Canon PowerShot SD940 IS Review

The Canon PowerShot SD940 IS a compact camera that can be readily carried in most pockets due to its diminutive size. Moreover, it includes a simple snapshot-shooting mode. Furthermore, the Digital ELPH style that is always appealing is included on the SD940 IS, making it an enticing option for its simplicity and pleasing aesthetics.

The Canon PowerShot SD1200 and the SD940 IS are comparable digital cameras; however, the SD940 IS delivers a more excellent resolution thanks to its 12.1-megapixel sensor, a more streamlined appearance, and, in general, superior image quality at a price that is comparable.

The SD940 IS has a wide-angle 4x optical zoom lens that begins at 28 millimeters and goes all the way to 112 millimeters, which is another point of differentiation between it and its more minor Canon SD brothers.

Although it slows down to f/5.9 when used at telephoto, the f/2.8 lens is quick enough (has a larger aperture) to let more light enter the camera than previous versions do when used at wide-angle. When shooting in low light and using slower shutter speeds, the SD940 IS offers a slight advantage over other cameras because of its fast lens and image stabilization (IS) feature built into the camera. In addition, a sensor with a resolution of 12.1 megapixels has sufficient pixels to create big prints without exhausting your computer with huge image files.

Canon PowerShot SD940 IS Design

In a world where digital SLRs are making headlines left and right, the compact Canon PowerShot SD940 is a breath of fresh air and a welcome change of pace. Moreover, it is convenient to wear around your neck with a lanyard as a fashion accessory because it is small enough to fit into some little pockets and comfortable.

Even though it’s a point-and-shoot model, the Canon SD940 is outfitted with enough features that are easy to use and intelligent enough to deliver both form and function to the casual snapshot photographer. Good looks are nothing without substance, of course, and even though it’s a point-and-shoot model, good looks are nothing without substance.

Canon PowerShot SD940 IS Build Quality

The body of the subcompact Canon SD940 weighs only 4.23 ounces and has dimensions of 3.52 inches by 2.16 inches by 0.79 inches, making it the ideal camera to take wherever you go.

It is compact enough to bring along wherever you go, whether for a short stroll around the neighborhood or on a faraway trip. In addition, there are very few pockets that the Canon SD940 won’t fit into; the only exception would be wearing jeans as tight as a second skin.

The camera may be compact but has a high-quality build and satisfyingly sturdy weight. Unfortunately, at first glance, there does not appear to be a grip on the SD940 IS, which may give the impression that it is difficult to hold.

Canon PowerShot SD940 IS Image quality.

The image quality is remarkable for such a little point-and-shoot camera. The colors were pleasantly saturated while still having a natural appearance; if you want more brilliant colors, check using the My Colors function on the camera. Compared to its older sister, the Canon SD1200 IS, the Canon SD940 exhibits superior corners and overall detail. However, the prints produced by the SD940 IS aren’t entirely up to the quality of those produced by the SD1200 IS.

Additionally, the SD940 IS appears to have difficulty catching low-contrast details, particularly reds, which are particularly difficult. Finally, it would appear that Canon point-and-shoot cameras are moving in the direction of somewhat more aggressive noise suppression, which tends to blur details slightly; nevertheless, you probably won’t be able to tell that the details have been Blurred when they are printed.

Even though it can capture details, the lens produces more blurry photos in the top right corner. However, this fuzziness does not extend too far into the frame when using a wide-angle lens and happens much less frequently when using a telephoto lens. In addition, when used at its widest angle, the lens had less than the typical barrel distortion.

Performance of the Canon SD940 IS

The shutter latency for full autofocus is approximately typical, clocking in around 0.48 seconds for wide-angle shooting and 0.55 seconds for full telephoto shooting. The delay in the prefocus shutter is 0.077 seconds, which is considered to be relatively quick.

In single-shot mode, the camera has a cycle time that is rather sluggish, taking a picture once every 2.37 seconds. The continuous shooting option of the SD940 is rated at 0.8 frames per second by Canon, which is likewise quite sluggish.

After a full-power discharge, the flash of the PowerShot SD940 IS may be recycled in a relatively short amount of 4.4 seconds.

Canon PowerShot SD940 IS Specifications

Body type	Ultracompact
Max resolution	4000 x 3000
Other resolutions	4000 x 2248, 3264 x 2448, 2592 x 1944, 1600 x 1200, 640 x 480, 320 x 240
Image ratio w h	4:3, 16:9
Effective pixels	12 megapixels
Sensor size	1/2.3″ (6.17 x 4.55 mm)
Sensor type	CCD
Processor	Digic 4
ISO	Auto, 80,100, 200, 400, 800, 1600
White balance presets	6
Custom white balance	Yes
Image stabilization	Optical
Uncompressed format	No
JPEG quality levels	Fine, Normal
Focal length (Equiv.)	28–112 mm
Optical zoom	4×
Maximum aperture	F2.8–5.9
Autofocus	Contrast Detect (sensor)Multi-areaSingleLive View
Digital zoom	Yes (4x)
Manual focus	No
Macro focus range	3 cm (1.18″)
Number of focus points	9
Articulated LCD	Fixed
Screen size	2.7″
Screen dots	230,000
Touch screen	No
Live view	No
Viewfinder type	None
Minimum shutter speed	15 sec
Maximum shutter speed	1/1500 sec
Aperture priority	No
Shutter priority	No
Manual exposure mode	No
Subject/scene modes	Yes
Built-in flash	Yes
Flash Range	4.00 m
External flash	No
Flash modes	Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Continuous drive	0.8 fps
Self-timer	Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face)
Metering modes	MultiCenter-weighted spot
Exposure compensation	±2 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Resolutions	1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Format	H.264
Microphone	Mono
Speaker	None
Storage types	SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus
USB	USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
HDMI	Yes
Environmentally sealed	No
Battery	Battery Pack
Battery description	Lithium-Ion NB-4L rechargeable battery & charger
Weight (inc. batteries)	120 g (0.26 lb / 4.23 oz)
Dimensions	89 x 55 x 20 mm (3.5 x 2.17 x 0.79″)
Orientation sensor	Yes
GPS	None

Conclusion

Even while its image quality may not be as good as that of higher-end cameras, the Canon PowerShot SD940 is a fun camera to use, and it will appeal to photographers who are looking for a little camera that they can take everywhere that is stylish, and that is simple to operate. Its wideIt’sgle, 4x optical zoom lens gives much flexibility, allowing you to shoot landscapes at 28 millimeters and moderate telephoto photos at 112 millimeters. Unfortunately, although the lens and camera provide superb details, the lens tends to cause some softness in the top right corner when shooting wide-angle, and the camera’s noise reduction somewhat softens the elements.

Despite this, the camera features image stabilization and a fast wide-angle lens that may be used for photography in low light with a slow shutter speed. The Smart Auto Mode of the Canon camera is clever enough to make the appropriate choices when snapping an image so that you don’t have to, and features such as the automated Face Detection function do an excellent job of it. The SD940 IS gives you access to ISO, White Balance, and other settings that can impact the image quality. If you want more control, this camera provides it to you.

Canon PowerShot SD940 IS FAQs