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

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)

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.

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.

Similar Products Used:

Canon Digital Rebel XT

Build Quality
Ergonomics
Ease of use
Price
Lens & accessory selection

A bit heavy

I bought this camera about 2 months ago. It is my first DSLR, though I did have an older Canon EOS film camera before. I just bought the body alone since I already had a couple of lenses and didn't want to spend the extra money on a kit lens. I was also able to get a decent rebate at the time of purchase, along with a Canon printer. I'm very pleased with my camera. The ergonomics are very comfortable, the dials and such are easy to reach and handle. Image quality is only limited to my lenses, which is still very good. Even though the D50 is just around the corner, I have no regrets buying this camera. I feel it should last a long time, perhaps at least long enough to afford a full-frame some day. :D

Customer Service

Haven't had to ever use it.

Similar Products Used:

Canon EOS Elan IIe film camera

1) Very good low light/high iso speed capability.

2) Overall solid feel - quality made.

3) Wide range of lenses to choose from.

4) Good handling and weight for a DSLR.

5) Excellent image quality (with good lenses).

1) Colors thrown off in indoor lighting with no flash using "auto" white balance.

2) Fiddly on/off switch (too small).

3) Kit lens (28-135 IS) is not quite good enough to resolve details from the sensor.

4) "Live view" mode too hard to use/access and not practical.

A short review for me, but jotting down some notes since I've now been using the 40D for a little while...

I don't upgrade model after model like some, so while some folks might miss out on a tweak made from one model to the next, I was still using a 10D when I bought my 40D, missing two in the series. So I noticed the modifications to the body more. I'm going to be honest and say that I do not think the 40D is built as "tank-like" as the 10D was. It's certainly well made, and better made than the Canon Rebel series of course, but there is a certain amount of cost-cutting in order to meet todays price points I think, and when you hold a 10D and then pick up a 40D, you can feel it.

The body is still a composite alloy and sturdy, but perhaps a bit thinner than in the 10D days. Also, the on/off switch to me, feels much more fiddly (and small) than on the 10D - but similar to newer versions of this camera. The other controls are laid out in Canon tradition and feel right for this price of camera, except for the always cheesy feeling memory card door.

Image quality with good lenses is excellent. Many stores bundle this camera with Canon's 28-135 I.S. lens, and while that lens did a good job on past, lower resolution models, I think when you place it on the 40D's 10 megapixel body, it does start to show it's limitations. It's not a "bad" lens, but it doesn't resolve as much detail as the 10MP chip is putting out. You're only paying $200 roughly for it when bought in the bundle (it retails for around $429.00), so it's not a bad deal as a general lens to use, but if you want the most you can get out of your images, it will be good to invest in a higher quality lens.

The 40D is being bought by everyone from everyday folks who want a "very nice" camera, to pros who use it as a backup body, and those in-between. With the recent announcement of the 50D, prices on the 40D will drop even further, making it an even better deal. Recommended.

Customer Service

Canon is quick to answer the phone and generally their people are very knowledgeable (and speak English!). But I did have to send one Canon point-and-shoot back for repair and they shipped it to the incorrect address once finished, even though a typed letter in the box explained not to send it to that address.

Now, I'm not sure if the DSLR repair department is separate from the point-and-shoot department, but I do respect a company more if they honor instructions you include with the item being repaired.

Other than that, however, I've not had to send anything in for repair to compared the hit-to-miss ratio.

Similar Products Used:

Canon 10D / Rebel XT, Nikon D40, Sony R1

One of Canon's best. The buffer and burst rate accommodate the Digic III processor beautifully. The camera I used prior to purchasing the 40d was Canon's 1D Mark II. I have not had the necessity to use my 1D but once since purchasing my 40d. With Canon's L lenses, USM in AI Servo focusing mode, there is nothing I can't do with this camera. All Canon needs to add is the availability of a full frame sensor.

Customer Service

Canon has provided the best service I have ever known to exist... When I call, I make my selections, and am talking to a rep before I hear any sort of hold dialogue and/or music.

Nikon ain't got nuthin' on them.

Not too heavy nor too light. Good grip and excellent feel. Great images and fast processing power. Lots of options and features.

Doesn't have a full bodied sensor. No vertical hand grip.

Great camera! I love the easy to use features and the menus are very easy to navigate.
The grip is good, not to heavy nor to light so as to make minute handling a problem.
Used with a good lens this camera can create great pictures and for the price unbeatable deal!

All the buttons are easy to reach while holding the camera and looking through the view finder. Almost all key functions have dedicated buttons or are the secondary feature of the button (activated by pushing the button twice).

Customer Service

Great bought it from B&H.

