• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 840.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 350.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Canon SX40 HS advantages over Nikon L610

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.54 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.7 vs f/3.3
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • More telephoto lens reach
    840 mm vs 350 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Longer exposure
    15 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.3 fps vs 1.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    8 vs 4 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/3200 vs 1/1600 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Nikon L610 advantages over Canon SX40 HS

  • Less expensive
    $250 vs $430 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Thinner
    34 mm vs 107 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    240g vs 606g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    460k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

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
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • 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
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon SX40 HS

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon L610

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

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 L610
Fujifilm HS10
  • $147
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $500
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon L610 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 L610
Canon SX30 IS
  • $147
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $440
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Larger lens aperture

Compare Nikon L610 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 L610
Sony HX100V
  • $147
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $312
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Larger lens aperture

Compare Nikon L610 vs Sony HX100V

Compared to Sony H90

Canon SX40 HS
Sony H90
  • $342
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels
  • $223
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compare Canon SX40 HS vs Sony H90

Nikon L610
Sony H90
  • $147
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • HDMI out
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $223
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer exposure
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Nikon L610 vs Sony H90

Compared to Nikon L620

Canon SX40 HS
Nikon L620
  • $342
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels
  • $127
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon SX40 HS vs Nikon L620

Nikon L610
Nikon L620
  • $147
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $127
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon L610 vs Nikon L620

Compare Other Cameras?