• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 840.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • Detailed specifications
  • Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
  • Canon PowerShot SX40 HS
Links
Prices:    
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:   Canon SX30 IS
SX30 IS vs SX40 HS
Successor:   Canon SX50
SX40 HS vs SX50
General
Model Number: DSLR-A290 SX40 HS
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: SLR EVF
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $499.99 $429.99
Street Price:   $342.36
Date Available: 2010-07-15 2011-09-30
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 17.9 oz (508 g)
includes batteries
21.4 oz (606 g)
includes batteries
Size: 5.0 x 3.8 x 3.1 in.
(128 x 97 x 80 mm)
4.8 x 3.6 x 4.2 in.
(123 x 92 x 108 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CCD CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony  
Effective Megapixels: 14.2 12.1
Sensor Format: APS-C 1/2.3 inch
Sensor size: 369.72mm2 (23.7mm x 15.6mm) 28.0735mm2 (6.17mm x 4.55mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 5.16 microns 1.54 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x n/a
Aspect Ratio: 3:2, 16:9 4:3
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed  
Self-Cleaning: Yes No
Sensor shift image stabilization: Yes No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 66  
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 22.6  
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 11.5  
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 615  
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4592 x 3056 (14.0 MP, 3:2),
4592 x 2576 (11.8 MP, 16:9),
3408 x 2272 (7.7 MP, 3:2),
3408 x 1920 (6.5 MP, 16:9),
2288 x 1520 (3.5 MP, Other),
2288 x 1280 (2.9 MP, Other)
4000 x 3000 (12.0 MP, 4:3),
4000 x 2664 (10.7 MP, 3:2),
4000 x 2248 (9.0 MP, 16:9),
2992 x 2992 (9.0 MP, 1:1),
2816 x 1880 (5.3 MP, 3:2),
2816 x 1584 (4.5 MP, 16:9),
2112 x 2112 (4.5 MP, 1:1),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9),
1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3),
1600 x 1064 (1.7 MP, 3:2),
1200 x 1200 (1.4 MP, 1:1),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3),
640 x 424 (0.3 MP, Other),
480 x 480 (0.2 MP, 1:1)
Image File Format: JPEG, RAW JPEG (EXIF 2.2)
Continuous-mode frames/second: 2.4 10.3
Video Capture
Can take movies: No Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (24p)
1280x720 (30p)
640x480 (30/​120)
320x240 (30/​240)
Movie File Format:   MOV (Image: H.264, Audio: Stereo PCM)
Composite Video Out: No Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: n/a Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder: n/a
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Sony Alpha (Minolta A) n/a
Lens: Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 DT SAM Canon Zoom Lens; 13 elements in 10 groups, Ultra Sonic Motor (USM)
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 27 - 83mm 24 - 840mm
Focal Length (actual): 18 - 55mm 4.3 - 150.5mm
Zoom Ratio: 3.00x 35.00x
Aperture Range: f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - 36 (T) f/2.7 (W) / f/5.8 (T) - f/8.0
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:   5 cm to Infinity
2.0 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:   0 - 50 cm
0.0 - 19.7 in
Filter Thread: 55.0mm n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No Yes
Digital Zoom: No Yes
Digital Zoom Values: n/a Up to 4x
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: 9-point TTL phase detection (one cross-type sensor) with eye-start AF Contrast Detect AF with Face Detection;
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD (playback only) EVF / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; eye-level pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.83x mag., 16.5mm eyepoint, -2.5 to +1.0 diopter EVF type; 202K-dot LCD with diopter adjustment of -4 to +1
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a  
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.55x  
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.83x  
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 2.7 2.7
Rear Display Resolution: 230,400 dots 230,000 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No
Selfie Screen: No
Max Playback Zoom: 14.0x 10.0x
Top Deck Display: No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 3200  
Minimum ISO (native): 100  
ISO Settings: Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200 Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom Auto (including Face Detection WB), Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Flash, Custom. Multi-area WB correction available in Smart Auto
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 30 sec 1/3200 - 15 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes No
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 40-segment honeycomb pattern, center-weighted, spot Evaluative, Center-weighted average, Spot (centre or linked to Face Detection AF or FlexiZone AF frame)
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports, Sunset, Night Portrait/Night View Custom1, Custom2, Sports, SCN (Movie Digest, Portrait, Landscape, Smart Shutter(Smile, Wink Self-Timer, FaceSelf-Timer), High-speed Burst HQ, Handheld Night Scene, Low Light (3.0MP), Beach, Foliage, Snow, Fireworks, Stich Assist), Creative Filters (Fish-eye Effect, Miniature Effect, Toy Camera Effect, Monochrome, Super Vivid, Poster Effect, Color Accent, Color Swap)
Self Timer: 2 or 10 seconds 2, 10, Custom seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: Auto, Fill-flash, Rear sync, Wireless, High-Speed sync, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction: On/Off Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Auto Red-eye Correction, Flash On, Flash Off; FE lock, Slow Synchro, Smart Flash
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a n/a
Flash Range Description: Lens dependent Auto ISO: 1.6 - 23 ft. (W), 4.6 - 9.8 ft. (T), (50 cm - 7.0 m (W), 1.4 - 3.0 m (T))
Max Flash Sync: 1/160 1/2000
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot shoe Hot-Shoe (E-TTL)
Built-In Wireless Flash Control: Full TTL exposure  
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: MS Duo / MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes No
Uncompressed Format: RAW  
Movie File Format:   MOV (Image: H.264, Audio: Stereo 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  
Connections (extended): DC input, min-HDMI Mini HDMI
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.50 2.56
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.46  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 5  
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press? Yes
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 2.4 10.3
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 18 8
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): 0.20 seconds 0.46 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):   0.58 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.182 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.22 seconds  
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.107 seconds 0.116 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): Full AF lag, Auto Area = 0.200s  
Startup Time: 0.5 seconds 2.6 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.4 seconds 1.9 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power:   5.4 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):   380 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 500 shots  
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary NP-FH50 Proprietary NB-10L
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NP-FH50 Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary NB-10L Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:
Internal Charging Supported:
Software
Included Software: Software/USB Driver CD-ROM Digital Camera Solution CD-ROM
OS Compatibility: Windows 2000/XP/Vista/7, Mac OS X (v. 10.4+) Windows 7 / 7 SP1 / Vista SP2 / XP SP3 Mac OS X v10.5 - 10.6
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Intelligent Image Stabilization, DIGIC 5 Processor, Full HD 1080p Videos, High-Speed Burst HQ (10.3fps at full resolution).