• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • 23.00mm - 855.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon SX500 advantages over Nikon L840

  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Lighter weight
    341g vs 538g
    Lighter weight
  • Longer exposure
    15 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 7 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Nikon L840 advantages over Canon SX500

  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • More telephoto lens reach
    855 mm vs 720 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 740 vs 195 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More dots on screen
    921k vs 461k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    7.4 fps vs 0.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

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
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • 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
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Olympus SP-610UZ

Canon SX500
Olympus SP-610UZ
  • $475
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Manual focus
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon SX500 vs Olympus SP-610UZ

Nikon L840
Olympus SP-610UZ
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compare Nikon L840 vs Olympus SP-610UZ

Compared to Canon SX510 HS

Canon SX500
Canon SX510 HS
  • $475
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon SX500 vs Canon SX510 HS

Nikon L840
Canon SX510 HS
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon L840 vs Canon SX510 HS

Compared to Nikon L830

Canon SX500
Nikon L830
  • $475
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Lighter weight
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon SX500 vs Nikon L830

Nikon L840
Nikon L830
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Shoots 60p video

Compare Nikon L840 vs Nikon L830

Compared to Canon SX420 IS

Canon SX500
Canon SX420 IS
  • $475
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Manual focus
  • HDMI out
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • More pixels

Compare Canon SX500 vs Canon SX420 IS

Nikon L840
Canon SX420 IS
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Lighter weight

Compare Nikon L840 vs Canon SX420 IS

Compared to Nikon B500

Canon SX500
Nikon B500
  • $475
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Lighter weight
  • $322
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Canon SX500 vs Nikon B500

Nikon L840
Nikon B500
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer exposure
  • $322
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Bluetooth

Compare Nikon L840 vs Nikon B500

Compare Other Cameras?