Image quality is really all that matters to me. However, the cam is an amazingly good, all-around performer.

TOO MANY GIZMOS!

I had a 20D. The grainy viewfinder and the overall lack of polish made it a cam I would trade off, as soon as the next model came out. I had a 30D. It was a refined 20D - and nothing more. Not a keeper. An interim step.

The 40D, my friends, is NOT an improved 20/30D. It is a totally new machine. New sensor, new imaging chip and a greatly updated / upgraded functionality. I have been doing digital a long time, it seems, waiting for a camera that actually produces good images. I will use the 40D until it drops, or I do ,)

I'm not a gadget freak. I'm not a techno-junkie. I think that many of the so-called features present, not only on the 40D but all of today's techno-dream cams are things that can, and often do get in the way of taking good pictures. Take, as an example, the "AF ASSIST" from the flash. The cam works just fine without it. If used it will cause the cam to balk, as the flash recharges. You have to find the custom setting and turn the d*** thing off.

All of these cams are quite prone to do things... like, for example, I changed the ISO and hit something, unintentionally. Next thing I knew the cam was shooting 3 images before I could back off the shutter! Disconcerting... If you buy this cam plan for things like that to happen. 'Cause they will. You will get run over by the "features" until you learn the cam.

I shot over 100 pics in P mode at the covered bridge festival. Just gave the cam its head - auto-focus and all. The thing does an amazing job - even to the point of blurring the background when that is an option. The images from this cam require less than half the time in post!

I put it on a tripod and shot Pittsburgh (downtown) at night. Not at dusk - AT NIGHT. 13-shot panorama. 30 second exposures. Flawless. AWESOME. Never thought I would see that, from a digital! Shot a wedding. Aside from the aforementioned "feature shock" from the flash, well, those are some of the best images I have produced, to date. FAR BETTER than film!

In conclusion, this is the digital cam I have been waiting all these years to buy. It has the picture quality I need and the performance I want. It can bring the shooting to a screeching halt until I figure out what I touched, by accident, as well.

digic-III
ai-servo works!
high sensitivity of AF even on extereme focusing points
14-bit
live view
3" LCD
better layout of of top buttons
better display of data on LCD
tone priority
auto-iso
short shutter lag and blackout
17 raw files, 75 or more jpgs shooting capacity
6.5fps
sRAW
iso displayed on viewfinder
good battery life
3 custom presets
quiet shutter sound
ability to add wireless grip
better menu navigation a la 1D.
if you open the CF door and it is still writing, it warns you.

no AF in liveview, but then again, contrast detection AF would also be slow to AF.
LCD should be higher resolution so when you zoom in the image won't be fuzzy
expensive wireless option (U$800)
LCD we had had a magenta cast on display
I like the orange top LCD light than the weak flashlight-like light of the 40d which is weak and lame.

Maybe they should have more AF points in the future.

I call the 40d as the Baby 1D mk-III or the 1D mk-III JR. Because it is. Except for the 45 focusing points, 10fps, better weather sealing, etc, the 40d, at 1/4 the cost is the better deal if you don't need a 1D's advanced pro features.

HANDLING
It is a cross between the 400d (w/c has a bad narrow grip) and the 20d grip. It is chunky but not too much and the fingers is deep holding the grip without strain. Though the body is slightly larger than my 20d, it feels good and positive. It is solid.

AF

AF is amazing. It is fast. All focusing points work well. My 20d basically is dumb at the outer focusing pt. The 40d works well even in dim light, even on the outer focusing point! And the ai-servo is no longer lip service as in the 20d/30d. It can track subjects even if they are moving fast towards you! The shutter lag is also short, rivaling the 1d mk2 at 59msec (the 1d is 55msec). So, the response is really fast, nippy and sure.

I tried shooting cars coming to me at 30-40kph and it did not lose track of them!


IQ/performance/exposure, etc

Basically, the noise in the 40d is almost the same as the 20d/30d even if you add 2mp to it. the new and better microlenses seem to work for this camera. If IQ is only the thing, it would not matter if you got a 20d/30d or a 40d. I didn't see any improvement due to the 14bit, but maybe I should try shooting raw and experimenting to see if that helps.

