Canon EOS 40D review

Many thanks to Dmitry Mikhailov for the provided Canon EOS 40D camera.

Canon EOS 40D review

Canon EOS 40D review

The Canon EOS 40D camera was introduced in the summer of 2007 and, at the time of this writing, can be considered obsolete. Nevertheless, the 40D is an excellent device that can in our 'gigapixel'time to delight good picture.

Example photo on camera

Example photo on camera. Helios and colorful pencils.

By today's standards, the 40D has a modest 10 MP matrix, while it takes pictures of 3888 X 2592 (total 10.077.696 pixels). In fact, the same matrix is ​​used on the camera. Canon 400D (without Live View and ISO H 3200 mode) and on Canon 1000D (without ISO H 3200 mode). 40D became the first Canon APS-C camera, which was able to use Live View (20Da do not take into account, because it is designed for specific work).

Sample photo

Sample photo

The camera refers to Live View as 'Live Viewfinder'. Live View turns on with a slight delay, but the display does not freeze during operation. The inclusion of Live View can be programmed to the central button of the control wheel, you can also perform a 5- or 10-fold increase in the image area, and the area itself can be selected using the joystick. But the 40D has one problem when working with Live View - in this mode, automatic contrast focusing does not work (for focusing, the mirror must be lowered, and the Live View mode is off). Full 'normal' focusing with Live View is new to Canon 450D.

Example photo on a Canon EOS 40D camera

Example photo on a Canon EOS 40D camera. Native model of Radozhiva.

The 40D uses a very meager ISO range from 100 to 1600 units, which can be expanded to ISO 3200 (labeled ISO H on the camera). There is a function of automatic ISO, although it uses a range of values ​​from 100 to 800 units, it does not work in manual control mode exposure and has no settings. If auto ISO has been enabled, the ISO always becomes 400 when switching to 'M' mode. The noise level at high ISO values ​​is not good :(

Example photo at maximum photosensitivity

Example photo at maximum photosensitivity

Also in the 40D, a 9-point focusing system first appeared, all of which were cruciform. Subsequently, the same system was used in models Canon 50D и 60D, and as the basis for phase focusing in 650D и 700D. When working with 40D, I did not observe any problems with focusing.

Sample photo

Sample photo

40D is the first Canon camera to use a 3-inch display, although it has only 230.000 pixels, but 3-inches give a completely different feeling from viewing the shot material than 2.5 inches from its predecessors.

Sample photo

Sample photo

A very strong point of the Canon 40D is burst shooting. The maximum shooting speed is already 6.5 frames per second... Faster than 40D at one time filmed only professional 'ones' - 1D, 1D Mark II (1D Mark II N). It's very funny that the successor to the 40D is Canon 50D and especially 60D shoot slower. Even new Canon 70D, according to the speed of burst shooting, is practically no different from the old 40D.

Deserves special attention frame buffer. If you disable all the functions that improve the image programmatically, then it is placed in the buffer:

  • 14 RAW + JPEG L shots
  • 75 JPEG L shots (unheard of)
  • 17 RAW shots
  • 20 sRAW shots (2,5 MP)

When using fast memory cards, the series length is significantly longer frame buffer... If you enable the functions: 'Priority of lights',' Shimmer. for lasts. shutter speed ',' Shumopod. at high ISO ',' Highlights priority ', then, for any selected image quality, only 6 images are placed in the buffer, after which the camera starts to slow down.

It is also nice that 40D uses 14-bit color depth in RAW files, the files themselves weigh 8-15 MB.

Sample photo

Sample photo

Canon EOS 40D weighty, sits well in the hand. The body is made of magnesium alloy. With the optional monochrome display you can always access the basic functions. Unlike Canon 30D, in the new model, some of the buttons located first to the left of the display have moved under the display.

Sample photo

Sample photo

As expected of an advanced amateur camera, the Canon EOS 40D has a number of useful features and capabilities.

