An introduction and what's new since the EOS 30D

Following many months of intense anticipation by photography enthusiasts all over the world, the Canon EOS 40D, that was built on the sucess of Canon's perennially popular EOS 20D and 30D was launched on 20th August.

The EOS 40D sports a newly enhanced CMOS sensor that is both designed and manufactured by Canon, giving 10.1-megapixels. Canon has also replaced the autofocus sensor (which was basically the same thing in the 20D and 30D) with one that is more sensitive and much faster. DIGIC II has also been replaced by the improved DIGIC III image processor, giving you 6.5fps of continuous shooting up to 75 best-quality JPEG files or 17 RAW files.

Canon has positioned this camera to take on any assignment thrown at it, ranging from quick action and sports to wildlife and nature shots. Housed inside the magnesium-alloy casing is the highly efficient DIGIC III as well as DDR SDRAM memory, together with a four-channel-per-line sensor output and separate motors for mirror and shutter.







LCD Display

- Increased sized from 2.5" to 3.0"; menu text can be larger
- Broadened colour gamut
- Narrower viewing angle for better viewing under bright sunlight


DIGIC III

The latest generation of Canon's image processing engine. The EOS 1D Mark III has two of them even. Over it's predecessor, it offers better fine details and colour of the images recorded. The speed of the processor allows for 6.5fps shooting and the excellent efficiency of the DIGIC line is carried on, with battery life going all the way to over a thousand shots (without flash) on a single charge, and of course on a single battery.


Improved image quality

Sensor size remains the about the same for Canon's APS-C range of DSLRs. However with each new release, larger microlenses are used over each pixel, reducing noise output and expanding sensitivity to ISO 3200. The analog-to-digital (A/D) signal conversion capability has been extended from 12-bit to 14-bit. With 14-bit, each channel is able to recognise 16,384 colours and this is four times that of the EOS 30D, resulting in images with better gradations of colours and tones!


A new autofocus module

The nine-point AF coverage since the EOS 20D has remained, however the module has been redesigned and we now see a marked improvement to speed, precision and functionality. Subject recognition problems have been greatly minimised. Autofocus speed of the EOS 40D is 30 percent faster than the EOS 30D.

Interestingly, the new AF sensor now provided cross-type (horizontal and vertical) AF measurement at all nine focusing points for maximum apertures up to f/5.6. Also, the center AF point offers even more enhanced precision for both horizontal and vertical subject contrast when using EF/EF-S lenses that are f/2.8 or faster.

Also, the default standard precision matte focusing screen is interchangable to a grid-type focus screen (for better horizontal/vertical alignment when composing an image), or a Super-Precision Matte focus screen (for easier grasping of the 'sweet spot' when performing manual focus on lenses that are f/2.8 or faster). This is the first of any camera in the EOS 40D's class.

For exposure control, the same 35-zone metering sensor is retained. However, spot metering has been widened from 3.5 percent to 3.8 percent. Metering range has also been widened from 1 to 20EV to 0 to 20EV.


Live View

This function originally introduced on the EOS 1D Mark III, allows users to shoot images using the LCD instead of the viewfinder. There are 5x and 10x zoom functions available, making taking precise photos a breeze with manual focusing.

The viewfinder can only show 95 percent of the view being captured, whereas for Live View, the full 100 percent view is displayed on the LCD.








A short comparision on some of the changes between the EOS 40D and the EOL-ed EOS 30D:

