Canon SX40 PDF User Manual
Did you lose or misplace the instruction manual that came with your Canon PowerShot SX40 HS? It happens all too easily, but fortunately Canon makes a soft copy available that you can browse through online, print out, or download (see the pdf file below). It is certainly good practice to carefully familiarize oneself with the many different functionalities and options that the SX40 offers, and the official user manual is without doubt an authoritative and comprehensive source of respective information.
That said, the instruction booklet can be a dry read, so that a dedicated camera guide book from a professional photographer that illustrates the camera's core functions in a real life photography context can be a very helpful complement. Yes, getting one of these camera guides (see here at amazon) would involve an additional expense, but if that book helps to exploit the camera's potential to the full, the (small) additional investment may well be worth it.
Also, you might want to check out the video tutorial on the Canon PowerShot SX40 HS below.

In any case, the SX40 is an advanced imaging tool, whose many features merit serious attention. This fixed lens compact camera was revealed to the public on September 15th, 2011, which means that, as of today, the camera is 4142 days old (young?). The camera has meanwhile been discontinued and was succeeded by the Canon SX50 as a replacement in the same line of cameras.
Canon's user guide for the SX40
The camera's user guide is 220 pages long. The pdf version is embedded below. As you browse through, you will hopefully find the information you are looking for. You can also print out a hard copy by right clicking on the manual and then choosing the respective menu option. For convenience, a summary of the key specs of the SX40 is included towards the bottom of this webpage.
Don't forget to bookmark this page for future reference (Ctrl-Shift-D on a Windows PC; Cmd-Shift-D on a Mac). Happy browsing!
Click on the button below to download the pdf version of the Canon PowerShot SX40 HS manual to your computer. The file will open in a new browser window.
If you prefer to read the user guide in another language, please check the respective availability on Canon's support site. That site also provides complementary online resources, such as information on the compatibility of various camera accessories or the availability of firmware updates that are not necessarily comprehensively covered in the instruction manual.
Printed, hardcopy versions of the Canon SX40 manual can sometimes be found online. You can check the availability on amazon and ebay via the buttons below.
Video tutorial for the Canon PowerShot SX40 HS
Perhaps instead of reading through a manual or operations guide, you might prefer to better familiarize yourself with your SX40 by watching a video tutorial. It can notably help to quickly get to know the key functions and to set up your camera according to your particular preferences and needs.
Once again, the Canon SX40 is a sophisticated imaging tool and not exploiting its capabilities to the full would be a pity. Hence, taking the time to study online information material or to read through a well-written camera guide book is highly recommended to make the most of your purchase.
amazon.com
Canon SX40 FAQ
Below are some additional questions and answers concerning some particular features of the SX40.
What technology is the imaging sensor in the SX40 based on?
The camera features a BSI-CMOS (Backside Illuminated Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensor.
What is the ISO sensitivity range of the SX40?
The camera has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 3200.
Does the Canon SX40 feature an autofocus assist light?
Yes, the camera has a lamp built-in that can illuminate the subject and improve autofocus in low-light settings.
Which battery does the SX40 use?
The camera gets its power from the NB-10L (here at amazon), which is a rechargeable Lithium-Ion power pack.
Further reading
How does the SX40 stack up against available alternatives? In case you are interested in seeing how this camera compares to another one, just make your choice using the following search menu. An an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.
- Canon 40D vs Canon SX40
- Canon 90D vs Sony A9 II
- Canon R6 Mark II vs Sony A9 II
- Canon SX10 vs Canon SX40
- Canon SX40 vs Canon SX430
- Canon SX40 vs Panasonic TZ95
- Canon SX40 vs Sony A3000
- Canon SX40 vs Sony RX10 IV
- Nikon Z7 vs Sony A9 II
- Panasonic FZ2500 vs Sony A9 II
- Panasonic G85 vs Sony A9 II
- Sony A7R vs Sony A9 II
Core camera specifications
Here is a list of the main features and technical characteristics of the Canon PowerShot SX40 HS.
Camera Model | Canon SX40 | |
Camera Type | Fixed lens compact camera | |
Camera Lens | 24-840mm f/2.7-5.8 | |
Launch Date | September 2011 | |
Launch Price | USD 429 | |
Sensor Specs | ||
---|---|---|
Sensor Technology | BSI-CMOS | |
Sensor Format | 1/2.3" Sensor | |
Sensor Size | 6.17 x 4.55 mm | |
Sensor Area | 28 mm2 | |
Sensor Diagonal | 7.7 mm | |
Crop Factor | 5.6x | |
Sensor Resolution | 12 Megapixels | |
Image Resolution | 4 000 x 3 000 pixels | |
Pixel Pitch | 1.53 μm | |
Pixel Density | 42.74 MP/cm2 | |
Moiré control | no AA filter | |
Movie Capability | 1080/24p Video | |
ISO Setting | 100 - 3 200 ISO | |
Screen Specs | ||
Viewfinder Type | Electronic viewfinder | |
Viewfinder Field of View | 100% | |
Viewfinder Resolution | 202k dots | |
Top-Level Screen | no Top Display | |
LCD Framing | Live View | |
LCD Size | 2.7 inch | |
LCD Resolution | 230k dots | |
LCD Attachment | Swivel screen | |
V-logging Friendliness | No front-flip | |
Touch Input | No touchscreen | |
Shooting Specs | ||
Focus System | Contrast-detect AF | |
Manual Focusing Aid | no Peaking Feature | |
Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/3200s | |
Continuous Shooting | 10.3 shutter flaps/s | |
Silent Shooting | no E-Shutter | |
Time Lapse Photography | no Intervalometer | |
Fill Flash | Built-in Flash | |
Storage Medium | SDXC cards | |
Single or Dual Card Slots | Single card slot | |
UHS card support | no | |
Connectivity Specs | ||
External Flash | Hotshoe | |
USB Connector | USB 2.0 | |
HDMI Port | YES HDMI | |
Wifi Support | no Wifi | |
Body Specs | ||
Battery Type | NB-10L power pack | |
Battery Life (CIPA) | 380 shots per charge | |
Body Dimensions |
123 x 92 x 108 mm (4.8 x 3.6 x 4.3 in) |
|
Camera Weight | 600 g (21.2 oz) |
Did you notice an error on this page? If so, please get in touch, so that we can correct the information.
You are here: Home » Canon SX40 Review » Canon SX40 User Manual