Canon SX400 vs SX410
The Canon PowerShot SX400 IS and the Canon PowerShot SX410 IS are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in July 2014 and February 2015. Both the SX400 and the SX410 are fixed lens compact cameras that are equipped with a 1/2.3-inch sensor. The SX400 has a resolution of 15.9 megapixels, whereas the SX410 provides 19.9 MP.
Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.
Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon PowerShot SX400 IS and the Canon PowerShot SX410 IS? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.
Body comparison
The physical size and weight of the Canon SX400 and the Canon SX410 are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.
The SX410 can be obtained in two different colors (black, red), while the SX400 is only available in black.
In this particular case, the Canon SX400 and the Canon SX410 have exactly the same width and height, and, thus, have identically-sized bodies. However, the SX410 is slightly heavier (4 percent) than the SX400. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the SX400 nor the SX410 are weather-sealed.
The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, you can use the CAM-parator app to select your camera combination among a large number of options.
Camera Model |
Camera Width |
Camera Height |
Camera Depth |
Camera Weight |
Battery Life |
Weather Sealing |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price (USD) |
Street Price |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Canon SX400 | 104 mm | 69 mm | 80 mm | 313 g | 190 | n | Jul 2014 | 249 | ebay.com | |
2. | Canon SX410 | 104 mm | 69 mm | 85 mm | 325 g | 185 | n | Feb 2015 | 279 | ebay.com | |
3. | Canon G5 X | 112 mm | 76 mm | 44 mm | 353 g | 210 | n | Oct 2015 | 799 | ebay.com | |
4. | Canon G7 X | 103 mm | 60 mm | 40 mm | 304 g | 210 | n | Sep 2014 | 699 | ebay.com | |
5. | Canon G7 X Mark II | 106 mm | 61 mm | 42 mm | 319 g | 265 | n | Feb 2016 | 699 | ebay.com | |
6. | Canon M10 | 108 mm | 67 mm | 35 mm | 301 g | 255 | n | Oct 2015 | 499 | ebay.com | |
7. | Canon SX420 | 104 mm | 69 mm | 85 mm | 325 g | 195 | n | Jan 2016 | 299 | ebay.com | |
8. | Canon SX510 | 104 mm | 70 mm | 80 mm | 349 g | 250 | n | Aug 2013 | 249 | ebay.com | |
9. | Canon SX530 | 120 mm | 82 mm | 92 mm | 442 g | 210 | n | Jan 2015 | 429 | ebay.com | |
10. | Canon SX600 | 104 mm | 61 mm | 26 mm | 188 g | 290 | n | Jan 2014 | 249 | ebay.com | |
11. | Canon SX610 | 105 mm | 61 mm | 27 mm | 191 g | 270 | n | Jan 2015 | 249 | ebay.com | |
12. | Canon SX700 | 113 mm | 66 mm | 35 mm | 269 g | 250 | n | Feb 2014 | 349 | ebay.com | |
13. | Canon SX710 | 113 mm | 66 mm | 35 mm | 269 g | 230 | n | Jan 2015 | 349 | ebay.com | |
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders. | |||||||||||
The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The manufacturer’s suggested retail prices give an idea on the placement of the camera in the maker’s lineup and the broader market. The SX400 was launched at a somewhat lower price (by 11 percent) than the SX410, which makes it more attractive for photographers on a tight budget. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.
Sensor comparison
The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.
Both cameras under consideration feature a 1/2.3-inch sensor and have a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 5.6. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the review cameras among the smaller-sensor digicams that favor affordability and compact design. Both cameras feature a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 4:3.
While the two cameras under review share the same sensor size, the SX410 offers a higher resolution of 19.9 megapixels, compared with 15.9 MP of the SX400. This megapixels advantage translates into a 12 percent gain in linear resolution. On the other hand, these sensor specs imply that the SX410 has a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 1.19μm versus 1.33μm for the SX400). However, it should be noted that the SX410 is a somewhat more recent model (by 6 months) than the SX400, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time that at least partly compensate for the smaller pixel size. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that neither of the two cameras has an anti-alias filter installed, so they are able to capture all the detail the sensor resolves.
