Price ($ dollars)

We’ll consider price first because let’s face it, that’s the first variable you consider, right? If it’s too much, you won’t even look at the other features, unless you don’t mind eating and paying rent!

Pricing for the 940is starts around $199 and you can expect to pay $20 to $30 less for the 780is or around $169. While both are affordable for the average consumer, you don’t always get the best model when you pay more. So let’s dig into the details and make an informed decision.

MP megapixels (resolution)

After price, we all normally look at megapixels, though more megapixels doesn’t always equate to a better camera, but it will certainly make for a bigger image which in turn will allow for bigger prints.

Both models have a 12 MP or 4000 x 3000 resolution that provides an exceptional image for large prints. However, sometimes you may choose to reduce memory consumption and take lower resolution images, since you may not need as many megapixels.

The lower resolution ranges for both cameras are from 4000 x 2248 to 320 x 240, which can significantly reduce memory consumption; this is definitely a factor to consider in the characteristics of a digital camera, although both are identical.

Pixel density is another factor that we would like to take into account when we are concerned with image quality. The denser the number of pixels, the sharper the image will look, and the higher the degree of compression (reduced file size), the image can be reduced without losing visible quality. This is important again if you are concerned about file size and memory consumption or if you plan to upload your images to the Internet. Keep in mind that if you can have a small image file size but high quality, it will be much easier to share your images on the Internet or on a website. Again though, both cameras put out 43 MP in a 43 MP/cm2 square centimeter.

ISO noise (film speed)

Another important thing to consider is the speed of the film or ISO (ISO is an acronym for international standards organization); in digital cameras this makes digital image sensors sensitive to light. This is important in low light conditions, such as indoors or in shady outdoor areas. These fields of consumer photography are again neck-and-neck with ISO detail ranges as low as 80 and low-light sensitivity (albeit with noisier or grainier results) as high as 1600. When ISO is set to auto, Your camera will automatically adjust the ISO in low light conditions to compensate for dim lighting or a lens that cannot optically (aperture) compensate.

Optical Lens Features

wide angle zoom

Here we will see a considerable difference between the SD780is (Canon Digital IXUS 100 IS) and the SD940is. When taking landscape photos or maybe even a family portrait, it’s sometimes hard to get everyone in the picture frame. This is where the wide-angle measurement of the lens glass will be taken into account.

The SD940is (Canon Digital IXUS 120 IS) features a 5mm wider angle than the SD780is (Canon Digital IXUS 100 IS) at 28mm compared to 33mm respectively. This can make a big difference when shooting wide-angle landscapes and other scenarios where you simply need to get more perspective on the viewing area.

Zoom Telephoto

Depending on how you use your camera, whether it’s just for portraits or capturing all kinds of moments and occasions, you may or may not need additional magnification. A camera that gives you the ability to zoom in on your child while playing soccer or a soccer game on Saturday can make a real difference to a great shot or just a good image. The SD940is (Canon Digital IXUS 120 IS) certainly has an advantage over the SD780is (Canon Digital IXUS 100 IS) in this area as well. Zooming an additional 12mm to 112mm compared to the SD780is’ 100mm, this adds a 1x magnification factor to your camera’s reach. The extra zoom can make a substantial difference at times when framing your subjects to get the right shot.

opening range

The aperture range of a camera lens is very important. Many have a hard time understanding what aperture is and how it affects image performance. The aperture of a lens is a measure of the amount of light it can gather and focus onto the digital sensor or film. The more light the lens can gather, the sharper the image and the better the camera will perform at higher zoom angles and lower lighting conditions.

The SD940is (Canon Digital IXUS 120 IS) slightly outperforms the SD780is (Canon Digital IXUS 100 IS) with a larger F/.4 aperture than the SD780is. This slightly larger aperture is necessary because as telephoto zoom increases, less light can be picked up by a lens, therefore the aperture increases. By comparison, the SD940is (Canon Digital IXUS 120 IS) has a range of F2.8-F5.9 and the SD780is (Canon Digital IXUS 100 IS) has a range of F3.2-F5.8, as you may notice, the 940is also extends smaller F/.1 as well. You can keep in mind that the lower the F/ factor, the more light is collected by the lens, and subsequently, the higher the F/ focal factor, the less light will be collected.

auto focus

None of these cameras offer the option to manually focus on the subject; this would only present a problem if you are taking custom photos. In this specification, the SD780is (Canon Digital IXUS 100 IS) has a slight advantage over the SD940is (Canon Digital IXUS 120 IS) as it employs face detection technology. This allows your camera to intelligently focus the lens specifically for portraits and moving subjects. This should be taken into account when comparing because there are times when a digital camera will not focus on the subject you are trying to capture. For example, the background may be in focus but the instant expression on a person’s face is lost.

flash range

Another factor to consider is the effective range of the flash. The effective flash range on the SD940is (Canon Digital IXUS 120 IS) exceeds the SD780is (Canon Digital IXUS 100 IS) by 0.5 metres. The extra reach is engineered into the camera’s design to accommodate the longer telephoto zoom capability.

Video recording

Both the SD780is (Canon Digital IXUS 100 IS) and SD940is (Canon Digital IXUS 120 IS) support video recording. With resolutions ranging from 320 x 240 at 30 fps (frames per second) to 1280 x 720 at 30 fps, both cameras can capture quality High Definition HD video and support HDMI connectivity.

Image quality levels

The SD780is and SD940is support normal and fine image quality level options. But only the SD940is (Canon Digital IXUS 120 IS) supports the exceptional superfine level of quality that will produce a high-quality image for printing or post-processing.

LCD screen size

The LCD screen of the SD940is (Canon Digital IXUS 120 IS) is just 2 inches larger than that of the SD780is (Canon Digital IXUS 100 IS) and has a slightly larger viewing area. This should be taken into account, as the SD940is doesn’t have a viewfinder at all, while the SD780is does. Although I have yet to use the viewfinder on a digital point-and-shoot camera that has live view, this can cause a problem if the screen is difficult to see in bright sunlight outdoors.

Size and weight

An amazing fact to consider is that the SD940is actually weighs a bit less and will therefore be more portable than the SD780is. The SD940is clearly has more features and a higher quality lens, but still produces less of a load to carry. At just 4.2 ounces, the SD 940 is the clear winner in size and feature-to-weight ratio.

Conclusion

In conclusion, if you can spend a little more ($20), you’re sure to get useful extra features on the Canon SD940is. Canon has certainly done its job and is working hard to provide consumers with features and quality in an affordable, ultra-portable digital camera. Although the SD780is is a great camera with many features for the price, it is recommended to go ahead and save up for the more detailed images and additional quality lens features that the SD940is (Canon Digital IXUS 120 IS) has to offer.