Canon EOS 40D Review, Phil Askey, October 2007
Review based on a production Canon EOS 40D
The 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).
Model line history
| Model | Announced | Effective pixels | Auto focus | Continuous (JPEG) | LCD monitor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EOS D30 | Apr 2000 | 3.1 mp | 3 point | 3.0 fps, 3 frames | 1.8" |
| EOS D60 | Feb 2002 | 6.3 mp | 3 point | 3.3 fps, 8 frames | 1.8" |
| EOS 10D | Feb 2003 | 6.3 mp | 7 point | 3.3 fps, 9 frames | 1.8" |
| EOS 20D | Aug 2004 | 8.2 mp | 9 point | 5.0 fps, 23 frames | 1.8" |
| EOS 30D | Feb 2006 | 8.2 mp | 9 point | 5.0 / 3.0 fps, 30 frames | 2.5" |
| EOS 40D | Aug 2007 | 10.1 mp | 9 point | 6.5 / 3.0 fps, 75 frames | 3.0" (Live view) |
Canon EOS 40D vs. EOS 30D feature and specification differences
 Canon EOS 40D  |  Canon EOS 30D | |
|---|---|---|
| Weatherproof | Battery door and storage compartment | No |
| Sensor | • 10.1 million effective pixels • 5.7 µm pixel pitch | • 8.2 million effective pixels • 6.4 µm pixel pitch |
| A/D converter | 14-bit | 12-bit |
| Image sizes | • 3888 x 2592 • 2816 x 1880 • 1936 x 1288 | • 3504 x 2336 • 2544 x 1696 • 1728 x 1152 |
| RAW files | • CR2 format, 14-bit • RAW full resolution • sRAW (2.5 MP) | • CR2 format, 12-bit • RAW full resolution |
| Image processor | DIGIC III | DIGIC II |
| Dust reduction | High speed vibration of filter | None |
| Auto focus | • 9-point TTL CMOS sensor • Points cross-type for F5.6 or faster lens • Center point additionally sensitive with lenses of F2.8 or faster | 9-point TTL CMOS sensor |
| Metering range | 0.0 to 20 EV | 1.0 to 20 EV |
| Spot metering | Approx. 3.8% at center | Approx. 3.5% at center |
| Auto ISO | ISO 400 to 800 / 100 to 800 depending on exposure mode | ISO 100 to 400 |
| Kelvin WB | 2500 - 10000 K in 100 K steps | 2800 - 10000 K in 100 K steps |
| Viewfinder | • 95% frame coverage • Magnification: 0.95x • Eyepoint: 22 mm | • 95% frame coverage • Magnification: 0.90x • Eyepoint: 20 mm |
| Focusing screen | • Interchangeable precision matte • Two other screens available | • Fixed precision matte |
| Viewfinder info | Now includes ISO sensitivity, B&W icon | |
| LCD monitor | • 3.0 " TFT LCD • 230,000 pixels | • 2.5 " TFT LCD • 230,000 pixels |
| LCD Live View | Yes, including mirror-drop AF | No |
| Main LCD settings display | When changing settings such as AF mode or White Balance | No |
| Tilt correction | Yes | No |
| Opening CF door | Warning message shown | Power down, loses images |
| Mirror lock-up | Single or multiple exposures | Single exposures |
| Mirror mechanism | Motor up / down, quieter, faster | Spring up / motor down |
| Playback modes | Exposure line at top in single image view | No exposure in single image view |
| User modes | Three custom user modes on mode dial | No user modes |
| High-speed continuous | • 6.5 fps • Up to 75 JPEG Large/Fine images | • 5.0 fps • Up to 30 JPEG Large/Fine images |
| Portrait grip | WFT-E3/E3A, BP-E2N, BP-E2 | BP-E2 |
| Wireless connectivity | • WFT-E3/E3A • Integrates as vertical hand grip | • WFT-E1/E1A • No grip |
| Menu UI | Same as EOS-1D series | Same as previous xxD series |
| Menu languages | 18 | 15 |
| Custom functions | 24 | 19 |
| AF-ON button | Rear 'under thumb' | None |
| Rear buttons | • Direct print • Menu • Play • Erase • Jump • Info • Picture Style | • Direct print • Menu • Info • Jump • Play • Erase |
| Top right buttons | • Lamp • Metering / WB • AF / Drive • ISO / Flash comp. | • Lamp • AF / WB • Drive / ISO • Metering / Flash comp. |
| Dimensions | 146 x 108 x 74 mm(5.7 x 4.2 x 2.9 in) | 144 x 106 x 74 mm (5.6 x 4.2 x 2.9 in) |
| Weight | • No battery: 740 g (1.6 lb) • With battery: 822 g (1.8 lb) | • No battery: 706 g (1.6 lb) • With battery: 785 g (1.7 lb |
