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Canon 60D vs 40D

The Canon EOS 60D and the Canon EOS 40D are two enthusiast cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in August 2010 and August 2007. Both are DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras that are equipped with an APS-C sensor. The 60D has a resolution of 17.9 megapixels, whereas the 40D provides 10.1 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications
Canon 60D
versus
Canon 40D
Canon 60D   Canon 40D
Digital single lens reflex Digital single lens reflex
Canon EF mount lenses Canon EF mount lenses
17.9 MP – APS-C sensor 10.1 MP – APS-C sensor
1080/30p Video no Video
ISO 100-6,400 (100 - 12,800) ISO 100-1,600 (100 - 3,200)
Optical viewfinder Optical viewfinder
3.0" LCD – 1040k dots 3.0" LCD – 230k dots
Swivel screen (not touch-sensitive) Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
5.3 shutter flaps per second 6.5 shutter flaps per second
Weathersealed bodynot weather sealed
1100 shots per battery charge750 shots per battery charge
145 x 106 x 79 mm, 755 g 146 x 108 x 74 mm, 822 g
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon EOS 60D and the Canon EOS 40D? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

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Body comparison

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Canon 60D and the Canon 40D. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Size Canon 60D vs Canon 40D
Compare 60D versus 40D top
Comparison 60D or 40D rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Canon 40D is somewhat larger (3 percent) than the Canon 60D. Moreover, the 40D is markedly heavier (9 percent) than the 60D. It is worth mentioning in this context that the 60D is splash and dust resistant, while the 40D does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. In this particular case, both cameras feature the same lens mount, so that they can use the same lenses. You can compare the optics available in the Canon EF Lens Catalog.

Concerning battery life, the 60D gets 1100 shots out of its Canon LP-E6 battery, while the 40D can take 750 images on a single charge of its Canon BP-511A power pack.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, you can use the CAM-parator app to select your camera combination among a large number of options.

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Body Specifications
# image Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Canon 60D 145 mm 106 mm 79 mm 755 g 1100 Y Aug 2010 1,399ebay.com
2.
 
Canon 40D 146 mm 108 mm 74 mm 822 g 750 n Aug 2007 1,299ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 80D 139 mm 105 mm 79 mm 730 g 960 Y Feb 2016 1,199ebay.com
4.
 
Canon 7D II 149 mm 112 mm 78 mm 910 g 670 Y Sep 2014 1,799ebay.com
5.
 
Canon 70D 139 mm 104 mm 79 mm 755 g 920 Y Jul 2013 1,199ebay.com
6.
 
Canon T3i 133 mm 100 mm 80 mm 570 g 440 n Feb 2011 599ebay.com
7.
 
Canon T2i 129 mm 98 mm 62 mm 530 g 440 n Feb 2010 699ebay.com
8.
 
Canon 7D 148 mm 111 mm 74 mm 860 g 800 Y Sep 2009 1,699ebay.com
9.
 
Canon T1i 129 mm 98 mm 62 mm 520 g 400 n Mar 2009 799ebay.com
10.
 
Canon 50D 146 mm 108 mm 74 mm 822 g 800 Y Aug 2008 1,299ebay.com
11.
 
Canon 30D 144 mm 106 mm 74 mm 785 g 750 n Feb 2006 1,399ebay.com
12.
 
Canon 20D 144 mm 106 mm 72 mm 770 g 700 n Aug 2004 1,499ebay.com
13.
 
Canon 10D 150 mm 107 mm 75 mm 850 g 500 n Feb 2003 1,999ebay.com
14.
 
Nikon D7000 132 mm 105 mm 77 mm 780 g 1050 Y Sep 2010 1,499ebay.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 price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The 40D was somewhat cheaper (by 7 percent) than the 60D at launch, but both cameras fall into the same price category. 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.

Sensor comparison

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. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

Both cameras under consideration feature an APS-C sensor and have a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 1.6. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the review cameras among the medium-sized sensor cameras that aim to strike a balance between image quality and portability. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

In terms of chip-set technology, the 60D uses a more advanced image processing engine (DIGIC 4) than the 40D (DIGIC 3), with benefits for noise reduction, color accuracy, and processing speed.

Canon 60D and Canon 40D sensor measures

While the two cameras under review share the same sensor size, the 60D offers a higher resolution of 17.9 megapixels, compared with 10.1 MP of the 40D. This megapixels advantage translates into a 33 percent gain in linear resolution. On the other hand, these sensor specs imply that the 60D has a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 4.31μm versus 5.73μm for the 40D). In this context, it should be noted, however, that the 60D is much more recent (by 3 years) than the 40D, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that compensate for the smaller pixel size.

The resolution advantage of the Canon 60D implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the 60D for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 25.9 x 17.3 inches or 65.8 x 43.9 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 20.7 x 13.8 inches or 52.7 x 35.1 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 17.3 x 11.5 inches or 43.9 x 29.3 cm. The corresponding values for the Canon 40D are 19.4 x 13 inches or 49.4 x 32.9 cm for good quality, 15.6 x 10.4 inches or 39.5 x 26.3 cm for very good quality, and 13 x 8.6 inches or 32.9 x 21.9 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Canon EOS 60D has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 6400, which can be extended to ISO 100-12800. The corresponding ISO settings for the Canon EOS 40D are ISO 100 to ISO 1600, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 100-3200.

