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Canon SX40 HS vs Sony a1

Portability
64
Imaging
35
Features
50
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot SX40 HS front
 
Sony Alpha a1 front
Portability
61
Imaging
81
Features
93
Overall
85

Canon SX40 HS vs Sony a1 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
  • Succeeded the Canon SX30 IS
  • New Model is Canon SX50 HS
Sony a1
(Full Review)
  • 50MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Push to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 7680 x 4320 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 737g - 129 x 97 x 70mm
  • Introduced January 2021
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Canon SX40 HS vs Sony a1 Overview

Lets take a deeper look at the Canon SX40 HS and Sony a1, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by brands Canon and Sony. There exists a crucial gap between the image resolutions of the SX40 HS (12MP) and a1 (50MP) and the SX40 HS (1/2.3") and a1 (Full frame) provide totally different sensor size.

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The SX40 HS was launched 10 years prior to the a1 which is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Canon SX40 HS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony a1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving straight to a full comparison, here is a concise overview of how the SX40 HS scores against the a1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX40 HS over the Sony a1

 SX40 HS a1 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Sony a1 over the Canon SX40 HS

 a1 SX40 HS 
IntroducedJanuary 2021September 2011More modern by 114 months
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1440k230kCrisper screen (+1210k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Canon SX40 HS and Sony a1

 SX40 HS a1 
Manually focus More precise focusing

Canon SX40 HS vs Sony a1 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry around your camera, you need to think about its weight and measurements. The Canon SX40 HS provides exterior 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) whilst the Sony a1 has proportions of 129mm x 97mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") with a weight of 737 grams (1.62 lbs).

Analyze the Canon SX40 HS and Sony a1 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Below is a front view over all size comparison of the SX40 HS and the a1.

Canon SX40 HS vs Sony a1 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX40 HS and a1 is 64 and 61 respectively.

Canon SX40 HS vs Sony a1 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX40 HS vs Sony a1 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's difficult to envision the contrast between sensor sizes just by reading specifications. The pic underneath will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX40 HS and a1.

To sum up, the 2 cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The SX40 HS due to its tinier sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field more challenging and the Sony a1 will offer extra detail utilizing its extra 38 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop pictures way more aggressively. The more aged SX40 HS is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SX40 HS vs Sony a1 sensor size comparison

Canon SX40 HS vs Sony a1 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX40 HS vs Sony a1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX40 HS Portrait photography highlights
Sony a1 Portrait photography highlights
41
you can focus manually
above average flash sync speed (1/2,000s)
includes face detect focus
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
88
focusing manually
high flash sync (1/400 seconds)
fantastic MP (50MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
comes with face detection focus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX40 HS as a Street photography camera
Sony a1 as a Street photography camera
49
screen can move to multiple angles
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
heavier than competitors (600g)
79
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports RAW files
has touch focus
weather proofing
great high ISO (32,000)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX40 HS Sports photography advice
Sony a1 Sports photography advice
42
long zoom range (24-840mm 35.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
great battery power (380 per charge)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
90
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
silent shutter (1/32,000s)
high fps (30.0 frames/s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
fantastic MP (50MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather proofing
good battery pack (530 CIPA)
has phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX40 HS Travel photography info
Sony a1 Travel photography info
54
great battery power (380 CIPA)
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
really wide (24mm)
great zoom (840mm)
no Time Lapse mode
heavier than competitors (600 grams)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
73
good battery pack (530 CIPA)
weather proofing
has bluetooth
has touch focus
fantastic MP (50 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Canon SX40 HS Landscape photography factors
Sony a1 Landscape photography factors
38
you can focus manually
really wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
great battery power (380 CIPA)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
no Time Lapse mode
88
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
fantastic MP (50 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
great high ISO (32,000)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
good battery pack (530 per charge)
2 card slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX40 HS as a Vlogging camera
Sony a1 as a Vlogging camera
57
really wide (24mm)
selfie friendly screen
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
no mic jack
heavier than competitors (600 grams)
36
touch screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detection focus
video res high (7680 x 4320 pixels)
has external microphone support
does not have a selfie friendly screen
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Canon SX40 HS vs Sony a1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX40 HS and Sony a1
 Canon PowerShot SX40 HSSony Alpha a1
General Information
Brand Name Canon Sony
Model Canon PowerShot SX40 HS Sony Alpha a1
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Pro Mirrorless
Introduced 2011-09-15 2021-01-26
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 50 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 8640 x 5760
Max native ISO 3200 32000
Max enhanced ISO - 102400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Minimum enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 9 759
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 24-840mm (35.0x) -
Largest aperture f/2.7-5.8 -
Macro focus distance 0cm -
Number of lenses - 133
Crop factor 5.8 1
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Tilting
Screen size 2.7" 3"
Resolution of screen 230k dots 1,440k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech PureColor II VA TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 9,437k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.9x
Features
Min shutter speed 15 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/3200 secs 1/8000 secs
Max silent shutter speed - 1/32000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames per second 30.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 7.00 m no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/2000 secs 1/400 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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) 7680x4320 (30p, 25p, 23.98)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 7680x4320
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 XAVC S, XAVC HS, H.264, H.265
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) Yes
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 600 gr (1.32 lbs) 737 gr (1.62 lbs)
Physical dimensions 123 x 92 x 108mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 4.3") 129 x 97 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 530 shots
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-10L NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots (UHS-II supported)
Card slots 1 Dual
Price at release $330 $6,498