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Nikon B700 vs L840

The Nikon Coolpix B700 and the Nikon Coolpix L840 are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in February 2016 and February 2015. Both the B700 and the L840 are fixed lens compact cameras that are equipped with a 1/2.3-inch sensor. The B700 has a resolution of 20.2 megapixels, whereas the L840 provides 15.9 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications
Nikon B700
versus
Nikon L840
Nikon B700   Nikon L840
Fixed lens compact camera Fixed lens compact camera
24-1440mm f/3.3-6.5 22.5-855mm f/3.0-6.5
20.2 MP – 1/2.3" sensor 15.9 MP – 1/2.3" sensor
4K/30p Video 1080/60i Video
ISO 100-3,200 ISO 100-6,400
Electronic viewfinder (921k dots) No viewfinder, LCD framing
3.0" LCD – 921k dots 3.0" LCD – 921k dots
Swivel screen (not touch-sensitive) Tilting screen (no touchscreen)
5 shutter flaps per second 7.4 shutter flaps per second
350 shots per battery charge590 shots per battery charge
125 x 85 x 107 mm, 565 g 113 x 78 x 96 mm, 538 g
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Nikon Coolpix B700 and the Nikon Coolpix L840? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

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Body comparison

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Nikon B700 and the Nikon L840. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Both cameras are available in two different colors (black, red).

Size Nikon B700 vs Nikon L840
Compare B700 versus L840 top
Comparison B700 or L840 rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Nikon L840 is notably smaller (17 percent) than the Nikon B700. Moreover, the L840 is markedly lighter (5 percent) than the B700. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the B700 nor the L840 are weather-sealed.

The power pack in the B700 can be charged via the USB port, so that it is not always necessary to take the battery charger along when travelling.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, you can use the CAM-parator app to select your camera combination among a large number of options.

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Body Specifications
# image Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Nikon B700 125 mm 85 mm 107 mm 565 g 350 n Feb 2016 499ebay.com
2.
 
Nikon L840 113 mm 78 mm 96 mm 538 g 590 n Feb 2015 299ebay.com
3.
 
Canon SX70 127 mm 91 mm 117 mm 608 g 325 n Sep 2018 549 amazon.com
4.
 
Canon SX530 120 mm 82 mm 92 mm 442 g 210 n Jan 2015 429ebay.com
5.
 
Canon SX60 128 mm 93 mm 114 mm 650 g 340 n Sep 2014 549ebay.com
6.
 
Kodak AZ901 139 mm 104 mm 119 mm 777 g 400 n Jan 2016 499 amazon.com
7.
 
Nikon B600 122 mm 82 mm 99 mm 500 g 280 n Jan 2019 349ebay.com
8.
 
Nikon B500 114 mm 78 mm 95 mm 541 g 600 n Jan 2016 299ebay.com
9.
 
Nikon P900 140 mm 103 mm 137 mm 899 g 360 n Mar 2015 599ebay.com
10.
 
Panasonic ZS70 112 mm 67 mm 41 mm 322 g 380 n Apr 2017 449ebay.com
11.
 
Panasonic FZ80 130 mm 94 mm 119 mm 616 g 330 n Jan 2017 399ebay.com
12.
 
Sony HX350 130 mm 93 mm 103 mm 652 g 300 n Dec 2016 449ebay.com
13.
 
Sony HX90V 102 mm 58 mm 36 mm 245 g 360 n Apr 2015 429ebay.com
14.
 
Sony HX400V 130 mm 93 mm 103 mm 660 g 300 n Feb 2014 499ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The manufacturer’s suggested retail prices give an idea on the placement of the camera in the maker’s lineup and the broader market. The L840 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 40 percent) than the B700, which puts it into a different market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.

Sensor comparison

The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors are more costly to manufacture and tend to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Both cameras under consideration feature a 1/2.3-inch sensor and have a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 5.6. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the review cameras among the smaller-sensor digicams that favor affordability and compact design. Both cameras feature a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 4:3.

