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Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Canon SD940 IS

Portability
96
Imaging
34
Features
33
Overall
33
Canon ELPH 520 HS front
 
Canon PowerShot SD940 IS front
Portability
96
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Canon SD940 IS Key Specs

Canon ELPH 520 HS
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-336mm (F3.4-5.6) lens
  • 155g - 87 x 54 x 19mm
  • Introduced January 2012
  • Other Name is IXUS 500 HS
Canon SD940 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 120g - 89 x 55 x 20mm
  • Revealed August 2009
  • Other Name is Digital IXUS 120 IS
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Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Canon SD940 IS Overview

On this page, we are matching up the Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Canon SD940 IS, both Ultracompact digital cameras and they are both offered by Canon. The image resolution of the ELPH 520 HS (10MP) and the SD940 IS (12MP) is very similar and both cameras provide the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The ELPH 520 HS was released 2 years later than the SD940 IS and that is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Ultracompact).

Before getting right into a thorough comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the ELPH 520 HS grades against the SD940 IS with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon ELPH 520 HS over the Canon SD940 IS

 ELPH 520 HS SD940 IS 
RevealedJanuary 2012August 2009More recent by 30 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution461k230kClearer display (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Canon SD940 IS over the Canon ELPH 520 HS

 SD940 IS ELPH 520 HS 

Common features in the Canon ELPH 520 HS and Canon SD940 IS

 ELPH 520 HS SD940 IS 
Manual focus No manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Canon SD940 IS Physical Comparison

If you are intending to lug around your camera often, you'll need to consider its weight and volume. The Canon ELPH 520 HS provides external measurements of 87mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.4" x 2.1" x 0.7") having a weight of 155 grams (0.34 lbs) and the Canon SD940 IS has sizing of 89mm x 55mm x 20mm (3.5" x 2.2" x 0.8") having a weight of 120 grams (0.26 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Canon SD940 IS in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are employing during that time. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the ELPH 520 HS against the SD940 IS.

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Canon SD940 IS size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the ELPH 520 HS and SD940 IS is 96 and 96 respectively.

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Canon SD940 IS top view buttons comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Canon SD940 IS Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor measurements purely by reviewing specifications. The graphic underneath should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the ELPH 520 HS and SD940 IS.

Plainly, each of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same resolution. You should expect to see the Canon SD940 IS to deliver extra detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop pics more aggressively. The fresher ELPH 520 HS is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Canon SD940 IS sensor size comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Canon SD940 IS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Canon SD940 IS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS Portrait photography highlights
Canon SD940 IS Portrait photography highlights
26
provides face detection focusing
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
low MP (10MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
21
manual focus not available
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
low resolution (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS Street photography info
Canon SD940 IS Street photography info
55
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
more heavy than average (155g)
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS as a Sports photography camera
Canon SD940 IS as a Sports photography camera
29
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking autofocus
max fps low (3.0 fps)
no shutter priority
low MP (10MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery (190 CIPA)
has no phase detect AF
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
low frames per second (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
low resolution (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS as a Travel photography camera
Canon SD940 IS as a Travel photography camera
58
built-in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
very long zoom (336mm)
lack of Timelapse function
low battery (190 shots)
more heavy than average (155g)
low MP (10MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
58
built-in flash
decently wide (28mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
low resolution (12MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS Landscape photography features
Canon SD940 IS Landscape photography features
35
relatively wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
manual exposure not available
low MP (10MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
low battery (190 shots)
lack of Timelapse function
32
decently wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7")
lack of manual exposure
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon ELPH 520 HS Vlogging information
Canon SD940 IS Vlogging information
32
relatively wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
lack of external microphone jack
more heavy than average (155 grams)
29
decently wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic port
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Canon ELPH 520 HS vs Canon SD940 IS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon ELPH 520 HS and Canon SD940 IS
 Canon ELPH 520 HSCanon PowerShot SD940 IS
General Information
Company Canon Canon
Model Canon ELPH 520 HS Canon PowerShot SD940 IS
Alternate name IXUS 500 HS Digital IXUS 120 IS
Class Ultracompact Ultracompact
Introduced 2012-01-09 2009-08-19
Body design Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor DIGIC 5 Digic 4
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 3200 1600
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-336mm (12.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.4-5.6 f/2.8-5.9
Macro focus distance 1cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 461k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology PureColor II G TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 15s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1500s
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 2.50 m 4.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 (240 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format H.264 H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 155 grams (0.34 pounds) 120 grams (0.26 pounds)
Physical dimensions 87 x 54 x 19mm (3.4" x 2.1" x 0.7") 89 x 55 x 20mm (3.5" x 2.2" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 190 shots -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model NB-9L NB-4L
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus
Storage slots One One
Retail pricing $279 $299