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
Powershot SX40-HS
on May 13, 2012
Posted by: Anonymous
from Oak Ridge, TN
This camera is an excellent solution for folks who do not want to be a "pack horse to glass." Its wide range of focus, from 0 inches in macro to 840 optical zoom, provides a flexibility of use that would require several lenses on a DSLR. Given the camera's small size, the resolution is not as good as that which we find in a DSLR; however, the resolution is significantly better than earlier versions of this line of cameras. (Resolution to ISO 400 is quite acceptable. Noise begins to be noticeable at ISO 800.) It has a variety of special functions and a flexibility of settings that , in my opinion, surpass similar cameras of other brands. If I were to recommend improvements, I recommend continuing improving the image resolution--even if the size/weight of the camera must increase, and I would recommend shortening, or eliminating altogether, the shutter lag when using the built-in flash or an external flash..
I use the camera as an everyday tool, from snapshots to serious photography. (I also have a Canon 7D and 40D and a variety of lenses.) I have used it in landscape photography, shooting family and friends, and for nature photography. Last night, 12 May 2012, I used the camera to shoot moths in the local arboretum until late at night, using only the camera--hand-held--and built-in flash.
This is a great little camera. Menus are intuitive, and it has a good feel and balance in the hand.
I recommend it for your consideration.
Pros: great flexibility., intuitive menus., good balance and feel in your hand., very good resolution.
Cons: shutter lag when using flash.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Great camera
on March 8, 2012
Posted by: stretch
from Ohio
Bought this to update my old A630. Did not want to go into an SLR. I still am a point and shoot kinda gal but do like to play with options and other settings. Happy, happy. Had to have tilt arm to take pictures of wildflowers upside down. Wanted more zoom to take pictures of eagles on nests and maybe a bear or two from afar. Was out watching eagles with some mighty serious camera people with huge camera & lens and they were totally impressed with what my camera could do. They thought zoom was excellent. Burst of 8 pictures option got the eagle coming into the nest, wings full out. My pictures were as good as theirs. Love this camera. Wish it came with instruction book to carry along. Happy, happy. I am on my 4th Canon now and am glad i stuck with Canon.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
I'm Still Being Amazed by this Superzoom
on September 5, 2012
Posted by: Therealmagicjack
from Benbrook, TX
I spent a week researching point-and-shoot superzooms before purchasing this camera. The pool narrowed down to two cameras quite quickly and I had to really debate which to choose. If you've been doing any researching as well you probably already know what other camera I'm referring to. I picked this camera because, first of all, it's Canon, and secondly the power of the zoom capability. I'm an outdoor photographer so the 35X optical zoom was very appealing. I can now say that I'm very happy with my decision. This is the best digital camera I've ever owned. So far I've hardly dug into the various manual settings and programs this camera is capable of since full auto so far has served me perfectly. This thing has an intelligence that processes the perfect picture every time. Even photos that I think there's no way it's going to come out right ends up being exactly that. If you've been researching like I did and are debating between this camera and the probable other, I recommend choosing this one. Most reviewers mention the extensive video capabilities of the other but the Canon SX40 HS takes great high def. video and has all the needed options so that's covered. Plus, this is a camera. If you wanting something for video, get a video recorder. If you wants something for photography, this is the one to choose. Canon's color accuracy and photograph processing is second to none, period.
Pros: good battery life, Good Low-Light Performance, Nice features/settings, excellent image quality, Simple controls/menu, easy to use, great button positions
Cons: smaller lcd screen than others
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Very Satisfied
on January 27, 2012
Posted by: undrgnd40
from Minnesota
I use this camera to supplement my professional equipment. When I don't want to tote around the bags filled with lenses I take this PowerShot. It's a nice upgrade from my PowerShot SX110 IS. So far I have taken nice family and landscape photos, and some good little movie clips. It's packed with features, has great zoom length and takes clear images. If you want nice family and vacation pics without the bulk and price of an SLR, this is your camera. If you have professional equipment but don't always carry it - this camera is good for a lightweight backup.
Pros: really nice for the money, lightweight, packed with features
Cons: where's the owners manual???
