• 1/2.35 inch 27.3mm2
  • 8.0 megapixels
  • 36.00mm - 180.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • Detailed specifications
  • Pentax Optio M50
  • Canon PowerShot SD940 IS
Links
Prices:    
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:    
Successor:    
General
Model Number: M50 SD940 IS
Alternate Model Number(s):   Digital IXUS 120 IS
Camera Format: Ultra Compact Ultra Compact
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $229.95 $299.99
Street Price: $139.95 $299.95
Date Available: 2008-03-30 2009-09-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 4.1 oz (116 g) 4.9 oz (140 g)
includes batteries
Size: 3.7 x 2.2 x 0.9 in.
(94 x 56 x 23 mm)
3.5 x 2.2 x 0.8 in.
(90 x 55 x 20 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CCD CCD
Sensor Manufacturer:    
Effective Megapixels: 8.0 12.1
Sensor Format: 1/2.35 inch 1/2.3 inch
Sensor size: 27.2556mm2 (6.03mm x 4.52mm) 28.0735mm2 (6.17mm x 4.55mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 1.85 microns 1.54 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: n/a n/a
Aspect Ratio: 4:3 4:3, 16:9
Color Filter Type:   RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter:    
Self-Cleaning: No No
Sensor shift image stabilization: No No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score:    
DxO Color Depth Score (bits):    
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs):    
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso):    
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 3264 x 2448 (8.0 MP, 4:3),
2592 x 1944 (5.0 MP, 4:3),
2304 x 1728 (4.0 MP, 4:3),
2048 x 1536 (3.1 MP, 4:3),
1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3),
1024 x 768 (0.8 MP, 4:3),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3)
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)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.2) JPEG (EXIF 2.2)
Continuous-mode frames/second: n/a 0.8
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 640x480 (30/​15)
320x240 (30/​15)
1280x720 (30)
640x480 (30)
320x240 (30)
Movie File Format: AVI (MotionJPEG) MOV (Image: H.264, Audio: PCM)
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder:
HD Video Out: Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: n/a n/a
Lens: Pentax zoom lens, 8 elements, 6 groups (4 aspherical elements) Canon Zoom Lens
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 36 - 180mm 28 - 112mm
Focal Length (actual): 6.3 - 31.5mm 5 - 20mm
Zoom Ratio: 5.00x 4.00x
Aperture Range: f/3.5 (wide) / f/5.6 (tele) - ??? f/2.8 (W) - f/5.9 (T)
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 40 cm to Infinity
15.7 in to Infinity
30 cm to Infinity
11.8 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range: 10 - 100 cm
3.9 - 39.4 in
3 - 50 cm
1.2 - 19.7 in
Filter Thread: n/a n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No Yes
Digital Zoom: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom Values: Up to 5.1x Up to 4x
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: 9-point TTL contrast detection Contrast Detect AF with Face Detection
Auto Focus Assist Light? No Yes
Manual Focus: Yes No
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: LCD LCD
Viewfinder Type:    
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):    
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):    
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: No No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 2.5 2.7
Rear Display Resolution: 230,000 dots 230,000 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 8.0x 10.0x
Top Deck Display:
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):    
Minimum ISO (native):    
ISO Settings: Auto (64 - 3200); 6400 only available in Digital SR mode Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200* (*special scene mode)
Auto ISO Mode: No Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, daylight, shade, tungsten, fluorescent, custom Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Custom
Shutter Speed Range: 1/2000 - 4 sec 1/1500 - 15 sec
Bulb Mode: No No
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: TTL multi-segment, Center-weighted, Spot Evaluative, Center-weighted average, Spot (center), Face Detect AE
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: No No
Shutter Priority: No No
Full Manual Exposure: No No
Creative Exposure Modes: Night Scene, Landscape, Flower, Natural Skin Tone, Portrait, Surf & Snow, Sport, Digital SR (5M), Kids, Pet, Food, Panorama, Digital Wide Angle (5M) 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
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 flash, flash on, flash off, red-eye reduction Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Auto Red-eye Correction, Flash On, Flash Off; FE lock, Slow Synchro
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a n/a
Flash Range Description: 14’ (wide, auto ISO), 9.2’ (tele, auto ISO) Auto ISO: 1-13 ft./30cm-4.0m (W), 1.6-6.6 ft./50cm-2.0m (T)
Max Flash Sync:    
Flash Exposure Compensation:    
External Flash Connection: n/a n/a
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC SD / SDHC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: No No
Uncompressed Format:    
Movie File Format: AVI (MotionJPEG) MOV (Image: H.264, Audio: PCM)
Included Memory: 51.1 MB No memory included
Included Memory Type: Internal  
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No 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: No
Remote Control Type:    
Connections (extended): DC Input Mini-HDMI, DC input
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution):   2.37
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames):    
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution):   0.8
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution):   Unlimited
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
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):    
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):    
Shutter Lag (prefocused):   0.077 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes):    
Startup Time:   1.9 seconds
Play -> Record Time:    
Flash cycle time, full power:   4.4 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 210 shots 220 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):    
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary D-LI78 Proprietary NB-4L
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary D-LI78 Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary NB-4L Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:
Internal Charging Supported:
Software
Included Software: TBA Canon Software Suite CD-ROM
OS Compatibility: TBA Windows, Mac OS
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.