Canon EOS 40D Review

The Canon EOS 40D is a new mid-range digital SLR camera aimed firmly at the keen enthusiast photographer. Successor to the 18-month old 30D model, the Canon 40D offers a large number of significant features that make it an enticing proposition for both current 30D owners and those interested in a more advanced DSLR. There’s a 10.1 megapixel CMOS sensor, 6.5fps continuous shooting mode for up to 75 large JPEG or 17 RAW images , large 3 inch LCD screen complete with Live View mode for framing your image from the LCD, and Canon’s Integrated Cleaning System (inherited from the entry-level EOS 400D camera). Auto-focusing has been improved on the EOS 40D, with 9 wide-area cross type points, the DIGIC III engine processes images at 14 bits for more accurate colour, and there’s an upgraded magnesium alloy body complete with environmental seals. Announced just over a month ago, today we bring you one of the first in-depth reviews of the Canon EOS 40D.

Website: Canon EOS 40D Review

Published: Monday, September 24, 2007

Reader Comments

1. Thanks for the review. However I'm surprised you believe the 40D is no better than the 400D. It's got improved sensor design, 14bit processing for improved tonal gradation, better ergonomics (for most people), live view with live histogram plus ability to have all the live view features on the lcd screen or on a separate computer (set up, focus finely and take the photo without touching the camera). To my mind and those of many others, it's a significant step up from previous models in the series and not only allows one to take more better photos, but vastly expands the range of situations in which one can take a successful photo. The only reason there is not even more hype is because of the announced but yet to be released Nikon offerings, which have some added features yet not all the enhancements of the 40D.

   Mim at 10:37am on Saturday, September 22, 2007

2. Fine review, however re the noise pics, I'm not sure why you chose to use a shot/crop of an image with such fine/busy detail!? This is worthless for noise tests. Try taking a shot of something that should NOT have 'detail' such as a solid colour, blue sky or even better a test pattern like the Noise Ninja uses.
   See here;
   
   http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1019&message=24932945
   
   Brian

   BrianS at 07:22am on Sunday, September 23, 2007

3. Would be better if the reviewer understood what this camera was about. Clearly he is enamoured with the much lesser 400D. Too bad. Instead of making riddiculous comparisons to the 400D, he should have focused on Live View, larger LCD, faster focusing and better accuracy.
   
   I would give this review a 5/10

   A DSLR user at 01:33pm on Sunday, September 23, 2007

4. I am wondering what lens you used for the review.
   
   Would you please tell us about it?
   
   I use my 17-55IS mostly , EF85f1.8 and EF70-300DO IS mostly on my 30D and wondering if you used a prime or a zoom in the review.

   Derek at 05:48pm on Sunday, September 23, 2007

5. I have had my new 40D for a little over week now and it's a vast improvement on the 10D that I have been using since that came out. Very easy to use and the new menu system is very easy to follow. Autofocus is consderably better/faster. The larger colour LCD on hte back is easy to see even in fairly bright conditions. All in all I think the change for me was well worht the money.

   Barry at 10:33pm on Sunday, September 23, 2007

6. Sorry guys! You should hire some professional for DSLR reviews. It's the third time at least I see a DSLR review in which you state the camera handles the chromatic aberration good or bad without mentioning the lens! This is not a fixed lens point and shoot your "reviewer" is used to!
   
   The credibility of such a review is 0 and unfortunately it is bad marketing for your website ...
   
   Cheers!

   Adrian at 07:39am on Monday, September 24, 2007

7. Derek, the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 and EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lenses were used for the review.

   Mark Goldstein at 09:17am on Monday, September 24, 2007

8. Adrian, a copywriting omission on our part (forgot to add in "18-55mm kit lens" into that section) which has been corrected now...

   Mark Goldstein at 09:33am on Monday, September 24, 2007

9. I have just bought this camera and it's the best thing i've bought this year - love the speed and quality.
   
   http://quotationjunction.com/quotes/wedding-photography.html

   Ben Flux at 02:45pm on Monday, September 24, 2007

10. Actually, one of the strong points of the 40D is the availability of the high ISO NR (noise reduction) function, which is a convenience to have when shooting high ISO JPEGs and not wanting to perform subsequent chroma NR in post-processing later.
    
    A Canon 40D owner demonstrates this with two ISO 1600 shots taken at the Monterey Aquarium ... details at http://canon40d.dpnotes.com/canon-40d-iso-1600-photos-see-and-believe/

    David Chin at 04:25pm on Monday, September 24, 2007

11. I don't think the reviewer really understands the benefits of 14-bit data, live view, or the possibilities of HDR with 6.5 fps. Looks like another point-and-shoot guru that bases reviews on megapixel counts.
    Reader beware.

    Alan Cox at 05:13pm on Monday, September 24, 2007

12. Ok , thanks then you should have used a better lens for review such as the Ef-S17-55IS or EF17-40L.
    
    But I think the 40D is a good camera small version of the 1D3 , which I can not afford to get , but I am thnking of geting a 5D mark2 instead.
    
    Thanks for your time .

    Derek at 06:05pm on Thursday, September 27, 2007

13. Just bought a Canon EOS 40D from SomersetCameras.co.uk and I must say I'm really really impressed. I did have a EOS 20D before and wanted the 5D but due to budget constraints went for the 40D instead.
    
    It is a fantastically good value camera, (only paid £746.00 body only) great handling as usual with any Canon, love the larger LCD and bright viewfinder. Canon have pulled out another blinder with this camera!

    Tim at 10:24am on Tuesday, October 23, 2007

14. Good that you found the auto white balance is OK even in artificial light. I am no expert, but for balance another review had a major gripe with the 40D on its auto white balance in incandescent (tungsten) light (almost the only negative they found, mind you). Quote: "It's getting a bit old to say this in every Canon SLR review but the facts are pretty obvious, the EOS 40D doesn't do automatic white balance in artificial light, full stop." You can see the sample shots used to illustrate this at http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos40d/page21.asp
    
    Artificial light White Balance
    It's getting a bit old to say this in every Canon SLR review but the facts are pretty obvious, the EOS 40D doesn't do automatic white balance in artificial light, full stop.

    John L at 01:07pm on Friday, December 28, 2007

15. (Sorry, slipped up and included that quote twice in the previous posting)

    John L at 02:06pm on Friday, December 28, 2007

16. Interesting review I think but a little biased.....
    
    Rod

    Rod Pascoe at 12:02pm on Thursday, January 03, 2008

17. this site can suck my cunt hole

    whore at 11:50pm on Saturday, February 02, 2008