Canon PowerShot SX40 HS: Conclusions

CONCLUSIONS
I loved the promise of the SX40 - a single, integrated, relatively inexpensive camera that can capture every image from wide-angle to telephoto, from landscapes to sports - but quirky auto-focus at the telephoto end and the difficulty of finding subjects when zoomed in make it less than great for any type of wildlife or distance sports photography. And the penalty for the huge zoom range is a bulky lens which makes it difficult to fit in your pocket.

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 it.

If you need an ultrazoom that will let you go from wide angle to super-telephoto without changing lenses, the Canon PowerShot SX40 is a worthy choice. With a faster processor and upgraded sensor it has improved image quality over prior versions. But if you can get by with a smaller zoom range there are more compact options which deliver better image quality for the same price.

Pros:

• 35x optical zoom
• Impressive Image Stabilization
• Full complement of features

Cons:

• Quirky auto focus
• No RAW Mode
• Bulky for a point and shoot
• Small sensor compared to non-ultrazooms in its price range

Individual Ratings: *

Image/Video Quality 
Features 
Design/Ease of Use 
Performance 
* Ratings averaged to produce final score