Canon PowerShot SX40 HS Review

November 15, 2011 | Gavin Stoker | Rating star Rating star Rating star Rating star

Introduction

The Canon PowerShot SX40 HS is a brand new super-zoom camera sporting a 35x zoom lens which is equivalent to a focal length of 24-840mm. Replacing the previous SX30IS model, the SX40 HS features a 12 megapixel back-illuminated CMOS sensor, DIGIC 5 image processor, 4.5-stop optical Image Stabilizer with new Intelligent IS technology, full manual controls, full 1080p HD movie recording, 2.4fps burst shooting, stereo sound and a HDMI port, a 2.7 inch vari-angle LCD screen, flash hotshoe, a range of Creative Filters and an electronic viewfinder. The Canon PowerShot SX40 HS is available in black priced at £459 / €529 / $429.99.

Ease of Use

Like most big zoom bridge cameras, Canon's PowerShot SX40 HS is a chunky beast not a great deal smaller than the entry level digital SLR it takes its styling cue from. However it is, after all, the whopper of a 35x optical lens that is the main selling point, boasting a comprehensively and creatively broad focal range stretching from 24mm to 840mm that would be otherwise hideously unaffordable or impractical for the average DSLR user. What is lost in quality compared with a DSLR is made up for in terms of versatility - with the photographer being able to rapidly switch from wide angle framing to candid close ups from afar - and, all things considered, fair value, though the SX40 HS is not an inexpensive purchase.

Indeed, with a £459 suggested UK price tag, there's the obvious 'ouch' factor to get over when considering this Canon. Considering, that is, the fact that for a similar outlay you could purchase an entry level digital SLR, albeit one admittedly with standard 18-55mm lens (3x zoom), rather than 35x. Still, if compared with Panasonic's 24x zoom Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ150 at a suggested £469.99,  the Canon seems comparably reasonable on paper at least.

Logically and stylistically the SX40 HS follows on from the SX30 IS model, which also offered a 35x reach, whilst its closest competition comes from Nikon's 36x Coolpix P500, which like this model also features an angle adjustable LCD screen at its rear, but a focal range that while starting wider at a 22.5mm equivalent doesn't quite match the Canon's telephoto setting at 810mm. Perhaps the SX40 HS should have tried to match its model number with a camcorder-like 40x reach.

Canon PowerShotSX40 HS Canon PowerShotSX40 HS
Front Rear

Of course, considering the zoom range on offer here a bulky body and hopefully some added weight courtesy of chunky 380-shot rechargeable lithium ion battery in the handgrip (600g when camera is 'loaded') makes perfect sense if we're going to be able to achieve anything approaching critical sharpness when shooting handheld towards the maximum telephoto setting. Image stabilization is of the lens shift type. Like its predecessor the SX40 HS again offers an Ultrasonic Motor along with here a Voice Coil Motor to deliver not only relatively swift but also smooth and silent zooming - crucial when capturing video in particular, for which a dedicated thumb-operated record button is provided. Maximum aperture is f/2.7.

From the front, apart from the change of model number the SX40 HS (for 'High Speed') looks identical to the SX30 IS, with large AF illuminator/self timer porthole to the right of the gargantuan lens, pop up flash hiding just above, and hard plastic grip to the left. Offering a slightly roughened surface that is practical in preventing slippage but not all that comfortable, we managed to squeeze three fingers around said grip without scraping any knuckles on the adjacent barrel.

The model suffix here has in part changed from 'IS' to 'HS' due to this PowerShot being one of the first Canon's to feature the company's new high speed Digic 5 image processor. This offers a host of quick fire continuous capture of up to 10.3 frames per second for up to eight shots and 120fps or 240fps slow motion video replay options at 640x480 or 320x240 pixels respectively, along with the now expected regular Full HD 1920x1080 pixels video recording capability at 24 fps. If you want 30fps this means a resolution drop to 1280x720 pixels.

