• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 840.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 1200.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon SX40 HS advantages over Canon SX50

  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.7 vs f/3.4
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 380 vs 315 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Faster shutter
    1/3200 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Canon SX50 advantages over Canon SX40 HS

  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Fast startup
    ~2.00 vs 2.6 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • More telephoto lens reach
    1,200 mm vs 840 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • More dots on screen
    461k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    13.0 fps vs 10.3 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Both provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • 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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Buy the Canon SX40 HS

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon SX50
Canon SX50
All SX50 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

  • 50x optical zoom with whopping 24-1200mm-equivalent reach; Excellent image quality for its class; 2.8-inch vari-angle LCD; Ergonomic design and controls; Improved image stabilization and Zoom Framing Assist; Shoots RAW; Full 1080p HD video.

  • Poor low-light AF performance; Image quality deteriorates at ISO 800 and above; Sluggish cycle times; Below average battery life.

  • Read our Canon SX50 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 SX50
Fujifilm HS10
  • $459
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $500
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Larger lens aperture

Compare Canon SX50 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 SX50
Canon SX30 IS
  • $459
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $440
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • More pixels

Compare Canon SX50 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 SX50
Sony HX100V
  • $459
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • RAW file ability
  • $312
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • Built-in GPS

Compare Canon SX50 vs Sony HX100V

Compared to Nikon P600

Canon SX40 HS
Nikon P600
  • $342
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $345
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Canon SX40 HS vs Nikon P600

Canon SX50
Nikon P600
  • $459
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Bigger pixels
  • $345
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Canon SX50 vs Nikon P600

Compared to Canon SX60

Canon SX40 HS
Canon SX60
  • $342
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $449
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Canon SX40 HS vs Canon SX60

Canon SX50
Canon SX60
  • $459
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $449
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Canon SX50 vs Canon SX60

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