Nikon B700 and Nikon L840 sensor measures

While the two cameras under review share the same sensor size, the B700 offers a higher resolution of 20.2 megapixels, compared with 15.9 MP of the L840. This megapixels advantage translates into a 13 percent gain in linear resolution. On the other hand, these sensor specs imply that the B700 has a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 1.18μm versus 1.33μm for the L840). In this context, it should be noted, however, that the B700 is a somewhat more recent model (by 1 year) than the L840, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time that at least partly compensate for the smaller pixel size. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that neither of the two cameras has an anti-alias filter installed, so they are able to capture all the detail the sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Nikon B700 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the B700 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 25.9 x 19.4 inches or 65.8 x 49.4 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 20.7 x 15.6 inches or 52.7 x 39.5 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 17.3 x 13 inches or 43.9 x 32.9 cm. The corresponding values for the Nikon L840 are 23 x 17.3 inches or 58.5 x 43.9 cm for good quality, 18.4 x 13.8 inches or 46.8 x 35.1 cm for very good quality, and 15.4 x 11.5 inches or 39 x 29.3 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Nikon Coolpix B700 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 3200. The corresponding ISO settings for the Nikon Coolpix L840 are ISO 100 to ISO 6400 (no boost).

In terms of underlying technology, the B700 is build around a BSI-CMOS sensor, while the L840 uses a CMOS imager. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

B700 versus L840 MP

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.

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Sensor Characteristics
# image Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Nikon B700 1/2.3 20.2 5184 38884K/30p20.411.881848
2.
 
Nikon L840 1/2.3 15.9 4608 34561080/60i20.211.672147
3.
 
Canon SX70 1/2.3 20.2 5184 38884K/30p20.612.1106351
4.
 
Canon SX530 1/2.3 15.9 4608 34561080/30p20.211.671247
5.
 
Canon SX60 1/2.3 14.2 4608 30721080/60p19.210.812739
6.
 
Kodak AZ901 1/2.3 20.2 5184 38881080/30p20.311.780648
7.
 
Nikon B600 1/2.3 15.9 4608 34561080/30p20.712.2109552
8.
 
Nikon B500 1/2.3 15.9 4608 34561080/60i20.311.781048
9.
 
Nikon P900 1/2.3 15.9 4608 34561080/60p20.211.672747
10.
 
Panasonic ZS70 1/2.3 20.2 5184 38884K/30p19.110.610636
11.
 
Panasonic FZ80 1/2.3 18.0 4896 36724K/30p20.511.990049
12.
 
Sony HX350 1/2.3 19.9 5152 38641080/60p20.511.989649
13.
 
Sony HX90V 1/2.3 18.0 4896 36721080/60p20.211.673847
14.
 
Sony HX400V 1/2.3 20.2 5184 38881080/60p20.111.462945
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
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Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. The two cameras under consideration both have sensors whose read-out speed is fast enough to capture moving pictures, but the B700 provides a higher video resolution than the L840. It can shoot video footage at 4K/30p, while the L840 is limited to 1080/60i.

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Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. For example, the B700 has an electronic viewfinder (921k dots), which can be very helpful when shooting in bright sunlight. In contrast, the L840 relies on live view and the rear LCD for framing. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Nikon B700 and Nikon L840 along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

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Core Features
# image Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Nikon B700921 n3.0 / 921 swivel n 1/4000s 5.0/s Y Y
2.
 
Nikon L840none n3.0 / 921 tilting n 1/4000s 7.4/s Y Y
3.
 
Canon SX702360 n3.0 / 922 swivel n 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
4.
 
Canon SX530none n3.0 / 461 fixed n 1/2000s 1.6/s Y Y
5.
 
Canon SX60922 n3.0 / 922 swivel n 1/2000s 6.4/s Y Y
6.
 
Kodak AZ901202 n3.0 / 920 swivel n 1/2000s 5.0/s Y Y
7.
 
Nikon B600none n3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 7.4/s Y Y
8.
 
Nikon B500none n3.0 / 921 tilting n 1/4000s 7.4/s Y Y
9.
 