Here the lens shift image stabilization, again also a feature of the SX30 IS forebear, is offering the equivalent of 4.5 stops. Canon claims it's been enhanced further on this model, with the camera now detecting and choosing the 'correct' type of stabilization depending on the shooting conditions and the subject. The SX40 HS has purportedly seven options to select from: Normal IS, Dynamic IS, Powered IS (utilising camcorder technology to ensure the ability to record footage at a long zoom range), Panning IS (deployed in one direction and useful for recording racetrack action), Macro IS, Tripod Mode (image stabilizer automatically deactivated) or Dynamic macro IS.

Canon PowerShotSX40 HS Canon PowerShotSX40 HS
Top Tilting LCD Screen

What has been pared back between this model and its forebear however is the resolution, which drops from 14.1 effective megapixels on the SX30 IS to a more modest 12.1 effective megapixels courtesy of 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor that is back illuminated to enhance its light gathering properties; enhanced as wires don't get in the way of the sensor and so the light's path. While it's tempting to think this pixel drop has been undertaken to improve performance at higher ISOs, it seems Canon also had that aim in mind with the installation of the Digic 5 processor, with noise reduction performance claimed to be a whopping 75% better than the old Digic 4. Less noise also gives the opportunity to avoid using the flash at various focal lengths - which incidentally has to be manually raised rather than automatically popping up - and bump up the ISO instead whilst shooting handheld. Here ISO runs from ISO100 to a relatively modest sounding ISO3200.

Another tweak is in relation to what the SX40 HS' maker is calling 'multi area white balance'. In practical terms this is supposed to maintain a natural colour balance for faces and backgrounds at the same time when say flash is used under tungsten lighting. The camera detects that there are two different light sources and so takes area specific readings. However though there is face detection and AF tracking on board, the number of AF points is notably less than on even an entry level DSLR: we get just one-point AF.

This is a camera that is far easier to pick up and start shooting with than most DSLRs however. Buttons and controls are well placed (and spaced) on the SX40 HS, with a shooting mode dial the size of a ten pen piece and a dime-sized shutter release button encircled by a lever for operating the zoom located at the top of the handgrip where it automatically falls under the forefinger of the right hand. This is a power zoom for those with larger hands who normally bemoan the small, precise buttons on most digicams, with the only the scroll wheel surrounding the control pad at the back being occasionally fiddly to operate with the thumb. Like most of its ilk, we found it easy to slip back and forth between settings when using it. Though most super zooms offer the chance to merely toggle back and forth through the focal range using a lever, we missed being able to manually twist the lens barrel to quickly get the framing we want, as on Fuji's rival FinePix HS20 model, which incidentally offers a more robust build but 'only' a 30x zoom, and, arguably, an excess of pixels at 16 million.

The Canon PowerShot SX40 HS' shooting mode dial offers up 11 settings, ranging from scene and subject recognising smart auto mode through the usual program, shutter priority, aperture priority and manual settings through to sports mode, scene mode, more unusually a digital effects mode where the likes of miniature mode are discovered, plus there's a dedicated video setting from where the aforementioned slow motion movie capture options can be implemented; useful if you're shooting sports.

The above combination does allow you to just point and shoot, but if you want to get more creative the options are there. Stills capture is JPEG-only though, there's no Raw option which may be a deal breaker for some, though there are two further customizable settings on the shooting mode dial for those who do like getting more hands on. And despite there being a dedicated video control on the shooting dial, you don't actually have to set it at this position to begin recording (it's a means instead of adjusting the aforementioned video settings from regular speed to slow mo via a press of the 'function set' button). Simply hit the dedicated record button no matter which alternative stills mode you're in and the a second or so later the screen display will narrow from the regular 4:3 to 16:9 to ape how the video will look when replayed on your flat panel TV. There is, as we'd expect, a mini HDMI connection provided under a rubber flap at the side for this purpose, though unsurprisingly no lead comes bundled with the camera. Disappointing though that the 2.7-inch screen, whilst being adequately sized, offers a modest resolution that at 230k pixels wouldn't look out of place on a pocket snapshot. We've come to expect more from a camera in this price bracket.

