Canon Powershot
SX40
 vs
Nikon Coolpix
P500

Updated (February, 2012): Compare the Canon Powershot SX40 vs Nikon Coolpix P510

Nikon Coolpix P500

100
"The Nikon Coolpix P500's image quality is good for a compact camera with a small image sensor."
photographyblog.com | talking about the P500's image-quality
"doubles up as an effective video camera thanks to its excellent video mode."
photographyblog.com | talking about the P500's video-quality

Reasons to buy the Nikon Coolpix P500

Zoom
 Great zoom
36x
Movie format
 Full HD
1080p @ 30fps
Wide angle
 Wide angle lens
23 mm
Screen size
 Large screen
3.0"
Screen resolution
 High resolution screen
920k dots
High-speed framerate
 High speed movies
240 fps
Canon Powershot SX40

90

Reasons to buy the Canon Powershot SX40

Aperture
 Wide aperture
f/2.7
Zoom
 Great zoom
35x
Movie format
 Full HD
1080p @ 24fps
High-speed framerate
 High speed movies
240 fps
Supports 24p
 24p movies
For that film look
Screen flips out
 Flip-out screen
Great for movies

differences

Advantages of the Canon SX40
Aperture Significantly wider aperture f/2.7 vs f/3.5
Help
 At its widest zoom, the SX40's lens captures slightly more light (0.7 f-stops)
Supports 24p Supports 24p Yes vs No
Help
 Get that real film feel
Image stabilization Better image stabilization Lens vs Sensor shift
Help
 Less risk of blur
External flash Supports an external flash Yes vs No
Help
 An external flash often produces better looking flash images
Macro focus Better macro capability 0 cm vs 1 cm
Help
 Almost the same
Fastest shutter speed Faster max shutter speed 1/3200s vs 1/2000s
Help
 Around 40% faster max shutter speed
Longest exposure Longer exposures 15s vs 8s
Help
 Around 90% longer exposures
Canon Powershot SX40 Learn more about
the Canon SX40

Advantages of the Nikon P500
Screen resolution Much higher resolution screen 920k dots vs 230k dots
Help
 4x higher resolution screen
Screen size Significantly larger screen 3.0" vs 2.7"
Help
 More than 10% larger screen
Size Smaller 116x84x103 mm vs 123x92x108 mm
Help
 Around 20% smaller
Wide angle Better wide angle 23 mm vs 24 mm
Help
 Almost the same
Zoom Slightly more zoom 36x vs 35x
Help
 Around 10% more zoom
Weight Lighter 481 g vs 600 g
Help
 Around 20% lighter
Thickness Slightly thinner 4.1" vs 4.3"
Help
 Almost the same
Lowest price Cheaper $339.00 vs $398.99
Help
 The best price we've seen is $60 cheaper (around 20% less)
Nikon Coolpix P500 Learn more about
the Nikon P500
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent super zooms, and ignoring price

Canon Powershot SX40 Canon Powershot SX40
90 vs 100
Explain scores
Nikon Coolpix P500 Nikon Coolpix P500
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Nikon Coolpix P500.

performance Which camera has better performance? Cast your vote!

CanonPowershot SX40
 Canon Powershot SX40 vs Nikon Coolpix P500
NikonCoolpix P500
Uses Travel score Travel
On holiday or vacation
221
161
Vote Vote
Sports score Sports
Fast action, sometimes indoors
206
139
Vote Vote
Features Low light image quality Low light image quality
Lack of noise, sharp details
201
152
Vote Vote
Color accuracy Color accuracy
White balance in varied lighting
199
137
Vote Vote
Autofocus peformance Still image focusing
Speed and accuracy
199
140
Vote Vote
Autofocus performance Video focusing
Speed and accuracy
192
137
Vote Vote
Manual controls Manual settings
How quickly and easily you can change settings
173
162
Vote Vote
Performance Image stabilization
Ability to reduce blur from hand shake
228
133
Vote Vote
Green arrow Join in the discussion below!

similarities

Compared to recent digicams

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Zoom Incredible zoom Help
SX40:35x
P500:36x
Screen flips out Flip-out screens Help
Great for movies
Movie format Full HD (1080p) video Help
SX40:1080p @ 24fps
P500:1080p @ 30fps
Wide angle Good wide angle Help
SX40:24 mm
P500:23 mm
High-speed framerate Extremely high speed movies Help
240 fps
Sensor type Better sensor types Help
Better in low light
Continuous shooting Fast continuous shooting Help
SX40:10.3 fps
P500:10 fps
Macro focus Good macro capabilities Help
SX40:0 cm
P500:1 cm
Viewfinder Both have digital viewfinders Help
Digital
Thickness Quite thick Help
SX40:4.3"
P500:4.1"
Weight Heavy Help
SX40:600 g
P500:481 g
Lowest price Very expensive Help
SX40:$398.99
P500:$339.00
Size Large Help
SX40:123x92x108 mm
P500:116x84x103 mm
Touch screen No touchscreens Help
More buttons

