Tough body, fast continuous speed, good handling and control, big lcd screen 3"

Auto ISO, low res lcd screen

I have been using Canon 40D for two years. It is my second camera (my first camera is Pentax k100). It is big, solid and tough. I thought Pentax K100d is quite big, but it is nothing compare to this 40D. The grip is very ergonomic. I feel confidence handling it.

Body and control
The built quality of Canon 40D is excellent. It is made from magnesium alloy body. It is weather seal as well. It is made to withstand plenty of abuse. I dropped the camera once to the ground, and it still performs like new. I think entry level camera such as Rebel XSi would not able to withstand it.

Canon 40D has many buttons and two main dials. The first dial is thumb dial, located near shutter button. The second one is the big round dial located at the back of the camera. I especially like the round dial. I usually change aperture, view photo, choose menu using this dial. To access live view mode, I simply push the button in the center of the dial.

ISO and Auto ISO
The ISO range starts from 100 to 3200. The auto ISO range is from 100 to 800. I hope it is 100 to 1600. 40D handles noise very well up to 800. You will see more noise creeping in at 1600. At ISO 3200, the image quality is unacceptable. The Auto ISO is the biggest disappointment for me. It tends to stick at ISO 400 most of the time.

LCD Screens
Canon 40D has two LCD screens, the main / back screen and top LCD screen. The top LCD screen is clear in the dim light condition such as indoor or evening, but not clear in the bright daylight. To solve this problem, you can use accessory called Hoodman. The top LCD screens is helpful to check out camera settings at any time and any circumstances. It has green light lcd that could be turned on if necessary.

Auto Focus System
Canon 40D has 11 AF points, distributed in diamond formation. The speed of AF will depends on the lens. Lens that have USM (Ultra Sonic Motor) is generally perform faster than non-USM, but some lenses like Canon 85mm f/1.2 USM AF are quite slow because of the complicated lens elements. Some lenses are also better in tracking subject than other.

Favorite features
There is a feature called Highlight tone priority. I think it is a great feature because it protects the highlight from over exposure. It is great to use for portraits, wedding, landscape and so on.

The shutter has a distinctive noise. It sounds very professional. This camera can also shoot up to 6.5 fps which is great features to capture fast moving object.

Competition
Because this camera is more than two years old now, it has many cameras that match or surpass this camera in term of its specifications. For example Canon 50D which has high-res LCD screen, higher image resolution and better Auto ISO. Nikon D300 is superior regarding AF system. It has 51 points and better tracking system.

There is also Nikon D90 which has hi-res 3 inch lcd screen, cleaner image in high ISO speed but slower continuous speed and worse built quality. Read controversy regarding Nikon D90 vs Canon 40D.

Conclusion
This is a very good camera suitable for either professional or amateur photographer. The size might be a bit too big for casual shooters, but after a while you might use to it. The image quality with the kit lens is good, but I recommend to get a higher quality lens to get maximum quality. Even it is more than two years old now, this camera is still capable and robust for you if you can live with its limitation (hint: Auto ISO and LCD screen). Check out my website www.radiantlite.com for more reviews.

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Nikon D90, D700, Canon XSi/450D, Pentax K100

Inherits most of the features from a EOS1 to a bargain price. Solid camera house build of metal and sealed. 3 inch screen easy to use, mostly for accurate colour tones/temperature. As a photographer you have a wealth of configuration options easily accesible. Very good dynamic range and correct noise reduction in mid-range tones.

The 3 inch screen is only 240.000 dpi (versus 50D has VGA mode with 900.000), but using it mostly for tonal/temperature check it is OK. On/off switch is on the back, it could be around the shutter. At the other hand when it's on it's actually in standby mode all the time, so it's quick anyway.

Upgraded to 40D from my Canon 350D from 2005. I choose not to buy the 50D because picture quality is actually very similiar, despite 10mp versus 15mp.
Finally a good handgrip, bigger and brighter viewer, extensive controls and a intuitive meny system. I lover picture styles. Easy to chage settings. Very quick autofocus and burst rate - responsive.

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My 350D produces good images as well, but it's now my backup camera house.

6.5 fps... 3 custom modes... options..... features....

I wish I could have bought 2!

Incredible product with a price that beats the competition.