Availability of equipment for the Canon system
Build Quality
AF performance
Image quality
price - this is just about the cheapest high end amateur - mid level pro camera, in Australia at least

LCD resolution
Live View
Hype - yes it is a Canon, but don't just buy it because it is a Canon!

I have just finished a full weekend evaluating this camera as a future replacement to my Sony A100 (the other camera on the Cards is the Sony A700). It was an interesting weekend, looking at the differences between the 2 systems. In total, I took nearly 1000 frames over the period to get a good feel on what it can do.

The first thing that I have noticed with this camera is the Auto Focus. Its fast & accurate most of the time. The only real problems I had was with a runner running straight at me in changing light (full sun to shadows), but from anything that wasn't front on, it performed unbelievably. It certainly lived up to the hype.

The other thing I noticed about it was the weight. It surely is a heafty camera, but I put this down to the build quality. I'm not sure whether this is overkill or not. While there is a perception that Metal is better for an outer casing, I am not sure whether it is really necessary. I like the idea of the Magnesum chassis, coupled with an engineering plastic body, such as the A700. The lens that I used the most on the camera was a Sigma 70-200 f2.8, this coupled with the battery grip made it a very heavy combo, especially when panning motor sport. Once I lost the battery Grip, I found it far more managable, but I have never been one for battery grips.

6.5 FPS is unreal, but by the end of the day, I actually turned it off. I found it far to easy to rattle off a barrage of shots without really intending to. (I tend to find myself as a shoot, re-compose, shoot, re-compose photographer when doing motor sports).

Image quality was as good as I would expect. I found that the 40D over exposed by about 1 stop, compared to my Sony A100. Not a real big deal when you look at it, especially when most of my images are post processed. Exposures/metering I found to be consistant as you would expect for a camera of this level.

Now, my gripes. Firstly, screen resolution on the LCD. I must admit that I am a bit spoilt by the Sony. WIth the Sony, I could readily zoom in on an image to check detail & to ensure that I am getting the required effect. With the Canon, the LCD was really only good for checking composition. I would expect more from a higher level camera. Secondly, I found the menus & buttons clunky & at times a little hard to work around. I think, in fairness to this camera, this is more of a user adaption thing then a camera thing. Finally, Live view. Seriously, who uses this on this camera. I have never seen anything as clunky as the live view application as what I have seen here. I dont know whether its the lack of AF in LV or the delay when you do press the button, but I think other manufacturors have done this a lot better. I can see that it would be OK doing MF macro, but thats lower on my list of priorities. I would nearly prefer that Live view wasn't an option if its applied this way!

All in all, I enjoyed my time with the Camera, but saying that, I dont think its any better then other Camera's in its category. With that in mind, its not enough to convince me to change brands. I think, though, this camera would suit someone who wants more out of their Canon equipment, especially those who shoot sports & action

Customer Service

N/A

Similar Products Used:

Sony A100
Minolta 7000i 35mm SLR
Minolta 303si 35mm SLR

Build quality, ergonomics, improved performance over the previous version, weatherproofing, larger LCD display, great ISO range before images begin deteriorating, kit lens combo is a real bargain!!!

Weatherproofing entire camera body, LCD protective cover as on NikonD300,
placement of ON/OFF switch.

This camera just feels right!!! The controls are in the right locations (with the exception of the on/off switch). The magnesium alloy body is rock solid leaving you with the reassurance that this bad boy can take a licking. I found the menus quite easy to follow & intuitive. Despite its weight, the camera is well balanced... even with a lens attached. Picture quality is top notch. Even though it only utilizes a 10.1 megapixel C-MOS sensor, it does so with improvements in the microlens design of the sensor & a better processing engine( Digic lll) for improved images & performance... not to mention 14-bit processing. The addition of dust removal is a welcome addition & should prove worthy. Although Canon claims weatherproofing, it is limited to specific areas of the camera & not throughout the camera body as the Nikon D300. But it's also $500 to $600 less than the Nikon!!! That's the price of an additional lens. Its shutter has also been upgraded to pro levels with a durability rating of 100,000 cycles... not bad. Additionally, the mirror mechanism has been improved with the elimination of the spring mechanism, replaced by a "servo" motor making it much quieter. Despite the fact that I prefer landscape photography, it is comforting to know this camera has the capability to shoot at a phenomenal 6.5 frames per second! At this price point it beats out many, if not all, competitors. Overall, the shutter sound has become more subdued & just sounds "professional". The pentaprism is gorgeous... very bright, giving you the added capability to focus with very little, if any, difficulty. Some people have complained about the positioning of the DOF preview button. They keep insisting it belongs on the right side of the lens. Personally, I like it just where it is. My left index finger falls right where the button is... for me it's "right on". I'm not into "Live View" & don't use it, so I'll reserve judgment on this. But I can say that the new 3" LCD screen is extremely bright & allows for an improved menu. Despite the lower resolution compared to the Nikon D300, I found it to be quite satisfactory in reviewing images & reading the menu. The increase in size, for me anyway, was more important than greater resolution(which is a fine 230,000 pixels). I also added the optional "Battery/Portrait Grip" and found, despite the additional weight gain, it actually made shooting more comfortable. It added more surface area which in turn translated into more grip options for shooting & still felt well balanced. Oh, let's not forget the added benefit of being able to swap out the "proprietary" batteries for "AA" batteries(an adapter that comes with the grip allows this added functionality). Remember, you can almost always find "AA" batteries just about anywhere. This can come in handy should you ever have the immediate need for "juice" in the event you suddenly run of power & have no back-ups or an outlet for re-charging!!! Personally, I like some weight to my gear... it just feels more robust & I don't mind the extra weight. I also found the "rubbery" feel added to the surface area of the camera body & the inclusion of an indent for my right index finger, made holding it a pleasure. The only problems I found were the location of the ON/OFF switch & lack of a protective cover for the LCD screen(something along the lines of what Nikon has for it's LCD screens. Perhaps Canon can take this suggestion to heart & develop a cover that "snaps" on over the screen. Nikon claims to use "tempered" glass for the LCD screen on the D300... that would have been nice on this camera, but, again, there is the issue of a $500 to $600 difference in price. Bottom line: If you're looking for great value in a "prosumer" level camera, this is it. It's a lot of "Bang" for your Buck" & should give you years of reliable service & the versatility to take awesome pictures.

