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More…Updated 12/23/08: I've used a wide spectrum of digital SLRs, from entry-level models up to pro models. Once you have a taste of the capabilities of a professional camera, you can't easily go back to a digital SLR that's less full-featured; likewise, if you want to step up from an entry-level digital SLR, you have to get something with extra oomph. The Canon EOS 40D ($1150 body only, or $1300 with a 28mm-to-135mm lens, as of 12/10/08) delivers outstanding image quality at a price that's in reach for photo enthusiasts and professionals alike.
Canon Canon EOS 40D
Pricing
$849.99 - $1,244.95 From 2 Vendors Get Best Prices »
- Spec Navigator
- Digital Format
- Display
- Exposure
- General
- Image Processor
- Included Hardware
- Included Software
- Lens
- Shutter
- Storage
- LCD Screen
- Exposure Controls
- Dimensions
- Power
- Flash
- Lens Features
- Connectivity
- Other Features
- Warranty
- Tags
Image Processor
| Number of image sensor pixels | 10.1 megapixels |
| Image sensor | CCD |
| Maximum horizontal image resolution | 3888 |
| Maximum vertical image resolution | 2592 |
| Image sensor quantity | 1 |
| Image format |
|
| White balance | 0 |
Included Hardware
| Included Hardware | Wide Neck Strap EW-100DGR Video Cable VC-100 USB Interface Cable IFC-200U Battery Pack BP-511A Battery Charger CG-580 "Great Photography is Easy" Booklet"Do More with Macro" Booklet |
Lens
| Accessory Lens | 0 |
| Lens Model | 28-135 |
| Telephoto Aperture Maximum | 5.6 mm |
| Wide-Angle Aperture Maximum | 3.5 mm |
Exposure Controls
| Maximum shutter speed | 8000 |
| Minimum shutter speed | 30 |
| Bulb setting | 0 |
| ISO equivalencies |
|
| Exposure settings | 0 |
| Exposure compensation range | 0 |
| Number of scene modes | 6 |
PCWorld Rating, July 10, 2009
5 User Reviews Add your own »
$849.99 - $1,244.95
From 2 Vendors
Get Best Prices »
- Lab Tested
- How We Test SLR Cameras »
Pros
Fast: Capable of 6.5 frames per second
Produced pleasing, well-balanced images
Cons
Live View mode is kludgy
Bottom Line
Feature-packed camera produces great images, too; will appeal to enthusiasts and pros alike.
Canon EOS 40D Digital SLR
Canon EOS 40D Review, by Melissa J. Perenson, PC World November 28, 2007
The EOS 40D received a score of Very Good in the PC World Test Center's latest image-quality tests. Images were well balanced, with good color saturation and accuracy, under both flash and natural light.
One of the EOS 40D's advantages is that it has enough high-powered features to appeal to enthusiasts as well as to professionals seeking a second camera. It has many of the same capabilities, in fact, as its higher-end cousin, Canon's $4500 1D Mark III. The two models share a 3-inch, live-view, 230,000-pixel LCD; Canon's DIGIC III image processor; highlight tone priority for preserving the details in bright areas of an image; and similar menus and controls.
This camera has a 10.1-megapixel, 1.6-focal-length-factor CMOS imaging sensor (up from 8.2 megapixels on the EOS 30D), which is faster and provides better color accuracy than that of its predecessor. The EOS 40D can shoot at up to 6.5 frames per second, up to a maximum of 75 Large/Fine JPEGs or 17 RAW images. That speed will be particularly helpful for shooting in a variety of special circumstances, such as when you're trying to capture a gymnast's back handspring on the balance beam.
The EOS 40D has a nine-point autofocus sensor, as the 30D had. But this model's version has been completely redesigned so that all nine components are cross-type sensors--an approach that makes it more likely that the sensor will lock on to your subject, since the sensors are reading both the horizontal and vertical areas. The autofocus proved fast and accurate in my hands-on tests: I had no difficulties capturing sharp images of the U.S. Navy's elite flight team, the Blue Angels, as the jets zoomed overhead during an air show. Even more impressive is that I could capture them rapid-shot, and didn't feel at all at a disadvantage as compared with using an 8-frames-per-second 1D Mark II. Other features such as the ability to add a transmitter to wirelessly control the EOS 40D and send images from it will appeal to professionals seeking a backup or secondary-use camera.