The tone priority helps btw in preserving the highlights. You do lose iso 3200, though. But I hardly use that anyway, so it's ok. I notice that the image seems not to preserve the scene better than the 20d in extreme situations. Otherwise, they are the same.

What I like

I like the layout of the LCD. It's not because it is 3". It's because it is not cluttered. The simple screen shows the exposure data on top while the image is seen well. Push some buttons and you see the histogram and even the rgb histogram is large and easily seen.

They have even re-arranged the position of the ISO button on top. It is now more accessible.

The shutter sound is also muffled. It's not as quiet as the 300d or 10d, but it is no longer as scandalous as the 20d! That's good. And if you use some functions and liveview, you can still lower the sound more as the curtains are already open. To a degree the need for a MLU is a bit moot with the liveview.

And the liveview will be loved by birders and macro shooters. Why? Because you can see in 5x or 10x magnification where you are focused! No more hit and miss or shoot then review. If it were macro, yes, the shoot and review then adjust cycle would do. But birding, well, you can't tell the bird not to move or fly away, so liveview, together with manual focusing lets you focus more accurately.

I also like the fast shutter response, the fast AF, and the ability to lock focus in very dim light using the outer focusing point! The 20d is basically of no use with this.

I still haven't programmed any of the custom functions, but I know that it will come in handy.

Oh, the menu layout is nicer too. You don't have to move up to the top tab to be able to move to the next tab stop. they move independently now like the 1D series.


What I don't like

I don't like the low rez LCD. They should have made that with more pixels so that when you zoom your image don't become fuzzy. I think they will definitely will do this on the next release.

I also don't like the top LCD light. It looks like a cheap bulb was used.

I don't lke the expensive wi-fi grip (U$800). I hope they make that new SD wifi card with a CF too so we can do wi-fi.

Conclusion
The 40d, even with the d300 looming is a major upgrade. A worthy upgrade. The small incremental things pile up and the overall experience of all these small things gives you confidence. It is not just a cosmetic upgrade. You do see the results. And in tough situations, the 40d will be better than the 20d.

If one has a 20d/30d would it be a worthy upgrade?

Yes and no. If you are a beginner, a 20d/30d would still be a good camera for you. There is no need to get this model. the 20d/30d is more than enough for you.And will serve you well (5fps, 27 or so jpg shots).

But if you are an advanced user like me, you will find that the response, AF speed, etc is utilized. My 20d is really slow and struggling in low light. The outer AF points are inutile, whereas, the 40Ds are simply fast and sure.

If you are a birder, or do lots of macro shots, you will thank the liveview. But if you are not, it's nice to have if only to be able to shoot low or a bit higher without going into awkward body contortions. I wish the LCD was articulating though like the Olympus.

In short, the 40d is a gem of a camera. It may not be as feature laden as the d300, but at U$1,300 and maybe U$1,200 after 6 months, it's a heck of a camera! Very little you can fault it with and those you can find, are not deal breakers. I may have forgotten a lot of other things to mention because overall, the camera is really a big leap from the old (the 30d wasn't an upgrade really).

The 20d was the first affordable dslr that provided the basics and more for dslr photography. The 20d was the mature xxD series model, as the 400d was for the xxD series. But the 40d is the first one to knock into the 1d class in overall performance for its price. Yes, it doesn't have the weather sealing and other nifty features, but even for an advanced amateur, the 40d is MORE of what is normally needed for sports/action/bird photography. Surely it is much, much more if general photography is the concern.

We can have the a 60d in the future, but the 20d will do well still for most applications. But the 40d would not choke where the 20d does (low light focusing on extreme focusing points, fast AF, ai-servo that works, etc).

I highly recommend the 40d.

Customer Service

standard service with warranty

Similar Products Used:

20d
300d
400d
1d mk2N

Build, Custom Functions, ISO increments, Speed, autofocus and frames per second. Live preview, handy when trying to shoot IR. Canon quality.

