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Canon EOS 40D first look Digital SLR Review
Rumours of the Canon EOS 40D have been around for a while, but it wasn't until yesterday that the new mid-range SLR was launched officially at the Canon Autumn Collection press event. And it was worth every bit of the wait.
CANON EOS 40D SPECIFICATIONS
- Sensor: CMOS - 10.1Mp
- Image Size: 3888x2592
- Lens: Takes all Canon EF and EF-S lenses
- Focus: TTL 9 AF Points
- Exposure: Auto/Program/AP/SP/M
- Metering: 35 Zone Eval/CW/Spot/P
- Monitor: 3.0in. TFT
- Other Features: Live View, EOS Integrated Cleaning System, 6.5fps
- Movie Mode: No
- Storage: CompactFlash I/II
- Batteries: Rechargeable Lithium-ion
- AC Adaptor: Optional
- Size/Weight: 146x108x74mm - 740g
- Transfer: USB 2.0
CANON EOS 40D CONTROLS
1. Mode Dial
2. White Balance
3. AF
4. ISO
5. Exposure lock
6. AF Point selection
7. Menu selection dial
8. Image playback
9. Delete
10. Jump
11. Information display
12. Picture style
In comparison to its predecessor, it has 10.1Mp resolution as opposed to 8.2Mp on the 30D, and has an increased shooting speed of 6.5 fps, making it an ideal choice for sports and wildlife photography. There has also been the inclusion of the latest generation of Canon's image processing engine DIGIC III, and an increase in LCD size from 2.5in to 3in, enabling easier menu operation and image playback.
Another interesting feature of the 40D is the inclusion of the sRAW recording format, which cuts the file size in half while retaining all of the creative possibilities associated with shooting in RAW.
CANON EOS 40D HANDLING
One of the first things I noticed about the 40D was how well set out and unclustered the arrangement of buttons on the back was, making it very easy to use. The traditional wheel on the back is retained and the camera is simpler to pick up and use than a Nikon D200 for example, although it's not quite the same build quality. There's only one selection wheel for example.
The camera is easy to grip and feels sturdy and well-built, if slightly on the heavy side, and when carrying out test shots it was quick to start up. The focusing was fast enough, though the 9-point focusing system could pick up things nearest the camera, rather than in the centre of the image. When the camera is reviewed fully we'll look at how the different focusing modes work. The results were bright and colourful by default, and were easily viewable on the sizeable 3in. LCD screen. The LCD can, unusually if you don't use Olympus, also be used to frame the scene in a Live view mode. The fast shooting speed of 6.5fps enables you to rattle pictures off in rapid succession and this gives pleasing feedback in use.
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The Canon EOS 40D is expected to be available as from September at a RRP of £899 (body only). A full review will follow.
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Canon EOS 40D first look Digital SLR | £899.00 |
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I see the top plate is angled backwards now - interesting touch.
it looks like a brick
Come on, there is not much difference from the 30D!
Sadly, 10.1Mp resolution is not much of an improvement and is rather disappointing from Canon. I was hoping for at least 12.5Mp or greater. That camera will find the competition from the Nikon D300 very tough especially if Nikon prices the D300 in the same bracket than the 40D.
If I needed a new Canon I would definitely buy it but having said that I am entirely satisfied with the spec on my 20D.
Jon
From the write up it appears to have the same sensor and pixel count as the 400D. Unless the fps is a crucial factor I can't see the 40D selling in large numbers when the 400D costs far less.
It appears to me that it has little above and beyond the 400D bar the faster fps and a slightly bigger LCD.
From the write up it appears to have the same sensor and pixel count as the 400D. Unless the fps is a crucial factor I can't see the 40D selling in large numbers when the 400D costs far less.
My 10D is a better camera than my 350D in terms of image quality, build and usability so I can't see how the 400D is a cheaper equal to the 40D. I think the 40D promises to be a major step forward over the 30D - it's what the camera enables you to do with it that's important. Great picture quality is a given nowadays whether 6, 8, 10 or 12 mp - pixel count is immaterial unless you are a marketing executive or a numbers chaser.
My 10D is a better camera than my 350D in terms of image quality
I doubt it. My 300D equals the image quality of a 10D.
The 40 has much longer life internals and better handling/features. So if you intend to keep your camera more than 2 years it could cost less.
Sadly, it seems that Nikon are taking the initiative with DSLR's and Canon are going to have to up their game if they want to keep their market share.
If I wasn't a born and bred Canon user, and looking to start up in photography now I would be going with Nikon...
Come on Canon - give us loyal Canon users something to worthwhile to want to spend our money on - not just small improvements but something to nail the market in low-to-midrange DSLR's.
Ian.
The 40D gives me just that. A big upgrade from the 10D. still at a reasonable price, and in many ways I'm glad to think that for the next few years I'll not be desperate to upgrade to each and every release of an SLR from Canon.
Stick the 580 ex on it, go outside in pitch darkness and see if it can focus on a person walking towards you in real time,so you can use one shot and af assist if it can, it will not have lowlight focus issues which lead to many focus problems when you need them the least.
Interesting update - Drew Strickland can lay claim to having done and posted the world's first test of the 40D's AI Servo performance, and has comparison figures on how that stacks up against the EOS 1D Mark III.
For details, please see the "Drew Strickland's Interactive Review of the Canon 40D" section of my compilation of Canon 40D Reviews.
Review's Rating
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