Canon PowerShot ELPH 140 IS vs Canon PowerShot SD780 IS: An Expert Ultracompact Camera Comparison for Enthusiasts

Choosing an ultracompact camera can be surprisingly complex, especially when you want a blend of portability, image quality, and ease of use without breaking the bank. Two Canon models that often surface in discussions for casual yet capable shooters are the Canon PowerShot ELPH 140 IS (IXUS 150) and the slightly older Canon PowerShot SD780 IS (Digital IXUS 100 IS). Both carry the compact legacy of Canon’s PowerShot lineup, but what really sets these two apart in practical usage? Which device better suits your photographic style, whether you’re capturing portraits, landscapes, or quick travel shots?

With over 15 years of evaluating cameras across all levels of expertise, I’ll walk you through the core differences - and similarities - that matter in real shooting scenarios. This review is both a technical and user-focused comparison, cutting through spec sheets to focus on performance, ergonomics, versatility, and value.

Let’s dive in.

Size and Ergonomics: How These Two Pocket Companions Stack Up

Feeling the Cameras in Hand: Design and Ergonomics

When choosing an ultracompact camera, size and handling are crucial. You want a device that fits your pocket effortlessly but still feels comfortable when shooting.

• Canon ELPH 140 IS: Measuring 95 x 54 x 22 mm and weighing 127 g, it’s slim yet slightly chunkier than you might expect, thanks to the 8x zoom lens (28-224 mm equivalent). Its tactile feedback is reassuring, and due to the slightly larger build, it tends to feel more stable during handheld shooting.

• Canon SD780 IS: A tad smaller at 87 x 56 x 18 mm and heavier at 155 g, this model trades depth for width and height. With a 3.3x zoom range (33-100 mm equivalent), it’s designed to be even more pocket-friendly and lightweight, ideal for slipping in a purse or jacket pocket.

Both cameras feature fixed lenses, but the ELPH 140 IS’s extended zoom range necessitates a slightly larger body, which might influence your choice depending on whether you value longer focal reach or maximum portability.

The top control layout in each model aims for simplicity but shows distinct design approaches - let's take a closer look.

Control Placement and Handling Insights for Both Cameras

Control Layout and User Interface: Navigating Your Camera

Neither camera offers manual exposure controls like shutter or aperture priority, which respects the ultracompact philosophy: point, shoot, and enjoy instant images.

• The ELPH 140 IS boasts intuitive buttons for zoom, shooting, and menu navigation clustered conveniently. The increased body size means buttons are spaced well enough to minimize accidental presses, helpful for quick framing.

• The SD780 IS sticks to a tightened layout; buttons sit close but remain functional. This compactness is great for traveling light, but the smaller buttons may be slightly challenging for users with larger hands or when wearing gloves.

Both cameras rely on a fixed, non-touch TFT LCD to preview your shots and navigate menus, but with differences in screen size and interface responsiveness.

Rear Screen Technologies: Viewing Comfort and Usability

Rear Screen and Viewfinder: Your Window to the World

• The ELPH 140 IS features a 2.7" fixed TFT LCD with 230K dots resolution, which strikes a decent balance between clarity and power consumption. It lacks touchscreen functionality, but the display is bright enough for casual outdoor shooting in shaded conditions.

• The SD780 IS comes with a slightly smaller 2.5" LCD at the same resolution. Interestingly, it includes a small optical tunnel viewfinder, something the ELPH 140 IS lacks. While this viewfinder isn’t detailed, it’s handy for composing in bright outdoor light where LCD glare can be an issue.

For people who value framing shots with precision in sunlit settings, the SD780 IS edges ahead thanks to the physical viewfinder.

Breaking Down the Imaging Core: Sensor Technology and Quality

Both cameras share a similar 1/2.3" CCD sensor measuring approximately 6.17 x 4.55 mm, a common size for compact cameras intended for casual shooting. However, important differences in resolution and processing affect image performance.

The ELPH 140 IS's 16-megapixel resolution offers finer detail capture compared to the SD780 IS’s 12 MP. This additional resolution can improve image quality for large prints or cropping flexibility.

That said, both are limited by their small sensor size and CCD architecture, which generally means less dynamic range and higher noise at elevated ISOs compared to modern CMOS sensors found in newer compacts or mirrorless models.

Sensor Area and Pixel Density: Effects on Image Resolution and Noise

Image Quality and Practical Use: What You Really Get

Portrait photography:

• The ELPH 140 IS with its longer zoom lens (28-224 mm) enables greater background compression for pleasing bokeh, even though the fixed aperture range (f/3.2-6.9) limits shallow depth-of-field possibilities.

• Both cameras provide face detection autofocus, but the ELPH 140 IS offers continuous autofocus during live view, which better tracks facial movement for sharper portraits.

• Skin tones are rendered warmly and naturally by both, owing to Canon’s color science, though the SD780 IS includes slightly improved white balance customization options.

Landscape photography:

• Neither camera offers advanced weather sealing, so shooting in adverse conditions calls for caution or protective accessories.

• The ELPH 140 IS’s higher megapixels translate into marginally better resolution for detailed landscapes.

• Dynamic range is limited on both, with blown highlights or crushed shadows presenting challenges in high-contrast scenes. For scenic vistas, you may need to rely on built-in exposure compensation or bracketed shots, though neither model supports bracketing natively.

Wildlife and sports photography:

• Both cameras fall short in burst shooting and autofocus speed with only a 1 fps continuous shooting rate.

• The ELPH 140 IS includes better autofocus tracking capabilities, but the small sensor and slow lenses limit action shot quality.

• Zoom reach favors the ELPH’s 8x versus the SD780’s 3.3x, offering greater flexibility in moderate telephoto wildlife captures.

