Canon SX40 HS vs Sony A58

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Canon SX40 HS vs Sony A58

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1/2.3 inch 28.1mm²
12.1 megapixels
24.00mm - 840.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Canon SX40 HS Review.
See real-world photos taken with the SX40 HS.

APS-C 366.6mm²
20.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 16,000

Go in depth with our full Sony A58 Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A58 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A58.
Compare Sony A58 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A58 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Canon SX50
Compare SX40 HS vs SX50

Succeeded by the Sony A68
Compare A58 vs A68

Compare CANON SX50 vs SONY A68

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Differences

Canon SX40 HS advantages over Sony A58

Less expensive
$430 vs $600 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Higher max flash sync
1/2000 vs 1/160 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Faster JPEG shooting
10.3 fps vs 4.9 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

Sony A58 advantages over Canon SX40 HS

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Larger sensor
APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.31 vs 1.54 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
RAW file ability
Yes vs No
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Fast startup
~1.90 vs 2.6 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

700 vs 380 shots
Capture more photos
Thinner
77 mm vs 107 mm
Thinner
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
More dots on screen
461k vs 230k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Less shutter lag
0.13 vs 0.46 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
20.1 vs 12.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Longer exposure
30 vs 15 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Higher extended ISO
16000 vs 3200 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Both provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Tiltable Screen
Both provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Common Weaknesses

Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Integrated ND filter
Neither provide
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read SX40 HS User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A58 User Reviews

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Review Excerpt

Wide, long all-purpose zoom lens performs well; Very good image quality; Articulating LCD; Good grip; Excellent controls.
Rear scroll wheel is too sensitive; Low-res LCD; No lens hood included; Slow startup time; Slow cycle time.
Read our Canon SX40 HS Express Review

Improved 20.1-megapixel resolution; Impressive image quality, especially for its price; Fast and decisive autofocus (in most conditions); Very good battery life; Good video quality (Full HD 1080p, though it doesn't support 60p frame rate).
Plastic lens mount; Slower burst mode speeds and shallower buffer than A57; LCD no longer fully articulating; Mediocre kit lens; Electronic instead of an optical viewfinder may be a turnoff for some.
Read our Sony A58 Review

The Competition

Compared to Fujifilm HS10

Canon SX40 HS

Fujifilm HS10

$342
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
More telephoto lens reach

$500
1/2.3 inch

Slower slow-motion
RAW file ability

Compare Canon SX40 HS vs Fujifilm HS10

Sony A58

Fujifilm HS10

$598
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$500
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Shoots 60p video

Compare Sony A58 vs Fujifilm HS10

Compared to Canon SX30 IS

Canon SX40 HS

Canon SX30 IS

$342
1/2.3 inch

Shoots 24p video
Shoots 1080p video

$440
1/2.3 inch

More pixels
Higher extended ISO

Compare Canon SX40 HS vs Canon SX30 IS

Sony A58

Canon SX30 IS

$598
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$440
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive

Compare Sony A58 vs Canon SX30 IS

Compared to Sony HX100V

Canon SX40 HS

Sony HX100V

$342
1/2.3 inch

Bigger pixels
Shoots 24p video

$312
1/2.3 inch

Built-in GPS
Integrated ND filter

Compare Canon SX40 HS vs Sony HX100V

Sony A58

Sony HX100V

$598
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$312
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Built-in GPS

Compare Sony A58 vs Sony HX100V

Compared to Pentax K-5 IIs

Canon SX40 HS

Pentax K-5 IIs

$342
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Tiltable Screen

$497
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon SX40 HS vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Sony A58

Pentax K-5 IIs

$598
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$497
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony A58 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Compared to Canon T5i

Canon SX40 HS

Canon T5i

$342
1/2.3 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Higher max flash sync

$539
APS-C

Larger sensor
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Canon SX40 HS vs Canon T5i

Sony A58

Canon T5i

$598
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$539
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A58 vs Canon T5i

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