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Nikon L840 Comparison Review

The Nikon Coolpix L840 is a fixed lens compact camera that was officially introduced in February 2015 and is equipped with a 1/2.3-inch sensor. It offers a resolution of 15.9 megapixel.

camera

Is the Nikon L840 a good camera? The L840 has a Camera Elo of 1770. This rating puts the L840 below average of all superzoom compact cameras. In terms of its sensor size category (small sensor cameras), the L840 ranks among the top 40 percent. Based on its within category standings, the camera earns a 3-star performance rating.

Headline Specifications
Nikon L840
Fixed lens compact camera
22.5-855mm f/3.0-6.5
15.9 MP, 1/2.3" Sensor
1080/60i Video
ISO 100 - 6 400
no viewfinder, LCD framing
3.0 LCD, 921k dots
Tilting screen (no touchscreen)
7.4 shutter flaps per second
590 shots per battery charge
113 x 78 x 96 mm, 538 g

Read on to find out more about the camera's size, sensor, features, reception by expert reviewers, and how it compares to other digital cameras.

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Body comparison with a credit card

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size of the Nikon L840 vis-à-vis a credit card. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are presented. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Nikon L840 vs credit card front
L840 versus credit card top view
L840 and credit card rear side

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the Nikon L840 alongside a set of similar cameras. If you want to review a particular camera pair side-by-side, just move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible comparisons there.

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Body Specifications
#   Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Nikon L840 113 mm 78 mm 96 mm 538 g 590 n Feb 2015 299ebay.com
2.
 
Canon SX530 120 mm 82 mm 92 mm 442 g 210 n Jan 2015 429ebay.com
3.
 
Canon SX520 120 mm 82 mm 92 mm 441 g 210 n Jul 2014 399ebay.com
4.
 
Canon SX60 128 mm 93 mm 114 mm 650 g 340 n Sep 2014 549ebay.com
5.
 
Nikon B600 122 mm 82 mm 99 mm 500 g 280 n Jan 2019 349ebay.com
6.
 
Nikon B700 125 mm 85 mm 107 mm 565 g 350 n Feb 2016 499ebay.com
7.
 
Nikon B500 114 mm 78 mm 95 mm 541 g 600 n Jan 2016 299ebay.com
8.
 
Nikon P900 140 mm 103 mm 137 mm 899 g 360 n Mar 2015 599ebay.com
9.
 
Sony HX80 102 mm 58 mm 36 mm 245 g 390 n Mar 2016 349ebay.com
10.
 
Sony H400 130 mm 95 mm 122 mm 628 g 300 n Feb 2014 319ebay.com
11.
 
Sony H200 123 mm 83 mm 87 mm 530 g 240 n Jan 2013 249ebay.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 listed prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The Nikon L840 was launched in the US market at a price of $299. 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. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

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Sensor comparison with a 35mm slide

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 generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels 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 tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

The Nikon L840 features a 1/2.3-inch sensor and has a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 5.6. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the Nikon L840 among the smaller-sensor digicams that favor affordability and compact design.

Nikon L840 sensor measures

For most cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of alternatives.

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Sensor Characteristics
#   Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Nikon L840 1/2.3 15.9 4608 34561080/60i20.211.672147
2.
 
Canon SX530 1/2.3 15.9 4608 34561080/30p20.211.671247
3.
 
Canon SX520 1/2.3 15.9 4608 34561080/30p20.111.567246
4.
 
Canon SX60 1/2.3 14.2 4608 30721080/60p19.210.812739
5.
 
Nikon B600 1/2.3 15.9 4608 34561080/30p20.712.2109552
6.
 
Nikon B700 1/2.3 20.2 5184 38884K/30p20.411.881848
7.
 
Nikon B500 1/2.3 15.9 4608 34561080/60i20.311.781048
8.
 
Nikon P900 1/2.3 15.9 4608 34561080/60p20.211.672747
9.
 
Sony HX80 1/2.3 18.0 4896 36721080/60p20.411.882248
10.
 
Sony H400 1/2.3 19.9 5152 3864720/30p20.111.463045
11.
 
Sony H200 1/2.3 15.2 5184 2930720/30p19.911.252944
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 L840 indeed provides movie recording capabilities. The highest resolution format that the L840 can use is 1080/60i.

Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The tables below summarize some of the other core capabilities of the Nikon L840 in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

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Core Features
#   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 L840none n3.0 / 921 tilting n 1/4000s 7.4/s Y Y
2.
 
Canon SX530none n3.0 / 461 fixed n 1/2000s 1.6/s Y Y
3.
 
Canon SX520none n3.0 / 461 fixed n 1/2000s 1.6/s Y Y
4.
 
Canon SX60922 n3.0 / 922 swivel n 1/2000s 6.4/s Y Y
5.
 
Nikon B600none n3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 7.4/s Y Y
6.
 
Nikon B700921 n3.0 / 921 swivel n 1/4000s 5.0/s Y Y
7.
 
Nikon B500none n3.0 / 921 tilting n 1/4000s 7.4/s Y Y
8.
 
Nikon P900921 n3.0 / 921 swivel n 1/4000s 7.0/s Y Y
9.
 
