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Canon SD940 IS vs Olympus VG-120

Portability
96
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29
Canon PowerShot SD940 IS front
 
Olympus VG-120 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31

Canon SD940 IS vs Olympus VG-120 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
  • Launched August 2009
  • Other Name is Digital IXUS 120 IS
Olympus VG-120
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F2.8-6.5) lens
  • 120g - 96 x 57 x 19mm
  • Introduced January 2011
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Canon SD940 IS vs Olympus VG-120 Overview

On this page, we will be evaluating the Canon SD940 IS and Olympus VG-120, both Ultracompact cameras by manufacturers Canon and Olympus. The sensor resolution of the SD940 IS (12MP) and the VG-120 (14MP) is relatively comparable and both cameras offer the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SD940 IS was unveiled 16 months prior to the VG-120 which makes them a generation away from one another. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Ultracompact).

Before delving right into a thorough comparison, here is a short view of how the SD940 IS matches up vs the VG-120 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD940 IS over the Olympus VG-120

 SD940 IS VG-120 

Reasons to pick Olympus VG-120 over the Canon SD940 IS

 VG-120 SD940 IS 
IntroducedJanuary 2011August 2009Newer by 16 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Canon SD940 IS and Olympus VG-120

 SD940 IS VG-120 
Focus manually No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Canon SD940 IS vs Olympus VG-120 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you'll need to factor in its weight and volume. The Canon SD940 IS comes with outer measurements 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 Olympus VG-120 has sizing of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") with a weight of 120 grams (0.26 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon SD940 IS and Olympus VG-120 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are utilising at that time. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the SD940 IS and the VG-120.

Canon SD940 IS vs Olympus VG-120 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SD940 IS and VG-120 is 96 and 96 respectively.

Canon SD940 IS vs Olympus VG-120 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD940 IS vs Olympus VG-120 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's hard to picture the gap in sensor dimensions only by going through a spec sheet. The image below might offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the SD940 IS and VG-120.

As you can see, both of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different megapixels. You can count on the Olympus VG-120 to produce extra detail having an extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots more aggressively. The more aged SD940 IS will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SD940 IS vs Olympus VG-120 sensor size comparison

Canon SD940 IS vs Olympus VG-120 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD940 IS vs Olympus VG-120 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD940 IS Portrait photography information
Olympus VG-120 Portrait photography information
21
manual focus not available
no manual control
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
33
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
provides face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SD940 IS Street photography details
Olympus VG-120 Street photography details
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
48
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SD940 IS
Sports photography with Olympus VG-120
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
low frames per second (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
26
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
terrible battery (160 shots)
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD940 IS Travel photography advice
Olympus VG-120 Travel photography advice
58
has built in flash
rather wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
62
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (26mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
terrible battery (160 shots)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SD940 IS
Landscape photography with Olympus VG-120
32
rather wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
no manual control
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
missing Timelapse mode
36
pretty wide (26mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
manual exposure not possible
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
terrible battery (160 CIPA)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SD940 IS
Vlogging with Olympus VG-120
29
rather wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external microphone support
28
pretty wide (26mm)
provides face detect focusing
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic port
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Canon SD940 IS vs Olympus VG-120 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD940 IS and Olympus VG-120
 Canon PowerShot SD940 ISOlympus VG-120
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Olympus
Model type Canon PowerShot SD940 IS Olympus VG-120
Otherwise known as Digital IXUS 120 IS -
Type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Launched 2009-08-19 2011-01-06
Body design Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 4 TruePic III
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 1600 1600
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) 26-130mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/2.8-6.5
Macro focusing distance 3cm 7cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1500 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per sec -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.00 m 4.40 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic 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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 120g (0.26 pounds) 120g (0.26 pounds)
Physical dimensions 89 x 55 x 20mm (3.5" x 2.2" x 0.8") 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7")
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 - 160 shots
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-4L LI-70B
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus SD/SDHC
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $299 $190