Canon PowerShotSX40 HS Canon PowerShotSX40 HS
Pop-up Flash Top

Press the obvious on/off switch next to the shooting mode dial and the camera powers up in just under two seconds, which is respectably swift. The lens barrel visibly extends to max wide-angle 24mm setting as the rear LCD bursts into life. We know the setting as, as on the Fuji HS20, it's marked atop the lens barrel, as usefully are the incremental settings all the way up to 840mm, which gradually reveal themselves as the lens extends outwards from the body.

Since this is a bridge camera as well as a power zoom, at the back we have both vari angle LCD monitor and fixed electronic viewfinder just above. This automatically comes into play if you've twisted the LCD screen to face inwards to the camera body. There's no eye sensor beneath or above, nor is there a dedicated button for swapping between larger screen and smaller EVF, so it would be very easy for most users to regularly bypass this facility completely. As it is, EVF resolution is a so-so 202k dots, and being able to twist and rotate the rear screen means that even if light reflections do render visibility momentarily tricky, a quick tilt and it's rectified. This, when combined with the broad focal range, certainly makes getting the shot you want a whole lot easier - and faster - on the SX40 HS. Whether you'll always be happy with the quality of the end image is an issue we'll address in due course.

Give the zoom lever a toggle with the forefinger and the camera slides from maximum wideangle to extreme telephoto in all of three seconds, the minimum and maximum (infinity) focus ranges provided via small text top of screen and rapidly changing as the lens moves forward or back. There is a noticeable mechanical buzz as the lens makes its adjustments, but it's not distracting. Switch to recording video however and the zoom action slows so that the transitions are even smoother, with the lens taking 8 or 9 seconds to move through its focal range. In this setting the mechanics of the lens are less noticeable, which is exactly as we'd want.

At the back of the camera the LCD screen dominates, sitting squarely central below the EVF, which feature a rubber surround to the eyepiece and dioptre wheel for adjustment of visibility alongside. Above left and right of the EVF are a direct-print button, this being a Canon model, plus video record button. The rest of the controls are ranged to the right of the back screen, the uppermost allowing users to jump through groupings of frames at a time when reviewing images. The next one down forms a dedicated playback button, and the third and bottom in the row allows the single AF point to be expanded/contracted or moved with the aid of the multi directional control pad alongside - as long as you're in one of the creative shooting modes that is. Otherwise in smart auto mode, subsequent presses will turn face detection on or off, while in playback mode this multi-use control usefully doubles up as a delete button. It requires a degree of playing around to discover this as unhelpfully once again the full manual is provided on CD only, with only a cursory quick start booklet in the box which doesn't cover any more than the already self explanatory basics.

Canon PowerShotSX40 HS Canon PowerShotSX40 HS
Memory Card Slot Battery Compartment

The four way control pad at points north, east, south and west variously offers a means of adjusting exposure compensation (+/- 2EV), selecting from the ISO options (ISO100-3200), self timer (off, two seconds, ten seconds or a 10 second option that fires three consecutive shots) and finally adjusting focus, with switchable settings between normal, macro and manual options offered if required. The latter allows use of the scroll wheel to dial in distance settings from 0cm to infinity, with an enlarged central square on screen giving a rough idea of whether the picture is properly sharp enough.