  • Minimum excerpt The shutter is 1/8000 s.
  • Studio flash sync connector, video output, USB, remote control connector.
  • The camera uses large and fast memory cards CF, I used a 32 GB card without any problems.
  • System for cleaning the matrix from dust.
  • Viewfinder with 95% coverage and 0.95X magnification. The camera supports interchangeable focusing screens.
  • You can use baht. WFT-E3, WFT-E3A, BP-E2N and BP-E2 blocks.
  • Measurement exposure based on a 35 zone element.
  • There is a function bracketing exposure и white balance.
  • The camera shutter is rated for 100.000 operations.
  • Built-in flash with a guide number of 13 and shutter speed 1/250 s sync
  • Many other useful little things.

Here link to the archive with the originals - 230 MB, 20 photos. You can see more photos taken on the Canon 40D in the lens review Canon Zoom Lens EF-S 18-135mm 1: 3.5-5.6 IS STM.

Example photo on a Canon 40D

Example photo on a Canon 40D

Prices for modern Canon cameras in popular stores can look at this link.

In comments Can I ask you a question on the topic and you will answer, and you can also express your opinion or describe your experience. Many little things for a photo can be found on AliExpress.


Results

Despite its age, the Canon EOS 40D remains a highly functional camera that can handle a myriad of photo tasks without requiring high ISOs. At one time, the 'forty' was just an amazing camera.

Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram

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Comments: 193, on the topic: Canon EOS 40D review

  • Maugli

    Hello, I am addressing the owners of 40D. I can't figure out how the shutter button works, all my other cameras worked like this: the first half of the button travel is easy, after a certain step in force and the second half of the travel is tighter. When this step is reached, the camera focuses, while passing the second half of the stroke, closer to the end, but not reaching the stop, the shutter is triggered. At the forty, the first half of the move goes the same way, and during the second, another step appears in force, after pushing through which with a characteristic “click” the key falls through to the stop. The shutter is released after a “click”, similar to a piezo lighter. Shooting at shutter speeds of 1/60 and longer is not convenient handheld. Is everyone in their XNUMXs or is there something wrong with the button?

    • Sasha

      I think that you have something with a button, I just checked it. Yesterday fotal sony a330 today is the fortieth, about the same descent without jamming and failures.

      • maugli

        Thank you

    • Dmitriy

      This is a known problem for the entire range from 20d to 50d - over time, the contact plates in the release button either get dirty and need cleaning, or break and need to be replaced.

      • maugli

        Thank you

  • Mark

    Why not review at 50d?

  • Vladimir

    + 1. Need review 50D.

    • Jacks

      I agree, I just think that a quick pair to 5D should be taken in Feng Shui 50D or to save money and take 40D?

    • Michael

      Go to the friendly resource from the link on the side)))

      • Novel

        where is the link to the “friendly resource” ?!

  • Alexey

    Who has a 40D, tell me whether it is worth taking it with a mileage of almost 41000 but very cheap

    • KalekseyG

      100 bucks no more.

    • Victor

      A couple of years ago I took a 40d with a mileage of 35 thousand, it looked like new, matte paint in places slightly found gloss. No problem clicked another 10 thousand and sold. So, if the camera is cosmetically in order, you can safely take

    • Dezmond2

      I took about 95 thousand with mileage, rinsed the shutter button with alcohol and use it ... 200 thousand calmly survive without replacing the shutter.

  • Vladimir (Barnaul)

    Wash 50d-256000k. Pah-pah.

    • Novel

      Hello, on my 50d there are already 176 thousand operations, but there were problems in the form of error 30! (what can you say about this !?) I will be very grateful)

  • Olga

    After samsungs nx, micro 4/3, Panasonic gf5 and Olympus epm1 decided to get involved with the basics, an old man with a reputation, chose canon 40d, there is no limit to my disappointment. I photograph my son for a walk, I’m used to different tricks with nuances of color rendition. In the picture from canon, the ashen blond turned into red, in the sun I do not recognize the colors on the clothes. Is it something with the camera, taking pictures the second day, or is it a family feature of the photo? Not yet understood, but a very unpleasant acquaintance. The lens is a whale 18-55, everything in the device has been reset to the factory default, now I will go into the settings, because no one recognizes my son in this red child.