	EOS 30D	EOS 40D
Sensor size	22.5 x 15.0mm	22.2 x 14.8mm
Image pixels	Effective: 8.20 megapixels approx. Total: 8.50 megapixels approx.	Effective: 10.10 megapixels approx. Total: 10.50 megapixels approx.
Image types	JPEG RAW (12-bit) JPEG + RAW recording	JPEG RAW (14-bit) JPEG + RAW recording JPEG + sRAW recording
Image sizes	Large/Fine: 3504 x 2336 Large/Normal: 3504 x 2336 Medium/Fine: 2544 x 1696 Medium/Normal: 2544 x 1696 Small/Fine: 1728 x 1152 Small/Normal: 1728 x 1152 RAW: 3504 x 2336 (8.7MB approx.)	Large/Fine: 3888 x 2592 Large/Normal: 3888 x 2592 Medium/Fine: 2816 x 1880 Medium/Normal: 2816 x 1880 Small/Fine: 1936 x 1288 Small/Normal: 1936 x 1288 RAW: 3888 x 2592 (12.4 MB approx.) sRAW (Small RAW): 1936 x 1288 (7.1MB approx.)
Viewfinder magnification	0.9x approx.	0.95x approx.
Viewfinder eyepoint	20mm approx.	22mm approx.
Focusing screen	Fixed, precision matte	Interchangable, default is precision matte, can be changed to grid-type or Super-Precision
AF points	9, cross-sensitive center AF point (f/2.8 and faster lenses only)	9, all cross-sensitive (f/5.6) while center AF point additionally sensitive when used with f/2.8 or faster lenses
Metering modes	35-zone TTL full aperture metering - Evaluative (linkable to any AF point) - Partial (approx. 9% of viewfinder at center) - Spot (approx. 3.5% of viewfinder at center) - Center-weighted average metering	35-zone TTL full aperture metering - Evaluative (linkable to any AF point) - Partial (approx. 9% of viewfinder at center) - Spot (approx. 3.8% of viewfinder at center) - Center-weighted average metering
Shutter speeds	1/8000 to 30 sec., bulb	1/8000 to 30 sec., bulb
X-sync speed	1/250 sec.	1/250 sec.
Self-timer	10 sec. delay	2 sec. or 10 sec. delay, can be set
Continuous shooting speed	High speed: 5fps max. Low speed: 3fps max.	High speed: 6.5fps max. Low speed: 3fps max.
Maximum burst	JPEG Large/Fine: 30 approx. RAW: 11 approx. RAW + JPEG Large/Fine: 9 approx.	JPEG Large/Fine: 75 approx. RAW: 17 approx. RAW + JPEG Large/Fine: 14 approx.
LCD monitor size	2.5-inch	3-inch
LCD pixels	230,000	230,000
Brightness levels	5	7
Playback display format	Single image, shooting information, 9-image index, magnified view (Approx. 1.5x - 10x), autoplay, image rotation, and Jump	Single image, Single image + Image-recording quality, shooting information, histogram, 4- or 9-image index, magnified view (approx. 1.5x - 10x), rotated image, image jump
Histogram display	Brightness or RGB, must be set	Brightness and RGB can be viewed together
Highlight alert	In the shooting information mode, any overexposed highlight areas with no image information will blink	Can be set, overexposed highlight areas will blink
Battery life	At 20ºC, with 50% flash use: 750 shots approx. At 20ºC, without any flash use: 1100 shots approx.	At 23ºC, with 50% flash use: 800 shots approx. At 23ºC, without any flash use: 1100 shots approx.
Dimensions	144 x 105.5 x 73.5mm	145.5 x 107.8 x 73.5mm
Weight	700g approx.	740g approx.

Equipment overview

The overall shape of the 20D/30D is retained, slight adjustment has been made to the AF buttons and the grip has been somewhat re-designed.







The other change is the larger 3.0" LCD screen that replaces the 2.5" one. The buttons that used to flank the left of the LCD have been shifted to the bottom.

The mode dial is now slightly bigger and is easier to turn.







Standard ports found on the camera. We have connectors for a remote control, video out and a USB port also for communication with a PC, or a PictBridge-compatible printer that can be used to print photos directly.







The presentation of information on the top panel LCD has been re-arranged. The bits found on the EOS 30D are also present on the EOS 40D's screen. What's new here is the inclusion of an ISO display.







The CompactFlash card slot is now weather-sealed.

Canon has listened to feedback from users and in this EOS 40D, if you were to open the card slot cover while the camera is still recording images, it will simply display a warning message on the LCD screen until all images have been saved before powering off. Before the EOS 40D, the moment the card slot cover is opened, the camera will power down immediately. If you are unlucky enough to have images still being written to the CompactFlash card, you could bid farewell to all of the unrecorded images.







The battery compartment is also weather-sealed. Upon opening the cap, you are able to see the slot which contains the CR2016 battery which keeps the clock running. Lifespan of this battery is about five years.

A simple plastic catch holds the main camera battery firmly in place.

If you buy a vertical grip, the battery compartment cap has to be detacted and can be kept in a compartment in the grip module itself before installing it.







The charger remains the same. The battery included is the Canon BP-514 (1390mAh) battery pack. It packs the same power capacity as the BP-511A used for the EOS 30D.







The Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM lens is one of the two kit packages offered by Canon. The other kit contains a budget lens - the Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II, but obviously price is much lower. Cost for the 17-85mm alone would hit S$ 900.

The lens is pretty good, colours and sharpness are not bad either. You cannot expect too much because it is not an L-grade lens. You could probably end up spending S$ 2000 if Canon were to come out with an L-grade unit of this focal length. Good part is, the 17-85mm comes with a 3-stop Image Stabilizer to prevent blurred images caused by camera shake. This is especially handy when shooting long range where camera shake is easily pronounced if you do not have hands that are as steady as rock.







