Canon Powershot SX40

35x, f/2.7, 24 mm
Retailer
    Style
      Color
        You save

        Summary Canon SX40

        Prices Price
        Camera only
        $420
        all SX40 prices
        Score Snapsort rank
        Within its price range
        #n/a of 4
        Among similar cameras
        #n/a of 9
        Specifications Key specs
        Zoom
        Help 35x
        Screen size
        Help 2.7"
        Aperture
        Help f/2.7
        Screen resolution
        Help 230k dots
        Wide angle
        Help 24 mm
        Movie format
        Help 1080p @ 24fps
        see all specifications
        Canon Powershot SX40Canon Powershot SX40

        gallery

        Explore our gallery of 50 sample photos taken by the Canon Powershot SX40.

        Videos

        Canon PowerShot SX40 HS Review

        Canon PowerShot SX40 HS Review
        • Review
        • Pro

        Canon Powershot SX40 HS Tutori...

        Canon Powershot SX40 HS Tutorial: Step One - Camera Layout
        • Tutorial

        Canon SX-40 HS Zoom Demo Sprin...

        Canon SX-40 HS Zoom Demo Springwood Park Whitsett/Gibsonville NC
        • Review
        • Image quality

        Pros

        Report a correction

        The Canon SX40 vs other recent digicams

        High-speed framerate High speed movies Help
        240 fps
        Screen flips out Flip-out screen Help
        Great for movies
        External flash External flash Help
        Better lighting
        Fastest shutter speed Fast shutter speed Help
        1/3200 of a second
        Supports 24p 24p movies Help
        For that film look
        Battery life Above average battery life Help
        380 shots
        Viewfinder Doesn't use battery, see more detail Help
        Digital
        Report a correction

        The Canon SX40 vs other recent super zooms

        Weight Light Help
        600 g

        Cons

        Report a correction

        The Canon SX40 vs other recent digicams

        Movie format Full HD Help
        1080p @ 24fps
        Light sensitivity Poor maximum light sensitivity Help
        3,200 ISO
        True resolution Lower true resolution Help
        9.7 MP
        Sensor size Slightly smaller than average sensor Help
        1/2.3" 6.17x4.55mm
        Thickness Thick Help
        4.3"
        Longest exposure Short exposures Help
        15 seconds
        Size Slightly large Help
        Professional size (123×92×108 mm)
        Touch screen No touch screen Help
        More buttons
        Focus points Fewer focus points Help
        9
        Announced Old Help
        September 2011
        Weight Heavy Help
        600 g
        Report a correction

        The Canon SX40 vs other recent super zooms

        Screen resolution Very low resolution screen Help
        230k dots
        External mic jack Lacks an external mic jack Help
        Limited to the in-camera mic
        Screen size Very small screen Help
        2.7"
        Popularity Not so popular Help
        Among snapsort users

        Appearance

        front photo of the Canon Powershot SX40back photo of the Canon Powershot SX40angle photo of the Canon Powershot SX40

        Discussion

        Canon Powershot SX40
        Powershot SX40
        Canon

        Report a correction

        Showing 25 comments

        Avatar for Tesla Gmz Tesla Gmz (4:15 PM, August 22, 2016)
        that´s what i mean
         
        Annika (7:48 AM, February 24, 2015)
        I have an SX40 and love it, great improvement from SX30. The macro function is awesome, so sorry to hear that SX50's closest in macro is 2.4 cm otherwise I have been thinking of moving on to SX50 when this one is giving up. It is more than three years old and has been used A LOT in all kinds of abusive conditions but is still going strong! Daily taking hundreds of pictures. I also frequently use the extreme zoom which is great. Highly recommend the SX40!!
        Any suggestions for a more light sensitive camera WITH a 0 cm macro and extreme zoom?
         
        irma (5:41 AM, March 28, 2013)
        Terribly confused, still indecided between canon Sx40 or nikon L810, please help! Its a present for my husband
         
        Avatar for Shamim Omi Shamim Omi (5:24 PM, February 09, 2013)
        Very nice camera
         
        rockkys (4:10 AM, September 06, 2012)
        How do you shoot 24fps?
         
        Avatar for David ID David ID (3:00 PM, August 03, 2012)
        That is fantastic news. I love the SX40, but lack of RAW really jars with me. If it wasn't for 24p video on the SX40, I would have opted for the FZ150.
         
        Avatar for jh443 jh443 (8:49 PM, June 07, 2012)
        Just FYI... with CHDK installed, the abilities of the SX40 are greatly enhanced. Among the changes are support of RAW. This is just one of the many modifications that can be done via software with this camera.
         
        Akshay Bandekar (8:06 PM, May 17, 2012)
        I have heard that the view finder is not as good as sony hx 100v
        please do let me know as i wanna purchase one real soon and i am terribly confused which one to go for
        canon sx40 or sony hx 100v or nikon p510 or any entry level dslr
         
        Ayan Mula (0:27 PM, May 16, 2012)
        which one is better p510 and canon sx40hs according to functions as well as cost.
         
