- 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
Released September, 2011
Rated 80% by by Photography Blog (Nov, 2011)It's via this L-shaped toolbar that PowerShot users can also specify large, medium or small files and even adjust video resolution on the fly, from 1920x1080 through 1280x720 and down to 640x480 pixels.
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 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.
megapixels
| 0 MP | 18 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 Ken-B-Melvindale (Jun, 2012)Canon SX40 HS 12.1MP Digital Camera with 35x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7-Inch Vari-Angle Wide LCDI am totally in Love with this product!! It is amazingly beginner-friendly.
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 | 35x   | 50x |
Powershot SX40 by knadler (Oct, 2011)I compose my shots with the zoom, the SX 40 has a 35x optical zoom and it works very well.
body size
123 x 92 x 108 mm
104 x 70 x 80 mm
111 x 76 x 83 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
600 photos
195 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 -
Create slow motion video -
1/3200 s
cons
-
2.7" -
230 k dots -
12 MP -
10.29 fps -
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 416 users at amazon.com Rated 100% by by wvhunter1968 (Mar, 2012) Rated 80% by by Josh Rated 80% by by caaron (Oct, 2011) |
Lens
Canon Powershot SX40 | Rated 100% by by AR-wally (Dec, 2011)I like the Canon wide angle/35X zoom with the same lens.
Canon Powershot SX40 | Rated 100% by by CrazyMom (Oct, 2011)Sports shots have come out fantastic and I even took a picture of the moon with the 35x optical zoom withOUT a tripod, it came out magnificent!!!! Super clear!
Canon Powershot SX40 | Rated 100% by by Craig-A-Tramp (Nov, 2012)Took it to a football game and on various zoom lengths the clarity and crispness of the pictures is great.
Zoom
Canon Powershot SX40 | Rated 100% by 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.
Canon Powershot SX40 | Rated 80% by by Lisa-K.-Mitchell (Apr, 2012)With my very arthritic hands it's a plus to just have a light camera with an exceptional zoom to take with me on bird shoots.
Canon Powershot SX40 | Rated 100% by by KT (Nov, 2011)The picture quality is amazing and the zoom allows me to take pictures of the moon and its craters!
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 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 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.
Canon Powershot SX40 | Rated 100% by by Shannon (Nov, 2012)I would highly recommend this camera to anyone who can't afford a DSLR but still wants good quality photos.
Photography
Canon Powershot SX40 | Rated 80% by by A-Hall--transfer-chick (Dec, 2011)I love to take fotos and will use the camera for family shots, vacations, and memorie making.
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.
Competition What else you should consider
 | 2 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ150 More contrast-detection focus points Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ150 vs Canon Powershot SX40 |
 | 3 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX200V Quite high resolution Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX200V vs Canon Powershot SX40 |
 | 5 | Sony Cybershot DSC-HX100v 3-way tie: Most detailed video recording mode Sony Cybershot DSC-HX100v vs Canon Powershot SX40 |
 | 6 | Nikon Coolpix P510 3-way tie: Includes a GPS Nikon Coolpix P510 vs Canon Powershot SX40 |
 | 7 | Nikon Coolpix L810 Wide angle lens Nikon Coolpix L810 vs Canon Powershot SX40 |
 | 8 | Canon PowerShot SX500 IS Good benchmarked shot to shot times 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?
