Extreme Zoom for Infinite Possibilities.

The PowerShot SX40 HS is equipped with a Genuine Canon 35x Zoom lens that provides the telephoto power to bring your distant subjects incredibly close. It also features a useful zoom range that begins at 24mm wide-angle and extends to 840mm telephoto (35mm equivalent). The 24mm ultra Wide-Angle allows you to create shots with dramatic perspective and makes it easy to shoot sweeping landscapes, large groups of people and tall buildings. This superb lens delivers outstanding optical performance throughout its zoom range. It's advanced design employs UD glass, double-sided aspherical glass-molded and ultra-high-refraction-index glass lens elements to effectively suppress chromatic aberration while maintaining a remarkably compact size. The camera uses a VCM (Voice Coil Motor) for high-speed, quiet, energy-efficient lens movement with precise control.

Canon DIGIC 5 Image Processor

The latest-generation Canon DIGIC 5 Image Processor brings phenomenal increases in processing speed and power. Improved chip architecture and algorithms deliver greatly expanded functionality with further refinement in image quality. Improved noise reduction produces clearer images when shooting in low light at high ISO speeds. Enhanced i-Contrast performance adjusts differences between light and dark areas to achieve even more natural-looking results. The faster processing speed also results in faster continuous shooting capability while maintaining full image quality. The DIGIC 5 Image Processor also makes possible a new, highly advanced automatic white balance system. Whereas conventional white balance makes an overall adjustment based on a single type of light source, the new Canon Multi-Area White Balance analyzes several areas of the image to determine whether different adjustments are needed, for example, for the main subject and the background.

The Canon HS SYSTEM lets you take bright, clear photos in an even wider range of shooting situations. Beautiful low-light shots are possible with minimal noise and maximum detail in highlight and shadow areas. The system is the result of two technologies brought together in PowerShot cameras: a high-sensitivity imaging sensor, which is able to capture more light; and the DIGIC Image Processor, which actively reduces noise with high-speed image processing. The 12.1 Megapixel Canon CMOS sensor in the PowerShot SX40 HS incorporates advanced light reception technology that enhances sensitivity. The new DIGIC 5 Image Processor provides a major boost in noise reduction, expanding the usable ISO range to an amazing high of ISO 3200. The Canon HS SYSTEM thus lets you use higher shutter speeds to capture clearer images with reduced noise and blur.

Memorable Moments in Spectacular Full HD.

In addition to the Canon HS SYSTEM, the combination of the advanced CMOS sensor and DIGIC 5 Image Processor in the PowerShot SX40 HS makes it possible to shoot crisp, clear high definition video. Imagine the fun and excitement of being able to shoot spectacular 1080p Full HD video with stereo sound that you can later watch on your HDTV or download to your computer to share with family and friends. The PowerShot SX40 HS shoots Full HD video at 24* frames per second, ensuring clear lifelike motion images with a beautiful cinematic quality. It also shoots beautifully detailed 720p HD video at 30 fps.**

*Actual frame rate is 23.976 fps.
**Actual frame rate is 29.97 fps.

It's never been easier to shoot videos with a PowerShot digital camera. The PowerShot SX40 HS has a dedicated movie button that lets you start and stop recording instantly. There is no need to go through layers of menus or operate switches or dials to switch to and from video recording mode. The camera is always ready to shoot stills or video whenever you want. The PowerShot SX40 HS also incorporates an electronic wind filter, which suppresses wind noise that can muffle or distort the sound. And unlike less sophisticated point-and-shoot cameras, the PowerShot SX40 HS lets you use the full range of optical zoom when you're shooting a video.

It's easy to enjoy and share the videos you shoot with the PowerShot SX40 HS. Simply connect its HDMI terminal to your HDTV using an HDMI cable. And because the PowerShot SX40 HS supports HDMI-CEC technology, you'll be able to control the playback of your images and videos on any CEC-enabled HDTV using the TV's remote control. (CEC - Consumer Electronic Control - is part of the HDMI specification, enabling components in a system to communicate with one another.)

With the PowerShot SX40 HS, you can also shoot video in the Apple™ iFrame format, which is a computer-friendly standard that speeds up importing and editing of videos. It keeps file sizes small, making it more convenient to upload or e-mail high-quality videos. The iFrame format enjoys native support in compatible Mac and Windows video applications, making it unnecessary to perform time-consuming and often quality-degrading conversions.

Intelligent IS

The latest advance in Canon Optical Image Stabilization technology, Intelligent IS analyzes camera movement and applies the best shake correction method for the shooting situation. For stills, the system automatically selects among Normal, Panning, Macro (Hybrid) and Tripod IS modes. When shooting video, the system automatically selects among Dynamic, Powered, Macro and Tripod IS modes. With Intelligent IS, you can concentrate on image capture, letting the camera make the most effective IS settings to assure the steadiest possible image.

Normal Corrects for a wide range of camera movement when shooting stills.		Panning Panning motion is detected so that IS does not interfere with desired camera movement.		Hybrid Corrects for shift-type camera shake, which typically occurs in macro (close-up) shooting.
Dynamic Effective for video shooting at wide-angle focal lengths, eliminating the unwanted shaking that typically occurs while walking.		Powered Compensates for hand movement when shooting video at the telephoto end of the zoom range, where camera shake is magnified.		Tripod When tripod use is detected, the Image Stabilizer is stopped because it is not needed.

Utilizing the increased processing speed and power of the new Canon DIGIC 5 Image Processor, High-Speed Burst HQ makes it possible to capture fast action stills at full resolution during continuous shooting. The results are exceptionally high-quality images recorded in rapid sequence. In this mode, the PowerShot SX40 HS can capture a maximum of 8 shots in a single burst.*

Shooting Modes

PowerShot cameras offer shooting modes that make it easy to take perfect photos in a wide range of shooting situations by providing intelligent presets with optimized settings.

Custom Define and store your own settings to achieve the effects you prefer.		Manual You have complete control of exposure, selecting both aperture and shutter speed manually.		Aperture-Priority You set the aperture, controlling depth-of-field. The camera automatically selects the shutter speed.
Shutter-priority You select the shutter speed to stop or blur action, and the camera finds the appropriate aperture. With slow exposure times, Canon's noise reduction system activates to ensure low image noise.		Program Access advanced exposure compensation features while shooting mostly automatically.		Smart AUTO The camera automatically selects the best shooting settings for optimal quality based on subjects and environmental factors to provide point-and-shoot simplicity.
Sports The camera uses high shutter speeds to capture fast-moving subjects.		Movie Digest Records a video clip before capturing a still image and then combines one day's worth of clips into a video.		Portrait The camera sets a large aperture, focusing the subject and artistically blurring the background to make your subject "pop."
Landscape Increases depth-of-field for sharp and sweeping landscape shots.		Smart Shutter The camera automatically takes the photo when people smile, wink, or get into frame.		High-Speed Burst HQ Captures fast-action shots at full sensor resolution, by shooting continuously when the shutter button is held down.
Handheld Night Scene Take clear and steady pictures at night without the use of a tripod.		Low Light For high quality image capture in an amazing range of dimly-lit situations.		Beach Get clear shots of people at a sunny beach without darkened faces.
Foliage Capture brilliant shots of autumn foliage, greenery and blossoms.		Snow Shoot clear snow scenes without darkened subjects or an unnatural bluish tint.		Fireworks Grab brilliant images of skyrocketing fireworks.
Stitch Assist Easy-to-use guidelines simplify the shooting of aligned multiple frames that can later be combined (using bundled software) to create panoramic photos.		Creative Filters This setting provides easy access to special filter effects and scene modes, such as Toy Camera Effect, Poster Effect, Monochrome and more.		Fisheye Effect Add a classic photo distortion without a fisheye lens.
Miniature Effect for Movies & Stills Emphasizes perspectives for a miniature effect by blurring upper and bottom portions of the image.		Toy Camera Effect Simulates photos taken with "toy" or pinhole cameras, darkening the image at the edges to create a vignette effect.		Monochrome Choose from three single-tone effects: Black-and-White, Sepia, or Blue.
Super Vivid Super Vivid intensifies existing hues, saturating the scene with bright colors.		Poster Effect Poster Effect combines several similar shades into one color, turning subtle gradations into eye-catching, scene-popping contrasts.		Color Accent Choose to retain a single color in your image while other colors turn monochrome.
Color Swap Select a color and replace it with a color you specify for special effects.		Movie Record video in stereo sound. Unwanted scenes can be deleted in playback mode.		iFrame Movie The Apple®movie format, iFrame, makes it easier and quicker to import and upload videos while retaining high image quality.
Super Slow Motion Movie Record your clips in high speed (approx. 240 fps), and then watch your videos in slow motion.