The 17-85mm sports an EF-S mount. EF-S mount lenses can only be used with bodies housing cropped sensors - 40D and earlier/below, with the exception of EOS 10D, which can only accept EF lenses. The EOS 40D does support EF lenses too. All L-grade lenses are built on the EF mount.







The EOS Integrated Cleaning System in the camera removes sensor dust by vibrating the front low-pass filter every time the camera is switched on or off. It can be bypassed by tapping on the shutter release button.

Handling the camera

Like its elder silblings in the xxD line, nothing much has changed with regards to button layout in terms of operating controls. The AF/Drive and the ISO buttons have swapped places (they were the other way round on the EOS 30D). Other than that, it remains the same in this aspect.

An addition to the few buttons found near the bottom of the camera is the Picture Style button, which allows you to change Picture Styles quickly should you need to do so.






One of the more obvious change is to the camera body. The body now takes on the shape of the full-frame EOS 5D. There is a depression below the shutter release button to allow a firmer and more comfortable grip. I am sure that this minor yet important change would be welcomed by photographers.






The mode dial remains where it is, but three user customisable modes (C1, C2 and C3) have been added to bring convenience to photographers who have a few sets of configurations which they would use while holding on to the same camera body.






A handy AF-ON button has been added beside the FEL and AF point selection buttons.

When Live View function is activated, autofocus can be activated (if Custom Function III 6-1 is active) by pressing the AF-ON button. The mirror will drop down temporarily while the button is held, allowing autofocus to function.






The menu is fully operated by the scroll wheel and the multi-direction controller. The multi-direction controller can be used to switch through the different menus, or move through the options up and down, while the scroll wheel just takes care of up-down direction selections.






Much thought has been put into designing the layout and it has proved to be an easy-to-use system, where most settings can be changed with just a single hand.






Some people prefer the Nikon grip to the Canon grip because it "fits Asian hands better". The grip of the Canon is wider - for bigger hands, while that of Nikon is deeper. However, I strongly recommend that one try out the camera first and get a feel of it before deciding on what to purchase.

Menus explored

After looking through the camera's exterior, the next step would be to take a look at what the camera system has to offer.




   

Two pages for customising your shooting options. As you would have noticed, the menu arrangement has taken on that of the EOS 1D Mark III DSLR.







White balance settings can now be set through the 3.0" LCD.







Users can get an "ideal" image by selecting from the Picture Style list depending on what he or she is intending to shoot. There are various styles available, ranging from normal daily shots, to beautiful skin tones for portraits, to vivid blues and greens in landscapes, or even to black and white or sepia images.

---

   

Here are some pretty standard options for the playback function. Same as the EOS 30D.

---

   

The INFO button is customisable. And as we can see from the image on the right, there is Live View function on this camera, and the ability to control an external Speedlite's functions.





   

When Live View is enabled, simply press the SET button and Live View would be activated.

A function that comes with Live View is silent shooting. Basically there are 2 modes; Mode 1 being first shutter curtain remains open and you can shoot up to 6.5fps, and Mode 2 is the quieter option where the second shutter curtain does not close until your finger is taken off the shutter release.

As for flash control, this function will only work if you mount a Speedlite 580EX II on it.





   

Three slots are available for users to store their camera settings. Simply register the settings using the menu, and the settings would be available for use whenever you turn the mode dial to C1/C2/C3 depending on which position you saved each setting to.

---

   

Custom function is split into four sub-menus - exposure options, image options, focus/drive options and miscellaneous. This makes the custom function menu less messy and much easier to access.

The display and Live View

Canon seemed to have went for a party with Nikon and came back with a display that is over-enthusiastic in colour reproduction. It looks a little different from previous Canon LCD screens. Colours are more vibrant and saturated, but that doesn't mean it is 100% accurate. I don't have a photo to show, but the difference between a 30D screen and a 40D screen is noticable.

It's a good idea from a sales point of view. Buyers are attracted to the 'rich colours'. However for other users, the slight shift in colour might cause a little concern. Users just need to understand how much difference is there between the LCD and the actual colour recorded in the image. But anyway, don't put all your trust on a camera's LCD, this 'rule' applies to all brands.

---

   

By pressing the INFO button, you can view details of the camera itself. Pressing it again brings up shooting information. It's basically a, um... graphical version of the camera's top panel LCD display. It's about the same as the EOS 400D's information screen.

---

   

The single image playback mode now displays exposure compensation without having the need to press the INFO key to bring up the histogram screen and check the EV value from there.