Canon ELPH 140 IS front Canon ELPH 140 IS screen back Canon SD780 IS screen back

Autofocus Systems: Accuracy and Responsiveness

Both models use contrast-detection autofocus systems with 9 focus points covering center and multi-area modes.

• ELPH 140 IS:

  • Supports continuous AF during live view, helping maintain focus on moving subjects during video or burst shots.

  • Face detection is effective, although no animal eye-detection is available.

• SD780 IS:

  • Offers single-shot AF only, which can slow you down with fast-moving subjects.

  • Face detection works well indoors and outdoors but with longer lag times.

Neither camera supports phase-detection AF, so neither is ideal for fast-paced, predictive focusing needed in sports or wildlife photography.

Shutter Speeds, Aperture, and Exposure Control

Both units feature limited exposure controls:

• ELPH 140 IS: Shutter speeds from 15 seconds to 1/2000 second; maximum aperture varies from f/3.2 at wide and f/6.9 at telephoto.

• SD780 IS: Slightly slower maximum shutter speed of 1/1500 second; aperture ranges f/3.2 to f/5.8 across zoom.

Neither camera offers manual control modes such as shutter or aperture priority, limiting creative exposure choices, but both allow custom white balance settings and various flash modes.

Video Capabilities: What to Expect

Both cameras produce HD video at reasonable quality for casual use but lack external mic inputs and advanced stabilization systems. For vloggers or hobbyists documenting travel or family moments, this suffices but don’t expect professional-grade filmmaking tools here.

Battery Life and Storage Considerations

Battery performance and storage directly impact extended shooting.

• ELPH 140 IS: Uses NB-11L lithium-ion battery, rated for approx. 230 shots per charge, suitable for short outings but may require spares for long days.

• SD780 IS: Battery life unspecified, powered by NB-4L battery, generally yielding similar endurance given the older technology and smaller screen.

Both accept SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, although the SD780 IS also supports legacy MMC formats, which is less relevant today.

Connectivity and Additional Features

Neither camera offers wireless connectivity, Bluetooth, or NFC - common in modern devices for easy sharing.

• Connectivity options:

  • Both have USB 2.0 ports for file transfer - adequate but dated compared to USB-C standards.

  • The SD780 IS uniquely includes an HDMI output, allowing direct display connections to TVs, which enthusiasts might appreciate.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Both are plastic-bodied ultracompacts lacking any official weather sealing or ruggedization. Careful handling is advised in dusty or wet environments.

Who Should Consider Each Camera? Clear Recommendations By Use Case

To distill this into practical buying advice:

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

Both cameras rely on built-in fixed lenses, so lens swapping isn’t an option.

• The ELPH 140 IS favors versatility with an 8x zoom covering wide to telephoto.

• The SD780 IS remains limited to a modest 3.3x zoom range.

This means you’ll rely heavily on digital zoom or cropping if more reach is needed on the SD780 IS.

Final Thoughts: Which Canon Ultracompact Fits You Best?

The Canon PowerShot ELPH 140 IS emerges as the smarter choice for those wanting a higher resolution sensor, longer zoom range, and smoother autofocus, making it a more versatile pocket camera for a variety of shooting situations ranging from portraits to landscapes and casual wildlife.

On the other hand, the Canon PowerShot SD780 IS remains appealing for users prioritizing pocket-sized discretion and an optical viewfinder that helps frame shots in tricky lighting conditions, making it ideal for street photography enthusiasts or travelers who want minimal bulk over specs.

Both cameras share the limitations typical of early-to-mid 2010s ultracompacts - small CCD sensors, limited ISO performance, no RAW, and basic movie features. If you want a simple point-and-shoot without fuss, either will do, but for quality and flexibility, the ELPH 140 IS has the edge.

Summary Table: Canon ELPH 140 IS vs Canon SD780 IS

Getting Started With Your Ultracompact Canon

Whichever you choose, both cameras represent the accessible roots of digital photography - a great way to learn composition, lighting, and timing without technical complexity.

For beginners and casual snappers, the ELPH 140 IS’s greater zoom flexibility and modern processing provides the best results out-of-the-box. For travelers wanting ultimate compactness with an optical viewfinder, the SD780 IS is still a viable option.

Don’t forget to:

• Familiarize yourself with each camera’s menus and settings to maximize image quality.
• Use a good quality SDHC or SDXC card for faster write speeds.
• Carry spare batteries if you plan on shooting for extended periods.
• Practice steady handholding or use a mini-tripod for macro and night shots.

Explore these ultracompact options in person if you can, to feel which suits your grip and shooting style best.

Conclusion

The Canon PowerShot ELPH 140 IS and SD780 IS illustrate the evolution of Canon’s compact camera design from 2009 to 2014. Both cameras prioritize simplicity and portability, but the newer ELPH 140 IS delivers enhanced zoom capabilities, better sensor resolution, and improved autofocus, making it the more versatile tool for most casual photography enthusiasts today.

While their limitations in manual controls, sensor size, and video features limit their appeal for professionals or serious hobbyists, they remain useful companions for quick snapshots, travel memories, and learning photography fundamentals.

If you’re venturing into photography and want a reliable, compact, easy-to-use camera without the complexity of interchangeable lenses, these models are worth considering - especially the Canon PowerShot ELPH 140 IS.

Feel free to check these cameras out in-store, test their ergonomics, and capture sample shots to see which fits your creative journey best. And remember, great photography is more about vision and practice than equipment alone.

Happy shooting!

Images used:

• size-comparison.jpg
• top-view-compare.jpg
• sensor-size-compare.jpg
• back-screen.jpg
• cameras-galley.jpg
• camera-scores.jpg
• photography-type-cameras-scores.jpg