Need advice on which camera to get. The S95 is sellin gfor $325.00 taxes included while the SX40 is selling for $500. I understand that the zoom on the SX40 is great but I want the comparison between the two to see if it's worth paying $175 for the SX40.
I cannot tell you which one better meets your needs, but I can say for me, the SX40 is on my list way before the S95. In fact I just got one for my sister for Christmas, and now I'm tempted to keep it myself. : Personally, most anything that I take with a non-SLR I figure is a compromise, and I like "up-close-and-personal" images which you have to literally be with the S95's limited zoom and are therefore more easily achieved with the SX40. And for the always have it with you size factor, cell phone images are better than none at all.
So the questions you have to ask yourself are what kind of shots do you intend to use it for, and how important is size?
The SX40 is not really that much smaller than a Rebel/xxxD body, and the latter would provide much better IQ. I picked the S95/S100 (both in succession, actually) because for me, I wanted the best possible IQ in the smallest form factor with RAW capability.
They are really for two different usages, a tiny pocketable camera with high quality images versus a large body with a wide zoom range and smaller sensor. Good mostly for outdoors or with lots of light or flash indoors.
Many people love the long zoom range, while some want the small form factor. Its a choice only you can make.
One additional thing, if I wanted a S95, I would strongly consider a Canon Refurb for $256. My fingers are way to large to operate it, and I want a viewfinder.
One additional thing, if I wanted a S95, I would strongly consider a Canon Refurb for $256. My fingers are way to large to operate it, and I want a viewfinder.
I bought the SX40 and love it. It`s a great camera for travel or events where they tell you "no professional cameras allowed". The main reason I bought it was for a trip to Australia, I Just did not feel like lugging around 15 lbs of equipment. It was great, the zoom is fantastic ( and that's why i bought it ) and the IQ is fine. I payed under 500 for it on Amazon. If I feel the need to shoot Raw, or better IQ, out comes the 7D or 40D or better yet, the EOS-1n.
I vote for the SX40. I haven't used it yet, but I own the SX30 and it's fairly excellent and useful, and the new model should be significantly better IQ and feature wise. If you want to get it cheap, you can get it grey from dwi cameras for about 340 I think.