        Mkorany1971 (9:17 AM, May 12, 2012)
        I like its long zoom and HD features.
         
        Casino Nik007 (7:22 AM, March 31, 2012)
        which one is better p510 and canon sx40hs according to functions as well as cost...? 
         
        Avatar for MAX_12 MAX_12 (7:22 AM, March 31, 2012)
        I highly recommend this camera to any user. SX40 has all the the features to make perfect shots in all circumstances.  The best choice by now.
         
        www.sharpest-eye.com (4:07 AM, March 04, 2012)
        See my other post on top of this page, regarding the similar comparison.
        I have used both SONY and Canon. Overall, Sony is catching up. I have SX40HS and quite happy with it.
        If you want to buy a Sony, make sure to buy a G lens or Alpha. Carl Zeiss is not very good in low light.
         
        Avatar for smh smh (7:16 AM, March 03, 2012)
        hi all
        please help...sony Cybershot DSC-HX100v   or canon SX40 or nikon P500?
        i think sony is the  best choice.
         
        www.sharpest-eye.com (1:55 PM, March 01, 2012)
        Much better and faster.... See my other post on this page.
         
        www.sharpest-eye.com (1:55 PM, March 01, 2012)
        You just had bad luck. See my other post on this page.
         
        www.sharpest-eye.com (1:54 PM, March 01, 2012)
        Not at all... see my other post on this page.
         
        www.sharpest-eye.com (1:53 PM, March 01, 2012)
        SX40HS is not even comparable in terms of quality with SX30 IS. I had an SX20 IS and after comparing it with SX30IS, I went back to SX20, as SX30 was quite slow and too many pixels for its small CCD sensor, and not as sharp as SX20.

        I got an SX40HS to compare it with SX20IS for a week. I had both cameras with me in the car, as as I was driving, I saw a deer almost 100 meters away from the road. I first put the SX20 on the tripod, but I could not zoom at the deer at that long distance. Then I put SX40, and in just 2 seconds, I could take the shot:
        http://www.sharpestlook.com/pg/index.php?zxpg=QW5pbWFscy8qKmZjYWVmNjViYWM4MzMxODM2ZDQ5YThkN2I1ZjQzOTdi
         
        www.sharpest-eye.com (1:44 PM, March 01, 2012)
        Sony HX100 is also a good camera. However, in terms of image stabilization, Canon beats all.

        You can have a look at the sample pictures on my website taken by Canon SX40 HS, under the Winter folder:
        http://www.sharpestlook.com/pg/index.php?zxpg=V2ludGVyLyoqZTQ1OTMyY2Q4YmYwOGM4ZWVmYTdmYmQ4MzMzMmNkZWE

        Also, most of the pictures under Sunset:
        http://www.sharpestlook.com/pg/index.php?zxpg=U3Vuc2V0LyoqOGIyNjc4YThkZDM2Y2UzOGNlMGEyMTExMWIyNjk3OGI

        The macro feature of the camera is superb, as you can simply attach the lens to the object:
        http://www.sharpestlook.com/pg/index.php?zxpg=TWFjcm9zLyoqMzQyMDVlMGU0MDU3NmE4ODY5MDU4ZDY3YmVlY2I1NDQ

         
         
        RAJEEV PREENJA (1:53 PM, January 10, 2012)
        RAJEEV PREENJA  well i am confused in canon sx40 hs and sony hx100 v pls sujest me which is better of the both. Thanks
         
        chinh (5:47 AM, December 19, 2011)
        my sx200 just got a lens error, i am so terrified by this error. i cant believe this too have lens error. should i just get dslr "T3" it is currently in the same price range.
         
        John (6:19 PM, December 08, 2011)
        I bought a new SX40 on Monday, Tuesday I arrived in Nice, France. I unboxed it and charged the battery. Yesterday I switched it on for the first time. The lens made a terrible clicking sound while trying to extend the lens. I got a "Lens Error, restarting camera" message. No matter how many times I switch the phone off and on, I get lens errors and it powers off - Grrrrrrrrrrr, I am on holiday in south of France, and my new camera is unable to take any pictures. Grrrrrrrrrr. At least I brought my 7D with me. After a search, I see it is a fairly common problem, check out yours first at the store before you leave. The store I bought from is 8000 km away - duty free at Joannesburg airport, so I am stuffed.
         
        -Mars_ Photography (6:10 AM, October 31, 2011)
        Its a MUCH better Camera than the sx30IS... sure its a lower megapixel, but its not a CCD sensor, meaning if you want to do any editing, this camera will allow cleaner photos.  CCD is definitely a cheaper way to go, if you like just snapping pictures... but then again... if you are just snapping pictures, why spend over $150.
         
        Srimanta09 (5:38 PM, October 19, 2011)
        almost same sx30is but little higer
         
        N.J.Reddy (0:10 AM, September 20, 2011)
        It almost like SX30is