Canon SD940 IS vs Olympus VG-120
96 Imaging
34 Features
21 Overall
28


96 Imaging
37 Features
24 Overall
31
Canon SD940 IS vs Olympus VG-120 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Canon SD940 IS vs Olympus VG-120 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot SD940 IS & Olympus VG-120. The full galleries are viewable at Canon SD940 IS Gallery & Olympus VG-120 Gallery.
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 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | January 2011 | ![]() | August 2009 | Newer by 16 months |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 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 type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Equal 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD940 IS vs Olympus VG-120 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SD940 IS | Olympus 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 |