3 fps vs 5.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Nikon D5300 advantages over Canon SX40 HS

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.92 vs 1.54 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Fast startup
    ~0.50 vs 2.6 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 600 vs 380 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    76 mm vs 107 mm
    Thinner
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • More dots on screen
    1037k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Less shutter lag
    0.29 vs 0.46 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    100 vs 8 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

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Buy the Canon SX40 HS

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Buy the Nikon D5300
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 18-140mm Lens
  • Kit with 18-55mm Lens
All D5300 Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Wide, long all-purpose zoom lens performs well; Very good image quality; Articulating LCD; Good grip; Excellent controls.

  • Rear scroll wheel is too sensitive; Low-res LCD; No lens hood included; Slow startup time; Slow cycle time.

  • Read our Canon SX40 HS Express Review

  • Excellent image quality similar to more expensive DSLRs (like the D7100); Great dynamic range; Responsive all-around performer; Excellent Full HD video-shooting quality; Built-in Wi-Fi with remote control and sharing features; Built-in GPS; Compact and lightweight size; 18-140mm kit lens performs well for its type and has a very versatile focus length range.

  • AA-filterless sensor makes it more prone to moire; Burst speed slows with highest quality 14-bit RAW images; Live View mode not as good as some competitors; No external headphone jack; GPS receiver not very sensitive.

  • Read our Nikon D5300 Review

The Competition

Compared to Fujifilm HS10

Canon SX40 HS
Fujifilm HS10
  • $342
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $500
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • RAW file ability

Compare Canon SX40 HS vs Fujifilm HS10

Nikon D5300
Fujifilm HS10
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $500
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Nikon D5300 vs Fujifilm HS10

Compared to Canon SX30 IS

Canon SX40 HS
Canon SX30 IS
  • $342
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoots 24p video
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $440
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels
  • Higher extended ISO

Compare Canon SX40 HS vs Canon SX30 IS

Nikon D5300
Canon SX30 IS
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $440
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D5300 vs Canon SX30 IS

Compared to Sony HX100V

Canon SX40 HS
Sony HX100V
  • $342
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $312
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Integrated ND filter

Compare Canon SX40 HS vs Sony HX100V

Nikon D5300
Sony HX100V
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $312
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Integrated ND filter

Compare Nikon D5300 vs Sony HX100V

Compared to Pentax K-3

Canon SX40 HS
Pentax K-3
  • $342
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon SX40 HS vs Pentax K-3

Nikon D5300
Pentax K-3
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Fast startup
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D5300 vs Pentax K-3

Compared to Canon T6s

Canon SX40 HS
Canon T6s
  • $342
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Higher max flash sync
  • $619
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon SX40 HS vs Canon T6s

Nikon D5300
Canon T6s
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup
  • $619
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • NFC

Compare Nikon D5300 vs Canon T6s

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