Canon Powershot SX40 HS review

Is it time to upgrade to the SX40?

Canon Powershot SX40
Canon's new bridge camera features a 35x zoom lens

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Bridge cameras are a great way for inexperienced photographers to learn more without having to invest in an expensive system, and they're also fantastic for travel photographers who benefit from the extensive zoom and full manual control.

It's a big shame that even though the technology within bridge cameras, along with the image quality, gets better and better we still don't see features such as raw shooting making an entrance very often.

That said, the SX40 is a camera that pretty much anyone can pick up and start shooting with straightaway with minimal fuss. For holiday goers looking for something that will do a bit of everything, this is also definitely worth a look.

We liked

The incredible zoom range really is useful for shooting a wide variety of subjects and scenarios, while the articulating screen comes into its own when shooting from up high or down low. The addition of the Digic 5 processor has done wonders for the camera, dramatically reducing noise levels and allowing full HD video for the first time.

We disliked

The EVF is a real let-down, and should only be used infrequently. We would love to see cameras like this be equipped with a raw shooting option, and the art filters could do with a modern update.

Final verdict

For those looking to get started with photography, this is a fantastic, fuss-free choice that will help you learn more about manual controls and different shooting options. It's worth noting that while you can pick up an entry level DSLR, such as the Canon EOS 1100D for around the same price, which will give better image quality overall, you do get the incredible zoom range in a smaller and lighter body that isn't part of a more expensive system.

Amy Davies

Amy has been writing about cameras, photography and associated tech since 2009. Amy was once part of the photography testing team for Future Publishing working across TechRadar, Digital Camera, PhotoPlus, N Photo and Photography Week. For her photography, she has won awards and has been exhibited. She often partakes in unusual projects - including one intense year where she used a different camera every single day. Amy is currently the Features Editor at Amateur Photographer magazine, and in her increasingly little spare time works across a number of high-profile publications including Wired, Stuff, Digital Camera World, Expert Reviews, and just a little off-tangent, PetsRadar.