Canon PowerShot SX40 HS 12.1 MP Digital Camera - Black

I stumbled across this camera while researching Bridge cameras and then read one or two reviews. Over the years I've learned how to trawl through some of the dross, reviewers write and soon started to realise the Canon SX40 was on to something. I had never held one in my hands let alone see one but took the jump and bought one thinking if the worst came to the worst, then it would be returned under distance selling regulations [UK] and get my money back.

Perish the thought. I have been stunned by the quality pictures I was able to take straight off the camera without any post editing whatsoever! First day out I wanted to see just what 35X zoom would really do. Although the camera has image stablising I decided to use a monopod anyway and was astonished at the picture quality of shots I took two miles away. The detail was really good then I thought why not let the camera add some more zoom digitally. Stretched it out to its 140X zoom fully expecting to see severe pixellation. Words failed me! At that zoom levet one might expect some real distorting but all I had was some slight postering of my subject of a country house which actually made the picture look very artistic. At this zoom level I suppose I should have used a tripod but none the less got away with it very nicely. Resting the camera on the car roof one night on a blanket I was able to zoom at 100X and took the most beautiful picture of the moon. The detail was fabulous of the craters and posted the shot on an astronomy group I belong to and wowed them.

The sheer bang for your buck on this camera has knocked me sideways. I have several cameras but this is now the flagship of the fleet.

And no! I don't work for Canon nor any other organisation dealing with photography or retailing for that matter. Simply an honest view for one damn fine camera.

Happy shooting!

Great camera, long zoom, auto and plenty of manual settings to play with, CMOS sensor gives great results even in low light and with Canon brand you know you are getting a quality product.
I would have liked to see it powered with AA batteries rather than a dedicated cell.

I got fed up with carrying a rucksack with various lenses and accessories etc. A friend suggested I look at this camera, I could'nt believe the functions that are available and the lens.....Wow!. The lens is brilliant with it's 35x Optical. It will go past that with a tripod of course. I took a picture of a Seal from high up on cliffs in Cornwall, I was on max but I could see the whiskers so easily.
A great all rounder with no extras needed, except a case for protection

quality of the flicks is superb and the zoom is something else!! even zoom hand held shots are sharp and in focus,and with the on screen display quite easy to use. all in all a very good mid range camera.

I bought this camera because I wanted something light to carry around without having to carry two bags for the extra lenses.
There is nothing I dislike about this camera.
This camera is amazing, It does everything and more. I had a canon 300D before this and it was too heavy, but this little camera is just right and I don't have to change any lens, so no extra bag to carry, The zoom is amazing too, especially as you can zoom extra.
I am very pleased with this camera.
I also looked at the Panasonic G2, but had to change lenses, meant carrying several lenses around with me.