• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 23.00mm - 810.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 840.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Nikon P500 advantages over Canon SX40 HS

  • Fast startup
    ~1.50 vs 2.6 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • More dots on screen
    921k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Less shutter lag
    0.16 vs 0.46 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options

Canon SX40 HS advantages over Nikon P500

  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.7 vs f/3.4
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 380 vs 220 shots
    Capture more photos
  • 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 8 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.3 fps vs 8.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    8 vs 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/3200 vs 1/1500 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Both provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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 Nikon P500

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon SX40 HS

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 Canon SX30 IS

Nikon P500
Canon SX30 IS
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Fast startup
  • More dots on screen
  • $440
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon P500 vs 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

Compared to Fujifilm S4000

Nikon P500
Fujifilm S4000
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • More dots on screen
  • $205
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon P500 vs Fujifilm S4000

Canon SX40 HS
Fujifilm S4000
  • $342
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $205
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon SX40 HS vs Fujifilm S4000

Compared to Sony HX100V

Nikon P500
Sony HX100V
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Wider angle lens
  • $312
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • Built-in GPS

Compare Nikon P500 vs 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

Compared to Olympus SP-820UZ

Nikon P500
Olympus SP-820UZ
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More pixels

Compare Nikon P500 vs Olympus SP-820UZ

Canon SX40 HS
Olympus SP-820UZ
  • $342
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More dots on screen

Compare Canon SX40 HS vs Olympus SP-820UZ

Compared to Canon SX50

Nikon P500
Canon SX50
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Fast startup
  • More dots on screen
  • $459
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Nikon P500 vs Canon SX50

Canon SX40 HS
Canon SX50
  • $342
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $459
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Fast startup

Compare Canon SX40 HS vs Canon SX50

Compare Other Cameras?