NONE

Very nice camera. I had a 20D before and loved it too. Is it a big step up from the 20D? That is for you to decide. I like the bigger LCD for these old eyes. And the gain in image size helps a little in crop factor. It feels a little more solid in build but that could be the new feel. I think the best new feature (at least to me) is the Custom menu you can create for yourself, with the items you use most. I loved the 20D and think it is still a quantium leap in DSLR cameras. The noise at high ISO is about the same as the 20D. And I don't know if there is much difference between 8 and 10 mpxls. All in all I have to say it kept all the good features of the 20D and added a few improvements. Also worth noting I can shoot IR withe the live preview and get some decient shots, something I couldn't do with the 20D. Is it worth upgrading? Gee I don't know. Should you wait for the 50D? Or what ever is next. CAn you go wring by purchasing this camera? NO Do you need to upgrade from the 20D no. Should you upgrade from the 10D? Absoletly!!!!!

Similar Products Used:

Canon 20D

Very long battery life
Strong body
Very light and fast
Large Bright LCD

Poor focusing control
When using "live view" the camera will not auto focus

I picked up the 40D and just fell in love , I love the 6.5 FPS and the 3Inch LCD, OUTSTANDING! Same good ole magnesium body and i like the finger rest very comfortable. The live view is also good for those "above you head" shots.
Digic III image quailty looks great

Similar Products Used:

Canon 5D
Canon 30D
Canon 20D
Canon 10D
Reble XTI
Reble XT

Great size
Improved AF
New DIGIC III sensor
New self cleaning sensor
3" LCD
Live View
6.5 FPS
10.1 MP

Not weather sealed like 1D bodies
Max sync speed 1/250

This camera body is very similar in build and size as my old beloved 30D. It's much smaller than my 1DMKIIN. The camera sports a new Digic III sensor, 6.5 frames per second, 3" LCD, Live View, and great auto focus system. The camera still uses BP-511 type batteries and CF type cards.

Customer Service

Great! Luckily I haven't really had to use them, but by telephone they are more than willing to assist and will bend over backward to make you happy. Sure they may charge moey for repairs, but they go above and beyond in repair.

Similar Products Used:

Canon 30D
Canon 1DMKII
Canon 1DMKIIN

Very Usable Features. Waterproof and dust sealing where it is needed.
Brighter view in the viewfinder. Live view. Sensor cleaner is a must and if
it is not enough, Canon has included a built in software for dust removal in
the pix. 12 bit to 14 bit processing. Bigger LCD screen. Superior output of
the DIGIC processor which is noise-free even in higher ISO's. Fairly priced
without any compromise to quality (Made in Japan). Canon after-sales service
in the Philippines is superb and includes expertise in fixing and re-alligning of
the Canon lenses. No other Camera brand can boast of such a world class
service. To me this is the most important of all considerations.

None so far.

I have several DSLR cameras including the 350D, 400D, 30D, 5D and the 40D and I also bought a Nikon D200 but have used Tokina and Tamron lenses. When it comes to outdoor photography the Nikon is at par but once the ISO breaks the 400 mark, the distinct quality of the Canon cameras dominate in low light and indoor sports photography. Noise has been an issue with other brands and it seems that only Canon has come out with the winning formula in sensor design resulting in superior photos in all lighting conditions. The Canon 40D for example is very subtle in it's evolution from the 30D. It does not boast of so many features like the coming Nikon D300 but is subtle in it's practicality. It has come out only with usable features which a photographer needs and depends on and in the end it is the output which is more important than all the features. After all, a camera is made to produce art and should be discriminate in choosing the right gadgetry most especially in this new age of gizmos and gimmicks. Ergonomically, the 40D is reaching the design curve of the 5D with finger rests below the shutter. The only redundant feature is of the miniature joystick and wheel which duplicates the vertical scrolling through the menus as if undecided which will best serve the user and in the end Canon just included any and all scrolling features just to satisfy one and all. The 3 inch LCD is a welcome enhancement even though it caused the buttons on the left to be transferred below the screen. It is a tad more difficult to use but with a battery grip it becomes tolerable. The flash shoes is now stainless and chrome finished as compared to the black anodized finish of the 30D which scratches and wears off through use. The menu is similar to the 1D which uses page by page organization and is easier to access. The live view mode has given the sports photographer a chance to test the waters before the subjects come into view and to me is the most significant addition that Canon brought to the EOS line. More importantly, Canon has lowered the introductory price. I paid a full $200 more for my 30D body and for the low price you get a camera which is still "Made in Japan". I hope you follow my advise and go get your 40D Canon before the prices increase. I can guarantee you that you won't be sorry!