    • anonym

      Maybe it's white balance

      • Olga

        Apparently the automatic fills everything in red, in my case, the shine of the sun on my hair gives red highlights. I have never met anything like this, on other bb it is mistaken in the conditions of artificial light, but here in the afternoon ... maybe a feature of my copy?

        • Archie

          Set the white balance manually on a white sheet. Generally check this option. Perhaps the previous xs set it up that way.

        • anonym

          Perhaps a white balance correction has been introduced. Or the color in the profile is wound

    • Dmitriy

      Olga, the camera has a program setting for automatic white balance - called BB / Breck Shift. Use the joystick to move the point in the desired direction (up, left, right, down; see which color picture you like best), then save these settings. Super exactly, as the human eye sees, never will be. Shoot in RAW and then in the converter or in Lightroom you can correct this BB to your taste without loss of quality.

  • 4ma

    Today I took Kenon 450 in exchange for heaven and earth, and for ergonomics and a viewfinder. I took with a 28-105 lens an original handle card and 4acb and a run of just 21 thousand and just 9 thousand wooden. High)))

  • Alex

    I am writing from 2018 with this camera.
    I was fortunate enough to find 40d from bins with a shot of 6000 and in perfect condition.
    Great camera at a carcass price of 5000 rubles. On the secondary for this price only 450d and 500d killed
    Reliable nice tool.
    The only minus few megapixels, it will not work much to crop. Need to shoot carefully. The rest is not worse than what it is now.

  • Dmitry K.

    People, buy from me from the bins a 40D with a shot of 1500 frames))) with “tasty” special stages for 10000. Moscow.

    • Anatoly

      Did you sell a forty with "sweets"?

  • Dmitriy

    Hello! Let me draw your attention to one inaccuracy: automatic focusing in Live Viev mode works - it can be programmed in special functions: C.FnIII - AF in Live Viev mode - Allowed. With Live Viev turned on at this setting, pressing the AF-ON button (and naturally with AF on the lens on) will lower the mirror and focus. Subsequently, when the AF-ON button is released, the mirror rises again, it remains only to press the shutter button to take a picture.

    • Michael

      The author was referring to contrast autofocus. And using phase sensors is a slightly different topic.

      • Dmitriy

        Yes, Mikhail, I beg your pardon - I missed the contrast trick ...

  • Dmitriy

    Olga, on the post from 29.04 about the white balance. The camera has a software setting for automatic white balance - called WB Shift / Brack. Use the joystick to move the point to the desired side (up, left, right, down; see which color picture you like best), then save these settings. Super exactly how the human eye sees it will never be. Shoot in RAW and then in a converter or in Lightroom you can correct this BB to your taste without losing quality.

  • anonym

    Thank you :)

  • Nick

    Hello. What is better in the picture canon 500d or 40d?

  • koba

    Once I used a Ricoh GX100 camera, with a 1 / 1.7 matrix, with it I took a lot of good shots, with a resolution of 10 megapixels, moreover, on a small old matrix. And then he paid about $ 500 for it. And now a Canon 40D with 100 times more features and a large sensor can be bought for $ 100, adding to it $ 180 for an 18-135 STM lens (or other cheaper lenses), you can get a really professional camera with a really high potency for a song. And I say this, having at the moment Nikon D3s, a camera from Pentah and a pair of professional lenses. 40D will always make good shots in good hands ...

    • Sergei

      “I”, enhanced by the possession of D3s, Pentax and some kind of lenses - how proud and convincing it sounded! Potential and rushing))

      • Andrei

        All that remains is to buy good hands.

  • Denis

    Hello! I have a Canon 1200, does it make sense to buy a 40d from hand to replace my device? I want something more interesting, a maximum of 40 d fits into my budget. Do not peck much, I'm new)

    • Michael

      Hello! Interesting in what plan? Photos will be similar, the functionality of 40s is much better

      • Denis

        By interesting in terms of functionality.

        • Lev

          Try to do it.

    • