Canon Elph 115 IS vs Canon PowerShot SX40 HS: An Expert Comparison for Your Next Camera Choice

When looking for a camera that fits your photography style and goals, understanding the fine details beyond specs sheets is key. Today, we dive deep into the Canon Elph 115 IS and the Canon PowerShot SX40 HS, two wildly different compact cameras from Canon’s lineup. Whether you’re a casual snapper, an enthusiast exploring new creative avenues, or a professional looking for a travel-friendly backup, this detailed comparison will help clarify which camera could be the better match for your photo and video aspirations.

Getting to Know the Two Contenders: Compact Sleekness vs. Superzoom Power

At first glance, these cameras cater to different use cases by design. The Canon Elph 115 IS is an ultracompact point-and-shoot, simple and pocketable - tailor-made for quick everyday snaps and family moments. The Canon PowerShot SX40 HS, on the other hand, belongs in the superzoom bridge category, offering a powerful telephoto range and more advanced controls for users who want flexibility and reach without switching lenses.

Design and Handling: How They Feel in Your Hands

The Elph 115 IS impresses with its pocket-sized form factor - sleek at just 93×57×20 mm and a featherlight 135g body. This ultra-compact size means you can easily carry it everywhere without feeling burdened, perfect for walk-around shooting or travel when minimalism is paramount.

The SX40 HS, visible with its bulkier, DSLR-style shape, measures 123×92×108 mm and weighs 600g. While less pocket-friendly, it offers a more substantial grip and a robust, bridge-camera feel. This can provide better handling stability, especially when shooting at the long end of the 35x superzoom lens.

The top control layout also reflects their different audiences:

• Elph 115 IS: Minimalistic with essential controls, designed for fast point-and-shoot operation.
• SX40 HS: More comprehensive with dedicated buttons and a mode dial for manual exposure, shutter, and aperture priority modes.

Sensor and Image Quality: Same Sensor Size, Different Resolutions and Processing

Both cameras use a 1/2.3” BSI CMOS sensor, a common choice in compact cameras. This sensor size is smaller than those found in DSLRs or mirrorless cameras, which naturally limits low-light performance and dynamic range. However, Canon’s DIGIC processors and image optimization still deliver respectable results for casual and enthusiast photographers.

• The Elph 115 IS sports a 16MP sensor, promising slightly higher resolution images. Its DIGIC 5 processor aids in noise reduction and color reproduction, but without RAW support, the file flexibility is limited to JPEGs.
• The SX40 HS offers a 12MP resolution, a deliberate trade-off that can improve noise performance at higher ISOs. This camera also lacks RAW support but compensates with manual controls for exposure settings.

In controlled tests and field use, the higher resolution of the Elph’s sensor offsets its fixed-lens limitations by producing crisp 16MP stills suitable for casual printing and web sharing. The SX40 HS, with its lower megapixel count, provides better quality across the extended zoom range, due to less noise amplification at telephoto ranges, aided by the f/2.7 aperture upfront.

Exploring the Screens and Viewfinders: Critical for Composition and Playback

The Elph 115 IS features a fixed 3-inch LCD with 461k dots resolution, offering a bright and clear display for composing shots and reviewing images. However, without a viewfinder, you rely solely on the LCD, which can be challenging in bright sunlight.

The SX40 HS, while sporting a slightly smaller 2.7-inch screen at 230k dots, includes a fully articulated design - allowing creative shooting angles including low, high, and self-portraits. Plus, its big advantage is the electronic viewfinder (EVF), critical for stability when shooting long telephoto shots outdoors.

Autofocus Systems: Speed, Accuracy, and Tracking

Autofocus quality is a vital aspect for dynamic shooting genres like wildlife and sports:

• The Elph 115 IS utilizes contrast-detection AF with 9 focus points and face detection, suitable for simple subjects. It supports continuous AF and face-tracking but lacks manual focus support or eye detection.
• The SX40 HS also uses contrast-detection with 9 focus points but adds selective AF and manual focusing capabilities. Continuous AF shooting speed marks a big difference here, with the SX40 capable of up to 10 fps in burst mode versus Elph’s modest 2 fps.

While neither offers cutting-edge autofocus performance compared to modern mirrorless systems, the SX40 HS is more versatile for moving subjects, thanks to its faster continuous shooting and manual support.

Lens Flexibility and Optical Zoom Capabilities

Here, the two cameras diverge dramatically:

Canon Elph 115 IS

• Fixed 24-120mm lens (5x optical zoom)
• Aperture f/2.7-f/5.9
• Macro shooting down to 3cm
• Suitable for casual portraits, landscapes, and street photography due to moderate zoom and aperture.

Canon SX40 HS

• Massive 24-840mm lens (35x optical zoom)
• Aperture f/2.7-f/5.8
• No specified macro distance – can focus close but less specialized
• Ideal for wildlife, sports, and travel photography demanding reach for distant subjects.

The SX40’s extended zoom range dominates in telephoto applications but comes with increased size and weight. The Elph’s shorter zoom and bright aperture provide better low-light potential for indoor and portrait shots.

Shooting Performance: Burst Rate, Shutter Speed, and Exposure Controls

With max shutter speeds of 1/2000s on the Elph and 1/3200s on the SX40, both cameras can freeze most motion effectively.

The Elph lacks shutter and aperture priority or full manual modes, limiting creative exposure control for advanced users. Exposure compensation is absent, narrowing user control. Meanwhile, the SX40 HS features shutter priority, aperture priority, and full manual exposure modes - critical tools if you want to develop photographic skills or adapt to challenging lighting scenarios.