A press of the function set button in the midst of the scroll wheel/control pad brings up the regular L-shaped menu that will be immediately familiar to any Canon compact camera user and presents essential functions at a glance. In program mode for example, from the top of this toolbar we get the ability to adjust white balance, select from the various 'My Color' options which include our favourite vivid saturation boosting option alongside the ability to specify darker or lighter skin tones or shoot in sepia or black and white in camera. Next down the list is a bracketing option, with either three shots automatically taken at three different exposures or three different focal distances, plus the option to switch from single to continuous capture, again adjust exposure compensation to +/- 2 EV, or swap metering between evaluative, centre weighted and spot. Image aspect ratio can be swapped from the factory default of 4:3 to 16:9, 3:2 or more unusually even 1:1. It's via this L-shaped toolbar that PowerShot users can also specify large, medium or small files and even adjust video resolution on the fly, from 1920x1080 through 1280x720 and down to 640x480 pixels. Alternatively if the camera has been set to its smart auto mode then only image aspect ratio, file size and video resolution can be adjusted. The other options do not appear at all.

The final two buttons on the camera back are for the self-explanatory display and menu. Subsequent presses of display will call up a nine zone compositional grid, or turn off the LCD entirely at which point the EVF above automatically illuminates and comes into play. A press of 'menu' meanwhile brings up three easy to follow folders on screen; a capture folder, set up folder and my menu folder for quicker access to your more frequently used settings, should you choose to pre-set them. Interestingly among the usual suspects in the capture folder the microphone level can be adjusted, as can a wind filter be turned on or off. These menu options can be tabbed with via a thumb press of the four-way control pad or of course scrolled through faster using the surrounding wheel.

If still viewing the camera from the back, further points of interest on the SX40 HS include the covered HDMI and AV ports on the right flank, and a single speaker located on the left, which also features the hinge about which the variable angle LCD screen pivots. The bottom of the camera features an off-centre screw thread for a tripod next to which is a sliding plastic door that protects the battery compartment and adjacent slot for SD card. So, incidentally, if you place this PowerShot on a tripod you'll have to unscrew it first to remove the memory card.

At the end of the day the Canon PowerShot SX40 HS offers a relatively easy to use tool for anyone looking to get closer to their subject from afar on those occasions when simply shuffling forward or back with your own two feet is not an option. But what of the image quality delivered? Is it acceptable given the large lens and relatively small sensor or have two many compromises been made? Read on to find out.

Image Quality

All of the sample images in this Review were taken using the 12 megapixel JPEG setting, which gives an average image size of around 3Mb.

If you don't yearn for DSLR type sharpness from the Canon PowerShot SX40 HS and expect to find blur intruding the nearer you shoot to maximum telephoto setting in direct proportion to the amount of available light - if shooting handheld and without flash - then you won't be overly disappointed or surprised by the image quality the SX40 HS delivers. Results for us were neither quite as bright nor sharp as that from Panasonic's Lumix DMC-FZ150, though in fairness that does feature a more modest zoom range. Pictures straight out of the Canon appeared a little 'flat' and lacking in contrast straight out of the camera although this is easily put right with a few seconds of Photoshop to arrive at something slightly more visually dynamic. Will the camera's intended target audience bother doing this though we wonder?

While it's great and very satisfying to be able to get a wide range of subjects into frame from a single vantage point that will have any camera with a zoom range less than 10x subsequently seeming almost frustrating in comparison, it really is in bright light that the SX40 HS struts its stuff when shooting handheld.

If you do have a steady surface however, it is worth experimenting with the upper reaches of that ISO range. Though some very, very fine grain is intruding at ISO 1600, it's nothing to get worked up about, while at ISO 3200, processing kicks in to such an extent that results almost appear better, if a little softer overall. Both top settings are perfectly usable however, especially, as we say, if there's a steady surface to hand.

Noise

There are 6 ISO settings available on the Canon PowerShot SX40 HS. Here are some 100% crops which show the noise levels for each ISO setting.

ISO 100 (100% Crop)

ISO 200 (100% Crop)

   

ISO 400 (100% Crop)

ISO 800 (100% Crop)

   

ISO 1600 (100% Crop)

ISO 3200 (100% Crop)

Sharpening

Here are two 100% crops which have been Saved as Web - Quality 50 in Photoshop. The right-hand image has had some sharpening applied in Photoshop. The out-of-the camera images are just a little soft at the default sharpening setting. You can change the in-camera sharpening level if you don't like the default look.