Nikon P900921 n3.0 / 921 swivel n 1/4000s 7.0/s Y Y
10.
 
Panasonic ZS701166 n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
11.
 
Panasonic FZ801166 n3.0 / 1040 fixed Y 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
12.
 
Sony HX350202 n3.0 / 922 tilting n 1/4000s 10.0/s Y Y
13.
 
Sony HX90V638 n3.0 / 921 tilting n 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
14.
 
Sony HX400V210 n3.0 / 921 tilting n 1/4000s 10.0/s Y Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
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The B700 has an articulated LCD that can be turned to be front-facing. This characteristic will be appreciated by vloggers and photographers who are interested in snapping selfies. In contrast, the L840 does not have a selfie-screen.

The Nikon B700 has an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

Both the B700 and the L840 have zoom lenses built in. The B700 has a 24-1440mm f/3.3-6.5 optic and the L840 offers a 22.5-855mm f/3.0-6.5 (focal lengths in full frame equivalent terms). Hence, the L840 provides a wider angle of view at the short end than the B700, but less tele-photo reach at the long end. The L840 offers the faster maximum aperture.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the B700 and the L840 write their files to SDXC cards.

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Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Nikon Coolpix B700 and Nikon Coolpix L840 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
# image Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Nikon B700-stereo / mono--micro2.0YYY
2.
 
Nikon L840-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
3.
 
Canon SX70-stereo / monoY-micro2.0Y-Y
4.
 
Canon SX530-stereo / mono--mini2.0YY-
5.
 
Canon SX60Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0YY-
6.
 
Kodak AZ901-stereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
7.
 
Nikon B600-stereo / mono--micro2.0Y-Y
8.
 
Nikon B500-stereo / mono--micro2.0YYY
9.
 
Nikon P900-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
10.
 
Panasonic ZS70-stereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
11.
 
Panasonic FZ80Ystereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
12.
 
Sony HX350-stereo / mono--micro2.0---
13.
 
Sony HX90V-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
14.
 
Sony HX400VYstereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
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Both the B700 and the L840 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The L840 was replaced by the Nikon B500, while the B700 does not have a direct successor. Further information on the features and operation of the B700 and L840 can be found, respectively, in the Nikon B700 Manual (free pdf) or the online Nikon L840 Manual.

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Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Is the Nikon B700 better than the Nikon L840 or vice versa? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.


Advantages of the Nikon Coolpix B700:

  • More detail: Offers more megapixels (20.2 vs 15.9MP) with a 13% higher linear resolution.
  • Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (4K/30p vs 1080/60i).
  • Easier framing: Has an electronic viewfinder for image composition and settings control.
  • More flexible LCD: Has a swivel screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
  • More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
  • Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
  • More tele-reach: Has a longer tele-lens for perspective compression and subject magnification.
  • Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
  • Easier wireless transfer: Supports Bluetooth for image sharing without cables.
  • More modern: Is somewhat more recent (announced 1 year after the L840).


Arguments in favor of the Nikon Coolpix L840:

  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (7.4 vs 5 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • Better light gathering: Has a lens with a wider maximum aperture (f/3.0 vs f/3.3).
  • Wider view: Has a wider-angle lens that facilitates landscape or interior shots.
  • More compact: Is smaller (113x78mm vs 125x85mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
  • Longer lasting: Gets more shots (590 versus 350) out of a single battery charge.
  • More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (40 percent cheaper at launch).
  • More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in February 2015).

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the B700 emerges as the winner of the contest (10 : 7 points). However, the relative importance of the various individual camera aspects will vary according to personal preferences and needs, so that you might like to apply corresponding weights to the particular features before making a decision on a new camera. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

B700 10:07 L840

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Nikon B700 and the Nikon L840 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Superzoom Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the B700 and the L840 in practical situations. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable.

Expert reviews

This is why expert reviews are important. The table below provides a synthesis of the camera assessments of some of the best known photo-gear review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

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Expert Camera Reviews
# image  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Nikon B700..+....4/54/5 Feb 2016 499ebay.com
2.
 