Sony HX80638 n3.0 / 922 tilting n 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
10.
 
Sony H400210 n3.0 / 460 fixed n 1/2000s 0.7/s Y Y
11.
 
Sony H200none n3.0 / 460 fixed n 1/1500s 0.8/s Y Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
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The LCD screen on the Nikon Coolpix L840 is flexibly attached to the body. In particular, the LCD can be tilted vertically to facilitate odd-angle shots in landscape orientation. This tilting design is often preferred, for example, by street photographers to a fully articulated, swivel type of LCD attachment, as it is more unobtrusive during shooting than a screen that flips out to the side.

articulated screen
Flexible screen on the L840

One convenient feature of the L840 is the presence of an on-board flash. While this built-in flash is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light to brighten deep shadow areas.

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Connection 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 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
#   Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Nikon L840-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
2.
 
Canon SX530-stereo / mono--mini2.0YY-
3.
 
Canon SX520-stereo / mono--mini2.0---
4.
 
Canon SX60Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0YY-
5.
 
Nikon B600-stereo / mono--micro2.0Y-Y
6.
 
Nikon B700-stereo / mono--micro2.0YYY
7.
 
Nikon B500-stereo / mono--micro2.0YYY
8.
 
Nikon P900-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
9.
 
Sony HX80-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
10.
 
Sony H400-mono / mono--micro2.0Y--
11.
 
Sony H200-mono / mono---2.0---
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It is notable that the L840 offers wifi support. Wifi can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location.

The L840 has a zoom lens built in (4.0-152mm f/3.0-6.5), which, in full frame equivalent terms, provides a focal length range from 22.5 to 855mm. The camera is, hence, ready to shoot, while remaining more compact in size than an interchangeable lens camera with an optic that offers similar focal length and aperture specifications.

Further information on the features and operation of the L840 can be found in the free online Nikon L840 Manual or on the Nikon support site.

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Expert reviews

While the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it says nothing about, for example, the handling, responsiveness, and overall imaging quality of 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. This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The table below summarizes the assessments of some of the best known camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]).

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Review Scores
#    Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Nikon L840..+ +....3.5/54/5 Feb 2015 299ebay.com
2.
 
Canon SX530..+ +....4/54/5 Jan 2015 429ebay.com
3.
 
Canon SX520..+....3.5/53.5/5 Jul 2014 399ebay.com
4.
 
Canon SX603/5+ +..75/1004/54.5/5 Sep 2014 549ebay.com
5.
 
Nikon B600..+....3.5/53/5 Jan 2019 349ebay.com
6.
 
Nikon B700..+....4/54/5 Feb 2016 499ebay.com
7.
 
Nikon B500..+....4/53.5/5 Jan 2016 299ebay.com
8.
 
Nikon P900......77/1004/54/5 Mar 2015 599ebay.com
9.
 
Sony HX80............ Mar 2016 349ebay.com
10.
 
Sony H400..o....3.5/53.5/5 Feb 2014 319ebay.com
11.
 
Sony H200........3.5/53.5/5 Jan 2013 249ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

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Nikon L840 FAQ

Below are some additional questions and answers concerning some particular features of the L840.

What technology is the imaging sensor in the Nikon L840 based on?

The camera is build around a CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensor.

What is the ISO sensitivity range of the Nikon L840?

The camera has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 6400.

Does the Nikon L840 feature an autofocus assist light?

Yes, the camera has a lamp built-in that can illuminate the subject and improve autofocus in low-light settings.

Camera to camera comparisons

In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities with other camera models, just make your choice using the following search menu. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.

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    Specifications Summary
    Camera Model Nikon L840
    Camera Type Fixed lens compact camera
    Camera Lens 22.5-855mm f/3.0-6.5
    Launch Date February 2015
    Launch Price USD 299
    Sensor Specs
    Sensor Technology CMOS
    Sensor Format 1/2.3" Sensor
    Sensor Size 6.17 x 4.55 mm
    Sensor Area 28 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 7.7 mm
    Crop Factor 5.6x
    Sensor Resolution 15.9 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 4 608 x 3 456 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 1.33 μm
    Pixel Density 56.73 MP/cm2
    Moiré control no AA filter
    Movie Capability 1080/60i Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 6 400 ISO
    Screen Specs
    Viewfinder Type No viewfinder
    Top-Level Screen no Top Display
    LCD Framing Live View
    LCD Size 3.0 inch
    LCD Resolution 921k dots
    LCD Attachment Tilting screen
    V-logging Friendliness No front-flip
    Touch Input No touchscreen
    Shooting Specs
    Focus System Contrast-detect AF
    Manual Focusing Aidno Peaking Feature
    Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000s
    Continuous Shooting 7.4 shutter flaps/s
    Silent Shootingno E-Shutter
    Time Lapse Photographyno Intervalometer
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot
    UHS card support no
    Connectivity Specs
    External Flash no Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0
    HDMI Port micro HDMI
    Wifi Support Wifi built-in
    Near-Field Communication NFC built-in
    Body Specs
    Battery Type 4xAA power pack
    Battery Life (CIPA)590 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 113 x 78 x 96 mm
    (4.4 x 3.1 x 3.8 in)
    Camera Weight 538 g (19.0 oz)

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