Customer reviews from usa.canon.com
Canon - PowerShot SX40 HS Black 12.1-Megapixel Digital Camera - Black
Average customer rating
4.7
(125 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 125 reviews
5 Stars
97
4 Stars
19
3 Stars
8
2 Stars
1
1 Star
0
90%of customers recommend this product.
(
111 out of
123)
Customer Reviews for Canon - PowerShot SX40 HS Black 12.1-Megapixel Digital Camera - Black
Customer Rating
5
best compact I've ever owned
on December 23, 2011
Posted by: dad
from Palm Beach County,Florida
Camera is quality oriented and user friendly. Superb optics and excellent zoom reach.
Pros: lithium ion battery
Cons: poor diopter control
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Great camera, take the time to learn to use it
on June 16, 2012
Posted by: spookyone
from California desert rat
Terrific quality pictures. Optical zoom is more than adequate for everyday tasks. I bought the camera specifically for the Macro mode which is impressive. I am not sure why some reviewers have an issue here, but you must put the camera in macro mode first my friend to get the best benefit. Even when not in macro mode a close shot can be blown up with crystal clear quality anyway. There are some good reviews on the net for this camera where you can be shown how to use the camera and it's features so if you are not into reading the manual you can at least learn it from a video.
I enjoy the wider angle too. I am able to compose shots that normally would not get all the subject matter into the finished pic -- but here no problem.
Also, the camera is stellar in low light with plenty of iso settings/aperture and shutter variety to get what you need if you tweak it manually (forget point and shoot in auto mode in most cameras and this one is no exception if you really are going for that campfire shot !) Invest in a tripod or learn to stabilize yourself or use the shutter delay on a stationary surface with what's around if you want to get best results in extreme low light.
The nicest surprise feature is the slow-motion HD (hey, the HD is full 1080 too ! Wow ! I would think Birders would love this camera for this feature alone and all you sports fans too. Be sure to get the 16GB HD card if you do a lot of that kind of stuff.
For a fixed lens camera it's got a lot of value. Next step from this camera in a full feature DSLR with lens interchangeability but get ready for the price jump if that's where you go. For those using the camera after life with a day to day point and shoot it will work but you will miss out on the features if you stay stuck in that mode and will be unhappy that it's bulkier than the any hand held. But worth it dude.
I enjoy the wider angle too. I am able to compose shots that normally would not get all the subject matter into the finished pic -- but here no problem.
Also, the camera is stellar in low light with plenty of iso settings/aperture and shutter variety to get what you need if you tweak it manually (forget point and shoot in auto mode in most cameras and this one is no exception if you really are going for that campfire shot !) Invest in a tripod or learn to stabilize yourself or use the shutter delay on a stationary surface with what's around if you want to get best results in extreme low light.
The nicest surprise feature is the slow-motion HD (hey, the HD is full 1080 too ! Wow ! I would think Birders would love this camera for this feature alone and all you sports fans too. Be sure to get the 16GB HD card if you do a lot of that kind of stuff.
For a fixed lens camera it's got a lot of value. Next step from this camera in a full feature DSLR with lens interchangeability but get ready for the price jump if that's where you go. For those using the camera after life with a day to day point and shoot it will work but you will miss out on the features if you stay stuck in that mode and will be unhappy that it's bulkier than the any hand held. But worth it dude.
Pros: good battery life, Good Low-Light Performance, Nice features/settings, excellent image quality, durable, Simple controls/menu, easy to use
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Love my SX40
on January 7, 2012
Posted by: schaery
from Mobile, AL
I purchased the SX40 as an upgrade from my Sx10. Love all the extra features and effects. The zoom is incredible. I also like the fact that there is an adapter available to add my own filters to the camera. Battery life is good although I do miss the AA batteries that the SX10 used. The vari-angle LCD is the greatest thing to ever be added to a camera.
One thing I absolutely do not like, however, is no manual included. I loved the small manual that came with my SX10. Just the right size to keep in my case for easy reference. I hate this downloadable manual. I can't afford to print it out, and turning on my e-reader to look up a feature isn't very convenient.