Original (100% Crop)

Sharpened (100% Crop)

   

Chromatic Aberrations

The Canon PowerShot SX40 HS chromatic aberrations pretty well throughout the review, with generally well-controlled purple fringing only present around the edges of objects in really high-contrast situations, as shown in the examples below.

Example 1 (100% Crop)

Example 2 (100% Crop)

Macro

The Canon PowerShot SX40 HS allows you to focus on a subject that is just 0cms away from the camera. The first image shows how close you can get to the subject (in this case a compact flash card). The second image is a 100% crop.

Macro Shot

100% Crop

Flash

The flash settings on the Canon PowershotSX40 HS are Auto, Manual Flash On / Off, and Slow Sync Speed, with Red-eye Reduction options available in the main menu. These shots of a white coloured wall were taken at a distance of 1.5m.

Flash Off - Wide Angle (24mm)

Flash On - Wide Angle (24mm)

ISO 64 ISO 64
   

Flash Off - Telephoto (840mm)

Flash On - Telephoto (840mm)

ISO 64 ISO 64

And here are some portrait shots. As you can see, neither the Flash On or the Red-eye-Reduction settings caused any red-eye.

Flash On

Flash On (100% Crop)
   

Red-eye Reduction

Red-eye Reduction (100% Crop)

Night

The Canon PowershotSX40 HS's maximum shutter speed is 15 seconds, which is great news if you're seriously interested in night photography. The shot below was taken using a shutter speed of 1/30th second at ISO 640. I've included a 100% crop of the image to show what the quality is like.

Night Shot

Night Shot (100% Crop)

Sample Images

This is a selection of sample images from the Canon PowerShot SX40 HS camera, which were all taken using the 12 megapixel Fine JPEG setting. The thumbnails below link to the full-sized versions, which have not been altered in any way.

Sample Movie & Video

This is a sample movie at the quality setting of 1920 x 1080 pixels at 30 frames per second. Please note that this 39 second movie is 169Mb in size.

Product Images

Canon PowerShotSX40 HS

Front of the Camera

 
Canon PowerShotSX40 HS

Front of the Camera / Flash Raised

 
Canon PowerShotSX40 HS

Isometric View

 
Canon PowerShotSX40 HS

Isometric View

 
Canon PowerShotSX40 HS

Isometric View

 
Canon PowerShotSX40 HS

Rear of the Camera

 
Canon PowerShotSX40 HS

Rear of the Camera / Image Displayed

 
Canon PowerShotSX40 HS

Rear of the Camera / Tilting LCD Screen

 
Canon PowerShotSX40 HS

Rear of the Camera / Tilting LCD Screen

 

Canon PowerShotSX40 HS

Front of the Camera / Tilting LCD Screen

 
Canon PowerShotSX40 HS
Top of the Camera
 
Canon PowerShotSX40 HS
Top of the Camera / Lens Extended
 
Canon PowerShotSX40 HS
Top of the Camera
 
Canon PowerShotSX40 HS
Bottom of the Camera
 
Canon PowerShotSX40 HS
Side of the Camera
 
Canon PowerShotSX40 HS
Side of the Camera
 
Canon PowerShotSX40 HS
Side of the Camera
 
Canon PowerShotSX40 HS
Side of the Camera
 
Canon PowerShotSX40 HS
Memory Card Slot
 
Canon PowerShotSX40 HS
Battery Compartment

Conclusion

Since the SX40 HS costs roughly the same as an entry level DSLR plus kit lens you've really got to want the broad paparazzi-style focal range on offer here to even think about parting with your cash. If you've got over that hurdle it does just about everything one would want, apart from the ability to swap lenses - not that most amateurs would want to anyway given that extensive focal range.

