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Canon 40D Comparison Review

The Canon EOS 40D is a DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) camera that was revealed to the public in August 2007 and is equipped with an APS-C sensor. It offers a resolution of 10.1 megapixel.

camera

Is the Canon 40D a good camera? The 40D has a Camera Elo of 1314. This rating puts the 40D below average of all digital single lens reflex cameras. In terms of its sensor size category (APS cameras), the 40D also ranks below average. Based on its within category standings, the camera earns a 2.5-star performance rating. – Well, the Canon 40D is more than 16 years old, and there have been many other good digital cameras released since 2007.

Headline Specifications
Canon 40D
Digital single lens reflex
Canon EF mount lenses
10.1 MP, APS-C Sensor
no Video
ISO 100 - 1 600 (100 - 3 200)
Optical viewfinder
3.0 LCD, 230k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
6.5 shutter flaps per second
750 shots per battery charge
146 x 108 x 74 mm, 822 g

Read on to find out more about the camera's size, sensor, features, reception by expert reviewers, and how it compares to other digital cameras.

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Body comparison with a credit card

The physical dimensions of the Canon 40D relative to a credit card are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Canon 40D vs credit card front
40D versus credit card top view
40D and credit card rear side

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the Canon 40D alongside a set of similar cameras. If you want to review a particular camera pair side-by-side, just move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible comparisons there.

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Body Specifications
#   Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Canon 40D 146 mm 108 mm 74 mm 822 g 750 n Aug 2007 1,299ebay.com
2.
 
Canon T3 130 mm 100 mm 78 mm 495 g 700 n Feb 2011 449ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 60D 145 mm 106 mm 79 mm 755 g 1100 Y Aug 2010 1,399ebay.com
4.
 
Canon 50D 146 mm 108 mm 74 mm 822 g 800 Y Aug 2008 1,299ebay.com
5.
 
Canon XS 126 mm 98 mm 65 mm 502 g 500 n Jun 2008 449ebay.com
6.
 
Canon XSi 129 mm 98 mm 62 mm 524 g 500 n Jan 2008 799ebay.com
7.
 
Canon 30D 144 mm 106 mm 74 mm 785 g 750 n Feb 2006 1,399ebay.com
8.
 
Canon XTi 127 mm 84 mm 65 mm 556 g 370 n Aug 2006 799ebay.com
9.
 
Canon 20D 144 mm 106 mm 72 mm 770 g 700 n Aug 2004 1,499ebay.com
10.
 
Canon 10D 150 mm 107 mm 75 mm 850 g 500 n Feb 2003 1,999ebay.com
11.
 
Nikon D90 132 mm 103 mm 77 mm 703 g 850 n Aug 2008 1,299ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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The listed prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The Canon 40D was launched in the US market at a price of $1,299. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

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Sensor comparison with a 35mm slide

The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

The Canon 40D features an APS-C sensor and has a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 1.6. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the Canon 40D among the medium-sized sensor cameras that aim to strike a balance between image quality and portability.

Canon 40D sensor measures

For most cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.

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Sensor Characteristics
#   Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Canon 40D APS-C 10.1 3888 2592none22.111.370364
2.
 
Canon T3 APS-C 12.2 4272 2848720/30p21.911.075562
3.
 
Canon 60D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p22.211.581366
4.
 
Canon 50D APS-C 15.1 4752 3168none21.811.469663
5.
 
Canon XS APS-C 10.1 3888 2592none22.010.971962
6.
 
Canon XSi APS-C 12.2 4272 2848none21.910.869261
7.
 
Canon 30D APS-C 8.2 3504 2336none21.510.873659
8.
 
Canon XTi APS-C 10.1 3888 2592none22.111.066462
9.
 
Canon 20D APS-C 8.2 3504 2336none21.911.072162
10.
 
Canon 10D APS-C 6.3 3072 2048none21.110.957157
11.
 
Nikon D90 APS-C 12.2 4288 2848720/24p22.712.597773
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It should be noted that unlike many modern cameras, the 40D does not provide the possibility to capture videos.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. For example, the 40D has an optical viewfinder that provides a field of view of 95% and a magnification of 0.59x. The following tables report on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Canon 40D and comparable cameras.

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Core Features
#   Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Canon 40Doptical Y3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/8000s 6.5/s Y n
2.
 
Canon T3optical n2.7 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
3.
 
Canon 60Doptical Y3.0 / 1040 swivel n 1/8000s 5.3/s Y n
4.
 
Canon 50Doptical Y3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/8000s 6.3/s Y n
5.
 
Canon XSoptical n2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
6.
 
Canon XSioptical n3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.5/s Y n
7.
 
Canon 30Doptical Y2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/8000s 5.0/s Y n
8.
 
Canon XTioptical n2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
9.
 
Canon 20Doptical Y1.8 / 118 fixed n 1/8000s 5.0/s Y n
10.
 
Canon 10Doptical Y1.8 / 118 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
11.
 
Nikon D90optical Y3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 4.5/s Y n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
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One convenient feature of the 40D is the presence of an on-board flash. While this built-in flash is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light to brighten deep shadow areas.

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Connection comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Canon EOS 40D and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
#   Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Canon 40DY- / ----2.0---
2.
 
Canon T3Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
3.
 
