• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 840.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon SX40 HS advantages over Canon G15

  • Less expensive
    $430 vs $500 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • More telephoto lens reach
    840 mm vs 140 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Wider angle lens
    24 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Canon G15 advantages over Canon SX40 HS

  • Larger sensor
    1/1.7 inch vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.90 vs 1.54 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/1.8 vs f/2.7
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 770 vs 380 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Thinner
    40 mm vs 107 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    350g vs 606g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon SX40 HS

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon G15
Canon G15
All G15 Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Wide, long all-purpose zoom lens performs well; Very good image quality; Articulating LCD; Good grip; Excellent controls.

  • Rear scroll wheel is too sensitive; Low-res LCD; No lens hood included; Slow startup time; Slow cycle time.

  • Read our Canon SX40 HS Express Review

  • Solid built and ergonomic, comfortable feel; Excellent f/1.8-2.8 5x optical zoom lens; Improved AF speed; Advanced photographic features, including PASM dial and RAW capture.

  • LCD screen no longer articulated; Optical viewfinder not very accurate and exhibits parallax; No WiFi or GPS.

  • Read our Canon G15 Express Review

The Competition

Compared to Fujifilm HS10

Canon SX40 HS
Fujifilm HS10
  • $342
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $500
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • RAW file ability

Compare Canon SX40 HS vs Fujifilm HS10

Canon G15
Fujifilm HS10
  • $650
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $500
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Canon G15 vs Fujifilm HS10

Compared to Canon SX30 IS

Canon SX40 HS
Canon SX30 IS
  • $342
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoots 24p video
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $440
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels
  • Higher extended ISO

Compare Canon SX40 HS vs Canon SX30 IS

Canon G15
Canon SX30 IS
  • $650
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $440
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Canon G15 vs Canon SX30 IS

Compared to Sony HX100V

Canon SX40 HS
Sony HX100V
  • $342
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $312
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Integrated ND filter

Compare Canon SX40 HS vs Sony HX100V

Canon G15
Sony HX100V
  • $650
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $312
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Canon G15 vs Sony HX100V

Compared to Olympus XZ-2

Canon SX40 HS
Olympus XZ-2
  • $342
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon SX40 HS vs Olympus XZ-2

Canon G15
Olympus XZ-2
  • $650
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon G15 vs Olympus XZ-2

Compared to Canon G16

Canon SX40 HS
Canon G16
  • $342
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $499
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon SX40 HS vs Canon G16

Canon G15
Canon G16
  • $650
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Shoots 24p video
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $499
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Canon G15 vs Canon G16

Compare Other Cameras?