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Canon 400

Image quality
Feels good to hand-hold
Durability
3" view monitor
Easy controls and menu
Adjustible Picture Styles
Frame rate !!1!
Battery pack adds shutter, grip, and LONG battery life

Can't shoot IR
Had to buy a new cable release
Bought 2 months before price drop due to 50D intro (mute point)
Have to read through manual to get full effect of software (also a mute point)

This is an absolutely fabulous camera! I can not express through a keyboard how glad I am to buy this puppy. The image quality is fantastic, almost enough to get me to sell my film cameras (almost). With a sharp lens the RAW images are fantastic, and even after converting to JPEGs are almost as fantastic. I never understood, until this camera, what the big deal was about enlarging pics to 100%.

The dial controls and menu are easy to navigate, it just took some time reading through the manual to see what was available.

With the metal casing, it's durable. I was filming some bridges in Madison County when I slipped on some rocks in a creek bed and fell backwards, with my precious 40D hitting a rock. The result, some light cosmetic damage to the camera, and some laughs from observers. Camera works just fine, photographer needs some work.

The 3" monitor is a great upgrade from the D-Rebels I've borrowed from friends.

The Picture Styles is a great feature, although somewhat puzzling. From what I can tell, three of them provide the same settings. But they are adjustible, and I highly recommend increasing the sharpness on all of them.

6.5 frames a second, that's nice. When shooting wild bears it's beneficial to have a fast lens and camera that can compliment it. This is where your memory card's processing speed becomes more of a factor . Unless you're machine-gunning large numbers RAW photos, the Ultra II CF cards will work fine and are cheap.

To get additional info for operations, pick up a copy of "Magic Lantern Guides Canon EOS 40D" There's several tips in there that increase your camera's abilties.

Overall, I wish I could give this camera a 4.5, but I won't. I can't shoot IR without modifying the sensor (thus voiding the warranty), I had to get a new cable release that's oversized and also a new battery pack. But the battery pack is sweet because two of the lithium batteries last me all day. In other words, my complaints are very small.

Customer Service

Hope I won't need it any time soon

Firmware update process is a bit frustrating, had to buy a card reader, can't just use a USB cable like on everything else.

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Canon Digital Rebel XT

Build Quality
Ergonomics
Ease of use
Price
Lens & accessory selection

A bit heavy

I bought this camera about 2 months ago. It is my first DSLR, though I did have an older Canon EOS film camera before. I just bought the body alone since I already had a couple of lenses and didn't want to spend the extra money on a kit lens. I was also able to get a decent rebate at the time of purchase, along with a Canon printer. I'm very pleased with my camera. The ergonomics are very comfortable, the dials and such are easy to reach and handle. Image quality is only limited to my lenses, which is still very good. Even though the D50 is just around the corner, I have no regrets buying this camera. I feel it should last a long time, perhaps at least long enough to afford a full-frame some day. :D

Customer Service

Haven't had to ever use it.

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Canon EOS Elan IIe film camera

1) Very good low light/high iso speed capability.

2) Overall solid feel - quality made.

3) Wide range of lenses to choose from.

4) Good handling and weight for a DSLR.

5) Excellent image quality (with good lenses).

1) Colors thrown off in indoor lighting with no flash using "auto" white balance.

2) Fiddly on/off switch (too small).

3) Kit lens (28-135 IS) is not quite good enough to resolve details from the sensor.

4) "Live view" mode too hard to use/access and not practical.

A short review for me, but jotting down some notes since I've now been using the 40D for a little while...

I don't upgrade model after model like some, so while some folks might miss out on a tweak made from one model to the next, I was still using a 10D when I bought my 40D, missing two in the series. So I noticed the modifications to the body more. I'm going to be honest and say that I do not think the 40D is built as "tank-like" as the 10D was. It's certainly well made, and better made than the Canon Rebel series of course, but there is a certain amount of cost-cutting in order to meet todays price points I think, and when you hold a 10D and then pick up a 40D, you can feel it.

The body is still a composite alloy and sturdy, but perhaps a bit thinner than in the 10D days. Also, the on/off switch to me, feels much more fiddly (and small) than on the 10D - but similar to newer versions of this camera. The other controls are laid out in Canon tradition and feel right for this price of camera, except for the always cheesy feeling memory card door.

