- Conclusion Get the lowdown
- Features How it compares
- Performance Real world benchmarks
- Differences Technical showdown
- Reviews Word on the street
- Competition Others to consider
- Discussion Answers and opinions
Canon Powershot SX40
- 12 MP
- 35x f/2.7
- 1/2.5" CMOS
- 2.7" LCD
#1 in macro 2011 digicams
Released September, 2011
Rated 75% by by c|net (Dec, 2011)The low-light video is predictably grainy, but it's at least as good as this camera's high ISO photo performance.
Conclusion Check out the Canon Powershot SX40
First reviewed December, 2011
Features Key features of the Canon Powershot SX40
12 MP
1/2.5"
Rated 80% by by TrustedReviews (Nov, 2011)The Canon PowerShot SX40 HS is a brilliantly versatile bridge camera whose key feature, that 35x optical zoom, is made all the more attractive by an excellent image stabilisation system.
megapixels
| 0 MP | 15.9 MP    | 20 MP |
Powershot SX40 by Adam-Petrone--Adam (Sep, 2011)The SX40HS has the new Canon DIGIC 5 Image Processor and a high-sensitivity 12.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor dropped down from 14 Megapixel in the SX30IS.
Powershot SX40 by Alan-HolyoakThe camera has a wide range of capabilities, and the 12.1 megapixels of this unit generate stunning images.
sensor size
Powershot SX40 by Gordon (Jun, 2012)Now considering a popular Tamron 17-50mm is equivalent to 27-80mm, on a 35mm camera / full frame, this superzoom is even wider!! it's even wider than the 16-35mm canon on cropped camera body like the Canon T3i.
wide angle lens
Powershot SX40 by Retired-Tire-Engineer--Drew (Nov, 2011)Going from very wide angle (35mm equivalent of 24mm) to way long (840mm equivalent), it will take about any picture you have in mind including a simulated fish-eye mode.
Powershot SX40 by C.-D.-Woodfin--danwoodfinThe wide angle lens is perfect for my architectural photography needs.
aperture size
Powershot SX40 by wvhunter1968 (Mar, 2012)The detractors of my comparison, I'm sure, will mutter some mumbo jumbo about how the f-stop is too high on these super zoom cameras and that there is no way they can get as much quality as their $5000-$10000 outfit.
Powershot SX40 by JohnG (Apr, 2012)For those who like to set aperture, shutter speed, white balance or focus manually, this camera will let you do that.
zoom range
| 0x | 50x   | 50x |
Powershot SX40 by SoapyHollow (Jul, 2012)The zoom is amazing, I got pictures of the moon where details were more visible in the photo that you can see from a low end telescope.
Powershot SX40 by tnoffsi (Jun, 2012)The 35x zoom is exceptional as well, since the equivalent lenses on a digital SLR would cost thousands of dollars, and the quality of shots at full zoom, and even at the digitally enhanced 140x zoom, is fantastic.
body size
123 x 92 x 108 mm
129 x 71 x 19 mm
106 x 59 x 33 mm
Powershot SX40 by Juliann (Aug, 2012)But carried in a light jacket pocket or a medium sized purse, you can still have near DSLR versatility with less weight and a smaller size.
Powershot SX40 by ReynerNI love good quality pictures and have purchased quite a few small cameras (the kind you put in your pocket).
Performance Real world tests of Canon Powershot SX40
shutter lag
Powershot SX40 by EllJay (Jan, 2012)I'm extremely pleased with response time between shots and time for the AF to capture the shot.
Powershot SX40 by W.-JooSX40HS solves 2 issues fully and partially addresses one of them (shoots 1080p; CMOS for better low light; response time is better but not stellar).
battery life
380 photos
195 photos
200 photos
Powershot SX40 by Stormy1 (May, 2012)What I like about this camera is several things.....including a large 35X Optical zoom lens, looks well-built, has a flip out LCD viewfinder, has an optical viewfinder also, fairly easy to use and battery life is pretty decent for rechargeable batteries.
Powershot SX40 by The-Draconic-NabokovianAs far as I can tell, the battery life is quite good on these.
max continuous shooting
Powershot SX40 by Ethan-A.-Winning--ewin64 (Mar, 2012)For the time being, what I really like is the sharp photos I've been getting, and the 8 fps in the burst mode (the third is usually the best).
Our analysis How does it stack up against its top 10 competitors
pros
-
f/2.7 -
Contrast detection focusing system -
HD video -
Generic -
35x -
Gives you more flexibility when framing your shot -
For that film look -
Great for recording movies -
10.3 fps -
0 mm -
HD video -
10.29 s -
Create slow motion video -
1/3200 s
cons
-
2.7" -
230 k dots -
12 MP -
3,200 ISO -
No automatic 3D -
No automatic stitching -
Sep, 2011 -
9 -
No automatic HDR -
123 x 92 x 108 mm -
108 mm -
600 g
Reviews Word on the street
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 |  Rated by 413 users at amazon.com Rated 80% by by A-Hall--transfer-chick (Dec, 2011) Rated 100% by by Bonnie-J.-Wright (Oct, 2011) |
Lens
Canon Powershot SX40 | Rated 100% by by wvhunter1968 (Mar, 2012)This camera has a 35X optical zoom (WITH an incredible 140X digital zoom) that produces images better than I could ever have imagined (even compared to my 80x zoom on my sx20...so big improvements in technology there)!