Creating a video* containing highlights of a family vacation or an important occasion is a lot easier than you might think. When you use Movie Digest on the PowerShot SX40 HS, the camera will automatically record a short video clip (up to approximately 4 seconds) every time you shoot a still image. That entire day's worth of clips will then be automatically combined into a single video. Movie Digest does all the work, so you can sit back and enjoy your video!

How does this work? When you activate Movie Digest, the camera continuously records a "loop" of video up to 4 seconds long into an area of the memory card reserved for this feature. Every time you take a still photo, the video clip residing in memory at that time is appended to a file that will eventually become the day's highlights video. The following day, the camera will start a new video file. Movie Digest does not affect regular video shooting, so you can use it and still switch between still and video capture as desired.

Although the beauty of Movie Digest is the ease with which you can create a video of the day, you can, if you wish, edit the created videos on your computer. Version 6.8 or later of the included ZoomBrowser EX (for Windows) and ImageBrowser (for Mac OS) software lets you freely select and delete unwanted scenes from your Movie Digest videos.

Miniature Effect for Movies & Stills
Emphasizes perspective for a miniature effect by blurring upper and bottom portions of videos and stills.

Super Slow Motion Movie

Record your clips in high speed (approx. 240 fps), and then watch your videos in slow motion.

Get the Shot from Any Angle.

The PowerShot SX40 HS features a convenient and highly useful 2.7-inch Vari-Angle LCD screen that swivels out almost a full 180 degrees. It also rotates through approximately 270 degrees, letting you tilt it up or down to shoot at low or high angles. You can compose freely even when shooting from difficult vantage points and use the full range of angle adjustment even when the camera is mounted on a tripod. You can even rotate the LCD facing forward to capture perfectly framed self-portraits and to join group shots. The PureColor System LCD screen has 230,000 dots, giving you a crisp, clear picture to make shooting, playback and using the camera's menu functions especially convenient.

Zoom In and Capture the Perfect Moment.

With its 35x Optical Zoom lens, the PowerShot SX40 HS has the telephoto reach to capture subjects a long distance away. At maximum telephoto, however, it can be very difficult to track a moving subject while trying to steady the camera. Zoom Framing Assist is an inventive feature that makes it much easier to use the camera?s powerful zoom lens. When you press and hold the Zoom Framing Assist function button, the camera will automatically zoom out to include a wider angle of view, enabling you to more easily locate your moving target on the LCD screen or through the electronic viewfinder. Once you find it, releasing the button will cause the lens to return to its original telephoto position, intelligently keeping the subject in focus so that you?re ready to shoot and capture the perfect close-up moment.

A Smarter Camera Means Better Photos and Videos.

Photographers of all levels appreciate a camera that takes the hassle out of capturing beautiful images. The PowerShot SX40 HS gives you Smart AUTO - sophisticated Canon technology that makes getting that great shot as simple as pressing the shutter button. Smart AUTO automatically detects scenes by assessing various factors in both the background and the subject. Detected scenes are analyzed using 32 predefined shooting situations. The camera then makes optimal settings to ensure the best possible image capture, whether you're shooting stills or video. Smart AUTO also includes Advanced Subject Detection, which allows the camera to detect and track non-human moving subjects like animals and vehicles. With Smart AUTO, all you have to do is compose then take your shot. You get the results you want.