CANON EOS 40D DIGITAL SLR CAMERA

The Canon Eos 40D digital SLR camera was my choice of the latest digital SLR cameras from Canon. In a moment I will give you a link some excellent video from Canon themselves demonstrating the sheer class of this camera.

The Canon EOS 40D is a very rugged looking camera and is well built.  one thing I hate is when a camera has a small viewing screen. No problems in this respect with the Canon Eos 40D. It has a very large 3 inch LCD screen. Its excellent 6.5-frame-per-second continuous mode and 10.1-megapixel sensor brings Canon's semi-pro digital camera into parity with most of its competitors. Canons emphasis as always is on solid reliable performance.

EOS by the way stands for Electro Optical System. It is one of the oldest systems and there are a large number of lenses available. The peculiarity is that the  the focus motor is built into the lens itself, and there is no mechanical coupling between the lens and camera body itself.

The Canon EOS 40D also has an improved viewfinder, and enhanced Live View mode, better dust sealing, and the DIGIC III image processor that allows 14-bit analog to digital conversion for better colour rendition. Canon claim a 30% improvement in AF speed on the EOS 40D by making all points Cross-type. It has  interchangeable focusing screens, the EOS Integrated Cleaning System for sensor dust reduction. The Wireless File Transmitter allows remote control of the camera as well as transmission of a Live View image to a computer direct from the camera.

Whilst the frame of the camera is stainless steel the body of the Canon EOS 40D SLR is magnesium.  The mirror box is made of high strength plastic. Canon say that sealing for dust and water has been greatly improved on this camera. At first I thought the 40D looked a bit bulky but it really is lovely to hold due to great designing.  All Canon Eos EF and EF-S lenses are compatible with the metal EF lens mount of this camera

The Canon EOS 40D is slightly bigger than the previous EOS SLR cameras. When you look at the back of this camera there is one very large difference from previous cameras in the EOS group of Canon SLR cameras and that is the 3.0-inch LCD. The large screen I have found so much better whilst performing any function using the screen as it is so much easier to see everything. The LCD is naturally a colour one and they have increased the brightness allowing you to see images much better in bright sunlight. The Canon 40D has a rear command dial combined with a multi – control joystick.

One very useful addition to the back is the AF - On button which allows you to switch autofocus on and off easily.

Looking down on the Canon EOS 40D, it has a few extra icons on the mode dial than previous EOS cameras. These can be used to store often used configurations, very useful.

LIVE VIEW

In Live View mode you can magnify the image by five or ten times to check and fine-tune focus in Live View mode, and move the magnification area around with the Multi-controller which is an excellent feature. If you use live View on a tripod it can reduce vibration . The Live View Function is only available in "Creative Zone" modes -- Program, Shutter, Aperture, and Manual modes -- not in Scene modes.

OK as promised  -  Here is a link direct to Canons' site where you can watch some great video showing the features of this exceptional camera.

Once you have been there come back to my site and check my final appraisal (good and bad) of the Canon EOS 40D at the bottom of this page.

Watch the video HERE

(its a little slow loading but worth the wait)

FINAL APPRAISAL