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Canon SD940 IS vs Nikon L31

Portability
96
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29
Canon PowerShot SD940 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix L31 front
Portability
94
Imaging
41
Features
27
Overall
35

Canon SD940 IS vs Nikon L31 Key Specs

Canon SD940 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 120g - 89 x 55 x 20mm
  • Released August 2009
  • Alternate Name is Digital IXUS 120 IS
Nikon L31
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F3.2-6.5) lens
  • 160g - 96 x 59 x 29mm
  • Released January 2015
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Canon SD940 IS vs Nikon L31 Overview

The following is a detailed comparison of the Canon SD940 IS and Nikon L31, both Ultracompact digital cameras by manufacturers Canon and Nikon. There is a sizeable difference between the image resolutions of the SD940 IS (12MP) and L31 (16MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SD940 IS was brought out 6 years earlier than the L31 which is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Ultracompact).

Before going into a in depth comparison, here is a short introduction of how the SD940 IS scores versus the L31 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD940 IS over the Nikon L31

 SD940 IS L31 

Reasons to pick Nikon L31 over the Canon SD940 IS

 L31 SD940 IS 
ReleasedJanuary 2015August 2009Newer by 65 months
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Canon SD940 IS and Nikon L31

 SD940 IS L31 
Focus manually No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions2.7"2.7"Equal screen measurement
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Touch screen Neither provides Touch screen

Canon SD940 IS vs Nikon L31 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to travel with your camera often, you will have to factor its weight and volume. The Canon SD940 IS provides external dimensions of 89mm x 55mm x 20mm (3.5" x 2.2" x 0.8") and a weight of 120 grams (0.26 lbs) and the Nikon L31 has sizing of 96mm x 59mm x 29mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs).

See the Canon SD940 IS and Nikon L31 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are using during that time. Following is a front view dimension comparison of the SD940 IS against the L31.

Canon SD940 IS vs Nikon L31 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the SD940 IS and L31 is 96 and 94 respectively.

Canon SD940 IS vs Nikon L31 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD940 IS vs Nikon L31 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its hard to imagine the contrast between sensor dimensions simply by reviewing technical specs. The image underneath will help give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the SD940 IS and L31.

As you can tell, both the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You should expect the Nikon L31 to offer greater detail having its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop shots more aggressively. The more aged SD940 IS is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Canon SD940 IS vs Nikon L31 sensor size comparison

Canon SD940 IS vs Nikon L31 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD940 IS vs Nikon L31 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD940 IS Portrait photography advice
Nikon L31 Portrait photography advice
21
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
36
decent megapixels (16MP)
comes with face detection focusing
manual focus not available
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SD940 IS Street photography highlights
Nikon L31 Street photography highlights
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
56
has image stabilization (Digital)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
more heavy than others in class (160g)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD940 IS Sports photography information
Nikon L31 Sports photography information
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow frames per second (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
40
has image stabilization (Digital)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SD940 IS
Travel photography with Nikon L31
58
has built in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
low megapixels (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
68
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
display is selfie friendly
reasonably wide (26mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
more heavy than others in class (160 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD940 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Nikon L31 as a Landscape photography camera
32
pretty wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not available
low megapixels (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
lack of Timelapse recording
39
reasonably wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Digital)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
manual mode not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD940 IS Vlogging factors
Nikon L31 Vlogging factors
29
pretty wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone socket
65
reasonably wide (26mm)
display is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Digital)
comes with face detection focusing
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external microphone socket
more heavy than others in class (160 grams)
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Canon SD940 IS vs Nikon L31 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD940 IS and Nikon L31
 Canon PowerShot SD940 ISNikon Coolpix L31
General Information
Brand Name Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot SD940 IS Nikon Coolpix L31
Also called as Digital IXUS 120 IS -
Class Ultracompact Ultracompact
Released 2009-08-19 2015-01-14
Physical type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
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 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 1600
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) 26-130mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.2-6.5
Macro focusing range 3cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7" 2.7"
Screen resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1500 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per sec -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.00 m 3.60 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync -
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1280 x 720
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 120g (0.26 pounds) 160g (0.35 pounds)
Physical dimensions 89 x 55 x 20mm (3.5" x 2.2" x 0.8") 96 x 59 x 29mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 life - 200 shots
Battery type - AA
Battery ID NB-4L 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (10 secs)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Launch price $299 $0