The resolution advantage of the Canon SX410 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the SX410 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 25.8 x 19.3 inches or 65.4 x 49.1 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 20.6 x 15.5 inches or 52.3 x 39.3 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 17.2 x 12.9 inches or 43.6 x 32.7 cm. The corresponding values for the Canon SX400 are 23 x 17.3 inches or 58.5 x 43.9 cm for good quality, 18.4 x 13.8 inches or 46.8 x 35.1 cm for very good quality, and 15.4 x 11.5 inches or 39 x 29.3 cm for excellent quality prints.
The Canon PowerShot SX400 IS has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 1600. The Canon PowerShot SX410 IS offers exactly the same ISO settings.
Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CCD (Charged Coupled Device) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.
For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.
Camera Model |
Sensor Class |
Resolution (MP) |
Horiz. Pixels |
Vert. Pixels |
Video Format |
DXO Portrait |
DXO Landscape |
DXO Sports |
DXO Overall |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Canon SX400 | 1/2.3 | 15.9 | 4608 | 3456 | 720/30p | 20.1 | 11.5 | 672 | 46 | |
2. | Canon SX410 | 1/2.3 | 19.9 | 5152 | 3864 | 720/30p | 20.2 | 11.6 | 720 | 47 | |
3. | Canon G5 X | 1-inch | 20.0 | 5472 | 3648 | 1080/60p | 21.4 | 12.3 | 471 | 62 | |
4. | Canon G7 X | 1-inch | 20.0 | 5472 | 3648 | 1080/60p | 23.0 | 12.7 | 556 | 71 | |
5. | Canon G7 X Mark II | 1-inch | 20.0 | 5472 | 3648 | 1080/60p | 21.8 | 11.9 | 260 | 62 | |
6. | Canon M10 | APS-C | 17.9 | 5184 | 3456 | 1080/30p | 22.2 | 11.4 | 753 | 65 | |
7. | Canon SX420 | 1/2.3 | 19.9 | 5152 | 3864 | 720/25p | 20.3 | 11.7 | 806 | 48 | |
8. | Canon SX510 | 1/2.3 | 15.9 | 4608 | 3456 | 1080/24p | 20.0 | 11.3 | 586 | 45 | |
9. | Canon SX530 | 1/2.3 | 15.9 | 4608 | 3456 | 1080/30p | 20.2 | 11.6 | 712 | 47 | |
10. | Canon SX600 | 1/2.3 | 15.9 | 4608 | 3456 | 1080/30p | 20.0 | 11.4 | 620 | 45 | |
11. | Canon SX610 | 1/2.3 | 20.2 | 5184 | 3888 | 1080/30p | 20.2 | 11.6 | 712 | 47 | |
12. | Canon SX700 | 1/2.3 | 15.9 | 4608 | 3456 | 1080/60p | 20.1 | 11.4 | 629 | 45 | |
13. | Canon SX710 | 1/2.3 | 20.2 | 5184 | 3888 | 1080/60p | 20.2 | 11.6 | 712 | 47 | |
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age. |
Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. Both cameras under consideration are equipped with sensors that have a sufficiently high read-out speed for moving images, and both provide the same movie specifications (720/30p).
Feature comparison
Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. The SX400 and the SX410 are similar in the sense that neither of the two has a viewfinder. The images are, thus, framed using live view on the rear LCD. The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Canon SX400 and Canon SX410 in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.
