• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • Detailed specifications
  • Canon PowerShot SD940 IS
  • Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
Links
Prices:    
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:    
Successor:    
General
Model Number: SD940 IS DSLR-A550
Alternate Model Number(s): Digital IXUS 120 IS  
Camera Format: Ultra Compact SLR
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $299.99 $1049.99
Street Price: $299.95 $859.40
Date Available: 2009-09-15 2009-10-08
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 4.9 oz (140 g)
includes batteries
32.2 oz (912 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 3.5 x 2.2 x 0.8 in.
(90 x 55 x 20 mm)
5.4 x 4.1 x 3.3 in.
(137 x 104 x 84 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CCD CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:   Sony
Effective Megapixels: 12.1 14.2
Sensor Format: 1/2.3 inch APS-C
Sensor size: 28.0735mm2 (6.17mm x 4.55mm) 369.72mm2 (23.7mm x 15.6mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 1.54 microns 5.16 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: n/a 1.5x
Aspect Ratio: 4:3, 16:9 3:2, 16:9
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter:   Fixed
Self-Cleaning: No Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: No Yes
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score:   66
DxO Color Depth Score (bits):   21.9
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs):   11.8
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso):   807
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4000 x 3000 (12.0 MP, 4:3),
4000 x 2248 (9.0 MP, 16:9),
3264 x 2448 (8.0 MP, 4:3),
2592 x 1944 (5.0 MP, 4:3),
1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3)
4592 x 3056 (14.0 MP, 3:2),
4592 x 2576 (11.8 MP, 16:9),
3344 x 2224 (7.4 MP, 3:2),
3344 x 1872 (6.3 MP, Other),
2288 x 1520 (3.5 MP, Other),
2288 x 1280 (2.9 MP, Other)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.2) JPEG, RAW
Continuous-mode frames/second: 0.8 6.7
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes No
Movie Resolution: 1280x720 (30)
640x480 (30)
320x240 (30)
Movie File Format: MOV (Image: H.264, Audio: PCM)  
Composite Video Out: Yes No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder: n/a
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: n/a Sony Alpha (Minolta A)
Lens: Canon Zoom Lens Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 DT SAM
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 28 - 112mm 27 - 83mm
Focal Length (actual): 5 - 20mm 18 - 55mm
Zoom Ratio: 4.00x 3.00x
Aperture Range: f/2.8 (W) - f/5.9 (T) f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - ?? (T)
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 30 cm to Infinity
11.8 in to Infinity
 
Macro Focus Range: 3 - 50 cm
1.2 - 19.7 in
 
Filter Thread: n/a 55.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: Yes No
Digital Zoom: Yes No
Digital Zoom Values: Up to 4x n/a
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Contrast Detect AF with Face Detection 9-point TTL phase detection (one cross-type sensor) with eye-start AF; Wide, Spot, Local modes
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: No Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: LCD Optical / LCD
Viewfinder Type:   SLR type; eye-level pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.80x mag., 19mm eyepoint, -2.5 to +1.0 diopter
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):   0.53x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):   0.80x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: No Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 2.7 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 230,000 dots 921,600 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No
Selfie Screen: No
Max Playback Zoom: 10.0x 14.0x
Top Deck Display: No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):   12800
Minimum ISO (native):   200
ISO Settings: Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200* (*special scene mode) Auto (200-1600), 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Custom Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom
Shutter Speed Range: 1/1500 - 15 sec 1/4000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: No Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: Evaluative, Center-weighted average, Spot (center), Face Detect AE 40-segment Multi Segment, Center-weighted, Spot; (1200 zone evaluative metering in Live View)
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: No Yes
Shutter Priority: No Yes
Full Manual Exposure: No Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Portrait, Foliage, Snow, Beach, Sunset, Fireworks, Aquarium, Underwater, ISO 3200, Indoor, Kids & Pets, Night Snapshot, Color Accent, Color Swap, Digital Macro, Long Shutter, Stitch Assist Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports, Sunset, Night Portrait/Night View
Self Timer: 2 or 10 seconds 2 or 10 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Auto Red-eye Correction, Flash On, Flash Off; FE lock, Slow Synchro Auto, Fill-flash, Rear sync, Wireless, High-Speed sync, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction: On/Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a 12.0 m / 39.4 ft.
Flash Range Description: Auto ISO: 1-13 ft./30cm-4.0m (W), 1.6-6.6 ft./50cm-2.0m (T) Lens dependent
Max Flash Sync:   1/160
Flash Exposure Compensation:   +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: n/a Hot shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:   Full TTL exposure
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC MS Duo / MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: No Yes
Uncompressed Format:   RAW
Movie File Format: MOV (Image: H.264, Audio: PCM)  
Included Memory: No memory included  
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes
Remote Control Type:   Optional Wireless or Wired
Connections (extended): Mini-HDMI, DC input DC input, mini-HDMI, Wired Remote
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 2.37 0.41
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame):   0.41
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames):   19
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 0.8 6.7
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): Unlimited 15
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):    
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):    
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.48 seconds 0.18 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele): 0.55 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus):   0.178 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):   0.22 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.077 seconds 0.074 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes):   Quick AF Live View shutter lag: 0.188s
Startup Time: 1.9 seconds 0.5 seconds
Play -> Record Time:   0.4 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 4.4 seconds 3.5 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 220 shots  
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):   950 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary NB-4L Proprietary NP-FM500H
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NB-4L Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary NP-FM500H
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:
Internal Charging Supported:
Software
Included Software: Canon Software Suite CD-ROM Software/USB Driver CD-ROM
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS Windows 2000/XP/Vista, Mac OS X (v. 10.13+)
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Optical Image Stabilization, Smart Auto, Face, Blink and Motion Detection, Intelligent Contrast Correction, HD Movies, HDMI Output. Available in Blue, Black, Silver and Brown. Exmore CMOS Sensor, Variable-angle LCD, SteadyShot In-body Sensor-shift Image Stabilization, Live View, Auto HDR, D-Range Optimizer (Auto, Level 1-5), HDMI Output, 7 fps (AF/AE Locked).