Nikon L840..+ +....3.5/54/5 Feb 2015 299ebay.com
3.
 
Canon SX70..+ +3.5/5..3.5/53.5/5 Sep 2018 549 amazon.com
4.
 
Canon SX530..+ +....4/54/5 Jan 2015 429ebay.com
5.
 
Canon SX603/5+ +..75/1004/54.5/5 Sep 2014 549ebay.com
6.
 
Kodak AZ901........3.5/53/5 Jan 2016 499 amazon.com
7.
 
Nikon B600..+....3.5/53/5 Jan 2019 349ebay.com
8.
 
Nikon B500..+....4/53.5/5 Jan 2016 299ebay.com
9.
 
Nikon P900......77/1004/54/5 Mar 2015 599ebay.com
10.
 
Panasonic ZS70..+ +....4/54/5 Apr 2017 449ebay.com
11.
 
Panasonic FZ80..+ +....4.5/54.5/5 Jan 2017 399ebay.com
12.
 
Sony HX350..........4/5 Dec 2016 449ebay.com
13.
 
Sony HX90V4/5+ +....4/54.5/5 Apr 2015 429ebay.com
14.
 
Sony HX400V4/5+ +....4/54/5 Feb 2014 499ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? If you would like to see a different side-by-side camera review, just use the search menu below. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.

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    Specifications: Nikon B700 vs Nikon L840

    Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Nikon B700 Nikon L840
    Camera Type Fixed lens compact camera Fixed lens compact camera
    Camera Lens 24-1440mm f/3.3-6.5 22.5-855mm f/3.0-6.5
    Launch Date February 2016 February 2015
    Launch Price USD 499 USD 299
    Sensor Specs Nikon B700 Nikon L840
    Sensor Technology BSI-CMOS CMOS
    Sensor Format 1/2.3" Sensor 1/2.3" Sensor
    Sensor Size 6.17 x 4.55 mm 6.17 x 4.55 mm
    Sensor Area 28.0735 mm2 28.0735 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 7.7 mm 7.7 mm
    Crop Factor 5.6x 5.6x
    Sensor Resolution 20.2 Megapixels 15.9 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 5184 x 3888 pixels 4608 x 3456 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 1.18 μm 1.33 μm
    Pixel Density 71.80 MP/cm2 56.73 MP/cm2
    Moiré control no AA filter no AA filter
    Movie Capability 4K/30p Video 1080/60i Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 3,200 ISO 100 - 6,400 ISO
    Screen Specs Nikon B700 Nikon L840
    Viewfinder Type Electronic viewfinder no viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100%
    Viewfinder Resolution 921k dots
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 3.0inch
    LCD Resolution 921k dots 921k dots
    LCD Attachment Swivel screen Tilting screen
    Shooting Specs Nikon B700 Nikon L840
    Focus System Contrast-detect AF Contrast-detect AF
    Manual Focusing AidFocus Peakingno Peaking Feature
    Continuous Shooting 5 shutter flaps/s 7.4 shutter flaps/s
    Time-Lapse PhotographyIntervalometer built-inno Intervalometer
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Single card slot
    UHS card support no no
    Connectivity Specs Nikon B700 Nikon L840
    External Flash no Hotshoe no Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port micro HDMI micro HDMI
    Wifi Support Wifi built-in Wifi built-in
    Near-Field Communication NFC built-in NFC built-in
    Bluetooth Support Bluetooth built-in no Bluetooth
    Body Specs Nikon B700 Nikon L840
    Battery Type Nikon EN-EL23 Nikon 4xAA
    Battery Life (CIPA)350 shots per charge590 shots per charge
    In-Camera Charging USB charging no USB charging
    Body Dimensions 125 x 85 x 107 mm
    (4.9 x 3.3 x 4.2 in)
    113 x 78 x 96 mm
    (4.4 x 3.1 x 3.8 in)
    Camera Weight 565 g (19.9 oz) 538 g (19.0 oz)
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