Canon EOS 40D

The new Canon EOS 40D has been out in the shops for a couple of months now and all seems well, whilst (as at Oct 2007) Canon have been recalling the unsold 1D Mark III's from all stores. It seems they have finally recognised the Autofocus issue and are prepared to do something about it.

Well, whereas the Canon EOS 30D wasn't enough of an upgrade from the hugely popular Canon EOS 20D for me to write about...the 40D appears to be an exceptional camera for the money and very closely related to the EOS 1D Mark III. It is an upgrade worthy of a mention.

I guess it could have people putting the kybosh on splashing out thousands of $$$'s more for the 1-series EOS when they can get most of the functionality from its smaller sibling.

Main Features of the Canon EOS 40D:

• APS-C CMOS 10.1 MP sensor
• 75 JPEG image burst at 6.5fps
• High precision, wide area AF
• 3.0" LCD with new Live View mode
• Canon DIGIC III processor
• New EOS Integrated Cleaning System
• Picture Styles
• Tougher Magnesium alloy body
• Compatible with EF/EF-S lenses and EX Speedlites

You can see the full spec sheet at Canon here - Canon EOS 40D Spec Sheet

The only differences between the 1D Mark III and the 40D on the surface are that the 40D has a slightly smaller sensor, slightly slower continuous mode, a slightly less durable body but a huge price difference.

Ok, deep down there is a lot more to it than that but you get the same megapixels, the same new live view 3.0" screen, the same Digic III processor, the same integrated cleaning system and picture styles menu. You also get all the same software and Wi-Fi capabilities...I am starting to wonder why I bought the 1D Mark III?

EOS 40D - $1,300, EOS 1D Mark III - $4,300...lighter on the wallet as well as the arms...Hrmph!

This is one camera I would have no problems in recommending to anyone starting out in serious photography. The file sizes are good for wedding or stock photography, the low noise quality is exceptional and the new, higher dynamic range smoothing features are something else as I have seen in the 1D Mark III already.

So, what's it all about?

10.1 MP CMOS sensor

Canon's own CMOS sensor gives the 40D a wide dynamic range, which retains subtle details in highlight and shadow areas. A new and improved pixel design with on-chip noise reduction ensures crisp, clean images throughout the ISO range. Images are now converted at 14 bits for superior colour reproduction and finer gradations.

6.5 fps (frames per second) shooting

The Canon EOS 40D captures up to 6.5 fps for a continuous burst of up to 17 RAW images or 75 large JPEG images.

Wide area Autofocus with 9 cross-type points

The high precision Canon AF system employs 9 cross-type points to give precise focusing on both vertical and horizontal planes. Its central AF point offers sensitivity up to f2.8. AF points are spread out across the AF frame in order to better accommodate subjects that are off center.

3.0" LCD with Live View mode

The large, bright 3.0" LCD gives pin-sharp definition for checking composition and focus with 10x magnification for finer details as well as having stunning colour rendition. When shooting from an awkward position, the new Live View mode gives you the option of composing and framing your image from the rear LCD like the original point and shoot cameras.

DIGIC III processor

The new and improved, fast and highly accurate DIGIC III processor processes images at 14 bits for finer colour gradations. Canon's DIGIC III minimizes power consumption to give prolonged battery life which delivers instant 0.15 second start up time as with the Canon EOS 30D.

EOS Integrated Cleaning System

A welcome addition to many digital photographers is the built-in cleaning and dust prevention system which works well to keep the sensor clean. A combination of technologies repels, reduces and removes dust and also includes a Self Cleaning Sensor Unit which shakes dust from the cameras image sensor with each power on.

Picture Style

Canon's Picture Style presets can provide easy control over many image processing parameters. Each individual style offers a different colour response and Picture Style presets are customizable either in-camera or through the supplied Canon Picture Style Editor software.

Magnesium alloy body

A tougher, durable magnesium alloy camera body with more environmental seals now protect the camera from the rigours of every day and heavy use.

EF lenses and accessories

The Canon EOS 40D is compatible with more than 60 EF-s and EF lenses, plus all EX Speedlite flash units. Wireless (Wi-Fi) shooting and remote file transfers are now possible with the (optional) Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E3.

Connectivity

Video Out will allow reviewing images on a TV screen. Connect the 40D with USB 2.0 (Hi-speed) for fast data transfers.

Been thinking about a new DSLR in this budget? You could do a lot worse and the $3000 you save over the 1D Mark III would buy an awful lot of nice glass!