I really noticed the difference in this camera over my former Digital Rebel - immediately. It's faster, takes better images (with the same lenses) battery life is excellent, feels better to grip/more substantial, and has a ton of features for the money. If you're moving from beginner to enthusiast or intermediate photographer, this is a great choice.
I have been using Canon 40D for two years. It is my second camera (my first camera is Pentax k100). It is big, solid and tough. I thought Pentax K100d is quite big, but it is nothing compare to this 40D. The grip is very ergonomic. I feel confidence handling it.
Body and control
The built quality of Canon 40D is excellent. It is made from magnesium alloy body. It is weather seal as well. It is made to withstand plenty of abuse. I dropped the camera once to the ground, and it still performs like new. I think entry level camera such as Rebel XSi would not able to withstand it.
Canon 40D has many buttons and two main dials. The first dial is thumb dial, located near shutter button. The second one is the big round dial located at the back of the camera. I especially like the round dial. I usually change aperture, view photo, choose menu using this dial. To access live view mode, I simply push the button in the center of the dial.
ISO and Auto ISO
The ISO range starts from 100 to 3200. The auto ISO range is from 100 to 800. I hope it is 100 to 1600. 40D handles noise very well up to 800. You will see more noise creeping in at 1600. At ISO 3200, the image quality is unacceptable. The Auto ISO is the biggest disappointment for me. It tends to stick at ISO 400 most of the time.
LCD Screens
Canon 40D has two LCD screens, the main / back screen and top LCD screen. The top LCD screen is clear in the dim light condition such as indoor or evening, but not clear in the bright daylight. To solve this problem, you can use accessory called Hoodman. The top LCD screens is helpful to check out camera settings at any time and any circumstances. It has green light lcd that could be turned on if necessary.
Auto Focus System
Canon 40D has 11 AF points, distributed in diamond formation. The speed of AF will depends on the lens. Lens that have USM (Ultra Sonic Motor) is generally perform faster than non-USM, but some lenses like Canon 85mm f/1.2 USM AF are quite slow because of the complicated lens elements. Some lenses are also better in tracking subject than other.
Favorite features
There is a feature called Highlight tone priority. I think it is a great feature because it protects the highlight from over exposure. It is great to use for portraits, wedding, landscape and so on.
The shutter has a distinctive noise. It sounds very professional. This camera can also shoot up to 6.5 fps which is great features to capture fast moving object.
Competition
Because this camera is more than two years old now, it has many cameras that match or surpass this camera in term of its specifications. For example Canon 50D which has high-res LCD screen, higher image resolution and better Auto ISO. Nikon D300 is superior regarding AF system. It has 51 points and better tracking system.
There is also Nikon D90 which has hi-res 3 inch lcd screen, cleaner image in high ISO speed but slower continuous speed and worse built quality. Read controversy regarding Nikon D90 vs Canon 40D.
Conclusion
This is a very good camera suitable for either professional or amateur photographer. The size might be a bit too big for casual shooters, but after a while you might use to it. The image quality with the kit lens is good, but I recommend to get a higher quality lens to get maximum quality. Even it is more than two years old now, this camera is still capable and robust for you if you can live with its limitation (hint: Auto ISO and LCD screen). Check out my website www.radiantlite.com for more reviews.
Strengths:
Tough body, fast continuous speed, good handling and control, big lcd screen 3"
Upgraded to 40D from my Canon 350D from 2005. I choose not to buy the 50D because picture quality is actually very similiar, despite 10mp versus 15mp.
Finally a good handgrip, bigger and brighter viewer, extensive controls and a intuitive meny system. I lover picture styles. Easy to chage settings. Very quick autofocus and burst rate - responsive.
Strengths:
Inherits most of the features from a EOS1 to a bargain price. Solid camera house build of metal and sealed. 3 inch screen easy to use, mostly for accurate colour tones/temperature. As a photographer you have a wealth of configuration options easily accesible. Very good dynamic range and correct noise reduction in mid-range tones.
Weaknesses:
The 3 inch screen is only 240.000 dpi (versus 50D has VGA mode with 900.000), but using it mostly for tonal/temperature check it is OK. On/off switch is on the back, it could be around the shutter. At the other hand when it's on it's actually in standby mode all the time, so it's quick anyway.
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My 350D produces good images as well, but it's now my backup camera house.
This is an absolutely fabulous camera! I can not express through a keyboard how glad I am to buy this puppy. The image quality is fantastic, almost enough to get me to sell my film cameras (almost). With a sharp lens the RAW images are fantastic, and even after converting to JPEGs are almost as fantastic. I never understood, until this camera, what the big deal was about enlarging pics to 100%.
The dial controls and menu are easy to navigate, it just took some time reading through the manual to see what was available.
With the metal casing, it's durable. I was filming some bridges in Madison County when I slipped on some rocks in a creek bed and fell backwards, with my precious 40D hitting a rock. The result, some light cosmetic damage to the camera, and some laughs from observers. Camera works just fine, photographer needs some work.
The 3" monitor is a great upgrade from the D-Rebels I've borrowed from friends.
The Picture Styles is a great feature, although somewhat puzzling. From what I can tell, three of them provide the same settings. But they are adjustible, and I highly recommend increasing the sharpness on all of them.
6.5 frames a second, that's nice. When shooting wild bears it's beneficial to have a fast lens and camera that can compliment it. This is where your memory card's processing speed becomes more of a factor . Unless you're machine-gunning large numbers RAW photos, the Ultra II CF cards will work fine and are cheap.
To get additional info for operations, pick up a copy of "Magic Lantern Guides Canon EOS 40D" There's several tips in there that increase your camera's abilties.
Overall, I wish I could give this camera a 4.5, but I won't. I can't shoot IR without modifying the sensor (thus voiding the warranty), I had to get a new cable release that's oversized and also a new battery pack. But the battery pack is sweet because two of the lithium batteries last me all day. In other words, my complaints are very small.
Strengths:
Image quality
Feels good to hand-hold
Durability
3" view monitor
Easy controls and menu
Adjustible Picture Styles
Frame rate !!1!
Battery pack adds shutter, grip, and LONG battery life
Weaknesses:
Can't shoot IR
Had to buy a new cable release
Bought 2 months before price drop due to 50D intro (mute point)
Have to read through manual to get full effect of software (also a mute point)
Similar Products Used:
Canon Digital Rebel XT
Customer Service:
Hope I won't need it any time soon
Firmware update process is a bit frustrating, had to buy a card reader, can't just use a USB cable like on everything else.
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