Customer Service

The Canon Customer service is superior because it is complete. From warranty repairs to Canon lense repair and re-alligning and cleaning.

Similar Products Used:

Canon G2, Canon EOS 1V, Canon 350D, 400D, 30D, 5D, 40D, Contax G2 Rangefinder,
Panasonic LC1, LX2, FZ50, Canon 900Ti, Nikon D200

1) AF system has improved dramatically. This is in comparision with 10D, 30D and 5D.
The 5D is great but hesitate occasionally in low light. 40D goes bang bang bang.
Doesn't even back track.

2)Great handling and grip.

3) Much quiter shutter compared to 30D but 5D is better. Best shutter sound comes from the venerable 10D.....EOS 10D remains on the throne.

4)ISO in viewfinder is wonderful. Something i have been hankering for a long time.
You can swith ISO with your forefinger without taking your eye from viewfinder.
They re-map the buttons for this,,,,well done Canon.

5)LIve view is great and easy to use. Manual AF with Live View is a breeze.
EXCEPT that the image blacks out when shuttering.........you can't use it to pan shots.

1) Extra megapixel gain at the expense of higher ISO noise. The 30D has lower noise at ISO 3200.

2) Vertical grip comes without the AFON button. If you have it set, then when you go vertical you cant AF..........d**n stupid design from Canon

3)Weather proof or whatever Canon calls it, is a scam. Just a couple of foam on battery door. Doesnt do much since the other parts arent covered in any way.
What were they thinking ..............?

I will go strainght into the camera main point.
Great camera for all. Unless you just bought the 30D or if you are a Nikon user.
Nikon users have great things in store for them in the way or D300 ( yummy )

The camera's AF is incredible and quiet shutter is simply what the markets needs.

Incredible price for what it offers. I cant think of what else to improve for this kinda of price. Thats SDG 1600

Similar Products Used:

Canon 10D
Canon 5D
Canon 30D

better IQ and better shadow noise plus higher resolution

Better all around feel than my 30D, nice viewfinder with more usable features, new menu system is great and easy to get used to, the "my menu" feature is fantastic. Takes great photos when used with good glass and you shoot in RAW, it does give much better out of camera jpg's than the 30D when you set the picture styles.
see some samples here. http://photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=728248

Customer Service

n/a

Similar Products Used:

30d, 20D

EOS 40D has a sturdy solid chassis.

The camera has all the creative modes I am familiar to on my film camera so the learning curve was pretty minimal. With a bit of computer knowledge you should be up and running in an hour or so. If you are an imaging geek your image previews on the EOS 40D panel can also be viewed alongside histograms.

I had a good play with the exposure modes, the shutter speeds and apertures and was pretty convinced I had not taken the wrong decision.

Overall I am very impressed with the performance of the 40D. The image clarity is crisp and the colors are vivid and punchy. It reacts well with all my legacy lenses and accessories. I can hardly tell the difference between my film and digital cameras when it comes to data acquisition speeds. The advantage here being, I can see my results instantaneously rather than wait days for the processing lab to come up with the bad news.

Some features I have still not tried are the bulb mode and low light photography but I don’t think I will be in for any disappointments.

It is heavier and slightly larger in size than my EOS 30. Unless you have good muscles a tripod will prove handy especially when you have heavy lens and a Speedlite flash attached to it.

