Canon PowerShot ELPH 135 vs Canon SD1400 IS: An Expert Ultracompact Camera Comparison for Enthusiasts and Professionals

In today’s era of smartphones and mirrorless giants, ultracompact cameras carve out a niche where portability meets decent performance. Two contenders in this segment, the Canon PowerShot ELPH 135 (aka IXUS 145) and the Canon PowerShot SD1400 IS (aka IXUS 130 / IXY 400F), both from Canon’s well-established lineup, offer interesting, budget-friendly options focused on ease-of-use and convenience.

We put these two cameras head-to-head to help you understand where each excels or falls behind - in sensor capabilities, image quality, handling, and real-world photography across genres like portraits, landscapes, travel, and beyond. Drawing on years of hands-on testing and technical expertise, this comparison aims to demystify which camera fits your needs best.

Compactness assessment: ELPH 135 vs SD1400 IS physical size and ergonomics

The Case for Compact: Build, Handling, and Ergonomics

Both the ELPH 135 and SD1400 IS fall into the ultracompact category, designed to slip easily into your pocket or small bag. Looking closely at their physical dimensions and design influences user comfort during extended use and portability for travel or street photography.

• Canon ELPH 135 measures roughly 95×54×22 mm, weighing 127 g.
• Canon SD1400 IS is a bit smaller and slimmer at 92×56×18 mm, but slightly heavier at 133 g.

While the SD1400 IS edges out in slimness, the ELPH 135 feels more substantial and secure in hand due to its slightly chunkier body. The ergonomics favor users who prioritize grip, making it more confident to hold steady - vital for low-light shooting. Meanwhile, the SD1400 IS’s slender design shines for those seeking maximum concealment and minimal bulk.

Looking at the control layouts from the top, the ELPH 135 offers a simplified button arrangement while the SD1400 IS features a slightly different top design catering to quick access settings.

Top control layout differences: operational ease and shooting quickness

In practical terms: If you prefer faster, confident handling with a firmer grip, ELPH 135 has the advantage. For street and candid shooters who want something tiny and light, the SD1400 IS remains attractive.

Sensor and Imaging Engine: Heart of the Picture

Both cameras use the same sensor size: a 1/2.3" CCD sensor measuring 6.17x4.55mm, a longstanding standard in ultracompacts. However, key differences arise from resolution, processing power, and image stabilization systems.

Sensor size sameness vs resolution and processor differences

The ELPH 135 benefits from the newer DIGIC 4+ processor, delivering slightly better noise handling and color reproduction. The increase to 16 megapixels also provides marginally better detail resolution for large prints or cropping flexibility without sacrificing low-light usability excessively.

Meanwhile, the SD1400 IS sticks with a solid 14MP CCD and DIGIC 4, still capable but showing its age in intricate textures and dynamic range when compared side-by-side with newer processors.

From our extensive sensor testing experience, a 2MP difference might sound negligible, but in fine detail capture - particularly landscapes and portraits - it translates to better nuance and cropping room.

Display and Interface: Your Window to Composition

User interface quality heavily influences shooting enjoyment. Both cameras feature a 2.7-inch rear LCD with 230k-dot resolution but differ slightly in screen technology.

• Both lack touch capability.
• The ELPH 135 uses a TFT LCD; the SD1400 IS does not specify screen tech but is also TFT-based.
• Neither has a viewfinder - necessitating reliance on the LCD in bright outdoor conditions.

Rear screen view and interface ergonomics

The screen on the ELPH 135 appears slightly warmer in color tone and offers better contrast under our controlled testing lights. This contributes to improved framing and review, especially in scenarios with changeable lighting such as travel and street photography.

Given neither camera has a viewfinder, outdoors compositions can be challenging. We recommend pairing either with a lens hood accessory or shooting in shaded areas to reduce glare.

Lens and Focal Range: Zoom and Macro Performance

Optical versatility is a critical factor for ultracompacts, which can rarely swap lenses.

The ELPH 135 stands out with an impressive 8x zoom, doubling the telephoto reach of the SD1400 IS’s 4x range. This extended reach suits wildlife and travel users needing distant framing options. The downside is a narrower aperture at telephoto (f/6.9), which may challenge low-light telephoto shots.

In contrast, the SD1400 IS starts with a brighter f/2.8 aperture at wide-angle, helping in indoor and night scenarios but limits longer focal versatility.

Macro shooters will appreciate the ELPH 135’s ability to focus as close as 1cm, capturing fine details with exceptional clarity - ideal for flower or product photography enthusiasts. The SD1400 IS’s 3cm minimum focus distance is less impressive but still workable.

Another important consideration is image stabilization: The ELPH 135 relies on digital IS, which reduces blur mainly by cropping and digital manipulation, less effective at longer focal lengths. The SD1400 IS counters with optical IS, physically counteracting shake - often more effective in varied shooting conditions.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Capturing the Moment

Both cameras use contrast-detection autofocus systems but their performance varies:

The ELPH 135 brings modern refinements including face detection and continuous AF, enhancing tracking of moving subjects - beneficial in casual sports or dynamic street scenarios.

The SD1400 IS has a more basic AF system with no face detection or continuous focus, suitable for still subjects and posed portraits, but less effective when shooting unpredictably moving subjects.

Both cameras shoot around 1 frame per second, slower than dedicated action cameras or mirrorless bodies, limiting their use in sports or fast wildlife photography.

Image Quality Results: Real-world Shooting

Our gallery below presents sample photos from both cameras shot under various conditions, including portraits, landscapes, and indoor scenes.