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
will not disapoint
on March 3, 2012
Posted by: Caybryt
This is an excellent bridge camera. But like a lot have said it lacks in some aspects. I do believe it is designed for the begginer that is why so many of the things it can do is turned off. I say turned off because that is basically what it is. If you want to see what this camera will really do, search CHDK and put it on an sd card. WOW!! NOW THATS A CAMERA!! Save in RAW, tons more options like, more fstop, a lot higher lower shutter speed and iso, time lapse, motion detection for lightning strikes, remote shutter and a plethera of other things.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Best point and shoot I've ever owned
on March 24, 2012
Posted by: Hey Moe!
from San Diego, CA
I am a semi-pro photographer, but I wanted a good
vacation camera that wouldn't require lugging around
multiple lenses, flash, etc, but still would deliver high
quality pictures. It's a 12.1 mp point and shoot and it's
star feature is it's remarkable lens. Only a few years
ago a 4.3-150mm, 1:2.7-5.8 USM 35x might have been considered a physical impossibility or been huge $$. Because of it's remarkable lens, it's fairly large for a point
and shoot, about the same size as a 35mm film SLR with
a 50mm lens. If you want a camera you grab and go and are ready for pretty much anything, this is it. I just got back from Hawaii and never once wished I had a different lens. Mild wide angle to 300 telephoto, it did it all.
It's not a pocket camera, but then again it's no where near,
say, an EOS series with a long lens. At 12.1 mp, the images are plenty sharp as long as you don't go poster
size or do extreme cropping. It's kind of a compromise camera too don't forget - If you want a pocket/purse camera or split second shot timing, this isn't your camera.
In a nutshell, great general purpose point and shoot camera boasting some serious Canon technology.
vacation camera that wouldn't require lugging around
multiple lenses, flash, etc, but still would deliver high
quality pictures. It's a 12.1 mp point and shoot and it's
star feature is it's remarkable lens. Only a few years
ago a 4.3-150mm, 1:2.7-5.8 USM 35x might have been considered a physical impossibility or been huge $$. Because of it's remarkable lens, it's fairly large for a point
and shoot, about the same size as a 35mm film SLR with
a 50mm lens. If you want a camera you grab and go and are ready for pretty much anything, this is it. I just got back from Hawaii and never once wished I had a different lens. Mild wide angle to 300 telephoto, it did it all.
It's not a pocket camera, but then again it's no where near,
say, an EOS series with a long lens. At 12.1 mp, the images are plenty sharp as long as you don't go poster
size or do extreme cropping. It's kind of a compromise camera too don't forget - If you want a pocket/purse camera or split second shot timing, this isn't your camera.
In a nutshell, great general purpose point and shoot camera boasting some serious Canon technology.
Pros: serious pro quality glass, image stabilizer works good, @ around $400 serious bang for the buck
Cons: autofocus a tad slow sometimes, fairly large for a point and shoot
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
4
Hard copy Manual
on February 23, 2012
Posted by: Muravu
from Tampa,Fl
I had this camera for two months. Despite its exellent potentials, I am frustrated not being able to take advantage of them. Canon skimped in not poroviding a hard copy detailed manual and instead only an online version. Great for many but for those others with limited access to it, the very expensive option left is to print 200+ pages. Why cannot Canon atleast offer an option to purchase a printed manual? I had Canon Powershot S5 IS and benefitted by such a manual.
Pros: improved over my s5 is
Cons: no hard copy manual
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
4
A fun superzoom
on May 1, 2012
Posted by: JohnG
from Escanaba, MI
I bought this camera to supplement by Canon G12, which I like very much. The G12 has a metal body, more manual control dials, better LCD viewfinder and more sophisticated exposure options (including High Dynamic Range, built-in neutral density filter, and more ISO settings). BUT the SX40 adds incredible zoom power, backed up by excellent image stabilization. Build seems solid and camera is easy to hold. The SX 40 is a bit more comfortable for my larger fingers, bigger but not heavy. Macro work requires figuring out some annoying items, like the tendency for the minimum focus range to go up fast as you increase focal length. However, this camera IS capable of very nice macro shots once you learn a thing or two. Cool moon shots also possible. Autofocus is decent but not fast. The ability to add external filters (like a circular polarizer, with Canon adapter) and larger external flash units is a big plus! I don't care about video, but I'm told this camera is good for that.
Pros: 35 power superzoom, image stabilization, many creative options, accepts filters/flash, contrast control option, frame assist
Cons: small sensor, autofocus can be slow, viewfinders not sharp, no printed manual
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com