Canon 60DYmono / monoY-mini2.0---
4.
 
Canon 50DY- / ---mini2.0---
5.
 
Canon XSY- / ----2.0---
6.
 
Canon XSiY- / ---mini2.0---
7.
 
Canon 30DY- / ----2.0---
8.
 
Canon XTiY- / ----2.0---
9.
 
Canon 20DY- / ----1.1---
10.
 
Canon 10DY- / ----1.1---
11.
 
Nikon D90Ymono / mono--mini2.0---
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Further information on the features and operation of the 40D can be found in the free online Canon 40D Manual or on the Canon support site.

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Expert reviews

While the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the handling experience and imaging performance when actually working with the 40D. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable. This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The table below summarizes the assessments of some of the best known camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]).

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Review Scores
#    Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Canon 40D..+ +..+ +4.5/54.5/5 Aug 2007 1,299ebay.com
2.
 
Canon T3..80/100..69/1004/54.5/5 Feb 2011 449ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 60D5/5+..79/1004/54.5/5 Aug 2010 1,399ebay.com
4.
 
Canon 50D..+ +..+ +4.5/54.5/5 Aug 2008 1,299ebay.com
5.
 
Canon XS..82/100..+ +3.5/54.5/5 Jun 2008 449ebay.com
6.
 
Canon XSi..+ +..+ +4/54.5/5 Jan 2008 799ebay.com
7.
 
Canon 30D..+ +..+ +o.. Feb 2006 1,399ebay.com
8.
 
Canon XTi..+ +..+ +o4/5 Aug 2006 799ebay.com
9.
 
Canon 20D......+ +.... Aug 2004 1,499ebay.com
10.
 
Canon 10D......+ +.... Feb 2003 1,999ebay.com
11.
 
Nikon D90..+ +..+ +4/54.5/5 Aug 2008 1,299ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

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Canon 40D FAQ

Below are some additional questions and answers concerning some particular features of the 40D.

What technology is the imaging sensor in the Canon 40D based on?

The camera is build around a CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensor.

Which image processing chip is used in the Canon 40D to convert the raw signal into an image file and perform noise reduction and image sharpening?

Canon equipped the 40D with the DIGIC 3 image processor.

What is the ISO sensitivity range of the Canon 40D?

The camera has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 1600.

What is the life expectancy of the shutter in the Canon EOS 40D?

Canon mentions a shutter rating of 100 000 actuations for the 40D. This number represents a Mean Time before Failure, that is an average value. The shutter might fail earlier, or it might last longer. Anyway, in order to exhaust the expected shutter life of the 40D over, say, three years, one would have to take about 100 pictures each and every day.

How do I find the shutter count on my Canon 40D?

Canon embeds the number of shutter actuations in the camera firmware. You can check the number of shots that your 40D has taken up to now by using a third-party app, as described on the Canon 40D shutter count page.

Does the Canon 40D feature an autofocus assist light?

Yes, the camera has a lamp built-in that can illuminate the subject and improve autofocus in low-light settings.

What is the fastest shutter speed that can be used with the Canon 40D for flash photography?

The 40D's flash sync speed is 1/250 sec.

Which battery does the Canon 40D use?

The camera gets its power from the BP-511A (here at amazon), which is a rechargeable Lithium-Ion power pack.

Is there a vertical grip available for the Canon 40D?

Yes, Canon offers the BG-E2N as an optional accessory to facilitate shooting in portrait orientation and to provide additional battery power.

Camera to camera comparisons

In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities with other camera models, just make your choice using the following search menu. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.

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    Specifications Summary
    Camera Model Canon 40D
    Camera Type Digital single lens reflex
    Camera Lens Canon EF mount lenses
    Launch Date August 2007
    Launch Price USD 1 299
    Sensor Specs
    Sensor Technology CMOS
    Sensor Format APS-C Sensor
    Sensor Size 22.3 x 14.9 mm
    Sensor Area 332 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 26.8 mm
    Crop Factor 1.6x
    Sensor Resolution 10.1 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 3 888 x 2 592 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 5.73 μm
    Pixel Density 3.03 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability no Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 1 600 ISO
    ISO Boost 100 - 3 200 ISO
    Image Processor DIGIC 3
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 64
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 22.1
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 11.3
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 703
    Screen Specs
    Viewfinder Type Optical viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 95%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.59x
    Top-Level Screen Control Panel
    LCD Framing Live View
    LCD Size 3.0 inch
    LCD Resolution 230k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen
    Touch Input No touchscreen
    Shooting Specs
    Focus System Phase-detect AF
    Manual Focusing Aidno Peaking Feature
    Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000s
    Continuous Shooting 6.5 shutter flaps/s
    Shutter Life Expectancy100 000 actuations
    Silent Shootingno E-Shutter
    Time Lapse Photographyno Intervalometer
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium CF cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot
    Connectivity Specs
    External Flash Hotshoe
    Studio Flash PC Sync socket
    USB Connector USB 2.0
    HDMI Port no HDMI
    Wifi Support no Wifi
    Body Specs
    Battery Type BP-511A power pack
    Battery Life (CIPA)750 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 146 x 108 x 74 mm
    (5.7 x 4.3 x 2.9 in)
    Camera Weight 822 g (29.0 oz)

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