• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 840.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Canon SX40 HS advantages over Sony RX10 IV

  • More telephoto lens reach
    840 mm vs 600 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Lighter weight
    606g vs 1095g
    Lighter weight

Sony RX10 IV advantages over Canon SX40 HS

  • Slower slow-motion
    1000 fps vs 240 fps
    Supports slower slow-mo
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    1 inch vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 2.41 vs 1.54 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    7 years vs 13 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More dots on screen
    1440k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Less shutter lag
    0.03 vs 0.46 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    20.1 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • 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
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    23.8 fps vs 10.3 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    217 vs 8 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 vs 1/3200 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Both provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Common Weaknesses

  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter

User reviews

Buy From

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.

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
Sony RX10 IV
Fujifilm HS10
  • $1698
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $500
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Lighter weight

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
Sony RX10 IV
Canon SX30 IS
  • $1698
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $440
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Lighter weight

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
Sony RX10 IV
Sony HX100V
  • $1698
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $312
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Built-in GPS

Compared to Sony RX10 III

Canon SX40 HS
Sony RX10 III
  • $342
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Lighter weight
  • $1398
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Focus peaking
Sony RX10 IV
Sony RX10 III
  • $1698
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $1398
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive

Compared to Panasonic FZ2500

Canon SX40 HS
Panasonic FZ2500
  • $342
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $948
  • 1 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
Sony RX10 IV
Panasonic FZ2500
  • $1698
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $948
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
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