sd940is hd shooting capability: i believe that this camera shoots 720p hd, but one reviewer said it just blows up the pixels to 720p equivalent. so whats the deal?
253907
The reviewer was probably talking about the digital zoom feature, which blows up the same image when it zooms, which effectively makes the feature useless. It's like magnifying an image with a fixed number of pixels in photoshop: the more you blow up the image, the more flawed the image becomes. Optical zoom, which works correctly for photos, doesn't have that issue on the SD780 or the SD940. Bottom line: If you buy either of those cameras, resign yourself to not zooming while already in HD video mode. If you want a closer video, set the optical zoom before going into record mode.
1089974
THis camera replaced my DX6340 and I am not as happy with the picture quality of the new camera. Like you said, pictures are blurry and just not as sharp. Did these suggestions help you? My husband will be heart broken if I ditch the new one since he gave it to me for Christmas.
895077
It says full 1080 HD right on it so I am guessing it does, I've not used it for that yet but it seems like it would, I love the camera!
1186021
Let me say right now- I AM NOT a super photographer -I just put it on auto and shoot - This camera has TWICE the resolution of my old coolpix - I like it ok; I am happy with it..if you are a photography "nut" you might find fault with it somehow..I recommend see if you can find MORE reviews to get more info
101610
It is not necessary to have a HD camera. It works in my old Nikon with low mega pixels perfectly fine!Good luck!
1217553
Well I suppose Canon could be lying or the two techs at two different times were misinformed about the MPEG2. Since the camera hasn't been released yet, how do you know that the files are .mod? Also some sites (not Amazon) are claiming this is an HD camera. It's not, it's SD.
1213466
I have been able to get video off of both to test. MJPEG is typically cleaner than MPEG4, but it is so inconvenient for video due to the large file sizes. Even the MPEG4 720p files are HUGE and I have about 40GB's worth thus far, so I don't see how on earth anybody could shoot 720p MJPEG as that would equal about 135GB's and I've only been shooting with the HD1a camera since September. 3.4 minutes per gigabyte and Canon's Japan website recommends a card with a 20 MB/s or higher speed for the HD since it is MJPEG. That poses problem for people who purchase slower cards not knowing. After playing with both the HD2 and the TX-1 at recent trade shows, I'm sticking with MPEG4 and upgrading to the HD2 since the low light is significantly improved over the HD1a I have today (visible improvement!). I also was not a fan of the ultra-tiny TX-1 design. There is only room for two fingers below the lens which makes it difficult to hold and shoot with and the camera, being boxy, doesn't sit correctly in my hand. Also the controls are set up for this being a digital still camera and not for it being a "hybrid" like the Sanyo products. I do like the retractable lens, but then there is no option for the wide-angle lens adapter like the HD1a/HD2.
1697313
The worst a reviewer could say about this camera was that it doesn't have hd video. Doesn't amount to a hill of beans for me though, bought this camera to take pictures not video. Personally think hd is overrated anyway.
1132713
The reviewer was probably talking about the digital zoom feature, which blows up the same image when it zooms, which effectively makes the feature useless. It's like magnifying an image with a fixed number of pixels in photoshop: the more you blow up the image, the more flawed the image becomes. Optical zoom, which works correctly for photos, doesn't have that issue on the SD780 or the SD940. Bottom line: If you buy either of those cameras, resign yourself to not zooming while already in HD video mode. If you want a closer video, set the optical zoom before going into record mode. The reviewer was probably talking about the digital zoom feature, which blows up the same image when it zooms, which effectively makes the feature useless. It's like magnifying an image with a fixed number of pixels in photoshop: the more you blow up the image, the more flawed the image becomes. Optical zoom, which works correctly for photos, doesn't have that issue on the SD780 or the SD940. Bottom line: If you buy either of those cameras, resign yourself to not zooming while already in HD video mode. If you want a closer video, set the optical zoom before going into record mode.
2124534
My understanding from reading posts on dpreview, www.dpreview.com, the jpgs are excellent. I cannot comment personally since I only shoot RAW.
2096554
The original firmware that came with the camera (1.01) supported 60fps in 720p. Later firmware revisions removed that capability, but fixed an issue with the microphone level. Seems like you could have 60fps and low sound levels, or 30fps and better mic levels...not an ideal choice.
1573558
Try with and without the image stabilization to see if that makes a difference. Also try at lower resolution. I just did "Fast 720P" with a clear picture, I also had record when moving so it only never recorded more that 5 min at a time. I have not noticed that problem yet, but I have notice jumps(screen goes blank?). Could be the card. Make sure it is a class 10 card. I just upgraded to 64gig SanDisk Extreme and will see if it makes a difference.
1092788
Quick question for all of you who know a little bit more. This is mostly aimed at the guy who used WMM. " Did you lose any quality converting it? " Obviously we all bought this camera b/c it has decent quality but if you lose it what the point. Thanks for the help, Cheers!
1820223
Just purchased the Canon SX40. It is truly amazing. There are not too many boats out on the ice right now, but I think it will do what I want. The picture quality is fantastic. Shortcomings? Since I'm a newbie I don't understand why some pics are blurry and others not; but that is probably more my inexperience than the camera. Also, it shoots 1080 video only at 24 fps. This is still pretty good, but there are some situations where a moving video is less crisp. But I could always switch to non HD if I choose, and have 30 fps that way. Thanks for your help.
1682740
It can shoot plain digital images as well as normal HD movies. You just need to select the Photo mode on the screen menu and you are ready to go! The single images are as superb as the movie images! Good luck. Rick B.
246028
So I have run into this before but I am not an expert. Some monitors will only accept 1080P or 720P. My source was 420P something like that so one of the monitors called it out of range. I was using a image one surgical camera that only had SDI output that once converted was 420 or 480P output and that didn't work with one of my Monitors. The TV monitor probably accepts a larger range of HDMI input. Scott
1924990
I just got mine in the mail today and tried a few small videos around the house and am having video quality issues as well. I would say I'm not even getting 480i quality. The image is incredibly speckly (non-static blotches moving around in the darks). Looks the same whether I play it on my HDTV or on my computer (plenty fast for HD video). What am I doing wrong? Tried wiping the lens with a lens cloth...no effect. Batteries weren't charged yet, but since it's digital, not sure that should make a difference.Also, as a side note, do the people who are getting good quality use the digital zoom at all, or does it degrade your resolution by half? I just got mine in the mail today and tried a few small videos around the house and am having video quality issues as well. I would say I'm not even getting 480i quality. The image is incredibly speckly (non-static blotches moving around in the darks). Looks the same whether I play it on my HDTV or on my computer (plenty fast for HD video). What am I doing wrong? Tried wiping the lens with a lens cloth...no effect. Batteries weren't charged yet, but since it's digital, not sure that should make a difference.Also, as a side note, do the people who are getting good quality use the... » Read More I just got mine in the mail today and tried a few small videos around the house and am having video quality issues as well. I would say I'm not even getting 480i quality. The image is incredibly speckly (non-static blotches moving around in the darks). Looks the same whether I play it on my HDTV or on my computer (plenty fast for HD video). What am I doing wrong? Tried wiping the lens with a lens cloth...no effect. Batteries weren't charged yet, but since it's digital, not sure that should make a difference.Also, as a side note, do the people who are getting good quality use the digital zoom at all, or does it degrade your resolution by half? « Show Less