Camera Model |
Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots) |
Control Panel (yes/no) |
LCD Specifications (inch/000 dots) |
LCD Attach- ment |
Touch Screen (yes/no) |
Max Shutter Speed * |
Max Shutter Flaps * |
Built-in Flash (yes/no) |
Built-in Image Stab |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Canon SX400 | none | n | 3.0 / 230 | fixed | n | 1/1600s | 0.8/s | Y | Y | |
2. | Canon SX410 | none | n | 3.0 / 230 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 0.5/s | Y | Y | |
3. | Canon G5 X | 2360 | n | 3.0 / 1040 | swivel | Y | 1/2000s | 5.9/s | Y | Y | |
4. | Canon G7 X | none | n | 3.0 / 1040 | tilting | Y | 1/2000s | 6.5/s | Y | Y | |
5. | Canon G7 X Mark II | none | n | 3.0 / 1040 | tilting | Y | 1/2000s | 8.0/s | Y | Y | |
6. | Canon M10 | none | n | 3.0 / 1040 | tilting | Y | 1/4000s | 4.6/s | Y | n | |
7. | Canon SX420 | none | n | 3.0 / 230 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 0.5/s | Y | Y | |
8. | Canon SX510 | none | n | 3.0 / 461 | fixed | n | 1/1600s | 3.8/s | Y | Y | |
9. | Canon SX530 | none | n | 3.0 / 461 | fixed | n | 1/2000s | 1.6/s | Y | Y | |
10. | Canon SX600 | none | n | 3.0 / 461 | fixed | n | 1/2000s | 3.9/s | Y | Y | |
11. | Canon SX610 | none | n | 3.0 / 922 | fixed | n | 1/2000s | 2.5/s | Y | Y | |
12. | Canon SX700 | none | n | 3.0 / 922 | fixed | n | 1/3200s | 8.5/s | Y | Y | |
13. | Canon SX710 | none | n | 3.0 / 922 | fixed | n | 1/3200s | 6.0/s | Y | Y | |
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one. |
Both the SX400 and the SX410 have zoom lenses built in. The SX400 has a 24-720mm f/3.4-5.8 optic and the SX410 offers a 24-960mm f/3.5-5.6 (focal lengths in full frame equivalent terms). Hence, the SX400 and SX410 provide the same view at the wide-angle end, but the SX410 has more tele-photo reach at the long end. The SX400 offers the faster maximum aperture.
Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the SX400 and the SX410 write their files to SDXC cards.
Connectivity comparison
For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Canon PowerShot SX400 IS and Canon PowerShot SX410 IS and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.
Camera Model |
Hotshoe Port |
Internal Mic / Speaker |
Microphone Port |
Headphone Port |
HDMI Port |
USB Port |
WiFi Support |
NFC Support |
Bluetooth Support |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Canon SX400 | - | stereo / mono | - | - | - | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
2. | Canon SX410 | - | stereo / mono | - | - | - | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
3. | Canon G5 X | Y | stereo / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
4. | Canon G7 X | - | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
5. | Canon G7 X Mark II | - | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
6. | Canon M10 | - | stereo / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
7. | Canon SX420 | - | mono / mono | - | - | - | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
8. | Canon SX510 | - | stereo / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | Y | - | - | |
9. | Canon SX530 | - | stereo / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
10. | Canon SX600 | - | mono / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
11. | Canon SX610 | - | - / - | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
12. | Canon SX700 | - | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
13. | Canon SX710 | - | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | - |
Both the SX400 and the SX410 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The SX400 was replaced by the Canon SX410, while the SX410 was followed by the Canon SX420. Further information on the features and operation of the SX400 and SX410 can be found, respectively, in the Canon SX400 Manual (free pdf) or the online Canon SX410 Manual.
Review summary
So how do things add up? Is there a clear favorite between the Canon SX400 and the Canon SX410? Which camera is better? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.
Advantages of the Canon PowerShot SX400 IS:
- Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (0.8 vs 0.5 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
- Better light gathering: Has a lens with a wider maximum aperture (f/3.4 vs f/3.5).
- More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced segment (11 percent cheaper at launch).
- More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in July 2014).
Reasons to prefer the Canon PowerShot SX410 IS:
- More detail: Has more megapixels (19.9 vs 15.9MP), which boosts linear resolution by 12%.
- Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/4000s vs 1/1600s) to freeze action.
- More tele-reach: Has a longer tele-lens for perspective compression and subject magnification.
- More modern: Was introduced somewhat (6 months) more recently.
If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the match-up finishes in a tie (4 points each). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. A professional wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.
How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Canon SX400 and the Canon SX410 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Superzoom Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.
In any case, while the specs-based evaluation of cameras can be instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the SX400 or the SX410. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased.
Expert reviews
This is why expert reviews are important. The table below provides a synthesis of the camera assessments of some of the best known photo-gear review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.
