Canon PowerShot SD40 First Impressions Review

Model Design / Appearance

The SD40 is a stylishly designed, small camera for the point-and-shoot crowd. The camera is available in 4 colors called Precious Rose, Twilight Sepia, Olive Grey and Noble Blue. Most of the shots we took are of the Olive Grey color. The camera is designed to fit into a pocket and be taken out for the occasional photo moment. Despite its small size, this model has handling in mind with the design. The right side of the camera is curved and is designed to be cradled in the palm of your hand.

 

Size / Portability

The SD40 is a very small camera: at 3.8 x 1.8 x 0.94 inches, it’s one of the smallest models out there. Combined with the low weight of the camera (around 4 oz), this size means it’s a very portable camera, ideal for taking on day trips or to parties where you wouldn’t want to lug a larger camera around.

 

Handling Ability

Although the SD40 is small, it fits well into the hand, with the shutter button falling naturally under the index finger. The lanyard loop is on a curve that provides a natural grip point, and it should be no problem to hold the camera.

The Canon PowerShot SD40 takes a slightly unusual approach of combining the zoom control with the directional control; you push it up to zoom in, and down to zoom out. This takes a bit of getting used to, but it works well once you get used to it. The other control buttons are nicely sized and spaced, thanks in part to the undersized LCD screen that frees up space elsewhere.

The menus of the PowerShot SD40 are accessed by pressing both the Func./Set button and the Menu button. The Func./Set button is mainly for accessing things that you would want to change while shooting, while the other menu is for more complex features.

 

The SD40 is a very easy to use camera, with the Func./Set button placing most of the more commonly used options within easy reach. Many of the modes on the camera are automatic, making it easy to just point and shoot – and avoid options altogether.