9 replies to this topic

[JimBob]

I think I am going to get a Canon sx40 HS. Does anybody have things they would like to say about it? I would love to know that pros/cons of it. How much lag does it have after you press the take button to when it takes the pic? Anyway I would just love to know.

JB.

[JimBob]

Bump? Guess no one uses this camera.

[Liam]

I know Kryptos18 uses the preceding model (the SX30), which isn't much different at all. Try hitting him up a PM.

[whatsinthesky]

I don't know about the SX 40, but I use the SX 30 and I'm very happy with it. It's a great camera for someone who wants to do more than just get good photos using the Autofocus.

[JI Bird Guy]

The SX40 is a good camera. I have the SX30 and purchased the SX40, although it is a good step up from the 30, I couldn't justify it as a $400.00 step up. I returned it and went DSLR.

[JimBob]

Thanks guys.

[fergusonjlf]

I have a Canon 7D and bought the SX40 as a second "small" camera. I selected it because of the impressive zoom capabilities. Here are my personal pro's and con's:

Pros:

• It's light enough and small enough so that I'll take it when I don't want to lug (and don't need) my 7D.
• You can get a converter to add 58mm filters (such as a UV filter or circular polarizer). I felt that I really wanted a bit of protection on the lens.
• Auto mode works pretty good most of the time.

Cons:

• No raw mode. This caused me some hesitancy in purchasing the camera, but since I wanted a "simpler" camera, I figured it wouldn't matter. I really miss raw mode. And most of the pics seem to come out heavily compressed - like 3-4MB.
• AV and TV mode controls are a bit cumbersome to use. You really get the idea that they want you to stick with Auto mode - which I now do.
• Lots of warnings regarding camera movement while in Auto - especially when using the zoom. I'd like to switch over to AV mode for low light shots, but I just haven't been very successful in getting the results that I want.

Overall I'm glad that I got it - and use it quite a bit. I think of it as a camera that gives you "better than average" snapshots.


JoAn

[JimBob]

Thanks for that!

[cabirds]

• No raw mode. This caused me some hesitancy in purchasing the camera, but since I wanted a "simpler" camera, I figured it wouldn't matter. I really miss raw mode. And most of the pics seem to come out heavily compressed - like 3-4MB.

Install CHDK and you get raw mode back. http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/SX40

[cwj2323]

I've had this camera since December, but never posted on here because I never learned all the manual options.

We were birding with a group Saturday and one of the others had the same camera as I and we asked him if he uses the manual settings. He said no, mostly auto, but he uses the 8 shots per second mode a lot. It's technically called High-speed Burst HQ and the images are full resolution. You can access this when the dial is turned to SCN. and the icon shows HQ.

I wish I knew about this setting long before this. Though not as clear as some photos on the forum, my hummingbirds have wings!! Our computer is super slow, so I never attempted to read through that instruction manual CD. Through trial and error, I am learning a little of settings outside of Auto.