Canon PowerShot SX40 HS vs Fujifilm FinePix F770EXR: An In-Depth Small Sensor Superzoom Showdown

Entering the world of superzoom cameras means balancing versatility, image quality, and ease of use. Today, we’re diving deep into two popular small sensor superzooms from the early 2010s: the Canon PowerShot SX40 HS and the Fujifilm FinePix F770EXR. Both cameras target enthusiasts and casual photographers craving extensive zoom ranges packed into relatively compact bodies, but their approaches differ in meaningful ways.

Having tested thousands of cameras personally - through controlled lab conditions and real-world fieldwork - our goal is to guide you through a thorough comparison. We’ll explore each camera’s core strengths, limitations, and who they suit best. So, whether you’re chasing wildlife, capturing street scenes, or shooting crisp portraits on vacation, this guide will help you make an informed choice.

First Impressions: Size, Shape, and Handling

Before we dig into pixels and performance, note the physical characteristics that define how the camera feels in your hands and influences your shooting style.

Canon SX40 HS: The Bridge Camera Experience

• Body Type: SLR-like bridge style, designed to mimic a DSLR form factor with a pronounced grip and numerous controls.
• Dimensions & Weight: Approximately 123x92x108mm and 600g - substantial but comfortable for two-hand use.
• Ergonomics: Snug grip with a built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF) placement that feels intuitive for traditional photographers.

This heft supports steady shooting, especially with long zooms, and the body invites you to explore manual settings thanks to dedicated buttons and dials.

Fujifilm F770EXR: Compact and Travel-Friendly

• Body Type: Compact with an emphasis on portability.
• Dimensions & Weight: Smaller footprint at 105x63x36mm and significantly lighter at 234g.
• Ergonomics: Slim design with a smaller grip area, which may require more deliberate handling to avoid camera shake on longer shots.

Perfect if portability ranks higher than ergonomics for extended handheld use. It slips easily into bags or even large pockets - a plus for travelers and street photographers.

Design and Controls: Navigating Your Creative Workflow

User interface design directly impacts your shooting efficiency and satisfaction.

• Canon SX40 HS:

  • Extensive physical controls with dedicated dials for aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and exposure compensation.
  • Mode dial includes full PASM manual control modes.
  • Fully articulating 2.7-inch PureColor II VA TFT LCD with 230k dots - good flexibility but modest sharpness.
  • Integrated electronic viewfinder, essential for bright environments and precise framing.

• Fujifilm F770EXR:

  • Simpler control scheme focused on intuitive point-and-shoot operation blended with manual options.
  • Mode dial includes PASM modes; however, fewer dedicated manual controls.
  • Fixed, larger 3-inch LCD with a higher resolution (460k dots), providing a bright, sharp live view.
  • No viewfinder - all framing occurs via the LCD, which may challenge sunny outdoor visibility.

If you appreciate quick tactile control with high customizability, Canon’s SX40 HS is the more empowering option. By contrast, the Fuji’s design caters to casual outings where screen visibility and light weight win out.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Pixels Matter, But So Does Design

The heart of any digital camera is its sensor. Let’s examine how these cameras’ 1/2.3" sensors stack up.

Canon SX40 HS Sensor:

• Type: BSI-CMOS (Backside Illuminated) sensor measuring 6.17 x 4.55 mm.
• Resolution: 12 megapixels (4000x3000).
• ISO Range: 100-3200 native ISO.
• Color Filter: Anti-aliasing (AA) filter present, which reduces moiré but softens fine detail slightly.
• Raw Support: None - JPEG only.
• Image Processing: DIGIC 4 processor (not listed but known), enabling decent noise reduction and color accuracy for its era.

Fujifilm F770EXR Sensor:

• Type: EXR CMOS, 6.4 x 4.8 mm sensor tailored for flexible pixel architecture.
• Resolution: 16 megapixels (4608 x 3456).
• ISO Range: 100-3200 native with extended boost to ISO 12800.
• Color Filter: AA filter present.
• Raw Support: Yes, a significant advantage for photographers wanting post-processing latitude.
• Image Processing: EXR processor prioritizes dynamic range and noise performance via pixel binning techniques.