Camera Model |
AP score |
CL score |
DCW score |
DPR score |
EPZ score |
PB score |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price (USD) |
Street Price |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Canon SX400 | .. | + | .. | .. | .. | .. | Jul 2014 | 249 | ebay.com | |
2. | Canon SX410 | .. | o | .. | .. | .. | .. | Feb 2015 | 279 | ebay.com | |
3. | Canon G5 X | 5/5 | + + | .. | 78/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Oct 2015 | 799 | ebay.com | |
4. | Canon G7 X | 4/5 | + + | .. | 77/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Sep 2014 | 699 | ebay.com | |
5. | Canon G7 X Mark II | 4.5/5 | + + | .. | 81/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Feb 2016 | 699 | ebay.com | |
6. | Canon M10 | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | 4/5 | Oct 2015 | 499 | ebay.com | |
7. | Canon SX420 | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | 3/5 | Jan 2016 | 299 | ebay.com | |
8. | Canon SX510 | .. | + + | .. | .. | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | Aug 2013 | 249 | ebay.com | |
9. | Canon SX530 | .. | + + | .. | .. | 4/5 | 4/5 | Jan 2015 | 429 | ebay.com | |
10. | Canon SX600 | .. | + | .. | .. | 4/5 | 4/5 | Jan 2014 | 249 | ebay.com | |
11. | Canon SX610 | .. | .. | .. | .. | 4/5 | 4/5 | Jan 2015 | 249 | ebay.com | |
12. | Canon SX700 | .. | + + | .. | .. | 4/5 | 4/5 | Feb 2014 | 349 | ebay.com | |
13. | Canon SX710 | .. | + | .. | .. | 4/5 | 3.5/5 | Jan 2015 | 349 | ebay.com | |
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available. |
Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.
Other camera comparisons
Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make your choice using the following search menu. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.
Specifications: Canon SX400 vs Canon SX410
Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.
Camera Model | Canon SX400 | Canon SX410 |
---|---|---|
Camera Type | Fixed lens compact camera | Fixed lens compact camera |
Camera Lens | 24-720mm f/3.4-5.8 | 24-960mm f/3.5-5.6 |
Launch Date | July 2014 | February 2015 |
Launch Price | USD 249 | USD 279 |
Sensor Specs | Canon SX400 | Canon SX410 |
Sensor Technology | CCD | CCD |
Sensor Format | 1/2.3" Sensor | 1/2.3" Sensor |
Sensor Size | 6.17 x 4.55 mm | 6.17 x 4.55 mm |
Sensor Area | 28.0735 mm2 | 28.0735 mm2 |
Sensor Diagonal | 7.7 mm | 7.7 mm |
Crop Factor | 5.6x | 5.6x |
Sensor Resolution | 15.9 Megapixels | 19.9 Megapixels |
Image Resolution | 4608 x 3456 pixels | 5152 x 3864 pixels |
Pixel Pitch | 1.33 μm | 1.19 μm |
Pixel Density | 56.73 MP/cm2 | 70.91 MP/cm2 |
Moiré control | no AA filter | no AA filter |
Movie Capability | 720/30p Video | 720/30p Video |
ISO Setting | 100 - 1,600 ISO | 100 - 1,600 ISO |
Image Processor | DIGIC 4+ | DIGIC 4+ |
Screen Specs | Canon SX400 | Canon SX410 |
Viewfinder Type | no viewfinder | no viewfinder |
LCD Framing | Live View | Live View |
Rear LCD Size | 3.0inch | 3.0inch |
LCD Resolution | 230k dots | 230k dots |
LCD Attachment | Fixed screen | Fixed screen |
Shooting Specs | Canon SX400 | Canon SX410 |
Focus System | Contrast-detect AF | Contrast-detect AF |
Continuous Shooting | 0.8 shutter flaps/s | 0.5 shutter flaps/s |
Fill Flash | Built-in Flash | Built-in Flash |
Storage Medium | SDXC cards | SDXC cards |
Single or Dual Card Slots | Single card slot | Single card slot |
UHS card support | no | no |
Connectivity Specs | Canon SX400 | Canon SX410 |
External Flash | no Hotshoe | no Hotshoe |
USB Connector | USB 2.0 | USB 2.0 |
HDMI Port | no HDMI | no HDMI |
Wifi Support | no Wifi | no Wifi |
Body Specs | Canon SX400 | Canon SX410 |
Battery Type | Canon NB-11LH | Canon NB-11LH |
Battery Life (CIPA) | 190 shots per charge | 185 shots per charge |
Body Dimensions |
104 x 69 x 80 mm (4.1 x 2.7 x 3.1 in) |
104 x 69 x 85 mm (4.1 x 2.7 x 3.3 in) |
Camera Weight | 313 g (11.0 oz) | 325 g (11.5 oz) |
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