Digital Camera Reviews

New Canon EOS 40D

First sight to see, the Canon 40D consists mostly of incremental improvements, once again. The EOS 40D is not as groundbreaking as some would like, but it’s arguable that serious photographers don’t want to have to learn whole new ways using their main tools. It’s also important to note that Canon’s semi-pro SLRs, both the 20D and 30D, are much loved by their owners, producing excellent image quality despite the “mere” 8-megapixel sensor. The line in general has never been about sex-appeal, but about solid, reliableperformance. 
The Canon 40D also has an improved viewfinder, an enhanced Live View mode, better dust sealing, and the DIGIC III image processor that allows 14-bit analog to digital conversion for better color rendition. Canon’s improved upon the standard 9-point AF array on the EOS 40D by making all points Cross-type, which, combined with other improvements, results in a claimed 30% greater AF speed.

First thing to notice that the most remarkable difference is the large LCD screen on the back of the camera. The 3-inch of the screen hardly leaves any room for the operation buttons. The buttons that were found on the side before have now been moved to below the monitor except for the menu button that has been moved to the top of the camera. The prominent position of the Picture Styles button is remarkable. Canon obviously consider this a major setting. A newly added button is the AF-ON button top right from the thumb grip. It lets you manage the focus independently from the shutter release, which comes in very handy when shooting action pictures.

New Other additions on the Canon 40D include interchangeable focusing screens, a much-needed AF-ON button, the EOS Integrated Cleaning System for sensor dust reduction, and three new optional accessories: an IS version of the 18-55mm kit lens; a new backward-compatible, weather-sealed battery grip; and a new Wireless File Transmitter that will allow remote control of the camera as well as transmission of a Live View image from the camera to the computer.

New Canon  EOS 40D becomes the sixth Canon ‘prosumer’ digital SLR, a line which started back in 2000 with the EOS D30, and how far we’ve come. It’s been eighteen months since the EOS 30D and although on the surface the 40D looks like a fairly subtle upgrade there’s a lot that makes this an even better camera. Of course we expect a step up in megapixels, and so the 40D comes with a ten million pixel CMOS sensor with the same sort of dust reduction as the EOS 400D, an ultrasonic platform which shakes the low pass filter. Other improvements bring the EOS 40D closer into line with the EOS-1D series, these include a move to the same page-by-page menu system, both RAW and sRAW (2.5 MP), 14-bit A/D converter and 14-bit RAW, cross-type AF points for F5.6 or faster lenses, a larger and brighter viewfinder, interchangeable focusing screens, a larger LCD monitor (3.0″) and faster continuous shooting (6.5 fps).

Canon EOS 40D Review

Canon EOS 40D digital SLR camera
The seven models, from EOS D30 to the 40D, have changed drastically. The image sensor and processor took huge steps forwards and also the DSLR camera itself improved a lot. Can you still imagine how happy a 1.8-inch monitor on the back of a camera made you? The difference with today’s cameras is evident and the EOS 40D is a true example of where we stand now and how the technique has advanced. If there are still people who are not convinced of the fact that modern DSLR cameras exceed 35mm cameras, I suggest they work with the Canon EOS 40D for a while!

Canon 40D - White balance & Sharpening
The colour rendition of the Canon 40D convinces and I’d be splitting hairs if I tried to find a negative thing. If I have to mention one it would be the auto white balance that is too red in incandescent light. But shooting in RAW or creating your own white balance solves this problem. You could moan about the soft sharpening but you can use Picture Styles to improve it or you can change it afterwards through the software. All in all these are only small details and I wonder: ‘What more do we want on this field?’

Canon 40D Specifications:

* 10.1 Megapixel APS-C size CMOS sensor
* 6.5 fps and 75 large JPEG frame burst
* Integrated Cleaning System
* 3.0”, wide viewing angle LCD screen with live preview
* Picture Style image processing parameters
* Spot metering and High Precision 9-point AF system
* DIGIC III image processor with 0.15 sec start-up time
* Digital Photo Professional RAW processing software
* 100,000 cycle shutter durability and rugged magnesium alloy body