Compared to recent super zooms

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses

Snapsort is not aware of any interesting strengths shared by these two products.
Supports RAW No RAW support Help
Less editing fidelity

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Sony Cybershot DSC-HX100v

Sony Cybershot DSC-HX100v

Super zoom

$398 - $428
GPS Has a built-in GPS
Longest exposure Slightly longer exposures
Weight Is slightly heavier
High-speed framerate Doesn't record high-speed movies
Compare the Cybershot DSC-HX100v vs the Powershot SX40
Compare the Cybershot DSC-HX100v vs the Coolpix P500
Fujifilm FinePix HS20 EXR

Fujifilm FinePix HS20

Super zoom

$299 - $350
High-speed framerate Records even higher-speed movies
True resolution Takes significantly higher resolution photos
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is significantly heavier
Compare the FinePix HS20 vs the Powershot SX40
Compare the FinePix HS20 vs the Coolpix P500
Canon PowerShot SX30 IS

Canon PowerShot SX30 IS

Super zoom

$420
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Weight Is slightly heavier
Compare the PowerShot SX30 IS vs the Powershot SX40
Compare the PowerShot SX30 IS vs the Coolpix P500
Nikon Coolpix P510

Nikon Coolpix P510

Super zoom

$430
Zoom Has much more zoom
HDR Has in-camera HDR
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Compare the Coolpix P510 vs the Powershot SX40
Compare the Coolpix P510 vs the Coolpix P500
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ150

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ150

Super zoom

$448 - $459
Panorama Creates panoramas in-camera
3D Captures 3D images
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Compare the Lumix DMC-FZ150 vs the Powershot SX40
Compare the Lumix DMC-FZ150 vs the Coolpix P500
Nikon Coolpix L120

Nikon Coolpix L120

Super zoom

$227 - $247
Size Is slightly smaller
Light sensitivity (boost) Has boost light sensitivity
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Viewfinder Doesn't have a viewfinder
Compare the Coolpix L120 vs the Powershot SX40
Compare the Coolpix L120 vs the Coolpix P500
Canon PowerShot G12

Canon PowerShot G12

Pro digicam

$389 - $500
Size Is significantly smaller
Sensor size Has a much larger sensor
Sensor type Has a CCD-family sensor
Continuous shooting Doesn't shoot as fast continuously
Compare the PowerShot G12 vs the Powershot SX40
Compare the PowerShot G12 vs the Coolpix P500

Canon Powershot SX40 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Canon Powershot SX40.

Nikon Coolpix P500 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Nikon Coolpix P500.

appearance

Canon Powershot SX40 Nikon Coolpix P500
Canon Powershot SX40 Nikon Coolpix P500
Canon Powershot SX40 Nikon Coolpix P500

Find similar cameras

Here are some links to help you find other cameras with similar features to both of these:

discussion Which do you think is better?

Speech is free, but discussion at Snapsort is moderated! Please discuss your opinion of these cameras here, and discuss feedback for Snapsort at our support community.

Showing 25 comments

Looking4aCAm (5:33 AM, February 20, 2012)
ON paper the Canon looks better than the Nikon, but I've been watching videos on youtube of real users and images taken by the cameras on amazon reviews and the Canon shots seem way less vibrant, why is that?? 
 
Upinder J (8:02 AM, February 06, 2012)
best choice in these specs
 
Redbird19travel (7:47 PM, February 05, 2012)
Incredible pictures. Thank you for taking the time to post and allow us to review. Helped me to make my decision,
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (2:18 PM, February 03, 2012)
Hi Allessio, you can see the details on the score page.  The camera tie on most things we score them on!
 
Alessio (11:45 AM, February 03, 2012)
I think that nikon p500 does NOT deserve 100. Look at most significant parameters to judge a camera: Canon beats nikon in most relevant issues. Which reasons underneath nikon success??
 
N.S. Rajaram (1:30 PM, January 26, 2012)
Canon sx40 and even the older sx30 beat Nikon P500 handily. Next to autofocus, image stabilization is the most important feature. Here Canon beats Nikon hollow.
 
www.sharpest-eye.com (3:21 PM, January 25, 2012)
Simply go to my web site and have a look at the picture of the moon (under the Sunset folder) that I have taken without Tripod!!!
The SX40 HS Image Stabilization beats every other camera!!!

www.sharpest-eye.com

Also, go over the Winter pictures, which are all with SX40 HS, and without any Tripod...
 
www.sharpest-eye.com (3:16 PM, January 25, 2012)
I totally agree!! Judging based on a higher resolution screen, and giving such a high score to it is quite funny!
I have compared several time the Nikon Super Zoom class, with their Canon Equivalents, and I can easily see how much details Nikon looses, especially when it comes to taking portrait pictures.
 
Pravin (3:10 PM, January 24, 2012)
Mr John Mosher,

Thank you for kindly guidance.
But, I like PS camera. Which is the best 
Canon SX40 or Nikon p 500 or any other? 
 