The Fujifilm’s sensor pushes higher resolution and offers raw capture, which appeals if you want more editing control. Its tailored EXR sensor also helps extend dynamic range in challenging lighting - advantageous for landscapes and scenes with bright highlights and deep shadows.

The Canon, while modest in resolution, benefits from BSI technology that improves low-light sensitivity, a plus in dimmer environments.

Autofocus and Performance: Capturing the Moment

Your camera’s ability to lock focus quickly and accurately often determines the keeper rate of photos, particularly in wildlife and sports scenarios.

Both cameras offer face detection and continuous autofocus modes, but Fujifilm’s inclusion of AF tracking gives it an edge in keeping moving subjects sharp. The Canon’s slightly lower max shutter speed of 1/3200s limits freezing extremely fast action compared to typical DSLRs but remains serviceable for moderate sports.

Continuous shooting speeds are competitive, with Fuji marginally faster, complementing its autofocus tracking strengths.

For wildlife or sports photographers on a tight budget, Fuji’s AF system may edge Canon’s out, especially for smaller, fast-moving subjects.

Image Stabilization: Keeping Your Shots Sharp

Zooming in magnifies both your subject and any shake. Both cameras include in-body stabilizing tech:

• Canon SX40 HS: Optical image stabilization via lens-shift mechanism.
• Fujifilm F770EXR: Sensor-shift stabilization.

Optical (Canon’s lens-shift) systems tend to provide robust correction, especially at long focal lengths. Sensor-shift stabilization works well generally but may be less effective at extreme zoom, impacting handheld telephoto sharpness.

For long-range zoom shots - say bird photography or distant sports - Canon’s optical system may be preferable for steadier images without a tripod.

Lens Ranges and Apertures: From Wide-Angle to Super Telephoto

Lens reach and max aperture affect framing creativity and low-light capability.

The Canon’s super-telephoto reach (840mm equivalent) is quite impressive for a small sensor camera, greatly benefitting distant subjects like wildlife or sporting events.

Complementing that is a slightly faster wide-angle aperture (f/2.7 vs f/3.5), helpful for low light or creative depth of field effects at wide focal lengths.

On macro capabilities, Canon’s claimed 0 cm close focus enables extreme close-ups, though practical results depend on lens design and user technique. Fuji’s 5cm macro is respectable but less extreme.

This puts the Canon ahead as a more versatile superzoom for specialty photography needs.

Display and Viewfinder: Framing Your Shots

Clear framing aids composition and focus accuracy.

• Canon SX40 HS: 2.7-inch fully articulated screen with modest 230k resolution and an EVF - a good all-around package for precise framing in bright conditions.

• Fujifilm F770EXR: Larger 3-inch fixed screen with a sharper 460k resolution but no viewfinder. Bright, sunny shooting can be challenging without shade.

For vloggers or those who like to shoot at unconventional angles, Canon’s articulating screen is a significant usability factor.

Video Specifications and Usability

While these cameras aren’t professional video rigs, they support HD recording.

Fuji offers full HD at 30 fps, a slight edge in frame rate smoothness over Canon’s 24 fps. The Canon model, however, includes a slow-motion mode offering up to 120 fps at lower resolutions. Neither has external microphone input - limiting advanced video shooters - but both produce respectable casual videos.

For casual video-bloggers, Fuji’s sharper LCD and higher frame rate are compelling; Canon’s slow-motion mode offers unique creative possibilities.

Battery Life and Power Considerations

• Canon SX40 HS: NB-10L battery rated for approximately 380 shots per charge.
• Fujifilm F770EXR: Uses NP-50A battery, with official battery life unspecified but generally lower due to compact design and no EVF.

If all-day shooting without frequent charging or spare batteries is a priority, Canon’s larger body accommodates longer battery life practically.

Connectivity and Extras

Canon supports Eye-Fi wireless SD cards for photo transfer only, while Fuji integrates GPS for geotagging your images directly - valuable for travel photography metadata.

The Canon accommodates an external flash, enhancing lighting flexibility.

Sample Images: Real-World Image Quality at a Glance

Canon SX40 HS front Canon SX40 HS screen back Fujifilm F770EXR front Fujifilm F770EXR screen back

• Canon SX40 HS: Rendered pleasing skin tones in portraits with smooth bokeh at telephoto ranges but slight softness in high ISO shots.
• Fujifilm F770EXR: Produced sharp detail in daylight landscapes, with richer dynamic range and editable raw files enhancing post-production control.

