Canon EOS 40D

The Canon EOS 40D is Canon’s 6th prosumer DSLR and since its release 2 years ago, it has always been a popular choice amongst customers. Considering Canon’s line of semi-pro cameras have never been stunners in the looks department, the Canon EOS 40D certainly these cameras are well-loved by their owners for their solid and reliable performance. The 10-megapixel Canon EOS 40D looks like it will live up to the reputation that precedes it.

Design

As mentioned, the Canon EOS 40D probably will not get full marks when it comes to looks. With a magnesium alloy body and stainless steel frame, it, in fact, resembles its predecessors, the Canon EOS 30D and 5D, except for the large 3.0-inch rear LCD with a 140-degree viewing angle, which is a bonus for Canon lovers who compose their pictures in Live View mode. But with its larger and brighter viewfinder, users can also choose not to use Live View mode. Be it buttons or user interface, Canon almost always gets it right, especially with its semi-pro line of cameras.

The Canon EOS 40D does feature a new button that is only seen before on the Canon EOS-1D Mark III – the AF-on button, which activates autofocus. The mode dial on this camera also boasts more buttons than on its predecessors, namely C1, C2 and C3, convenient storage buttons for the user’s favourite settings, which I am sure, will garner lots more support and cheer for Canon. Canon has also added a “Auto” word to the top LCD to represent “Auto ISO” where in the past, Canon users had to hold down the ISO button to view this setting and an all new B/W icon indicates Black and White mode.

Holding it in your hands, you will find the Canon EOS 40D feels familiar. It feels just like the Canon EOS 30D, solid and reliable, albeit 1.4 ounces heavier and a tad larger all round. As with its predecessors, the grip has a perfect-sized indent for the middle finger, giving users a great grip and control on the camera.

Actual user review:
“I’m a Sports Photographer for the most part, and the 3 FPS on the 5D just didn’t feel adequate to me. My first experience with the 40D taught me to use K5200 for white balance indoor and to make sure I’m not overexposed on my shots. Outdoor shots are beautiful, as are properly exposed indoor shots. I really love the menu system on the 40D, it’s so much easier & quicker then what’s on the my 5D, it felt comfortable right away. The AF-ON button for tracking action shots is wonderful, and worth the money for the camera by itself. The image quality on the 40D is excellent, IMHO better then the 30D which is why I sold mine right away. I wanted a better camera for fast action that had picture quality like the 5D. The 40D is pretty close, nothing quite equals the 5D images. I have excellent Canon L lens and two great cameras, I’m satisfied.” – R.E.Lakelee (CA,USA)

Features

The Canon EOS 40D is armed with a 10-megapixel CMOS sensor with EOS Integrated Cleaning System for dust reduction and DIGIC III Image processer with 14-bit Analog-to-Digital conversion, which allows for Live View mode, faster image processing and improved image quality. This new process is also said to be able to give 1.7 times faster signal processing and lower power consumption. Armed with advanced technology, the Canon EOS 40D offers faster continuous shooting at 6.5fps up to 75 JPEGS and the possibly the quietest shutter in Canon’s DSLR lineup with no winding sound.

Most of all, the Canon EOS 40D is able to capture both RAW and s-Raw images and features Live View mode and Highlight Tone Priority (HTP) mode featured in Canon’s professional series of cameras, to keep more details in highlights, but at the cost of more noise.

Performance

This semi-pro camera comprises a 9-point AF cross-type sensor that is said to outshine that of the Canon EOS 20D and 30D, giving the 40D a faster and more accurate AF calculation speed, especially in low light conditions. However, when it comes to shooting sports, the Canon EOS 40D definitely fares very well in AI Focus mode, better than in AI Servo mode. Perhaps the features such as Live View and larger LCD are not important but simply by looking at its faster frame rate and ergonomic design of the Canon EOS 40D is enough to up the drool factor on this camera. On top of that, Canon users upgrading to this Canon EOS 40D will find it a breeze to use, considering most of its controls resemble its predecessors. Canon has done well with getting rid of its long scrolling menus and putting in its place, a tabbed menu which is alot easier and quicker to navigate with the Multi-controller.

Bottom Line

The Canon EOS 40D is a fast camera that produces excellent images, even at high ISOs. Sitting between a Canon EOS-1d Mark III and the Canon EOS Rebel XTi, this camera will present you some amazing photos with its pack of features picked from some of the best high-end cameras in the Canon digital SLR lineup. Considering all that, it sure is a great buy for its price.

Average User Rating:

• “When I took the first couple of shots with the 40D, my reaction was Wow. The 40D is 80% to 90% of the 5D, The slight change to the control layout is an improvement. Spot metering, is a real plus. The sensor seems to have significantly lower noise than the 20D. This is my new happy-snap camera. It goes everywhere with me. I’ve only taken a few thousand photos so far, and I have to say I am very impressed. I really look forward to the times I can get out just to take photos with the 40D. For its class, just a little lower than the 5D, this is the finest camera I have ever seen. The value is the best value I have ever seen. The 40D, delivers more than I ever expected to see in a camera at this price point. I think Canon, has once again, undeniably taken the lead, in the Digital SLR camera market with the 40D.” – J.Newman (USA)
• “I bought a Canon 20D just over 2 years ago and thought it was a brilliant camera. I’ve never had problems. I saw the 5D come out and didn’t see a need to “upgrade” to it. But the new 40D is just something else. I have it about 5 days now and I’m like a child at Christmas. There is just so much to praise about this camera – large LCD screen which is very clear, faster focusing, especially when using centre focus point, larger burst rate. This camera is well worth its price. It’s a brilliant step between the 400D and the 1D. I don’t have the need (nor money) for the 1D Mk III. This new 40D is just what I need. My first day of shooting with it was at a horse racing event. I was between two other photographers – one using a 30D and the other using a 1D. I felt like mine was capturing just what I wanted and in brilliant clarity. Ok, not the same fps as the 1D, but my friend with his 30D kept looking at me and laughing – it was because he would get 2-3 shots and I was taking about 20. For anyone thinking of this camera – try it out. You will not fail to be impressed.” – P.Walsh (Ireland)

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