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Canon SX120 IS vs Canon SX40 HS

Portability
87
Imaging
33
Features
28
Overall
31
Canon PowerShot SX120 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX40 HS front
Portability
64
Imaging
36
Features
50
Overall
41

Canon SX120 IS vs Canon SX40 HS Key Specs

Canon SX120 IS
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 36-360mm (F2.8-4.3) lens
  • 285g - 111 x 71 x 45mm
  • Revealed August 2009
Canon SX40 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-840mm (F2.7-5.8) lens
  • 600g - 123 x 92 x 108mm
  • Announced September 2011
  • Previous Model is Canon SX30 IS
  • Successor is Canon SX50 HS
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Canon SX120 IS vs Canon SX40 HS Overview

Here, we will be contrasting the Canon SX120 IS vs Canon SX40 HS, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are manufactured by Canon. The image resolution of the SX120 IS (10MP) and the SX40 HS (12MP) is relatively close but the SX120 IS (1/2.5") and SX40 HS (1/2.3") provide different sensor dimensions.

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The SX120 IS was brought out 3 years before the SX40 HS which is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Canon SX120 IS being a Compact camera and the Canon SX40 HS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before diving straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the SX120 IS scores against the SX40 HS when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX120 IS over the Canon SX40 HS

 SX120 IS SX40 HS 
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Canon SX40 HS over the Canon SX120 IS

 SX40 HS SX120 IS 
AnnouncedSeptember 2011August 2009Newer by 25 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Canon SX120 IS and Canon SX40 HS

 SX120 IS SX40 HS 
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Touch screen Neither includes Touch screen

Canon SX120 IS vs Canon SX40 HS Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to travel with your camera often, you should take into account its weight and measurements. The Canon SX120 IS features physical dimensions of 111mm x 71mm x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") accompanied by a weight of 285 grams (0.63 lbs) whilst the Canon SX40 HS has proportions of 123mm x 92mm x 108mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 4.3") having a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs).

Check out the Canon SX120 IS vs Canon SX40 HS in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you choose at that moment. Here is a front view over all size comparison of the SX120 IS compared to the SX40 HS.

Canon SX120 IS vs Canon SX40 HS size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the SX120 IS and SX40 HS is 87 and 64 respectively.

Canon SX120 IS vs Canon SX40 HS top view buttons comparison

Canon SX120 IS vs Canon SX40 HS Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's difficult to imagine the difference in sensor dimensions simply by viewing technical specs. The pic below might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the SX120 IS and SX40 HS.

As you can tell, both of the cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The SX120 IS featuring a smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallow depth of field trickier and the Canon SX40 HS will result in greater detail having its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop shots way more aggressively. The more aged SX120 IS will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Canon SX120 IS vs Canon SX40 HS sensor size comparison

Canon SX120 IS vs Canon SX40 HS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX120 IS vs Canon SX40 HS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Portrait photography highlights
Canon SX40 HS Portrait photography highlights
33
manual focus
great flash sync speed (1/500s)
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.5")
has no RAW files
41
manual focus
flash sync is higher than normal (1/2,000 seconds)
supports face detect focusing
low resolution (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Street photography info
Canon SX40 HS Street photography info
51
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.5")
has no RAW files
heavier than others (285 grams)
49
fully articulated screen
image stabilization (Optical)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
more heavy than others (600 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Sports photography information
Canon SX40 HS Sports photography information
26
image stabilization (Optical)
slow frames per second (1.0 fps)
low megapixels (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.5")
has no phase detect auto focus
43
incredible zoom range (24-840mm 35.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
great battery power (380 shots)
low resolution (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX120 IS as a Travel photography camera
Canon SX40 HS as a Travel photography camera
51
flash built-in
very long zoom (360mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
heavier than others (285g)
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (36mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
55
great battery power (380 per charge)
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
fairly wide (24mm)
great reach (840mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
more heavy than others (600 grams)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Landscape photography advice
Canon SX40 HS Landscape photography advice
36
manual focus
screen is a good size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (36mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.5")
has no RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
38
manual focus
fairly wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
great battery power (380 per charge)
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
low resolution (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX120 IS as a Vlogging camera
Canon SX40 HS as a Vlogging camera
23
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (36mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (640 x 480 pxls)
doesn't have mic socket
heavier than others (285g)
57
fairly wide (24mm)
selfie friendly screen
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
lack of microphone support
more heavy than others (600 grams)
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Canon SX120 IS vs Canon SX40 HS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX120 IS and Canon SX40 HS
 Canon PowerShot SX120 ISCanon PowerShot SX40 HS
General Information
Brand Canon Canon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX120 IS Canon PowerShot SX40 HS
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2009-08-19 2011-09-15
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.5" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 5.744 x 4.308mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 24.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 36-360mm (10.0x) 24-840mm (35.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-4.3 f/2.7-5.8
Macro focusing distance 1cm 0cm
Crop factor 6.3 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech - PureColor II VA TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 15 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2500 secs 1/3200 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 7.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/500 secs 1/2000 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps), 160 x 120 (15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (24fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 240 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 285 gr (0.63 lbs) 600 gr (1.32 lbs)
Physical dimensions 111 x 71 x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") 123 x 92 x 108mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 4.3")
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 - 380 photos
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID 2 x AA NB-10L
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $249 $330