The most obvious market for this pumped up PowerShot is the family user, wildlife watcher or sports fan, or even concert go-er who wants to get that much closer to their heroes in a venue where photography is allowed. As, due to its DSLR-shape the SX40 HS looks a lot more like your professional camera, it's not really one for surreptitious shooting unless you are some distance away. It will be undoubtedly off-putting for some that no Raw capture is offered, and though the back screen is angle adjustable the resolution is a modest 230k dots and the EVF is 202k dots, both of which seem to fall a little short of perfection in this day and age.

As an amateur tool the PowerShot SX40 HS cuts the mustard and is great fun. But we would only unconditionally recommend it if you can find a street price that shaves a decent chunk off the manufacturer's price and therefore doesn't otherwise tempt you into compact system camera or entry DSLR territory, if its one-zoom-fits-all eventualities sales pitch isn't the be all and end all.

4 stars

Ratings (out of 5)
Design 4
Features 4
Ease-of-use 4
Image quality 4
Value for money 3

Review Roundup

Reviews of the Canon PowerShot SX40 HS from around the web.

cameralabs.com »

The Canon PowerShot SX40 HS is a 12 Megapixel super-zoom camera with a massive 35x optical range. Announced in September 2011, it replaces the best-selling PowerShot SX30 IS. The new model keeps essentially the same body, lens, screen, controls and battery as its predecessor, but switches its 14 Megapixel CCD for a 12 Megapixel CMOS sensor.
Read the full review »

trustedreviews.com »

The Canon PowerShot SX40 HS is a brilliantly versatile bridge camera whose key feature, that 35x optical zoom, is made all the more attractive by an excellent image stabilisation system. Picture quality is good and overall speed is much improved over its series precursor, the SX30. If you can live without the picture quality perfection and improved low-light performance of a DSLR, this is a great buy.
Read the full review »

whatdigitalcamera.com »

Canon’s latest SX40 HS superzoom retains the 35x optical zoom and design of the previous SX30 IS. But with a new CMOS sensor is the PowerShot SX40 the superzoom we’ve been waiting for?
Read the full review »

pcmag.com »

The Canon PowerShot SX40 HS offers an impressive 35x zoom range, fast continuous shooting, and very good image quality. You won't be able to fit it into your pocket, but this megazoom can capture telephoto images that a smaller camera couldn't dream of.
Read the full review »

digitalversus.com »

After revolutionising its bridge camera with last year's SX30 IS, Canon is back with an updated model that doesn't look to have changed all that much. Appearances can be deceptive, however, as although the new PowerShot SX40 HS looks a lot like its predecessor, big changes have been made on the inside of the camera, notably with the addition of a BSI CMOS sensor and Full HD video.
Read the full review »