The menus and controls on the EOS 40D are similar to those of other models in Canon's digital SLR line; if you're moving up from a Digital Rebel or migrating down from models such as the EOS 5D or the 1D Mark II or Mark III, you won't take long to master this model. I particularly liked how the jog dial worked with the four-way joystick to navigate through the clean menu system.
Another benefit the EOS 40D has over its predecessor: It integrates a multitiered dust-reduction system like the one Canon already has in place for its Digital Rebel XTi and 1D Mark III. As an avid photographer, I find this feature the most exciting: Dust is the bane of any active digital SLR photographer's existence, and is the primary enemy you need to worry about every time you swap lenses. (Read more in "The Dirt on Digital SLRs' Dust.") You can set the sensor to self-clean whenever you start the camera; in my experience, the process was so quick that it didn't cause any tangible delay in shooting. While I have not done a scientific study of how good Canon's dust-cleaning system is, I can report that during my tests I swapped out lenses several times in less-than-pristine, open-air conditions--and the images I've taken appear to be dust-free so far.
Like most cameras, though, the 40D has a few frustrating quirks. My biggest gripe: The image I saw through the viewfinder didn't quite match up to what the sensor captured. Using the 28mm-to-135mm lens that came with the 40D, I repeatedly found that I would get just a bit more around the edges of my image than what I saw through the viewfinder. That meant retaking some shots so that I could frame the image correctly without resorting to an image-editing program. I also disliked that in Program mode, you can't change the ISO setting; in this mode, the camera automatically controls the ISO.
The strengths of the Canon EOS 40D overshadow those minor drawbacks, however. On the whole, it is a powerful, scalable camera. If you're graduating from a Rebel-series digital SLR, this is a great step-up model whose versatility will grow along with you. And if you're a more advanced shooter or a pro looking for something smaller and less costly than Canon's top-tier cameras (the 1D and 5D series), this camera is perfect for you.
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PCWorld Lab Results
- Rating Breakdown
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90
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78
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85
- See Complete Lab Results »
Performance Comparison with Similar SLR Cameras
90
90
Performance
| Battery Life (minutes) | 273.5 |
| Image Quality Score | Superior |
| Image Quality, Color | 60.1 |
| Image Quality, Color--Adjusted | 64.8 |
| Image Quality, Color--Auto | 55.3 |
| Image Quality, Distortion | 69.3 |
| Image Quality, Distortion--Noise | 74.9 |
| Image Quality, Distortion--Noise Reduction | 72.5 |
| Image Quality, Distortion--Sharp Interpolation | 64.4 |
| Image Quality, Exposure | 55.8 |
| Image Quality, Exposure--Flash | 52.9 |
| Image Quality, Exposure--Normal | 57.1 |
| Image Quality, Overall | 58.6 |
| Image Quality, Sharpness | 52.7 |
| Number of Batteries | 1 |
| Number of Shots | 500 |
User Reviews
Review Now! Already own it? Tell us What You Think
User Reviews From Around the Web
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Reviewed by: natureday
Strengths: Youc an really see the picture you just took in the wide review on the back.
Weaknesses: It is heavy on my hikes, but a great weight.
Overall: I love this camera, it was pretty spendy, but I have three kids and I need a good camera, I love it so much. I think Canon makes the best cameras of course!ANna
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Reviewed by: realshopmaster
Strengths: 6 frames per second burst rate, anti-dust system, realtime LCD, low noise 10MP sensor, light weight, 1.6 crop
Weaknesses: low LCD resolution, could be put more cross type auto focus sensors
Overall: I have owned the first generation Canon Digital Rebel, Canon 20D, Canon 5D and now 40D. I would say that 40D is the best 1.6 crop SLR from Canon. I used it along side with my 5D, mostly for sports where its 6 FPS bust rate and 1.6 crop are more advantageous than 5D. 40D has the same sensor density as Canon's top of the line Canon 1DS III. This means that you are actually shooting with Canon 1Ds III but with much smaller FOV. The camera is very well built. The only negative I have about it is that Canon could put more cross type auto focus sensors as well as better LCD on it just as Nikon did on the D300. I hope we can see these futures in the next product upgrade. Overall, I am extremely happy with it and would recommend to anyone who needs a SLR camera one step above the Canon 400D.