Image quality with good lenses is excellent. Many stores bundle this camera with Canon's 28-135 I.S. lens, and while that lens did a good job on past, lower resolution models, I think when you place it on the 40D's 10 megapixel body, it does start to show it's limitations. It's not a "bad" lens, but it doesn't resolve as much detail as the 10MP chip is putting out. You're only paying $200 roughly for it when bought in the bundle (it retails for around $429.00), so it's not a bad deal as a general lens to use, but if you want the most you can get out of your images, it will be good to invest in a higher quality lens.

The 40D is being bought by everyone from everyday folks who want a "very nice" camera, to pros who use it as a backup body, and those in-between. With the recent announcement of the 50D, prices on the 40D will drop even further, making it an even better deal. Recommended.

Customer Service

Canon is quick to answer the phone and generally their people are very knowledgeable (and speak English!). But I did have to send one Canon point-and-shoot back for repair and they shipped it to the incorrect address once finished, even though a typed letter in the box explained not to send it to that address.

Now, I'm not sure if the DSLR repair department is separate from the point-and-shoot department, but I do respect a company more if they honor instructions you include with the item being repaired.

Other than that, however, I've not had to send anything in for repair to compared the hit-to-miss ratio.

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Canon 10D / Rebel XT, Nikon D40, Sony R1

One of Canon's best. The buffer and burst rate accommodate the Digic III processor beautifully. The camera I used prior to purchasing the 40d was Canon's 1D Mark II. I have not had the necessity to use my 1D but once since purchasing my 40d. With Canon's L lenses, USM in AI Servo focusing mode, there is nothing I can't do with this camera. All Canon needs to add is the availability of a full frame sensor.

Customer Service

Canon has provided the best service I have ever known to exist... When I call, I make my selections, and am talking to a rep before I hear any sort of hold dialogue and/or music.

Nikon ain't got nuthin' on them.

Not too heavy nor too light. Good grip and excellent feel. Great images and fast processing power. Lots of options and features.

Doesn't have a full bodied sensor. No vertical hand grip.

Great camera! I love the easy to use features and the menus are very easy to navigate.
The grip is good, not to heavy nor to light so as to make minute handling a problem.
Used with a good lens this camera can create great pictures and for the price unbeatable deal!

All the buttons are easy to reach while holding the camera and looking through the view finder. Almost all key functions have dedicated buttons or are the secondary feature of the button (activated by pushing the button twice).

Customer Service

Great bought it from B&H.

Availability of equipment for the Canon system
Build Quality
AF performance
Image quality
price - this is just about the cheapest high end amateur - mid level pro camera, in Australia at least

LCD resolution
Live View
Hype - yes it is a Canon, but don't just buy it because it is a Canon!

I have just finished a full weekend evaluating this camera as a future replacement to my Sony A100 (the other camera on the Cards is the Sony A700). It was an interesting weekend, looking at the differences between the 2 systems. In total, I took nearly 1000 frames over the period to get a good feel on what it can do.

The first thing that I have noticed with this camera is the Auto Focus. Its fast & accurate most of the time. The only real problems I had was with a runner running straight at me in changing light (full sun to shadows), but from anything that wasn't front on, it performed unbelievably. It certainly lived up to the hype.

The other thing I noticed about it was the weight. It surely is a heafty camera, but I put this down to the build quality. I'm not sure whether this is overkill or not. While there is a perception that Metal is better for an outer casing, I am not sure whether it is really necessary. I like the idea of the Magnesum chassis, coupled with an engineering plastic body, such as the A700. The lens that I used the most on the camera was a Sigma 70-200 f2.8, this coupled with the battery grip made it a very heavy combo, especially when panning motor sport. Once I lost the battery Grip, I found it far more managable, but I have never been one for battery grips.

6.5 FPS is unreal, but by the end of the day, I actually turned it off. I found it far to easy to rattle off a barrage of shots without really intending to. (I tend to find myself as a shoot, re-compose, shoot, re-compose photographer when doing motor sports).

Image quality was as good as I would expect. I found that the 40D over exposed by about 1 stop, compared to my Sony A100. Not a real big deal when you look at it, especially when most of my images are post processed. Exposures/metering I found to be consistant as you would expect for a camera of this level.