Specifications

IMAGE SENSOR
Type 1/2.3 type back-illuminated CMOS
Effective Pixels Approx. 12.1M
Colour Filter Type Primary Colour
IMAGE PROCESSOR
Type DIGIC 5 with iSAPS technology
LENS
Focal Length 4.3 – 150.5 mm (35 mm equivalent: 24 – 840 mm)
Zoom Optical 35x. Digital Approx. 4x (with Digital Tele-Converter Approx. 1.5x or 2.0x and Safety Zoom¹). Combined Approx. 140x
Maximum f/number f/2.7-f/5.8
Construction 13 elements in 10 groups (1 Hi-UD lens, 1 UD lens and 1 double-sided aspherical lens)
Image Stabilisation Yes (lens shift-type), 4.5-stop. Intelligent IS
Ultrasonic Motor (USM) Yes, zoom
FOCUSING
Type TTL
AF System/ Points Face Detection, 1-point AF (Any position is available, fixed to centre or Face Select and Track)
AF Modes Single, Continuous (only available in Smart Auto mode), Servo AF/AE¹, Tracking AF
AF Point Selection Manual selection using FlexiZone AF/AE, Size (Normal, Small)
AF Lock On/Off Selectable
AF Assist Beam Yes
Manual Focus Yes
Focus Bracketing Yes
Closest Focusing Distance 0 cm (W) from front of lens in Macro
EXPOSURE CONTROL
Metering modes Evaluative (linked to Face Detection AF frame), Centre-weighted average, Spot (centre or linked to Face Detection AF or FlexiZone AF frame)
AE Lock Yes
Exposure Compensation +/- 2 EV in 1/3 stop increments
Enhanced i-Contrast for automatic dynamic range correction
AEB 1/3 – 2 EV in 1/3 stop increments
ISO sensitivity* AUTO, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200
SHUTTER
Speed 1 – 1/3200 sec. (factory default)
15 – 1/3200 sec. (total range – varies by shooting mode)
WHITE BALANCE
Type TTL
Settings Auto (including Face Detection WB), Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Flash, Custom. Multi-area WB correction available in Smart Auto
VIEWFINDER
Viewfinder EVF (0.20 type), 4:3 aspect ratio, Approx. 202,000 dots
Viewfinder / Coverage Approx. 100%
Dioptre Correction Yes
LCD MONITOR
Monitor Vari-angle 6.8 cm (2.7”) PureColor II VA (TFT), Approx. 230,000 dots
Coverage Approx. 100%
Brightness Adjustable to one of five levels. Quick-bright LCD
FLASH
Modes Auto, Manual Flash On / Off, Slow Synchro
Slow Sync Speed Yes. Fastest speed 1/2000 sec.
Red-Eye Reduction Yes
Flash Exposure Compensation +/- 2 EV in 1/3 stop increments. Face Detection FE, Safety FE, Smart Flash Exposure
Flash Exposure Lock Yes
Manual Power Adjustment 3 levels with internal flash (up to 19 levels with external EX Speedlites 270EX, 270EX II, 320EX and 430EX II. 22 levels with 580EX II¹)
Second Curtain Synchronisation Yes
Built-in Flash Range 50 cm – 7.0 m (W) / 1.4 m – 3.0 m (T)
External Flash E-TTL with EX series Speedlites ¹
SHOOTING
Modes Smart Auto (32 scenes detected), Program AE, Shutter priority AE, Aperture priority AE, Manual, Custom1, Custom2, Sports, SCN (Movie Digest, Portrait, Landscape, Smart Shutter(Smile, Wink Self-Timer, FaceSelf-Timer), High-speed Burst HQ, Handheld Night Scene, Low Light (3.0MP), Beach, Foliage, Snow, Fireworks, Stich Assist), Creative Filters (Fish-eye Effect, Miniature Effect, Toy Camera Effect, Monochrome, Super Vivid, Poster Effect, Color Accent, Color Swap)
Modes in Movie Smart Auto (21 scenes detected), Standard, Program AE, Portrait, Landscape, Beach, Foliage, Snow, Fireworks, Miniature Effect, Monochrome, Super Vivid, Poster Effect, Color Accent, Color Swap, iFrame Movie, Super Slow Motion Movie
Photo Effects My Colors (My Colors Off, Vivid, Neutral, Sepia, Black & White, Positive Film, Lighter Skin Tone, Darker Skin Tone, Vivid Blue, Vivid Green, Vivid Red, Custom Color)
