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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These graphs were produced using data generated by DXO Analyzer.

We shoot a specially designed chart in carefully controlled conditions and the resulting images are analysed using the DXO software.

Signal to noise ratio

A high signal to noise ratio (SNR) indicates a cleaner and better quality image.

Canon powershot sx40 hs signal to noise ratio

Canon powershot sx40 hs signal to noise ratio

JPEG images from the Canon PowerShot SX40 HS show good signal to noise performance across the sensitivity range with results beating those from the Sony Cyber-shot HX100V, Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ48 and Canon PowerShot SX30 IS.

For a full explanation of what our resolution charts mean, and how to read them please click here to read the full article.

Dynamic range

Canon powershot sx40 hs dynamic range

Canon powershot sx40 hs dynamic range

This chart indicates that the Canon PowerShot SX40 HS's JPEGs are an improvement over the Canon PowerShot SX30 IS and just take the lead over the Sony Cyber-shot HX100V from a sensitivity of ISO 800. This shows that the Canon PowerShot SX40 is capible of capturing a more shadow and highlight detail in low light conditions than the Sony HX100V, Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ48 and Canon PowerShot SX30 IS.

For more more details on how to interpret our test data, check out our full explanation of our noise and dynamic range tests.

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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. 

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