EOS 40D comes with a host of Canon imaging software’s and essential utilities to drive the camera from your computer. The imaging software has some basic image manipulation features sufficient enough for a person (like me), who prefers doing photography tricks on my camera rather than using an imaging tool. However I would recommend either downloading a decent freeware imaging tool like Gimp or purchase something like Adobe Photoshop.

I was surprised that the EOS 40D does not have the ‘eye control’ feature I have been so used to on my EOS 30. I wonder why this was left out. Please explain!!!

I have been using Canon film cameras for a while now. My last best SLR film camera was the marvelous EOS 30.

My first experience with digital photography was in 2000 using 12-bit CCD cameras for a medical imaging project. I kept myself at arms length from CMOS technology due to the scary stories I heard on time lags and poor image quality from industry experts.

I took a sigh of relief when EOS 30D came into market a couple of years ago. By this time I had gathered enough cash (and confidence) to buy one. I became a proud owner of a new sparkling 40D the week it was announced in Australia.

This review is based on my experiences with EOS 30 against my newly acquired EOS 40D.

Couple of myths and facts for people moving from good old film technology to digital SLRs –

1. The lenses you had purchased for your EOS film cameras will work with the new technology too.
2. Sandisk has introduced a new Extreme IV compact flash card. Stick to new technology despite salespeople coaxing you to go for the Extreme III’s. Remember salespeople are instructed by management to clear old stock. But at least a 2GB card if you have a tight budget.
3. It’s good to buy a spare battery. Canon or Inca, doesn’t matter as long as you have bought it from a reputed store. You will also save a couple of hundred dollars on a battery pack.
4. Buy a CF USB flash adapter, its handy especially if you want to conserve your camera battery and use the CF card directly through your computer.
5. Look for the best price on the internet and talk to your local camera store for a price match. I have found this trick works in your favor as you have the security of talking to a physical entity rather than dealing with a website.
6. For a piece of mind its worth taking an extended warranty even though I have found Canon products are pretty reliable.
7. Some reputed stores have promotional giveaways like 50 first free prints when you purchase from them.

Similar Products Used:

EOS 30
EOS 30D

Great aufocus
Great image quality
Easy to use
Great 3 inch LCD screen
Takes great pictures in low light
Good results for me taking pictures of moving subjects
Fast burst speed and hugh buffer
great low noise High iso shots
some auto iso capability
iso displayed in viewfinder
more custom functions and ability to setup specific settigns for mirror lockkup or tripod work and other setting you use most often

Some software like Photoshop CS 3 and Adobe Lightroom don't support 40 D raw images yet

Excellent image quality
Great 3 inch LCD screen
Easy to use with My Menu, 3 Custom Setting on main dial, and Picture styles with software to create new picture styles

I shoot sports, kids, landscapes. one passion I have is flying a paraglider. I love to shoot pictures while paragliding at speeds of 25-50 km per hour at altitudes from 100 to 4000 plus feet over the ground. I also shoot pictures of other paragliders as they fly towards me at similar speeds. I was frustrated with Canon 400 XTi 's abilty to focus while I am flying. I have 50 mm 1.8 lens and 70-300 IS and 17-85 IS lenses. The 40d has so much capability that I am upgrading to 24-105 F4 L IS zoom and 70-200 F IS zoom and extender 1.4 L II and later to 10-22 or 16-35 wide zoom lens.

you can see some photos at http://www.ParaglideTandem.com or

http://paraglide.smugmug.com

or search paraglide tandem Seattle washington on Flickr or Google PIcassa web sites.


I am curious to see how this camera compres to more expensive Nikon d 300. Canon 40d seems like a great upgrade adn will help you get infected with the Canon L lens obsession once you see the great shots you can take. I look forwrd to future trips to Yosemite and Canadian Rockies to explore the possibilities of my new camera and lens. By more flash cards you will need them.

Customer Service

excellent

Similar Products Used:

Canon 20d canonDigital Rebel XTi