Pros: new fish eye and miniature effects, great zoom, filter adapter., vari-angle lcd
Cons: no manual included, prefer aa batteries
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Great Step Up to the SLR
on January 25, 2012
Posted by: picturelady
from Brainerd, MN
Photography has been my hobby for 30 years now. I love the digital world. I have all types and brands of cameras. Canon is my favorite. I recently purchased the SX40 because it seemed like a nice easy to carry "SLR-like" camera. I have the Rebel XT and the new SX150. The SX40 is by far a great "middle of the road" camera, between compact and full SLR. A perfect camera for the person wanting to move up to an SLR but not quite ready for the lens changing decisions. It has most of the capabilties of an SLR camera with its built in 35X Optical Zoom and an eye viewfinder as well as the screen viewer; It also has the ability to instantly become a video camera with the push of a button. The Digic 5 Processor creates some great photos, especially indoors and in low light. The only feature I find a bit touchy is the dial for changing settings... it is very sensitive and I seem to press it a little too hard and it selects instead of turning to adjust a setting for the aperture or shutter speed; something I am sure I will overcome with a little more practice. I truly recommend this camera for someone who wants it "all in one", with great quality in photos and video. A real plus for someone wanting to go full SLR in the future and wants a great camera to learn with.
Pros: full slr features, 35x wide angle zoom lens, viewfinder with optic adjuster, new digic 5 image processor
Cons: sensitive control dial
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Big Bang.. Small bucks..!!
on March 23, 2012
Posted by: Tool Doctor
from Metro Atlanta, Ga.
Never had a camera before Nov. of 11'.. Did my homework with reviews and hit the mother lode with this camera. Printed out the manual and made my own notebood which I studied for two weeks with camera in hand. Not a lot it won't do once you take time to understand just what it will do. Being retired I have time to shoot 30-50 shots a day. Love the zoom for wildlife on my property and find the mode settings work great.. Also love the Auto Exposure Bracketing mode as I have already learned Photoshop and started shooting High Definition Range imaging with the AEB mode and taking it to Photomatix for merge and tonal mapping. For only owning a camera for 5 months I have advanced in photograhpy well IMO and having this camera in my hand with it's capabilties is a major factor.. There are a few things I wish for in capability but I keep in mind I did not purchase a full blown DSLR.. Again.. big bang.. small buck and love this tool in my hands..!!
Pros: about everything..
Cons: 100 iso default in long exposures
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
4
Focus is lacking
on June 2, 2012
Posted by: Muncie birder
from Muncie, In
This is sold as a super zoom camera. One of the main uses of a super zoom would be to photo birds. This camera about half the time will focus on everything but the bird. It brings up the bird in the view finder as if it is focusing on it but nope. It says it has manual focus. Good luck trying to use that feature. On the screen it shows the distance it is focusing at. I suppose if one has a tape measure and a still image that might work. Nevertheless, if the light is good and it does happen to get the correct focus the fotos are exceptional.
Pros: good battery life, Nice features/settings, excellent image quality, durable, Bright LCD, easy to use
Cons: Poor Low-Light Performance
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Forget the DSLR
on March 25, 2013
Posted by: canonforever
from Auburn, New York
The Alaska cruise was planned and I needed to upgrade from my trusty AE-1, I went to buy an EOS Rebel. When I tried the SX40HS and realized that I did not have to change lenses... I was sold. I could have the focal length in a point and shoot. Great performer. Picture quality is outstanding. Weight of camera did not negatively impact the excursions.The camera is easy to use, easy to operate, ergonomic and intuitive... although the features are plenty and more than I may ultimately use. The results are outstanding!!
Pros: good battery life, Good Low-Light Performance, Nice features/settings, excellent image quality, durable, Bright LCD, Lightweight/Portable, easy to use
Cons: Complicated controls/menu
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Awesome Camera
on January 15, 2012
Posted by: Bochog
I love this camera its easy to use for beginners but have stuff for camera enthusiasts and advanced users to play.Plus and this is a big plus LONG ZOOM ie;840 mm equals regular SLR lens.Price is affordable if you dont have 6-8 hundred to spend,but this camera performs as good and you dont have to spend 1,500 to get to 840 mm zoom.Also not too bulky and could be packed on waistside and not carrying extra luggage.l have tried the competition and asked reviews myself and the verdict is canon powershot sx 40.AWESOME.
Pros: value and easy of use
Cons: battery runs down quick of taking video
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com