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Canon SX40 HS vs Sony HX50V

Portability
64
Imaging
36
Features
50
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot SX40 HS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX50V front
Portability
89
Imaging
45
Features
57
Overall
49

Canon SX40 HS vs Sony HX50V Key Specs

Canon SX40 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-840mm (F2.7-5.8) lens
  • 600g - 123 x 92 x 108mm
  • Released September 2011
  • Earlier Model is Canon SX30 IS
  • Renewed by Canon SX50 HS
Sony HX50V
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Expand to 12800)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5 - 6.3) lens
  • 272g - 108 x 64 x 38mm
  • Released April 2013
  • Superseded the Sony HX30V
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Canon SX40 HS vs Sony HX50V Overview

Let's look more in depth at the Canon SX40 HS versus Sony HX50V, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by competitors Canon and Sony. There is a large difference among the resolutions of the SX40 HS (12MP) and HX50V (20MP) but both cameras have the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SX40 HS was launched 19 months earlier than the HX50V which makes them a generation apart from each other. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Canon SX40 HS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony HX50V being a Compact camera.

Before delving right into a full comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the SX40 HS grades against the HX50V when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX40 HS over the Sony HX50V

 SX40 HS HX50V 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Sony HX50V over the Canon SX40 HS

 HX50V SX40 HS 
ReleasedApril 2013September 2011Fresher by 19 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX40 HS and Sony HX50V

 SX40 HS HX50V 
Manually focus More accurate focusing
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Canon SX40 HS vs Sony HX50V Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry your camera often, you're going to have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX40 HS has outside dimensions of 123mm x 92mm x 108mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 4.3") and a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) whilst the Sony HX50V has dimensions of 108mm x 64mm x 38mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") and a weight of 272 grams (0.60 lbs).

See the Canon SX40 HS versus Sony HX50V in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Here is a front view size comparison of the SX40 HS and the HX50V.

Canon SX40 HS vs Sony HX50V size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the SX40 HS and HX50V is 64 and 89 respectively.

Canon SX40 HS vs Sony HX50V top view buttons comparison

Canon SX40 HS vs Sony HX50V Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very difficult to visualise the difference in sensor sizing only by researching a spec sheet. The visual underneath will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX40 HS and HX50V.

Clearly, both of those cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same resolution. You can count on the Sony HX50V to render more detail utilizing its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots more aggressively. The older SX40 HS will be behind in sensor technology.

Canon SX40 HS vs Sony HX50V sensor size comparison

Canon SX40 HS vs Sony HX50V Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX40 HS vs Sony HX50V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX40 HS Portrait photography details
Sony HX50V Portrait photography details
41
you can focus manually
above average flash sync (1/2,000s)
has face detect autofocus
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
51
manual focus
good MP (20 megapixels)
supports face detection focus
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX40 HS Street photography advice
Sony HX50V Street photography advice
49
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
heavier than competition (600 grams)
62
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (272 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX40 HS
Sports photography with Sony HX50V
43
amazing zoom range (24-840mm 35.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good battery life (380 CIPA)
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
58
long zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (20MP)
supports tracking autofocus
great battery life (400 CIPA)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX40 HS as a Travel photography camera
Sony HX50V as a Travel photography camera
55
good battery life (380 per charge)
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
really wide (24mm)
very long zoom (840mm)
missing Time Lapse function
heavier than competition (600g)
megapixel count low (12MP)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
71
great battery life (400 shots)
lighter than others (272 grams)
good MP (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
decently wide (24mm)
great reach (720mm)
lack of Timelapse function
does not contain selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5 )
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX40 HS
Landscape photography with Sony HX50V
38
you can focus manually
really wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good battery life (380 shots)
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
missing Time Lapse function
54
manual focus
decently wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (20 megapixels)
great battery life (400 shots)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5 )
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX40 HS Vlogging factors
Sony HX50V Vlogging factors
57
really wide (24mm)
screen is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
missing mic support
heavier than competition (600 grams)
34
decently wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others (272g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5 )
does not contain selfie friendly display
lack of external microphone jack
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Canon SX40 HS vs Sony HX50V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX40 HS and Sony HX50V
 Canon PowerShot SX40 HSSony Cyber-shot DSC-HX50V
General Information
Company Canon Sony
Model type Canon PowerShot SX40 HS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX50V
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2011-09-15 2013-04-24
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 5184 x 2920
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Max enhanced ISO - 12800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-840mm (35.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Max aperture f/2.7-5.8 f/3.5 - 6.3
Macro focusing range 0cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 2.7" 3"
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech PureColor II VA TFT LCD XtraFine LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic (optional)
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/3200s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 7.00 m 5.60 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync, Rear Sync, Advanced Flash
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/2000s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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) 1920 x 1080 (60fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone 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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 600 gr (1.32 lbs) 272 gr (0.60 lbs)
Physical dimensions 123 x 92 x 108mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 4.3") 108 x 64 x 38mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 shots 400 shots
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-10L NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Retail pricing $330 $439