Canon Powershot SX40 | Rated 100% by by wvhunter1968 (Mar, 2012)Manually focusing pictures is so much easier, lower f-stops (with the correct lens, which btw are very expensive), wide angle shots (again, expensive lense) and the ability to crank out 3200ISO pictures with decent quality are the 3 that come to mind immediatly.
Canon Powershot SX40 | Rated 100% by by knadler (Oct, 2011)I compose my shots with the zoom, the SX 40 has a 35x optical zoom and it works very well.
Zoom
Canon Powershot SX40 | Rated 80% by by Amit (Jul, 2012)I am very satisfied with quality, performance and zoom.
Canon Powershot SX40 | Rated 80% by by Venky (Dec, 2011)It was amazing to choose canon especially zoom with clear picture.
Canon Powershot SX40 | Rated 100% by by kmcconnell (May, 2012)It takes beautifully clear pictures, has amazing features, is easy to use and I love the 35 zoom!
Video
Canon Powershot SX40 | Rated 100% by by daylebread (Jan, 2012)Features I like most are: the zoom (super telephoto) that takes clear pics, the panoramic settings that provide stunning wide views of the subject, the portability of size and weight, the magnificent print quality and clarity of the pics and I love the ease it provides to instantly start a video which is HD.
Canon Powershot SX40 | Rated 100% by by ceeamerica (May, 2012)The Canon SX40 takes excellent pictures and video not only through-out it's 35X Optical range but very good quality in it's digital range giving it a full 140X Zoom range.
Canon Powershot SX40 | Rated 40% by by Gordon (Jun, 2012)Razor sharp.-wide enough and has the reach.-has hotshoe ** first big requirement met.-no dust on the sensor so no cleaning dust bunnies off pictures shot with high aperature.-can do good video.-color is good.-seems to have good dynamic range.
Image quality
Canon Powershot SX40 | Rated 80% by by caaron (Oct, 2011)Stabilization is excellent even at 840mm (equivalent) and the pictures are crystal clear with minimal chromatic aberration and fringing (means they are sharp and relatively undistorted).
Canon Powershot SX40 | Rated 100% by by Anukul (Dec, 2011);). The picture quality is very sharp, crisp.
Canon Powershot SX40 | Rated 100% by by Dan-Lennander (May, 2012)This is a great camara for someone who wants high quality photos on a camaras auto mode.
Photography
Canon Powershot SX40 | Rated 100% by by CrazyMom (Oct, 2011)Landscape shots are fantastic just play with all the modes to see which works best for you and oh let me tell you about the VIVID color!
Canon Powershot SX40 | Rated 100% by by Dan-Lennander (May, 2012)Took the kids to a park the other day and took some amazing outdoor photos using the sports mode and auto mode.
Canon Powershot SX40 | Rated 80% by by Ethan-A.-Winning--ewin64 (Mar, 2012)BUT look at it this way: if I got perfect pictures every time, it would take all the fun out of digital photography.
Competition What else you should consider
 | 1 | Samsung Galaxy Camera Largest screen Samsung Galaxy Camera vs Canon Powershot SX40 |
 | 2 | Nikon Coolpix P510 Highest resolution screen Nikon Coolpix P510 vs Canon Powershot SX40 |
 | 4 | Canon PowerShot SX240 HS 2-way tie: Rated the best by consumers PowerShot SX240 HS vs Powershot SX40 |
 | 5 | Canon PowerShot SX220 HS OK delay taking photos PowerShot SX220 HS vs Powershot SX40 |
 | 6 | Nikon Coolpix P500 2-way tie: OK lens Nikon Coolpix P500 vs Canon Powershot SX40 |
 | 7 | Canon PowerShot SX30 IS 2-way tie: Fastest lens PowerShot SX30 IS vs Powershot SX40 |
 | 8 | Canon PowerShot SX500 IS 3-way tie: Largest sensor PowerShot SX500 IS vs Powershot SX40 |
New duel?
Let the battle continue or dare to compare.
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Answers Community Find out what the Sortable community is saying about the Canon Powershot SX40
24
people have recommended the
Canon Powershot SX40Top Canon Powershot SX40 experts at Sortable
Nikon Coolpix P510
- 15.9 MP
- 41.7x f/3.0
- 1/2.5" CMOS
- 3" LCD
5 more Sortable users recommended the Nikon Coolpix P510 over the Canon Powershot SX40.
View all discussions | View comparison 
Beginner I
5
votes I would say the SX40 because of the f2.7 ability will give you a better usage of ISO and the light that you have in venues. I my self do indoors sports photography for cheer teams and i find my...
- 0 comments
- May 30, 2012
- Reply to: Taking indoor sports photos
Expert I
1
vote Both cameras are good, and you will not see a big difference between them. Save yourself $50 and go with the Canon SX40.
- 0 comments
- May 3, 2012
- Reply to: What camera to buy
Expert I
1
vote Both of these cameras are great, and should meet your needs, but the Canon SX40 can take amazing macro photos, so I would suggest you take a look at that one.
- 1 comment
- June 15, 2012
- Reply to: Photography
Canon PowerShot G1X
- 14.2 MP
- 4x f/2.8
- Four Thirds CMOS
- 3" LCD
It's a tie. Cast the deciding vote!
View all discussions | View comparison 
Beginner I
1
vote I think for travel you will love the long zoom of the SX40. It will get you close to things you can't reach by foot. I was amazed the first time I shot the moon with mine. At full 35X zoom, I...
- 0 comments
- July 19, 2012
- Reply to: Which Camera for trekking in Peru?