John Mosher (11:14 AM, January 24, 2012)
Since you limit this to Point and Shoot plus you want super telephoto your choices are very limited.  The Canon SX40 probably comes closest to fitting your needs.  You are asking a lot from a point and shoot.  If size, weight and money were not a concern you would really have to move up to a Canon 5D Mkii DSLR with lots of different and expensive Type L lenses to get the variety and quality you seem to be looking for.
 
Pravin (11:02 AM, January 24, 2012)
HI,
plz. help me.
I am confused,Which is the best camera for all kinds of photography? I want super Macro, Clarity of image, Best HD video and super telephoto and super fast operation (Fast click) with PS camera.
Thanks.
 
Avatar for J Rabalais J Rabalais (0:26 AM, January 03, 2012)
I agree. I have owned two P500 due to a focusing issue that couldn't somehow be fixed.  While my P500 was in the shop being repaired I bought an SX40 to be a fill in; I was AMAZED at the quality of the photo's the SX40 took.  I returned my P500 and kept the SX40. It takes great HD videos that look just amazing on my HD tv or my computer monitor. Recently, I took photos of the new tiger cubs at the LA Zoo;  the pics look as if they were taken by a pro - I am not.  Great camera for the enthusiast who enjoys taking many photo's and videos of a variety of scenes, people, or backgrounds.
 
Keral_sor (9:35 PM, December 18, 2011)
then y the snapsort given p 500 the winner?
 
Emurdopo (11:21 PM, November 27, 2011)
I mean SX340 got bigger point in POPULARITY. So if we ignore this item, SX40 is 15 point win!
 
Emurdopo (11:20 PM, November 27, 2011)
NO it is not. IF you click the detail of scorring. SX40 got 30 bigger point. So if we ignore this point, SX40 is 15 point win!
 
John Mosher (0:09 PM, November 19, 2011)
Image quality makes the SX40 a clear win over the P500.  The only area where the P500 wins is the LCD pixel count.  Even the 36X optical win of the P500 over the 35X of the SX40 does not reflect the more useful range of the SX40. (P500 is 22.5 to 810mm verses the 24 to 840mm for the SX40)  It looks like Canon went for a well thought out and balanced solution where Nikon went for bling.  The higher pixel count does nothing for the quality of your final image.  The LCD is only a tool to make sure you framed your image correctly and check to see if you had your finer over the lens when you snapped your shot.  I have friends who try to show me their pictures on their camera LCD screens and I tell them to take out the SD card and insert it in my computer so I can actually view their pictures.   I don't care how fine an LCD screen is on a camera.  It is still not going to be useful for actually viewing an image.  Nikon would have done much better if they had saved the high costs of the LCD screen and put those resources towards image quality.  I agree with Billy below - there are instances where Nikon is the better choice but in this case the SX40 is clearly the better solution.
 
Jon (3:17 AM, November 16, 2011)
I agree. SX40 is significantly the better on the camera features.
 
Vector7 (4:45 AM, November 12, 2011)
Just the name Canon makes it better!!! This has always been the case!
 
jdeck (0:49 PM, November 06, 2011)
Snapshot is in ERROR showing P500 over SX40 in total score...wrong one! Add em up...the SX40 is the winner!
 
Sarah2413 (1:46 AM, October 28, 2011)
If you look at "explain scores" you will see the only reason the Nikon won was because of popularity, screen resolution and screen size.  Canon has the Nikon beat on aperture and image stabilization.  I will take the sx40.  
 
Billy (8:28 PM, October 24, 2011)
How odd that the Nikon would be a better choice! These cameras are known as "bridge" cameras because the features and specs are DSLR-like, not quite, but close. But to see where the Nikon is judged better because it has a larger, higher resolution screen than the Canon is just plain ridiculous! The Canon has a faster shutter, it has a wider aperture, you can add a more effective flash unit only with the Canon, movies recorded with the Canon are more like the films you see at the movies or on your HDTV, all of this compares very nicely with the features found on a DSLR. True, the Nikon might be just slightly better than the Canon on higher ISO but the Canon has much better image stabilization which significantly reduces the chance of blurring. So, you might get away without using a flash with the Nikon in a higher ISO setting, but if the camera has a higher risk of blurring, what good is it? Don't get me wrong, I like many of the cameras that Nikon makes and it's the same with Canon. This is NOT a battle of who is the better company. But, look, feature for feature, and to get a better DSLR-like experience, this one is a no-brainer. Canon all the way. That's my story and I'm sticking to it!
 
Arvind Mehra39 (1:28 PM, October 01, 2011)
NEW CANON SX40IS NOW AVAILABLE WITH SO MANY ATTRACTIVE FEATURES. LIKE:- HS Technology,Intelligent IS, Digic-5 engine processor and many more
 
PARVEEN NISHA11 (1:14 PM, October 01, 2011)
THERE ARE NO ANY YELLOW TONE IN CANON CAMERAS, AS COMPARE TO NIKON CAMERAS MODELS.
 
Mehra Arvind (1:10 PM, October 01, 2011)
sx40is is much-2 better than p500
 
Malcs (2:41 AM, September 24, 2011)
Snapsort did not compare there apertures.