• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 14.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800

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Differences

Canon SD1400 IS advantages over Sony A55

  • Less expensive
    $250 vs $850 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Thinner
    17 mm vs 84 mm
    Thinner
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 32 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Sony A55 advantages over Canon SD1400 IS

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.82 vs 1.43 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Fast startup
    ~0.90 vs 1.9 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 330 vs 230 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Less shutter lag
    0.22 vs 0.57 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • 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
    9.0 fps vs 0.7 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/1500 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 1600 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
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FX48S

Canon SD1400 IS
Panasonic DMC-FX48S
  • $280
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • HDMI out
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Wider angle lens
Sony A55
Panasonic DMC-FX48S
  • $734
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compared to Canon SD940 IS

Canon SD1400 IS
Canon SD940 IS
  • $280
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More pixels
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • Higher extended ISO
Sony A55
Canon SD940 IS
  • $734
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compared to Sony A33

Canon SD1400 IS
Sony A33
  • $280
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Sony A55
Sony A33
  • $734
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Built-in GPS
  • $540
  • APS-C

Compared to Canon ELPH 300 HS

Canon SD1400 IS
Canon ELPH 300 HS
  • $280
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels
  • $235
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoots 24p video
  • Shoots 1080p video
Sony A55
Canon ELPH 300 HS
  • $734
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $235
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compared to Sony A35

Canon SD1400 IS
Sony A35
  • $280
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $567
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Sony A55
Sony A35
  • $734
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in GPS
  • $567
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
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