Generally, some of the advantages of the Nikon L810 compared to entry-level DSLR competitors include: it has a significantly larger screen (3" vs 2.5"), has a much higher resolution screen (921k dots vs 230k dots), has image stabilization (lens vs none), is newer (february 2012 vs november 2006) and is significantly smaller (prosumer size (111×76×83 mm) vs professional size (133×100×80 mm)).
However, on average it records lower quality movies (720p @ 30fps vs 1080p @ 20fps), takes significantly lower resolution photos (9.7 MP vs 15.1 MP), doesn't record movies in 24p, doesn't shoot as fast continuously (1.2 fps vs 3.4 fps) and doesn't have a screen which flips out.
Canon Rebel T3i
1 year older
$515 (body only)
$946 18-135mm lens
Significant advantages of the T3i (vs the L810)
- Higher resolution movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs 720p @ 30fps
- Has a viewfinder: Pentamirror vs None
- Supports 24p
Significant disadvantages of the T3i (vs the L810)
- No image stabilization: None vs
- Lens
- Much larger: Professional size (133×100×80 mm) vs Prosumer size (111×76×83 mm)
common strengths of the T3i and L810
Nikon D40
5 years older
$1,493 18-55mm lens
Significant advantages of the D40 (vs the L810)
- Has a viewfinder: Pentamirror vs None
- Has interchangeable lenses
- Faster autofocus: Phase detection vs Contrast detection
Significant disadvantages of the D40 (vs the L810)
- Does not take movies: None vs 720p @ 30fps
- Much lower resolution screen: 230k dots vs 921k dots
- No image stabilization: None vs
- Lens
common strengths of the D40 and L810
- Very small: Prosumer size (124×94×64 mm) vs Prosumer size (111×76×83 mm)
Canon Rebel T1i
2 years older
$369 (body only)
Significant advantages of the T1i (vs the L810)
- Higher resolution movies: 1080p @ 20fps vs 720p @ 30fps
- Has a viewfinder: Pentamirror vs None
- Has interchangeable lenses
Significant disadvantages of the T1i (vs the L810)
- No image stabilization: None vs
- Lens
common strengths of the T1i and L810
- Very small: Prosumer size (129×98×62 mm) vs Prosumer size (111×76×83 mm)
- Inexpensive: $369.18 vs $291.28