Customer Service

Haven't needed customer service so far.

Similar Products Used:

None

-DURABLE build quality. This thing made it through two mosh pits, a crowd surfer and a swarm of other photographers pushing and shoving and never batted an eye.
-Low digital noise in mid range ISO's, tolerable in higher ISO's.
-Live View comes in handy sometimes.
-Very good battery life. Still carry an extra, but be assured you will get LOTS of photos!
-Comes with decent software.
-Fantastic menu is easy to use and intuitive.
-Customizable like no other! You can customize and save settings to your hearts content.
-Beautiful, well made piece of machinery :)
-Camera will warn you with a message on the LCD screen if you try to open the CF compartment while it's writing. GO UPGRADES!!
-Relatively good instruction manual. I don't normally read the things, but this one was actually pleasant and informative.

-AF with Live View must be activated with a button. Kind of a pain.
-Great build quality = HEAVY camera, especially with good lenses attached. INVEST IN A GOOD, PADDED NON-SLIP STRAP and don't carry it around your neck; shoulder this bad boy!!
-Maybe too many features for a casual user not interested in learning, otherwise sort of overkill to shoot on Auto mode *though it does this beautifully!*.

I have had the camera since about the sixth of September and haven't put it down since. It's mainly used for people photographs of all kinds, but has been used to shoot star trails, wildlife, sports events; even a two day hard rock music festival. Kit with 28-135 IS USM lens is a great value!

I would ( and do! ) recommend this camera to anyone who wants a well built, solid camera that can be used every day; avid photo takers who don't want to 'outgrow' their equipment; people like me who are ALMOST pro and are looking for a great upgrade from existing equipment.

Be warned, however, that this is a solid camera, and is heavier and larger than the Rebel series. You will need a comfortable case (I use the canon backpack) if you will be hauling it and a lot of accy's, lenses and flashes around. This is NOT for people who want a small, lightweight camera.

Customer Service

I have had canon products for about three years now and their customer service is always amazing.

Best Buy service plans are amazing.

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-Canon EOS 30d
-Canon EOS Rebel XT
-Canon EOS Rebel XTi
-Nikon D80

*3 or 6.5 fps

*up to iso 3200

*low noise up to iso 1600

*excellent image quality

*auto foucus handles well in low light

*superb battery life

*fast processor allows for fast image scrolling

*solid construction

*ergononics

For my usage and expectations, none come to mind thus far.

While it's only the second dslr I've owned, and even though I've only had it for a month, It's already earning it's money back, and the learning curve isn't all that steep.

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Canon EOS Xti

Solid, great pictures: colours, little noise at iso 800 -1600. Fast and intuitive operating even without reading the manual ! For me the perfect camera.

Not yet experienced

I own this camera for 2 months now with a EF-s 17-85 USM and a EF 70-300 USM Lens.(KIT). Before that I had a AT -1 analog canon for 25 Years and a nikonos underwater camara. These old camera's had one great aspect: solidity. In never had a problem in all these years.
The Canon 40d has that oldfashioned 'feel'. I used the 400d for some time and the pictures were great, even with a kit lens. But the camara didn't feel solid: too small for me and plastic touch.

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canon 400D