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Reviewed by: hw323
Strengths: -Better, faster auto-focusing system-3" LCD"live-view" useful for certain applications, such as for macro work-updated menu system allows for quicker and easier navigation-bigger viewfinder
Weaknesses: 3 inch lcd has same resolution as the 30D's 2.5" screen, "weather-proofing" is not complete as with the 1-series bodies
Overall: I have used this camera for about 4 months now and have been satisfied with its performance. The kit lens is an awesome all-around lens to use with the camera. Obviously, over time, you may want to upgrade to a faster lens, but I think the 28-135 IS kit lens will serve most people for a good amount of time, since it covers such a wide range, and having image stabilization doesn't hurt either. I use this camera mostly for photojournalism work, but I had recently brought it with me on a three week trip to Toronto, Niagra, New York city, DC, and Philadelphia. The 40D performed flawlessly. Many of my photos which were taken at night at 1600 ISO came out great after a bit of noise-reduction. Overall, I am very happy with this camera, but it is not perfect. Here are my nitpicky criticisms: Some of the newer features have yet to be tested to see any marked improvements, however, such as the DIGIC 3 chip. Another is the sensor cleaning system. Although I think it helps, I don't think it is a replacement for the actual cleaning of the sensor (by yourself, or by Canon, or whoever). New button layout - because of the bigger LCD screen, Canon had to move the playback, delete, info, etc.. buttons from the left side of the LCD to the bottom. I think Canon could have worked to leave it at the old location for two good reasons. For those who use the 40D as a second body, the different controls can be annoying when the other Canon bodies essentially have the same button layout. The other, more annoying problem, is when you hang the camera around your neck or shoulder. As you walk around, the camera bounces and the play button would be pressed, causing the screen to turn on, which drains the power unnecessarily. These are all pretty minor annoyances and should not be factors that deter anyone from buying a 40D. I love mine, and would recommend anyone to check one out.
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Reviewed by: jerenity
Strengths: Price, feel, image quality
Weaknesses: rubber grip, battery compartment
Overall: Being my first DSLR, I'm happy with what I've seen so far. There's really no reason to say what I like about it. With all of the cameras in this class, this one had the feature set I was looking for in a camera. And for all of it's features, they all work as advertised. And the price compared to others? That was just a bonus. The only issues I've had so far have to do with the rubber grip peeling away from the camera around the edges on the front and the compact flash card door feels likes its loose and makes a little noise in your hand. The built in flash isn't high enough to be used with close-up shots with longer lenses because it will cast a shadow from the lens. My only other issue is that in order to get rapid shooting at maximum capacity, you have to be in fairly good lighting. These are really the only issues I have with the camera and they're all minor. I can't see any reason to choose another camera in the same class over the 40D because of them. Overall, it's easy to recommend this camera to others if the 40D has the features you're looking for that are lacking in other brand's models.
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Reviewed by: 520
Strengths: Accurate and fast AF, Improved High ISO performance, Live view function, 6fps, 3 inch LCD, interchangeable focusing screen
Weaknesses: Mediocre LCD quality
Overall: I upgrade from 350D to 40D and I have to say this upgrade is huge. 1. The auto focus is always accurate and fast even you focus in a dark room or a subject with a strong backlit. This is a huge improvement especially for people like me who mainly shoot portaits.That benefits from the double f/2.8 focus lines which only exists in 40D not even in 5D!2. High ISO can be set to 3200 this is a 1 stop increase over 350D and 30D, plus under the same ISO, say, 800, this 40D's picture is clearly cleaner than 350D, but as this camera has a smaller image sensor than 5D, ISO performance is not as good as 5D obviously. I have never used 30D so I cann't comment on that.3.Live View is very useful for closeup shooting. It's really very very impresive how you can magnify the area you want to focus and adjust it. But you need a tripod if you shoot macro seriously.Otherwise the camera shake got amplified too and you couldn't get it focus corecttly. 4.The 6fps continuous shoot is a big plus over 30D and 5D, when you shoot a moving kid, you'll know how critically it is. And the focus of the moving object is also very quick, to be honest when the kid is running toward you, maybe only 2-4 shots out of 6 are on focus though. I am still learning how to improve that. It also relates to skill not purely depends on cameras.5. The 3 inch LCD is very good but not super good. The resolution cann't meet my satisification.6. This camera is the first in this class allows you to change focusing screen. I am going to order one and see how it helps focusing. After all, this is a great camera for this price, definitely recommend.
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