• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 840.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400

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Differences

Canon SX40 HS advantages over Nikon D7100

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/250 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.3 fps vs 5.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Nikon D7100 advantages over Canon SX40 HS

  • 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
    ~0.30 vs 2.6 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 950 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
    1229k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Less shutter lag
    0.25 vs 0.46 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    24.1 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • 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
    12 vs 8 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/3200 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • 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
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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

User reviews

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Buy the Nikon D7100

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.

  • Solid, ergonomic body design; Stunning, highly detailed photos, thanks to 24.1MP sensor upgrade and removal of optical low-pass filter; Cool 1.3x crop mode extends reach to nearly 2x the full-frame equivalent; Records Full 1080p HD video at up to 30fps with full-time AF; Many pro-level features packed into a consumer-friendly body at reasonable price.

  • Shallow buffer that hampers continuous burst shooting; AF slightly slower than average for its class; No real-time aperture control while in Movie mode (among other quirks); More noticeable moire patterns and aliasing artifacts (but only found when shooting fabrics with strong, distinct patterns).

The Competition

Compared to Canon 70D

Canon SX40 HS
Canon 70D
  • $342
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Higher max flash sync
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Nikon D7100
Canon 70D
  • $695
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen

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
Nikon D7100
Fujifilm HS10
  • $695
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $500
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen

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
Nikon D7100
Canon SX30 IS
  • $695
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $440
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen

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
Nikon D7100
Sony HX100V
  • $695
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $312
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen

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
Nikon D7100
Pentax K-3
  • $695
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
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