Now, my gripes. Firstly, screen resolution on the LCD. I must admit that I am a bit spoilt by the Sony. WIth the Sony, I could readily zoom in on an image to check detail & to ensure that I am getting the required effect. With the Canon, the LCD was really only good for checking composition. I would expect more from a higher level camera. Secondly, I found the menus & buttons clunky & at times a little hard to work around. I think, in fairness to this camera, this is more of a user adaption thing then a camera thing. Finally, Live view. Seriously, who uses this on this camera. I have never seen anything as clunky as the live view application as what I have seen here. I dont know whether its the lack of AF in LV or the delay when you do press the button, but I think other manufacturors have done this a lot better. I can see that it would be OK doing MF macro, but thats lower on my list of priorities. I would nearly prefer that Live view wasn't an option if its applied this way!

All in all, I enjoyed my time with the Camera, but saying that, I dont think its any better then other Camera's in its category. With that in mind, its not enough to convince me to change brands. I think, though, this camera would suit someone who wants more out of their Canon equipment, especially those who shoot sports & action

Customer Service

N/A

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Sony A100
Minolta 7000i 35mm SLR
Minolta 303si 35mm SLR

Build quality, ergonomics, improved performance over the previous version, weatherproofing, larger LCD display, great ISO range before images begin deteriorating, kit lens combo is a real bargain!!!

Weatherproofing entire camera body, LCD protective cover as on NikonD300,
placement of ON/OFF switch.

This camera just feels right!!! The controls are in the right locations (with the exception of the on/off switch). The magnesium alloy body is rock solid leaving you with the reassurance that this bad boy can take a licking. I found the menus quite easy to follow & intuitive. Despite its weight, the camera is well balanced... even with a lens attached. Picture quality is top notch. Even though it only utilizes a 10.1 megapixel C-MOS sensor, it does so with improvements in the microlens design of the sensor & a better processing engine( Digic lll) for improved images & performance... not to mention 14-bit processing. The addition of dust removal is a welcome addition & should prove worthy. Although Canon claims weatherproofing, it is limited to specific areas of the camera & not throughout the camera body as the Nikon D300. But it's also $500 to $600 less than the Nikon!!! That's the price of an additional lens. Its shutter has also been upgraded to pro levels with a durability rating of 100,000 cycles... not bad. Additionally, the mirror mechanism has been improved with the elimination of the spring mechanism, replaced by a "servo" motor making it much quieter. Despite the fact that I prefer landscape photography, it is comforting to know this camera has the capability to shoot at a phenomenal 6.5 frames per second! At this price point it beats out many, if not all, competitors. Overall, the shutter sound has become more subdued & just sounds "professional". The pentaprism is gorgeous... very bright, giving you the added capability to focus with very little, if any, difficulty. Some people have complained about the positioning of the DOF preview button. They keep insisting it belongs on the right side of the lens. Personally, I like it just where it is. My left index finger falls right where the button is... for me it's "right on". I'm not into "Live View" & don't use it, so I'll reserve judgment on this. But I can say that the new 3" LCD screen is extremely bright & allows for an improved menu. Despite the lower resolution compared to the Nikon D300, I found it to be quite satisfactory in reviewing images & reading the menu. The increase in size, for me anyway, was more important than greater resolution(which is a fine 230,000 pixels). I also added the optional "Battery/Portrait Grip" and found, despite the additional weight gain, it actually made shooting more comfortable. It added more surface area which in turn translated into more grip options for shooting & still felt well balanced. Oh, let's not forget the added benefit of being able to swap out the "proprietary" batteries for "AA" batteries(an adapter that comes with the grip allows this added functionality). Remember, you can almost always find "AA" batteries just about anywhere. This can come in handy should you ever have the immediate need for "juice" in the event you suddenly run of power & have no back-ups or an outlet for re-charging!!! Personally, I like some weight to my gear... it just feels more robust & I don't mind the extra weight. I also found the "rubbery" feel added to the surface area of the camera body & the inclusion of an indent for my right index finger, made holding it a pleasure. The only problems I found were the location of the ON/OFF switch & lack of a protective cover for the LCD screen(something along the lines of what Nikon has for it's LCD screens. Perhaps Canon can take this suggestion to heart & develop a cover that "snaps" on over the screen. Nikon claims to use "tempered" glass for the LCD screen on the D300... that would have been nice on this camera, but, again, there is the issue of a $500 to $600 difference in price. Bottom line: If you're looking for great value in a "prosumer" level camera, this is it. It's a lot of "Bang" for your Buck" & should give you years of reliable service & the versatility to take awesome pictures.

Customer Service

Haven't needed customer service so far.

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None