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

60D versus 40D MP

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. The Overall DXO ratings for the two cameras under consideration are close, suggesting that they provide similar imaging performance. 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
# image Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Canon 60D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p22.211.581366
2.
 
Canon 40D APS-C 10.1 3888 2592none22.111.370364
3.
 
Canon 80D APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.613.2113579
4.
 
Canon 7D II APS-C 20.0 5472 36481080/60p22.411.8108270
5.
 
Canon 70D APS-C 20.0 5472 36481080/30p22.511.692668
6.
 
Canon T3i APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p22.111.579365
7.
 
Canon T2i APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p22.111.578466
8.
 
Canon 7D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p22.011.785466
9.
 
Canon T1i APS-C 15.1 4752 31681080/20p21.711.566363
10.
 
Canon 50D APS-C 15.1 4752 3168none21.811.469663
11.
 
Canon 30D APS-C 8.2 3504 2336none21.510.873659
12.
 
Canon 20D APS-C 8.2 3504 2336none21.911.072162
13.
 
Canon 10D APS-C 6.3 3072 2048none21.110.957157
14.
 
Nikon D7000 APS-C 16.1 4928 32641080/24p23.513.9116780
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Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. The 60D indeed provides movie recording capabilities, while the 40D does not. The highest resolution format that the 60D can use is 1080/30p.

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Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The 60D and the 40D are similar in the sense that both have an optical viewfinder. The latter is useful for getting a clear image for framing even in brightly lit environments. The viewfinder in the 60D offers a wider field of view (96%) than the one in the 40D (95%), so that a larger proportion of the captured image is visible in the finder. The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Canon 60D, the Canon 40D, and comparable cameras.

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Core Features
# image 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 60Doptical Y3.0 / 1040 swivel n 1/8000s 5.3/s Y n
2.
 
Canon 40Doptical Y3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/8000s 6.5/s Y n
3.
 
Canon 80Doptical Y3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/8000s 7.0/s Y n
4.
 
Canon 7D IIoptical Y3.0 / 1040 fixed n 1/8000s 10.0/s Y n
5.
 
Canon 70Doptical Y3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/8000s 7.0/s Y n
6.
 
Canon T3ioptical n3.0 / 1040 swivel n 1/4000s 3.7/s Y n
7.
 
Canon T2ioptical n3.0 / 1040 fixed n 1/4000s 3.7/s Y n
8.
 
Canon 7Doptical Y3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/8000s 8.0/s Y n
9.
 
Canon T1ioptical n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 3.4/s Y n
10.
 
Canon 50Doptical Y3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/8000s 6.3/s Y n
11.
 
Canon 30Doptical Y2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/8000s 5.0/s Y n
12.
 
Canon 20Doptical Y1.8 / 118 fixed n 1/8000s 5.0/s Y n
13.
 
Canon 10Doptical Y1.8 / 118 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
14.
 
Nikon D7000optical Y3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/8000s 6.0/s Y n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
padding
The 60D has an articulated LCD that can be turned to be front-facing. This characteristic will be appreciated by vloggers and photographers who are interested in snapping selfies. In contrast, the 40D does not have a selfie-screen.

The 60D writes its imaging data to SDXC cards, while the 40D uses Compact Flash cards.

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Connectivity 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 60D and 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
# image Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Canon 60DYmono / monoY-mini2.0---
2.
 
Canon 40DY- / ----2.0---
3.
 
Canon 80DYstereo / monoYYmini2.0YY-
4.
 
Canon 7D IIYstereo / monoYYmini3.0---
5.
 
Canon 70DYstereo / monoY-mini2.0Y--
6.
 
Canon T3iYmono / monoY-mini2.0---
7.
 
Canon T2iYstereo / -Y-mini2.0---
8.
 
Canon 7DYmono / -Y-mini2.0---
9.
 
Canon T1iYmono / mono--mini2.0---
10.
 
Canon 50DY- / ---mini2.0---
11.
 
Canon 30DY- / ----2.0---
12.
 
Canon 20DY- / ----1.1---
13.
 
Canon 10DY- / ----1.1---
14.
 
Nikon D7000Ymono / monoY-mini2.0---
padding

Both cameras feature a PC Sync terminal to control professional strobe lights, which will be appreciated by studio photographers.

Both the 60D and the 40D have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The 40D was replaced by the Canon 50D, while the 60D was followed by the Canon 70D. Further information on the features and operation of the 60D and 40D can be found, respectively, in the Canon 60D Manual (free pdf) or the online Canon 40D Manual.

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Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Is there a clear favorite between the Canon 60D and the Canon 40D? Which camera is better? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.