The histogram screen has been slightly re-arranged from the EOS 30D's. One addition to the playback function is that you can view both brightness graphs and RGB graphs at the same time. With the EOS 30D, you had to set in the menu whether to display either the brightness or the RGB graph.





   

Previously with the EOS 30D, you could only view either a single image or nine images at a time. Canon has added another level for playback review this time, allowing the user to view four images at a time too.

---

There are a few Live View viewing options: the LCD on the camera, a computer monitor via USB or a computer monitor also but using the WFT-E3A wireless transmitter.

When using Live View, real-time autofocusing is unavailable as the first curtain is up. You will have to perform manual focus when using Live View. The other method is to enable the AF-ON button to perform auto focus when it is held down in Live View mode. However, as mentioned, the curtain will go down to while auto focusing though.

Image noise

Let us take a look at the EOS 40D noise performance. We used the same object and shot at the same point to compare the image noise levels at different ISO settings. One side of the small box we are using is brightly lit, while the other side is dark as a shadow is casted.

The box highlighted in red is where we took a 100% crop for review. No processing whatsoever was done to any of the images used.

 
Image taken @ ISO 100

 

 
Image taken @ ISO 200

 

 
Image taken @ ISO 400

 

 
Image taken @ ISO 800

 

 
Image taken @ ISO 1000

 

 
Image taken @ ISO 1250

 

 
Image taken @ ISO 1600

 

Image taken @ ISO 3200

Images are very clean up to ISO 400.

At ISO 800, there is a very slight bit of noise visible, but probably you wouldn't take much notice of it at all.

The amount of noise seen as the ISO is scaled up in 1/3-stops increases linearly. At ISO 1600, we can see some noise, but well, you could go ahead and use it without any worries. :)

Bumping up to the ISO 3200 setting (ISO expansion enabled in the Custom Function menu), the noise is obvious. However, the image is still usable at full crop, and if you were to scale it down for printing of small photographs or for web use, the noise seen in the image would be minimal.

Very minor detail loss occurs once the sensitivity level reaches ISO 1600 and ISO 3200. The amount of detail retained at these ISO levels is more than what DSLRs of other brands in this category (at least) can offer to the photographer.

The only gripe I have here is the inability to increase the sensitivity in 1/3-stops for the gap between ISO 1600 and ISO 3200.

Comparision with the brother

Now let's compare another set of images from the EOS 40D with its elder brother, the EOS 30D.

This is the original image used.






The image from the older EOS 30D will be on the left and that of the EOS 40D will be on the right.




   
ISO 100: Similar output from both cameras.


   
ISO 200: No difference between the two images.


   
ISO 400: Nothing has changed...


   
ISO 800: Still no noticable difference.


   
ISO 1600: Very hard to differentiate between the two, but the EOS 40D seems to exhibit a wee bit more noise.


   
ISO 3200: The EOS 30D is seen delivering a slightly cleaner image than the EOS 40D.




The EOS 40D would understandbly produce slight more noise than its predecessor because there is no increase in sensor size, yet more megapixels are squeezed in. I believe that the slight increase in noise levels at ISO 3200 (which is almost never used) would not affect any real world applications.

Sample images

During the short period of time spent with the Canon EOS 40D, we managed to take some sample images taken using this unit together with the Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 USM lens that was included as a kit.

The images have been resized to fit the template of our website.

In summary...

Canon had decided to make improvements to the camera's internals. The functions one can obtain from the menus are still about the same, just that the menu system has been made much more presentable.

The shutter sound has a sense of urgency, but a few of us found it a little too crisp and dry. We still prefer the sound of the EOS 30D's mirror slap very much, but probably Canon designed the shutter of the 40D in such a way that it would not be too obvious during quiet events or close-range wild life shoots.

The camera is virtually lag free - it powers on in 0.15 seconds, and could fire a shot in 59ms from the moment the shutter is triggered.

With 6.5fps of continuous shooting and a huge buffer than can take more than 70 shots and a quick shutter, the chances of missing a critical moment in action sports or anything that requires sheer speed, is reduced greatly.

The EOS 40D sits nicely in between the entry-level EOS 400D and the professional 1D/1Ds, make it an excellent choice for advanced amateur photographers, or for professional photographers as a second body.

All in all, there isn't anything much to fault with this camera. The feature upgrades and improvements given by Canon to the EOS xxD series, the technological advances and user-requested memory, together with a very competitive pricing, make it a very appealing buy to anyone looking for a prosumer DSLR. When you buy an EOS 40D, you buy the excellent features it provides, together with the excellent quality, resolution and clarity of images produced. It is a buy that you would not regret. 

 

Return Home

Check Hottest Deals

Check Latest Prices