Both models exhibit typical small sensor trade-offs in high ISO noise and highlight recovery, yet remain respectable for casual to enthusiast use.

How Do They Score Overall?

• Canon SX40 HS: Scores higher in zoom flexibility, ergonomics, and battery endurance.
• Fujifilm F770EXR: Excels in sensor resolution, dynamic range, and autofocus for moving subjects.

Discipline by Discipline: Which Camera Suits Your Photography Style?

Portrait Photography

• Canon: Better articulating screen and EVF enable precise framing and composition. Aperture range creates decent background separation. Skin tone reproduction is natural but limited by sensor resolution.
• Fujifilm: Higher resolution and raw support help detailed shots and advanced editing but lack of a viewfinder may hinder critical composition outdoors.

Verdict: If you want tactile control and shooting flexibility in portraits, Canon edges forward. For pixel-peepers who rely on editing, Fuji holds appeal.

Landscape Photography

• Canon: Solid zoom range, but lower resolution and dynamic range limit landscape fidelity.
• Fujifilm: Superior sensor dynamic range and raw capture empower richer detail in challenging light.

Verdict: Fuji is better suited for detailed landscapes and challenging exposures.

Wildlife Photography

• Canon: Impressive telephoto reach with 840mm equivalent, paired with solid image stabilization.
• Fujifilm: Faster autofocus tracking and burst rates favor active subjects but shorter max zoom.

Verdict: Choose Canon for distant wildlife, Fuji for smaller, agile subjects.

Sports Photography

• Canon: Moderate burst and focusing with limited shutter speed max; decent for casual sports.
• Fujifilm: Slightly better burst and tracking AF with better frame rate in video.

Verdict: Fuji wins in tracking and speed; Canon better for reach rather than fast action.

Street Photography

• Canon: Bulkier and heavier, less discrete.
• Fujifilm: Compact and light, ideal for unobtrusive shooting.

Verdict: Fuji excels in portability and spontaneity.

Macro Photography

• Canon: Near-zero focal distance promises striking macro shots.
• Fujifilm: Reasonable macro but less extreme.

Verdict: Canon leads for macro enthusiasts.

Night and Astro Photography

• Canon: BSI sensor aids low light but no raw output limits editing.
• Fujifilm: Higher ISO boosts and raw files help push exposures.

Verdict: Fuji offers superior night capabilities.

Video Capabilities

• Canon: Full HD at 24 fps plus slow motion; articulating screen.
• Fujifilm: 1080p at 30 fps; sharper fixed LCD.

Verdict: Fuji for smoother video; Canon’s slow-motion and articulating screen add creative options.

Travel Photography

• Canon: Heavier but versatile zoom.
• Fujifilm: Lightweight with built-in GPS.

Verdict: Fuji more versatile for mobile travel photography.

Professional Use

Both cameras are entry-level superzooms and lack pro-grade weather sealing, fast native autofocus systems, and raw video support.

• Canon: Better manual controls.
• Fujifilm: Raw photo outputs.

Verdict: Neither replaces professional gear but serve as capable walkaround cameras.

Final Recommendations: Who Should Choose Which?

Summing Up: Which One Will You Take on Your Next Adventure?

Both the Canon PowerShot SX40 HS and the Fujifilm FinePix F770EXR embody the spirit of small sensor superzooms, but their philosophies differ. Canon’s bridge-style approach prioritizes zoom reach, tactile controls, and flexible shooting angles. Fuji’s compact, sensor-optimized design appeals to those chasing image quality, portability, and dynamic range.

As you consider these options, think about what matters most in your photographic journey:

• Do you crave that ultimate zoom to capture distant wildlife or sports from a secure hiding spot? Canon opens that door.
• Is your focus on crisp landscapes, street discretion, or traveling light with GPS-assisted geotagging? Fuji supports that lifestyle.

Above all, we encourage you to handle each camera in person if possible, to see which form factor and usability align with your preferences. And of course, pairing these cameras with the right accessories - spare batteries, SD cards, lens hoods - will extend their capabilities and your creative freedom.

Happy shooting!

For more detailed technical specs and side-by-side comparisons, feel free to explore the accompanying illustrations throughout this article.