Arguments in favor of the Canon EOS 60D:

  • More detail: Offers more megapixels (17.9 vs 10.1MP) with a 33% higher linear resolution.
  • Better jpgs: Has a more modern image processing engine (DIGIC 4 vs DIGIC 3).
  • Broader imaging potential: Can record not only still images but also 1080/30p movies.
  • More complete view: Has a viewfinder with a larger field of view (96% vs 95%).
  • More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1040k vs 230k dots).
  • More flexible LCD: Has a swivel screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
  • More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
  • Longer lasting: Can take more shots (1100 versus 750) on a single battery charge.
  • Better sealing: Is weather sealed to enable shooting in dusty or wet environments.
  • More modern: Reflects 3 years of technical progress since the 40D launch.


Reasons to prefer the Canon EOS 40D:

  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (6.5 vs 5.3 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • More heavily discounted: Has been around for much longer (launched in August 2007).

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the 60D is the clear winner of the match-up (10 : 2 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding on a new camera. A professional wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

60D 10:02 40D

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Canon 60D and the Canon 40D place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the 60D or the 40D perform in practice. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased.

Expert reviews

This is where reviews by experts come in. The table below provides a synthesis of the camera assessments of some of the best known photo-gear review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

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Expert Camera Reviews
# image  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Canon 60D5/5+..79/1004/54.5/5 Aug 2010 1,399ebay.com
2.
 
Canon 40D..+ +..+ +4.5/54.5/5 Aug 2007 1,299ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 80D4/5+ +4.5/584/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2016 1,199ebay.com
4.
 
Canon 7D II4.5/5+3.5/584/1004/54.5/5 Sep 2014 1,799ebay.com
5.
 
Canon 70D5/5+ +..83/1004.5/55/5 Jul 2013 1,199ebay.com
6.
 
Canon T3i3/5o..77/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2011 599ebay.com
7.
 
Canon T2i..+ +..77/1004/54.5/5 Feb 2010 699ebay.com
8.
 
Canon 7D5/5+ +..84/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2009 1,699ebay.com
9.
 
Canon T1i..+ +..74/1004.5/54.5/5 Mar 2009 799ebay.com
10.
 
Canon 50D..+ +..+ +4.5/54.5/5 Aug 2008 1,299ebay.com
11.
 
Canon 30D..+ +..+ +o.. Feb 2006 1,399ebay.com
12.
 
Canon 20D......+ +.... Aug 2004 1,499ebay.com
13.
 
Canon 10D......+ +.... Feb 2003 1,999ebay.com
14.
 
Nikon D70004/5....80/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2010 1,499ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
padding

The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. 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: Canon 60D vs Canon 40D

    Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Canon 60D Canon 40D
    Camera Type Digital single lens reflex Digital single lens reflex
    Camera Lens Canon EF mount lenses Canon EF mount lenses
    Launch Date August 2010 August 2007
    Launch Price USD 1,399 USD 1,299
    Sensor Specs Canon 60D Canon 40D
    Sensor Technology CMOS CMOS
    Sensor Format APS-C Sensor APS-C Sensor
    Sensor Size 22.3 x 14.9 mm 22.3 x 14.9 mm
    Sensor Area 332.27 mm2 332.27 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 26.8 mm 26.8 mm
    Crop Factor 1.6x 1.6x
    Sensor Resolution 17.9 Megapixels 10.1 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 5184 x 3456 pixels 3888 x 2592 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 4.31 μm 5.73 μm
    Pixel Density 5.39 MP/cm2 3.03 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability 1080/30p Video no Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 6,400 ISO 100 - 1,600 ISO
    ISO Boost 100 - 12,800 ISO 100 - 3,200 ISO
    Image Processor DIGIC 4 DIGIC 3
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 66 64
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 22.2 22.1
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 11.5 11.3
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 813 703
    Screen Specs Canon 60D Canon 40D
    Viewfinder Type Optical viewfinder Optical viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 96% 95%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.59x 0.59x
    Top-Level Screen Control Panel Control Panel
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 3.0inch
    LCD Resolution 1040k dots 230k dots
    LCD Attachment Swivel screen Fixed screen
    Shooting Specs Canon 60D Canon 40D
    Focus System Phase-detect AF Phase-detect AF
    Continuous Shooting 5.3 shutter flaps/s 6.5 shutter flaps/s
    Shutter Life Expectancy100 000 actuations100 000 actuations
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards CF cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Single card slot
    Connectivity Specs Canon 60D Canon 40D
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    Studio Flash PC Sync socket PC Sync socket
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port mini HDMI no HDMI
    Microphone Port External MIC port no MIC socket
    Wifi Support no Wifi no Wifi
    Body Specs Canon 60D Canon 40D
    Environmental SealingWeathersealed bodynot weather sealed
    Battery Type Canon LP-E6 Canon BP-511A
    Battery Life (CIPA)1100 shots per charge750 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 145 x 106 x 79 mm
    (5.7 x 4.2 x 3.1 in)
    146 x 108 x 74 mm
    (5.7 x 4.3 x 2.9 in)
    Camera Weight 755 g (26.6 oz) 822 g (29.0 oz)
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