Canon ELPH 135 front Canon ELPH 135 screen back Canon SD1400 IS screen back

Portraits

• The ELPH 135 captures warmer skin tones, with soft bokeh possible due to longer zoom and decent aperture control.
• SD1400 IS produces sharper images wide-open but lacks face detect AF, sometimes missing focus on eyes.

Landscapes

• The higher resolution on ELPH 135 benefits detailed foliage and textures.
• Dynamic range is constrained on both, typical of small-sensor CCDs, leading to clipped highlights in bright skies.

Low-light and Night

• Both hit max ISO 1600 but suffer noise approaching this.
• Digital stabilization on ELPH 135 is less effective at slower shutter speeds than the SD1400 IS’s optical IS.

Video Capabilities: Basic but Serviceable

Neither camera targets videographers, but casual video is supported.

Video on both cameras is 720p HD quality, acceptable for social media clips but not professional video work. The SD1400 IS’s optical stabilization gives it the edge for smoother footage, especially handheld.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity

The ELPH 135 offers a rated battery life of around 230 shots, which is typical for cameras of this class. The SD1400 IS’s rating isn’t reported, but based on similar cameras and battery specs, expect a similar or shorter lifespan.

Notably, the SD1400 IS supports HDMI output, allowing display on external monitors – a niche but useful feature for reviewing work on larger screens.

Both cameras lack wireless features like Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, a limitation for instant sharing or remote control in today’s connected world.

Strengths and Weaknesses Recap

Applying These Cameras Across Photography Genres

Let’s explore how each camera’s strengths and limitations affect specific photographic disciplines. This analysis reflects our experience shooting these cameras in situ and how they meet practical demands.

Portrait Photography

• ELPH 135: Face detection autofocus is a significant plus, locking focus on eyes efficiently. Its 8x zoom allows more creative framing and flattering compression effects on portraits.
• SD1400 IS: Brighter wide-angle aperture helps indoors, but lack of facial AF means more missed focus chances, especially with moving subjects.

Landscape Photography

• ELPH 135, with 16MP sensor, edges out in detail capture and cropping ability.
• Both cameras lack advanced weather sealing, limiting outdoor ruggedness.
• SD1400 IS produces decent color fidelity but lower pixel count restrains large print use.

Wildlife Photography

• Neither camera is ideal for fast wildlife due to slow autofocus and burst rates.
• ELPH 135’s 8x zoom roughly equivalent to 224mm gives more framing flexibility.
• SD1400 IS’s 4x zoom is limiting here.

Sports Photography

• Both cameras’ 1 fps continuous shooting and sluggish focus effectively remove them from serious sports use.
• ELPH 135’s continuous AF and face tracking slightly better for casual capture.

Street Photography

• Size and unobtrusiveness are vital.
• SD1400 IS’s slimmer profile wins for discrete shooting.
• ELPH 135’s faster autofocus and versatile zoom helps capture street details better.

Macro Photography

• ELPH 135’s 1 cm minimum focus distance enables truly close shots rich in detail.
• SD1400 IS’s 3 cm min focusing distance is less impressive for macro enthusiasts.

Night and Astrophotography

• Both cameras suffer image noise at higher ISO.
• ELPH 135’s newer processor provides marginally better low-light results.
• Neither supports manual exposure modes, limiting astrophotography.

Video Use

• SD1400 IS’s optical IS stabilizes handheld video better than digital stabilization on ELPH 135.
• Neither camera fulfills professional video needs but fine for snapshots.

Travel Photography

• ELPH 135 offers a more versatile zoom range, better for travel where changing scenes are frequent.
• SD1400 IS’s light and slim build makes it easy to carry all day.
• Battery life roughly equal; consider spare battery for extended trips.

Professional Workflows

• Neither camera supports RAW file capture - a critical limitation for professional image quality workflows.
• TIFF or JPEG only, restricting post-processing latitude.
• No wireless or advanced connectivity requires manual file transfer.
• Both provide reliability for casual professional use but no advanced production features.

Verdict: Choosing Your Ultracompact Companion

Both the Canon PowerShot ELPH 135 and Canon PowerShot SD1400 IS serve as entry-level, ultraportable companions designed to simplify photography without confusing manual complexities.

• Choose the ELPH 135 if you value:

  • Higher-resolution images
  • Longer zoom reach for versatile framing
  • Improved autofocus with face detection
  • Closer macro focusing
  • Slightly better low-light handling

• Choose the SD1400 IS if you value:

  • Slimmer and lighter design for maximal portability
  • Brighter wide aperture for indoor shoots
  • Optical image stabilization for steadier photos and video
  • HDMI output for easy video or photo playback on monitors

Both cameras work best for casual photography, travel, portraits, and day-to-day documentation but fall short for advanced users needing manual exposure, fast burst rates, or RAW formats.

If you're just starting your photography journey or want a straightforward, pocketable camera to complement your smartphone, either model can serve well. For slightly more creative control and zoom reach, favor the ELPH 135. For ultimate discreteness and stabilized video, the SD1400 IS holds appeal.

Final Thoughts: Explore, Shoot, and Create

Learning from thousands of camera tests, trusting your hands-on feel and experimentation will reveal what truly suits your style. We encourage you to get these models in your hands if possible and see which invests more naturally into your creative flow.

Find the right accessories like extra batteries, SD cards, or carrying cases to boost your experience. And remember - even budget ultracompacts can be powerful tools to capture moments and tell stories.

We hope this thorough Canon ELPH 135 vs SD1400 IS comparison helps steer your purchase with confidence. For more insights and camera reviews based on real-world performance, stay tuned and keep imagining.

Happy shooting!

Article accompanied by hands-on sample images and technical specs as shared above.