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Canon PowerShot SX40 HS

alaTest has collected and analyzed 893 reviews from magazines and websites. Reviewers are impressed by the image stabilizer and zoom. The performance and image quality are also appreciated, but there are some mixed comments about the size. Many are critical about the memory and screen.

usability, image quality, performance, zoom, stabilizer

shutter, build quality, features, screen, memory

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Digital Compact Cameras the Canon PowerShot SX40 HS is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 95/100 = Excellent quality.

See all Canon Digital Compact Cameras

Review analysis

(Based on 893 reviews)

Expert Reviews  

User Reviews  

Review Ratings

  (65% of reviews)
Show all 5 star reviews   (27% of reviews)
Show all 4 star reviews   (3% of reviews)
Show all 3 star reviews   (2% of reviews)
Show all 2 star reviews   (3% of reviews)
Show all 1 star reviews

Features

Usability
  Show positive (91%)Show negative (0%)(Show all)
Image quality
  Show positive (74%)Show negative (2%)(Show all)
Performance
  Show positive (83%)Show negative (17%)(Show all)
Zoom
  Show positive (63%)Show negative (1%)(Show all)
Stabilizer
  Show positive (95%)None yet(Show all)
Low-light
  Show positive (70%)Show negative (5%)(Show all)
Responsiveness
  Show positive (61%)Show negative (16%)(Show all)
Lens
  Show positive (34%)Show negative (5%)(Show all)
Color
  Show positive (69%)None yet(Show all)
Shutter
  Show positive (6%)Show negative (58%)(Show all)
More features

Showing 587 review(s)

Expert Reviews User Reviews
Showing 1 - 10 of 587 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (311)

Consumer review by:

Exellent camera

 

I think that Canon SX 40 is the best superzoom camera on the market just now. The new sensor has increased image quality. No visible ca. Noise at high iso much better. Usefull dtc. Faster autofocus. 840mm + dtc = 1680 mm, that is great. The image stabilizer is very good, and with the big zoom this is necessary.

Expert review by:

Canon PowerShot SX40 HS

 

Editors' note: Several of the design and features are identical between the Canon PowerShot SX40 HS and the Canon PowerShot SX30 IS we reviewed earlier, so readers of the earlier review may experience some déjà vu when reading the same sections below.

The Canon PowerShot SX40 HS has a flexible lens range, very good image stabilization, excellent photo quality for its class, and shooting modes for every kind of user.

The SX40 HS's shooting performance lags behind that of the competition and has a couple potentially irritating design points.

If you're after a wide and long lens and excellent photo quality, the Canon PowerShot SX40 HS is a standout. In features, design, and performance, though, it's a bit lacking.

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EDITORS' CHOICE

Expert review by:

Canon PowerShot SX40 HS

 

One of our favorite cameras of 2010 — the Canon PowerShot SX30 IS — was just freshened up with a new sensor and imaging processor as the SX40 HS. While a touch up like that is seldom a bad thing, the new model also adds boosts the price even more into...

Awesome 24-840mm zoom ; Quality stills, accurate colors ; Packed with features including OIS

A steady grip is a must at maximum telephoto ; Movie quality not state-of-the-art

If you’re considering a mega-zoom, the Canon PowerShot SX40 HS is a slam dunk

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Expert review by:

Canon PowerShot SX40 HS Digital Camera Review

 

Canon's PowerShot SX40 HS is a safe bet, but a good one. By simply replacing the SX30's sensor with a more advanced CMOS model, and keeping almost every other design feature the same, the company has succeeded in delivering an ultrazoom superior to all...

Canon's strategy is clear. Start with the framework of the already-excellent PowerShot SX30 IS ultrazoom, swap the CCD sensor with a CMOS model, and ship it. Simple.

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Expert review by:

PowerShot SX40 HS

 

($429) is a super zoom camera with one of the most powerful lenses on the market. This 35X zoom lens has an incredible focal range of 24 - 840 mm, which should cover every possible shooting situation that you'll run into

Very good photo quality, with low noise through ISO 800 ; Incredible 35X, 24 - 840 mm zoom lens ; Optical image stabilization; camera will select the proper IS mode for you (in Smart Auto mode) ; Flip-out, rotating 2.7" LCD display offers good outdoor...

Strong highlight clipping at times (use i-Contrast to reduce) ; Not competitive with best super zooms in terms of performance (especially autofocus), LCD/EVF quality, and movie mode ; EVF is small, not very sharp, and a bit washed out ; Videos are a...

Overall, the Canon PowerShot SX40 HS is a good super zoom camera, but there are better choices out there. In terms of design and features, it's very competitive. Photo quality is a little better than most of the cameras in this class. Where the SX40...

