| Price ($ dollars) | | | | The aperture range of a camera lens is very |
| First we will consider the price because let's face | | | | significant. Many have a hard time understanding |
| it that is the first variable you consider right? If it | | | | what aperture is and how it affects image |
| is too much you won't even look at the other | | | | performance. The aperture of a lens is the |
| features, unless you don't care about eating and | | | | measurement of the amount of light it can gather |
| paying rent! | | | | and focus to the digital sensor or film. The more |
| The price for the 940is starts around $199 and | | | | light the lens can gather the sharper the image will |
| you can expect to pay anywhere from $20 to | | | | be and the better the camera will perform at |
| $30 less for the 780is or around $169. While both | | | | higher zoom angles, and lower lighting conditions. |
| of these are affordable for the average | | | | The SD940is (Canon Digital IXUS 120 IS) slightly |
| consumer you don't always get the better model | | | | outperforms the SD780is (Canon Digital IXUS 100 |
| when you pay more. So let's dig into the details | | | | IS) at an F/.4 greater aperture than the SD780is. |
| and make an educated decision. | | | | This slightly greater aperture is needed because |
| MP Mega Pixels (resolution) | | | | as telephoto zoom is increased the less light a lens |
| After the price we all typically look at the mega | | | | can gather, hence the increased aperture. In |
| pixels, even though more mega pixels does not | | | | comparison the SD940is (Canon Digital IXUS 120 |
| always equal a better camera, but it will certainly | | | | IS) ranges from F2.8-F5.9 and the SD780is |
| render a larger image which in turn allows for | | | | (Canon Digital IXUS 100 IS) ranges from F3.2-F5.8, |
| larger prints. | | | | as you may notice the 940is also extends F/.1 |
| Both of these models sport 12 MP or 4000 x | | | | smaller as well. You may take note that the lower |
| 3000 resolution which renders an exceptional | | | | the F/ factor the more light the lens gathers and |
| image for large prints. However, sometimes you | | | | subsequently the higher the F/ focal factor the |
| may choose to reduce memory consumption and | | | | less light will be gathered. |
| shoot smaller resolution images as you may not | | | | Auto Focus |
| require such a large mega pixel count. | | | | Neither of these cameras offer the option to |
| The lower resolution ranges for both of these | | | | manually focus your subject; this would only |
| cameras ranges from 4000 x 2248 to 320 x 240 | | | | present a problem if you are taking custom |
| which can significantly reduce memory | | | | photography. In this specification the SD780is |
| consumption; this is definitely a factor to consider | | | | (Canon Digital IXUS 100 IS) does have a slight |
| in the characteristics of a digital camera, although | | | | advantage over the SD940is (Canon Digital IXUS |
| both of these are identical. | | | | 120 IS) as it employs face detections technology. |
| Pixel density is another factor that we would | | | | This allows your camera to intelligently focus the |
| want to consider when concerned with image | | | | lens specifically for portraits and moving subjects. |
| quality. The denser the pixel count the sharper an | | | | This should be considered when comparing |
| image will look and the higher degree of | | | | because there are times in a moment's notice |
| compression (reduced file size) the image can be | | | | that a digital camera does not focus on the |
| reduced without losing visible quality. This is | | | | subject you are attempting to capture. For |
| important again if you are concerned with file size | | | | instance the background may be in focus but the |
| and memory consumption or if you plan to upload | | | | instant expression on a person's face is missed. |
| your images to the internet. Consider that if you | | | | Flash Range |
| can have a small image file size yet great looking | | | | Another factor that you should consider is the |
| quality, it will be much easier to share your images | | | | effective flash range. The effective flash reach in |
| on the internet or a website. However, again both | | | | the SD940is (Canon Digital IXUS 120 IS) |
| of these cameras render 43 MP in a square | | | | outperforms the SD780is (Canon Digital IXUS 100 |
| centimeter 43 MP/cm2. | | | | IS) by.5 meters. The additional reach is engineered |
| ISO Noise (film speed) | | | | into the camera design to accommodate the |
