I have owned Nikon film SLR's and Digital Cameras before I moved to the Canon SX10 IS. Now, I have purchased this Canon SX40 HS and am very pleased with it. While this camera is not perfect, there is room for some improvement, it is the best overall choice for me. I require a camera with a big zoom, good image stabilization, manual controls, and doesn't require a suitcase to carry it around, the SX40 HS does this for me. There are two improvements that I would like to see. One is a separate manual adjustment dial that doesn't also function as a switch. The other improvement I would like to see is RAW support. While I can get this using CHDK, it would be nicer to have it built in.

As far as the kit goes, the case is adequate for job it was intended. The card reader is handy, the 8 GB memory card is not one of the faster ones generally available now. And don't forget the little bottle of isopropyl alcohol and five cotton swabs they call a cleaning kit. But when you... Read more

Nov. 3, 2011 and Jan. 13, 2012 - [Please see posted photos here and my web site from my first days' and most recent shootings. A picture is worth a thousand words.] I will do a complete review as the weather clears and I can take some photos in various light conditions. So far, it has performed well enough, but there is a learning curve from the SX20 which allowed greater latitude in overriding what the camera "wants to do."

It may take a month before I can review the camera adequately, so I have uploaded some photos that I took on the first day, and I must say that they're pretty good. However, there were only 8 out of 51 taken. ...And then it started to rain. Please note that I am not new to the Canon line or (nature) photography: I have had the A620, S3, S5, SX10, SX20, and now the SX40. (I returned the SX30 which was a terrible disappointment.) And I've been taking pictures for over 60 years. So, unless you really get to know the camera - and even then - you may or may... Read more

I have a Nikon D7000, which I think is a very good camera. I was looking for a lighter camera that can take good photos with good quality. The one camera I can travel with, take photos of my three year old's birthday as well as the sunset.

The detail on this camera amazed me. The quality that is obtained without any extras, without any training in photography makes it the camera that I was looking for. I have selected to use the class 10 memory card, which I believe was a good choice, adding to the quality.

I have also purchased the Zeikos Digital Pro Slave Flash ZE-DS12 and although I was unsure if this was the correct choice, I am 100% satisfied with the flash and the way it work with the camera. Being a perfectionist that does not have the time to go for proper training and like things to happen the easy way, this camera turned out to be the perfect choice!! The most outstanding factor for me is the detail that I am able to capture and the quality of the... Read more