Burst shooting contrasts greatly:

These factors make the SX40 HS preferable for shooting fast action – from kids playing to wildlife.

Image Stabilization and Low-Light Performance

Both cameras feature optical image stabilization to counter handheld shake. The Elph’s IS system helps retain sharp photos even at slower shutter speeds, especially useful given its smaller zoom. The SX40 HS’s IS is crucial at long telephoto, where tiny movements are amplified.

Low light sensitivity peaks at ISO 3200 on both, but the SX40 HS has a slight edge given its larger pixel size working at 12 MP, reducing noise compared to the higher resolution Elph sensor.

Video Capabilities: Resolution, Frame Rates, and Formats

Video recording options mirror their still shooting strengths:

• Both record Full HD 1080p at 24fps.
• The Elph 115 IS outputs H.264 files; the SX40 HS adds MPEG-4 support.
• Neither has 4K video or microphone/headphone inputs.
• Slow motion modes exist at reduced resolutions on both (Elph up to 240fps at 320x240).

The SX40’s articulating screen and electronic viewfinder give you more creative angles and stable composition for shooting video. The Elph’s lightweight and compact size simplify casual video capture.

Battery Life and Storage Flexibility

Battery life is a decisive factor if you spend long days shooting outdoors:

• The Elph 115 IS supports about 170 shots, enough for a half-day outing.
• The SX40 HS doubles that to 380 shots, better suited for extended sessions or travel.

Both use proprietary Canon battery packs and support SD/SDHC/SDXC cards but lack dual slots or in-body charging capabilities (no USB charging).

Connectivity and Wireless Features

In recent times, wireless features like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi dominate camera connectivity:

• The Elph 115 IS has no wireless capability, limiting immediate sharing.
• The SX40 HS includes Eye-Fi card compatibility for wireless image transfer, a helpful feature for quick uploads (though Eye-Fi cards are a separate purchase).

Neither model supports modern Bluetooth or NFC connections, an expected omission for cameras launched around 2011–2013.

Durability and Weather Sealing

Neither camera offers weather sealing or environmental resistance. If you often shoot in challenging outdoor conditions (rain, dust, cold), you must consider protective gear alongside these models.

Putting It All Together: Who Should Choose Which?

To summarize, here is an overview of strengths and ideal users for each:

Use Cases:

• Portraits: The Elph’s sharper sensor and bright aperture will produce better skin tones and indoor portraits with decent bokeh. The SX40’s longer lens can isolate subjects but requires more handling effort.
• Landscapes: Both suffice; the Elph’s ease of use wins for casual travel landscapes, while the SX40 adds reach for distant scenes.
• Wildlife & Sports: The SX40 HS takes this category hands down due to its superzoom, burst speed, and manual controls.
• Street Photography: The Elph’s compact size offers discretion and ease, while the SX40 is bulkier but provides zoom flexibility.
• Macro: While useful, neither camera excels; both focus as close as a few cm but without dedicated macro optics.
• Night/Astro: Limited by sensor size; Elph’s higher resolution may help initial detail capture, but low-light performance will be modest.
• Video: SX40’s articulating screen and EVF give it a slight video advantage, though both are basic HD shooters.
• Travel: The Elph is ideal for lightweight packing; the SX40 better for travel where telephoto reach is valuable.
• Professional Work: Neither camera targets professionals but can serve as travel backups or casual shooters.

Sample Images: Real-World Visual Comparison

To better visualize their output, here are representative sample images captured with both cameras in typical scenarios - portraits, landscapes, telephoto wildlife, and snapshots indoors.

Canon Elph 115 IS front Canon Elph 115 IS screen back Canon SX40 HS front Canon SX40 HS screen back

You’ll notice the Elph’s higher MP helps with details while the SX40’s superzoom captures distant subjects better.

Performance Ratings and Value Assessment

From our standardized review metrics and user-testing feedback, see the overall performance breakdown:

Further genre-specific performance:

The SX40 HS scores higher in sports, wildlife, and travel due to its zoom and controls, while the Elph excels in portability and casual shooting.

Final Thoughts: Making Your Choice

If you prioritize ultra-portability, simple point-and-shoot operation, and slightly sharper images for everyday moments, the Canon Elph 115 IS remains a strong contender at a budget-friendly price point. It’s ideal if you want a camera that slips into your pocket effortlessly and is ready for instant capture.

If you want extensive zoom reach, manual creative controls, and faster continuous shooting for more serious photography involving wildlife or sports, the Canon PowerShot SX40 HS earns pride of place. Despite its bulk, the added features empower you to hone photography skills and tackle diverse subjects, benefiting enthusiasts seeking flexibility.

Next Steps: Explore, Test, and Accessorize

Whichever camera you choose, spend time getting familiar with its interface and capabilities - trial is the best teacher. For the Elph, focus on mastering framing and leveraging its quick auto-modes. For the SX40, delve into manual exposure and zoom potential.

Consider investing in:

• Spare batteries and memory cards for both models to extend shooting sessions.
• A compact protective case for the Elph and a more padded camera bag for the SX40.
• Tripod or monopod support to stabilize the SX40 during telephoto shooting.

In the end, these cameras reflect Canon’s commitment to accessibility and versatility in affordable compact systems. By weighing your photographic priorities and the details we've unpacked, you’ll find one matches your creative journey beautifully.

Happy shooting!