Drive modes Single, Continuous, Continuous with AF, Self-Timer
Continuous Shooting Approx. 2.4 shots/sec., AF: Approx. 0.8 shots/sec., LV: Approx. 0.9 shots/sec., High-speed Burst HQ: Approx. 10.3 shots/sec., up to 8 shots¹ ²
RECORDING PIXELS / COMPRESSION
Image Size 4:3 - (L) 4000 x 3000, (M1) 2816 x 2112, (M2) 1600 x 1200, (S) 640 x 480
16:9 - (L) 4000 x 2248, (M1) 2816 x 1584, (M2) 1920 x 1080, (S) 640 x 360
3:2 - (L) 4000 x 2664, (M1) 2816 x 1880, (M2) 1600 x 1064, (S) 640 x 424
1:1 - (L) 2992 x 2992, (M1) 2112 x 2112, (M2) 1200 x 1200, (S) 480 x 480
Resize in playback (M2, S, XS)
*XS is half the length and width of S
Compression Fine, Normal
Movies (Full HD) 1920 x 1080, 24 fps, (HD) 1280 x 720, 30 fps, (L) 640 x 480, 30 fps
Super Slow Motion Movie (L) 640 x 480, 120fps, (M) 320 x 240, 240fps
Miniature Effect (HD, L) 6fps, 3fps, 1.5 fps
iFrame Movie (HD)
Movie Length (Full HD & HD) Up to 4 GB or 29 min. 59 sec.¹
(L) Up to 4 GB or 1 hour ²
(Super Slow Motion Movie) 30 sec.
FILE TYPES
Still Image Type JPEG compression, (Exif 2.3 [Exif Print] compliant) / Design rule for Camera File system, Digital Print Order Format [DPOF] Version 1.1 compliant
Movies MOV [H.264 + Linear PCM (stereo)]
iFrame
DIRECT PRINT
Canon Printers Canon SELPHY Compact Photo Printers and Canon Inkjet Printers supporting PictBridge (ID Photo Print, Fixed Size Print and Movie Print supported on SELPHY CP & ES printers only)
PictBridge Yes
OTHER FEATURES
Red-Eye Correction Yes, during shooting and playback
My Camera / My Menu Start-up image and camera sounds customisation. Menu customisation
My Category Image tagging feature
Intelligent Orientation Sensor Yes
Histogram Yes, live histogram
Playback zoom Approx. 2x – 10x
Self Timer Approx. 2 or 10 sec., Custom
Menu Languages English, German, French, Dutch, Danish, Finnish, Italian, Norwegian, Swedish, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Chinese (traditional), Japanese, Russian, Portuguese, Korean, Greek, Polish, Czech, Hungarian, Turkish, Thai, Arabic, Ukrainian, Romanian, Farsi, Hindi
INTERFACE
Computer Hi-Speed USB (MTP, PTP) dedicated connector (Mini-B compatible)
Other HDMI Mini Connector (HDMI-CEC compatible) A/V output (PAL/NTSC)
MEMORY CARD
Type SD, SDHC, SDXC
SUPPORTED OPERATING SYSTEM
PC & Macintosh Windows 7 / 7 SP1 / Vista SP2 / XP SP3
Mac OS X v10.5 – 10.6
SOFTWARE
Browsing & Printing ZoomBrowser EX / ImageBrowser
Other PhotoStitch, Movie Uploader for YouTube, CameraWindow
POWER SOURCE
Batteries Rechargeable Li-ion Battery NB-10L (battery and charger supplied)
Battery life Approx. 380 shots ¹
Approx. 540 min. playback
A/C Power Supply Optional, Power adapter ACK-DC80
ACCESSORIES
Cases / Straps Soft Case DCC-850
Lenses Filter Adapter FA-DC67A (Compatible with Canon 67mm Filters: Circular Polarizing PL-C B, Protect Filter)
Flash Canon Speedlites (including 270EX, 270EX II, 320EX, 430EX II, 580EX II¹), Speedlite Transmitter ST-E2, Speedlite bracket SB-E2, Off-Camera Shoe Cord OC-E3
Power Supply & Battery Chargers AC Adapter Kit ACK-DC80, Battery Charger CB-2LCE
Other Lens Hood LH-DC60
Canon HDMI Cable HTC-100
PHYSICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Operating Environment 0 – 40 °C, 10 – 90% humidity
Dimensions (WxHxD) 122.9 x 92.4 x 107.7 mm
Weight Approx. 600 g (including battery/batteries and memory card)

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