| Another important to consider is film speed or | | | | longer telephoto zoom capability. |
| ISO (ISO is an acronym for international | | | | Video Recording |
| organization of standards); in digital cameras this | | | | Both the SD780is (Canon Digital IXUS 100 IS) and |
| converts to the digital image sensors sensitivity to | | | | the SD940is (Canon Digital IXUS 120 IS) support |
| light. This is important in low light conditions such | | | | video recording. With resolutions ranging from 320 |
| as indoors or shady outdoor areas. These champs | | | | x 240 @ 30 fps (frames per second) to 1280 x |
| of consumer photography are again neck and | | | | 720 @ 30 fps both of these cameras can capture |
| neck with ranges of ISO detail as low as 80 and | | | | quality HD High Definition video and support HDMI |
| sensitivity for low light conditions (noisier or grainy | | | | connectivity. |
| results though) as high as 1600. When ISO is set | | | | Image Quality Levels |
| to auto, your camera will automatically adjust the | | | | The SD780is and the SD940is support normal and |
| ISO in low light conditions to compensate for dim | | | | fine image quality level options. But only the |
| lighting or a lens that cannot optically compensate | | | | SD940is (Canon Digital IXUS 120 IS) supports the |
| (aperture). | | | | super fine exceptional quality level which will |
| Optical Lens Characteristics | | | | render a highly quality image for printing or post |
| Zoom Wide Angle | | | | processing. |
| Here we will see a considerable difference | | | | LCD Screen Size |
| between the SD780is (Canon Digital IXUS 100 IS) | | | | The LCD of the SD940is (Canon Digital IXUS 120 |
| and the SD940is. When taking landscape pictures | | | | IS) is a mere.2 inches larger than the SD780is |
| or maybe even a family portrait sometimes it is | | | | (Canon Digital IXUS 100 IS) and does present a |
| difficult to get everyone in the picture frame. This | | | | somewhat larger viewing area. This should be |
| is where the wide angle measurement of the lens | | | | taken into consideration as the SD940is does not |
| glass will come into consideration. | | | | have a view finder at all where the SD780is does. |
| The SD940is (Canon Digital IXUS 120 IS) presents | | | | Though I have yet to use the view finder at all |
| a 5mm wider angle than the SD780is (Canon | | | | on a digital point and shoot camera that has live |
| Digital IXUS 100 IS) at 28mm compared to | | | | view, this may cause an issue if the screen |
| 33mm respectively. This can make quite a | | | | proves hard to see in bright outdoor sun lighting. |
| difference when taking wide angle landscape shots | | | | Size and Weight |
| and other scenarios where you simply need to | | | | An amazing fact to consider is the SD940is |
| get a greater perspective of the viewing area. | | | | actually weighs in a little lighter and thus will be |
| Zoom Telephoto | | | | more portable than the SD780is. The SD940is |
| Depending how you use your camera whether it | | | | clearly has more features and a higher quality lens |
| is for portraits only or for capturing all types of | | | | but yet yields a lesser burden to carry. At a |
| moments and occasions, you may or may not | | | | mere 4.2 ounces the SD 940is is the clear winner |
| require additional magnification. A camera that | | | | in size, and features to weight ratio. |
| gives you the ability to zoom in on your child as | | | | Conclusion |
| they are playing football or soccer game on | | | | In conclusion, if you can spend a little more ($20) |
| Saturday can make a real difference in a great | | | | you will certainly gain useful additional features in |
| shot or just an ok picture. The SD940is (Canon | | | | the Canon SD940is. Canon has certainly done their |
| Digital IXUS 120 IS) certainly has an advantage | | | | home work and is working hard to provide |
| over the SD780is (Canon Digital IXUS 100 IS) in | | | | consumers with features and quality in an |
| this area as well. With 12mm additional zoom at | | | | affordable and ultra portable digital camera. |
| 112mm compared to 100mm on the SD780is, this | | | | Though the SD780is is a great camera with a lot |
| adds a magnification factor of 1x to the reach of | | | | of features for the money it is recommended to |
| your camera. The extra zoom can make a | | | | go ahead and save up for the more detailed |
| substantial difference at times when framing your | | | | imaging and extra quality lens features the |
| subjects for just the right shot. | | | | SD940is (Canon Digital IXUS 120 IS) has to offer. |
| Aperture Range | | | | |