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Expert review by:

Canon PowerShot SX40 HS: Lab Test Results & Comments

 

The Canon SX40 HS is a compact bridge camera with an extreme zoom lens. It offers focal length settings between 24mm and 840mm (35mm film camera equivalent), which allows users to shoot nice wide-angle shots to extreme telephoto images. Adjusting the...

Astonishingly sharp images even though it uses an extreme zoom lens ; Wide-angle shots with 24mm ; Swivel LCD for comfortable shooting ; Easy handling, a lot of scene modes plus standard exposure modes like S, A, and M

No Raw mode ; Low-resolution LCD screen

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Expert review by:

Canon SX40 HS

 

The SX40 replaces the SX30 as Canon's top-of-the-line extended zoom camera. The improvements are all under the hood; Canon has replaced the SX30's aging CCD sensor with a new 12.1 megapixel backside-illuminated sensor, bringing the SX40 into the High...

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Expert review by:

Extreme-zoom camera

 

Canon's ultra-zoom line gets a better sensor The Canon PowerShot SX40 HS is basically the same camera as the critics' former favorite extreme-zoom, the Canon PowerShot SX30 IS (Discontinued) -- only the SX40 HS boosts the shooting speed and substitutes...

Versatile lens range, excellent CMOS image sensor, shoots full 1080p HD video, optical image stabilization, lots of manual control, improved shooting speed

No RAW mode, relatively small (2.7-inch) LCD screen

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Expert review by:

Canon PowerShot SX40 HS Review

 

Canon's new PowerShot SX40 HS couples a new DIGIC 5 processor with a 35x optical zoom lens.

35x optical zoom ; Impressive stabilization ; Full complement of features

Quirky AF ; No RAW ; Bulky for a point-and-shoot

However, the DIGIC5 processor and sharp lens deliver excellent images throughout their range, along with a bucket load of features. So the camera makes an excellent point and shoot with the added advantage of having the ultrazoom for the times you need...

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Expert review by:

Canon Powershot SX40 HS shoots 35x shots

 

The SX30 has been no stranger to us. Now we're looking at the SX40, a version of the same that looks pretty much the same but offers more. The latter is blessed with a 12-megapixel backside illuminated image sensor and a DIGIC 5 image processor. Among...

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Expert review by:

Canon SX40 HS

 

Canon swaps out the older SX30's sensor, resulting in a huge boost in performance

Great noise performance across the board; Tremendous sharpness results; Keeps the SX30’s excellent control layout

Body still feels cheap and plasticky

Canon’s strategy is clear. Start with the framework of the already-excellent PowerShot SX30 IS ultrazoom, swap the CCD sensor with a CMOS model, and ship it. Simple.

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Product Specifications

The PowerShot SX40 HS is a versatile compact point-and-shoot camera that easily captures amazing photos and videos. The Canon HS SYSTEM boosts low-light performance with the new Canon DIGIC 5 Image Processor and a high-sensitivity 12.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor. This advanced Canon technology delivers stunning image quality with reduced noise and blur. Colors are more vibrant and white balance is true-to-life. The 35x Optical Zoom offers incredible reach and range, allowing you to shoot any scene, near or far. The Optical Image Stabilizer helps images come out steady and clear, and a 24mm ultra Wide-Angle lens makes it easy to take pictures of large groups of people, tall buildings, expansive landscapes and much more. The camera also features a 2.7-inch Vari-angle LCD for great shooting flexibility. Packed with an array of powerful technologies, the PowerShot SX40 HS is a convenient digital camera capable of brilliant image capture.

Configuration

Autofocus: Yes
Built-in Flash: Yes
Changeable Lens: No
Image Stabiliser:Optical Image Stabiliser
Integrated GPS Module: No
Touchscreen: No
View Finder Type:LCD Monitor / Optical / Electronic Viewfinder / Optical / Electronic Viewfinder + LCD

Connectivity

Bluetooth: No
HDMI: Yes
HDMI Interface: Yes
PictBridge: Yes
WiFi Connectivity: No

General Features

3D: No
Bridge Camera: Yes
Chip Type:CMOS
Product Type:Compact Camera
Sensor Size:1/2.3''
SLR / Compact:Compact Camera

Lens

Longest Shutter Speed in s:15
Shortest Shutter Speed in s:1/3200

Memory

Compact Flash Card: No
Memory Stick / Memory Stick Pro: No
Memory Stick Duo / Duo Pro: No
Memory Type:External
Micro Drive: No
Multimedia Card: No
SDXC Card: Yes
Secure Digital Card: Yes
Secure Digital High Capacity Card: Yes
XD Card: No

Power Supply

Battery Model:Canon NB-10L
Battery Type:Canon NB-10L

Recording

Aperture Priority: Yes
Face Detection Mode:Face + Smile Detection
Movie / Voice Recording:Movie + Voice
RAW Format: No
Serial Shot Mode: Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes
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