Canon EOS 40D Digital SLR

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Reviewer : Tappet
Date : 2/10/2007

Rating :  (5)

Review : I picked up my EOS 40D at 10.00 PM on a Friday, and had about an hour to play with it on the Saturday. After I set it up to my preferences I read the instruction book . . . Here's an email comment from my cousin whose baby's christening I photographed on the Sunday morning, taking about 450 high-resolution photos: "Hi Andrew, you’ve outdone yourself mate – the photos arrived this morning and they are sensational . . . we’ll really cherish them." I simply couldn't have achieved the same result with my old, faithful EOS 50E. Prior to that weekend I'd only taken about 20 photos on a digital camera. Simply put, the EOS 40D is fantastic, so intuitive and easy to use, and the output quality is superb!

Camera-Warehouse does not necessarily share any of the opinions stated above.

We're sorry to announce that we've been informed by Canon that we'll receive no more EOS 40D digital SLRs.

This camera was a Camera-Warehouse favourite and very popular, despite the availability of the newer Canon 50D for some time, which we'd recommend as a suitable alternative.

This update fixes a number of issues. More information can be found at the Canon EOS 40D firmware update webpage.

Resolution (MP): 10.1 v 12.3 (Nikon)
Sensor size: 22.2x14.8 v 23.6x15.8 (Nikon)
ISO: 100-3200 v 100-3200 (draw)
LCD viewer: 7.5cm v 7.5cm (poss. higher resolution on Nikon?)
AF points: 9 v 51 (err...Nikon?)
Burst: 6.5fps (70 shots max.) v 6fps or 8fps w/ battery grip or AC power (draw)
Viewfinder: 95% coverage v 100% coverage (Nikon)
Weight: 740g v 825g (Canon)
Availibility: Any time now v November (Canon)

We don't know what the price difference is going to be in Aus, yet (it doesn't always translate directly from US prices), but it's obvious that the Nikon is the better spec'd camera. That's not to say that the Canon is a bad camera, of course, and the Nikon is quite heavy in comparison. The 40D would be a good option if you want to save a few $$, aren't a weightlifter in your spare time and don't need 51-point AF. If you want the best camera in the mid- to high-prosumer range and you don't mind paying a bit more for it, the D300 is the way to go.

Australian prices for Nikon D300 will be available in October...delivery in November, according to Nikon. Canon 40D will be available from next week (early Sept.), hopefully, in body only and with 17-85mm IS lens [enthusiast] kit form.

Original Message:
Where there's smoke there's fire? We've received reports that Canon Hong Kong's website has a blank page with the title 'EOS 40D', which has led to widespread speculation that this new digital SLR is more than just a rumour.

The PMA 2007 show website suggested yesterday the that EOS 40D specifications will be something like:

- 10.1 MP CMOS sensor
- 5fps, 30 JPEG image burst
- Integrated Cleaning System
- 2.5-inch LCD with 230K pixels and 160º viewing angle
- Picture Style image processing
- Spot metering & 9-point AF
- DIGIC II processor with 0.2 sec start up
- Digital Photo Professional software
- Magnesium alloy body
- Compatible with all EF/EF-S lenses and EX Speedlite flashes
- Including powerpack and accessories

I'm sure that the rumours, if true, will be confirmed in the lead up to the show's opening in Las Vegas on the 8th March.