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Canon SX40 HS vs Samsung PL120

Portability
64
Imaging
35
Features
50
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot SX40 HS front
 
Samsung PL120 front
Portability
99
Imaging
36
Features
20
Overall
29

Canon SX40 HS vs Samsung PL120 Key Specs

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
  • Introduced September 2011
  • Previous Model is Canon SX30 IS
  • Replacement is Canon SX50 HS
Samsung PL120
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 0 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • ()mm (F) lens
  • n/ag - 94 x 54 x 19mm
  • Introduced January 2011
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Canon SX40 HS vs Samsung PL120 Overview

Following is a in-depth overview of the Canon SX40 HS vs Samsung PL120, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Ultracompact by companies Canon and Samsung. The image resolution of the SX40 HS (12MP) and the PL120 (14MP) is relatively close and both cameras posses the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SX40 HS was manufactured 9 months after the PL120 so they are of a similar generation. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Canon SX40 HS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Samsung PL120 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before we go into a thorough comparison, here is a short view of how the SX40 HS matches up against the PL120 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX40 HS over the Samsung PL120

 SX40 HS PL120 
IntroducedSeptember 2011January 2011More modern by 9 months
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Samsung PL120 over the Canon SX40 HS

 PL120 SX40 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX40 HS and Samsung PL120

 SX40 HS PL120 
Screen dimensions2.7"2.7"Equal screen measurement
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Canon SX40 HS vs Samsung PL120 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry around your camera often, you will have to factor its weight and measurements. The Canon SX40 HS has got external dimensions of 123mm x 92mm x 108mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 4.3") accompanied by a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) while the Samsung PL120 has proportions of 94mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs).

Check the Canon SX40 HS vs Samsung PL120 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 select during that time. The following is a front view dimensions comparison of the SX40 HS and the PL120.

Canon SX40 HS vs Samsung PL120 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the SX40 HS and PL120 is 64 and 99 respectively.

Canon SX40 HS vs Samsung PL120 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX40 HS vs Samsung PL120 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's tough to see the gap in sensor sizes purely by viewing specs. The image underneath might provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX40 HS and PL120.

All in all, both of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same resolution. You should count on the Samsung PL120 to render greater detail due to its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will let you crop photographs more aggressively. The younger SX40 HS is going to have an edge in sensor technology.

Canon SX40 HS vs Samsung PL120 sensor size comparison

Canon SX40 HS vs Samsung PL120 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX40 HS vs Samsung PL120 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX40 HS Portrait photography details
Samsung PL120 Portrait photography details
41
you can focus manually
high flash sync speed (1/2,000s)
supports face detection focusing
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
28
megapixel count decent (14MP)
manual focus not available
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX40 HS Street photography info
Samsung PL120 Street photography info
49
fully articulated screen
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
more heavy than competitors (600g)
49
no moving screen
no image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX40 HS as a Sports photography camera
Samsung PL120 as a Sports photography camera
42
incredible zoom range (24-840mm 35.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good battery (380 per charge)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
26
megapixel count decent (14MP)
focal length is fixed (()mm)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SX40 HS
Travel photography with Samsung PL120
54
good battery (380 shots)
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
pretty wide (24mm)
very long reach (840mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
more heavy than competitors (600 grams)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
slow max aperture (f2.7)
70
megapixel count decent (14MP)
has built in flash
fast max aperture (f)
no Timelapse recording
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX40 HS Landscape photography advice
Samsung PL120 Landscape photography advice
38
you can focus manually
pretty wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
good battery (380 shots)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.7)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
does not have Timelapse recording
33
fast max aperture (f)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (()mm)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not possible
no image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX40 HS as a Vlogging camera
Samsung PL120 as a Vlogging camera
57
pretty wide (24mm)
screen is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow max aperture (f2.7)
does not have external microphone port
more heavy than competitors (600 grams)
31
fast max aperture (f)
comes with external microphone socket
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
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Canon SX40 HS vs Samsung PL120 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX40 HS and Samsung PL120
 Canon PowerShot SX40 HSSamsung PL120
General Information
Company Canon Samsung
Model Canon PowerShot SX40 HS Samsung PL120
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Ultracompact
Introduced 2011-09-15 2011-01-05
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.16 x 4.62mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.5mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 -
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 9 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-840mm (35.0x) ()
Maximum aperture f/2.7-5.8 -
Macro focus distance 0cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech PureColor II VA TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 8s
Highest shutter speed 1/3200s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames per sec -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 7.00 m -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in -
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/2000s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 240 fps) 1280 x 720
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) none
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 600 grams (1.32 lb) -
Physical dimensions 123 x 92 x 108mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 4.3") 94 x 54 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 380 shots -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model NB-10L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) -
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC -
Card slots 1 -
Launch pricing $330 $150