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Canon SX40 HS vs Sony A7S

Portability
64
Imaging
36
Features
50
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot SX40 HS front
 
Sony Alpha A7S front
Portability
77
Imaging
60
Features
73
Overall
65

Canon SX40 HS vs Sony A7S 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  • Superseded the Canon SX30 IS
  • Renewed by Canon SX50 HS
Sony A7S
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 409600
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 489g - 127 x 94 x 48mm
  • Revealed April 2014
  • Replacement is Sony A7S II
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Canon SX40 HS vs Sony A7S Overview

In this write-up, we are reviewing the Canon SX40 HS vs Sony A7S, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Pro Mirrorless by brands Canon and Sony. The image resolution of the SX40 HS (12MP) and the A7S (12MP) is fairly similar but the SX40 HS (1/2.3") and A7S (Full frame) feature totally different sensor sizing.

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The SX40 HS was manufactured 3 years earlier than the A7S which is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Canon SX40 HS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony A7S being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go in to a more detailed comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the SX40 HS scores against the A7S in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX40 HS over the Sony A7S

 SX40 HS A7S 
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Sony A7S over the Canon SX40 HS

 A7S SX40 HS 
RevealedApril 2014September 2011More modern by 31 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1230k230kSharper display (+1000k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX40 HS and Sony A7S

 SX40 HS A7S 
Manual focus Very precise focusing
Touch display Absent Touch display

Canon SX40 HS vs Sony A7S Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry around your camera frequently, you have to factor in its weight and size. The Canon SX40 HS provides outer measurements of 123mm x 92mm x 108mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 4.3") along with a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) and the Sony A7S has specifications of 127mm x 94mm x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") with a weight of 489 grams (1.08 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon SX40 HS vs Sony A7S in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have attached at that time. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the SX40 HS vs the A7S.

Canon SX40 HS vs Sony A7S size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the SX40 HS and A7S is 64 and 77 respectively.

Canon SX40 HS vs Sony A7S top view buttons comparison

Canon SX40 HS vs Sony A7S Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very tough to envision the difference between sensor sizes only by reviewing specifications. The pic here may give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the SX40 HS and A7S.

Plainly, both of those cameras enjoy the same exact MP but not the same sensor sizes. The SX40 HS contains the tinier sensor which will make obtaining bokeh trickier. The more aged SX40 HS is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Canon SX40 HS vs Sony A7S sensor size comparison

Canon SX40 HS vs Sony A7S Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX40 HS vs Sony A7S Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX40 HS as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A7S as a Portrait photography camera
41
has manual focus
flash sync speed is above average (1/2,000s)
comes with face detect autofocus
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
68
manual focus
sensor size is great (Full frame)
includes face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Canon SX40 HS Street photography info
Sony A7S Street photography info
49
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Optical)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
more heavy than others (600 grams)
76
tilting screen
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
weather proof
lighter than others (489g)
above average ISO range (409,600)
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX40 HS Sports photography details
Sony A7S Sports photography details
43
excellent zoom range (24-840mm 35.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good battery pack (380 shots)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
52
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
includes tracking focus
weather proof
low frames per second (5.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
not so great battery pack (360 CIPA)
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SX40 HS
Travel photography with Sony A7S
55
good battery pack (380 shots)
built-in flash
selfie friendly display
quite wide (24mm)
great zoom (840mm)
no Timelapse recording
more heavy than others (600g)
MP count low (12MP)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
58
lighter than others (489g)
weather proof
not so great battery pack (360 CIPA)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX40 HS Landscape photography info
Sony A7S Landscape photography info
38
has manual focus
quite wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good battery pack (380 CIPA)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
small screen (2.7 inches)
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
no Timelapse recording
66
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
above average ISO range (409,600)
supports RAW formats
weather proof
no image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
not so great battery pack (360 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX40 HS Vlogging information
Sony A7S Vlogging information
57
quite wide (24mm)
selfie friendly display
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
no microphone port
more heavy than others (600g)
34
includes face detect autofocus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
comes with microphone socket
lighter than others (489 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
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Canon SX40 HS vs Sony A7S Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX40 HS and Sony A7S
 Canon PowerShot SX40 HSSony Alpha A7S
General Information
Company Canon Sony
Model type Canon PowerShot SX40 HS Sony Alpha A7S
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Pro Mirrorless
Announced 2011-09-15 2014-04-06
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz X
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.8 x 23.9mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 855.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4240 x 2832
Highest native ISO 3200 409600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 25
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 24-840mm (35.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/2.7-5.8 -
Macro focusing range 0cm -
Total lenses - 121
Crop factor 5.8 1
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Tilting
Screen sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dots 1,230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech PureColor II VA TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.71x
Features
Min shutter speed 15 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 10.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 7.00 m no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in no built-in flash
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/2000 seconds -
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) 3840 x 2160, XAVC S 1080 60p(50Mbps), 30p (50Mbps), 24p (50Mbps). 720 120p (50Mbps). AVCHD 60p (28Mbps), 60i (24Mbps/17Mbps), 24p (24Mbps/17Mbps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 600 gr (1.32 pounds) 489 gr (1.08 pounds)
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 rating not tested 87
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.9
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.2
DXO Low light rating not tested 3702
Other
Battery life 380 photographs 360 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-10L NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures))
Time lapse shooting With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at release $330 $1,998