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Canon A480 vs Canon SD940 IS

Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
13
Overall
25
Canon PowerShot A480 front
 
Canon PowerShot SD940 IS front
Portability
96
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29

Canon A480 vs Canon SD940 IS Key Specs

Canon A480
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 37-122mm (F3.0-5.8) lens
  • 140g - 92 x 62 x 31mm
  • Launched January 2009
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
  • Also referred to as Digital IXUS 120 IS
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Canon A480 vs Canon SD940 IS Overview

The following is a thorough review of the Canon A480 and Canon SD940 IS, both Ultracompact cameras and they are both manufactured by Canon. The sensor resolution of the A480 (10MP) and the SD940 IS (12MP) is very close and both cameras boast the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The A480 was introduced 7 months earlier than the SD940 IS which means that they are of a similar age. Both cameras feature the same body design (Ultracompact).

Before delving right into a complete comparison, here is a short overview of how the A480 grades vs the SD940 IS in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon A480 over the Canon SD940 IS

 A480 SD940 IS 

Reasons to pick Canon SD940 IS over the Canon A480

 SD940 IS A480 
RevealedAugust 2009January 2009Newer by 7 months
Display size2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution230k115kClearer display (+115k dot)

Common features in the Canon A480 and Canon SD940 IS

 A480 SD940 IS 
Manual focus No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch display Neither has Touch display

Canon A480 vs Canon SD940 IS Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to travel with your camera often, you'll need to consider its weight and measurements. The Canon A480 has exterior measurements of 92mm x 62mm x 31mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 1.2") along with a weight of 140 grams (0.31 lbs) whilst the Canon SD940 IS has proportions 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 A480 and Canon SD940 IS in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are employing at that time. The following is a front view physical size comparison of the A480 compared to the SD940 IS.

Canon A480 vs Canon SD940 IS size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the A480 and SD940 IS is 94 and 96 respectively.

Canon A480 vs Canon SD940 IS top view buttons comparison

Canon A480 vs Canon SD940 IS Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be hard to see the gap in sensor dimensions simply by looking through specifications. The picture below will help provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the A480 and SD940 IS.

To sum up, both the cameras feature the identical sensor size but not the same megapixels. You can expect to see the Canon SD940 IS to provide you with extra detail using its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop images way more aggressively. The more aged A480 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon A480 vs Canon SD940 IS sensor size comparison

Canon A480 vs Canon SD940 IS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A480 vs Canon SD940 IS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon A480
Portrait photography with Canon SD940 IS
25
great flash sync speed (1/500 seconds)
no manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
21
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon A480 Street photography factors
Canon SD940 IS Street photography factors
47
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon A480 Sports photography details
Canon SD940 IS Sports photography details
16
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon A480 as a Travel photography camera
Canon SD940 IS as a Travel photography camera
50
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse mode
low resolution sensor (10MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
wide angle not good (37mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
58
flash built-in
pretty wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse function
MP count low (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A480 as a Landscape photography camera
Canon SD940 IS as a Landscape photography camera
22
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (37mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
small screen (2.5 inches)
no manual control
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
does not have Timelapse mode
32
pretty wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not available
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A480 Vlogging highlights
Canon SD940 IS Vlogging highlights
22
wide angle not good (37mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
low res video (640 x 480 pixels)
does not have microphone support
29
pretty wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external microphone port
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Canon A480 vs Canon SD940 IS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A480 and Canon SD940 IS
 Canon PowerShot A480Canon PowerShot SD940 IS
General Information
Brand Name Canon Canon
Model type Canon PowerShot A480 Canon PowerShot SD940 IS
Also called as - Digital IXUS 120 IS
Class Ultracompact Ultracompact
Launched 2009-01-15 2009-08-19
Body design Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Chip - Digic 4
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 1600
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 5 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 37-122mm (3.3x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/3.0-5.8 f/2.8-5.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.5 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 115 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 15 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 4.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/500 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video file format - H.264
Microphone 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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 140 gr (0.31 lb) 120 gr (0.26 lb)
Physical dimensions 92 x 62 x 31mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 1.2") 89 x 55 x 20mm (3.5" x 2.2" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery ID 2 x AA NB-4L
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, custom) Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus, internal SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus
Storage slots One One
Cost at release $210 $299