Clicky

Canon SX40 HS vs Sony A7R

Portability
64
Imaging
36
Features
50
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot SX40 HS front
 
Sony Alpha A7R front
Portability
78
Imaging
74
Features
76
Overall
74

Canon SX40 HS vs Sony A7R 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
  • Announced September 2011
  • Superseded the Canon SX30 IS
  • Later Model is Canon SX50 HS
Sony A7R
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 465g - 127 x 94 x 48mm
  • Announced February 2014
  • Replacement is Sony A7R II
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Canon SX40 HS vs Sony A7R Overview

Here is a in-depth comparison of the Canon SX40 HS versus Sony A7R, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Pro Mirrorless by companies Canon and Sony. There exists a crucial gap between the sensor resolutions of the SX40 HS (12MP) and A7R (36MP) and the SX40 HS (1/2.3") and A7R (Full frame) posses totally different sensor sizing.

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

The SX40 HS was announced 3 years before the A7R and that is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Canon SX40 HS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony A7R being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the SX40 HS grades against the A7R with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon SX40 HS over the Sony A7R

 SX40 HS A7R 
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Sony A7R over the Canon SX40 HS

 A7R SX40 HS 
AnnouncedFebruary 2014September 2011Fresher by 29 months
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1230k230kClearer display (+1000k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX40 HS and Sony A7R

 SX40 HS A7R 
Manually focus More precise focus
Touch friendly display Neither has Touch friendly display

Canon SX40 HS vs Sony A7R Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor its weight and proportions. The Canon SX40 HS has physical measurements of 123mm x 92mm x 108mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 4.3") having a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) while the Sony A7R has measurements of 127mm x 94mm x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") accompanied by a weight of 465 grams (1.03 lbs).

Check the Canon SX40 HS versus Sony A7R in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are using during that time. Following is a front view dimension comparison of the SX40 HS and the A7R.

Canon SX40 HS vs Sony A7R size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX40 HS and A7R is 64 and 78 respectively.

Canon SX40 HS vs Sony A7R top view buttons comparison

Canon SX40 HS vs Sony A7R Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's hard to envision the difference between sensor sizing simply by reviewing a spec sheet. The photograph here might offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the SX40 HS and A7R.

As you can see, each of these cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The SX40 HS using its tinier sensor will make getting shallower DOF tougher and the Sony A7R will offer more detail with its extra 24 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The older SX40 HS is going to be behind in sensor tech.

Canon SX40 HS vs Sony A7R sensor size comparison

Canon SX40 HS vs Sony A7R Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX40 HS vs Sony A7R Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX40 HS Portrait photography highlights
Sony A7R Portrait photography highlights
41
focusing manually
above average flash sync (1/2,000 seconds)
features face detect autofocus
resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
84
you can focus manually
MP count fantastic (36 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
provides face detection focus
supports RAW files
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Street Comparison

Canon SX40 HS Street photography factors
Sony A7R Street photography factors
49
screen articulates fully
built in image stabilization (Optical)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
more heavy than average (600 grams)
80
tilting screen
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports RAW files
weather sealing
lighter than competition (465 grams)
good ISO range (25,600)
no image stabilization
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Sports Comparison

Canon SX40 HS as a Sports photography camera
Sony A7R as a Sports photography camera
43
incredible zoom range (24-840mm 35.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good battery life (380 CIPA)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
62
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
MP count fantastic (36MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
weather sealing
low frames per second (4.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
terrible battery pack (340 shots)
no phase detect auto focus
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Travel Comparison

Canon SX40 HS Travel photography features
Sony A7R Travel photography features
55
good battery life (380 shots)
built-in flash
selfie friendly display
relatively wide (24mm)
long reach (840mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
more heavy than average (600g)
resolution not great (12MP)
slow max aperture (f2.7)
70
lighter than competition (465 grams)
weather sealing
MP count fantastic (36 megapixels)
terrible battery pack (340 per charge)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX40 HS
Landscape photography with Sony A7R
38
focusing manually
relatively wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good battery life (380 CIPA)
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.7)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
lack of Timelapse mode
78
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
MP count fantastic (36 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
no low pass filter
good ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW files
weather sealing
no image stabilization
terrible battery pack (340 shots)
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX40 HS as a Vlogging camera
Sony A7R as a Vlogging camera
57
relatively wide (24mm)
selfie friendly display
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow max aperture (f2.7)
lack of microphone port
more heavy than average (600 grams)
36
provides face detection focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with external mic jack
lighter than competition (465 grams)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
Photography Glossary

Canon SX40 HS vs Sony A7R Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX40 HS and Sony A7R
 Canon PowerShot SX40 HSSony Alpha A7R
General Information
Company Canon Sony
Model Canon PowerShot SX40 HS Sony Alpha A7R
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Pro Mirrorless
Announced 2011-09-15 2014-02-13
Body design SLR-like (bridge) SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz X
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 36MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 7360 x 4912
Max native ISO 3200 25600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 25
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 24-840mm (35.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/2.7-5.8 -
Macro focus distance 0cm -
Amount of lenses - 121
Crop factor 5.8 1
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Tilting
Screen sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 1,230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology PureColor II VA TFT LCD Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.71x
Features
Min shutter speed 15 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/3200 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 10.0fps 4.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 7.00 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in no built-in flash
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/2000 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 240 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 600g (1.32 lb) 465g (1.03 lb)
Physical dimensions 123 x 92 x 108mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 4.3") 127 x 94 x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 95
DXO Color Depth score not tested 25.6
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 14.1
DXO Low light score not tested 2746
Other
Battery life 380 pictures 340 pictures
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-10L NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures))
Time lapse feature With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing $330 $1,898