Canon Powershot SX40

Canon Powershot SX40
Super zoom Super zoom
September, 2011

Summary Canon SX40

Prices Price
Camera only $337 - $380
all SX40 prices
Score Snapsort rank
Within its price range #1 of 20 Among similar cameras #2 of 32
details details
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

Videos

Canon PowerShot SX40 HS Review

Canon Powershot SX40 HS Tutori...

Canon Powershot SX40 HS Tutori...
Canon PowerShot SX40 HS Review
  • Review
  • Pro
 Canon Powershot SX40 HS Tutorial: Step One - Camera Layout
  • Tutorial
 Canon Powershot SX40 HS Tutorial: Step Three - Sports Mode
  • Tutorial

Browse all Canon SX40 videos

Pros

The Canon SX40 vs other recent digicams

Aperture Very wide aperture Help
f/2.7
High-speed framerate High speed movies Help
240 fps
Supports 24p 24p movies Help
For that film look
Screen flips out Flip-out screen Help
Great for movies
Sensor type CMOS Sensor Help
Better in low light
Macro focus Good macro Help
0 cm
External flash External flash Help
Better lighting
Fastest shutter speed Fast shutter speed Help
1/3200 of a second
Zoom Huge zoom Help
35x
Movie format Full HD Help
1080p @ 24fps
Wide angle Great wide angle lens Help
24 mm
Image stabilization Image stabilization Help
Lens
Continuous shooting Rapid fire Help
10.3 fps
Battery life Incredible battery life Help
380 shots
Viewfinder Doesn't use battery, see more detail Help
Digital
Popularity Very popular Help
Among snapsort users

Cons

The Canon SX40 vs other recent digicams

Size Quite large Help
Professional size 123x92x108 mm
Touch screen No touch screen Help
More buttons
3D Doesn't take 3D photos Help
No 3d support
Thickness Thick Help
4.3"
Weight Very heavy Help
600 g
Screen resolution Low resolution screen Help
230k dots
Panorama Lacks in-camera panoramas Help
You could stitch photos in post
HDR Lacks in-camera HDR Help
You could do HDR manually
Lowest price Expensive Help
$336.90

The Canon SX40 vs other recent super zooms

Screen size Small screen Help
2.7"
Focus points Fewer focus points Help
9
External mic jack Lacks an external mic jack Help
Limited to the in-camera mic
Supports RAW No RAW support Help
Less editing fidelity

Appearance

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

Discussion What do you think about the Canon Powershot SX40?

Speech is free, but discussion at Snapsort is moderated! Please discuss your opinion of this camera here, and discuss feedback for Snapsort at our support community.

Showing 18 comments

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
 
Avatar for Carsten Grimm Carsten Grimm (9:49 AM, September 18, 2011)
who buys cheap, buys twice ...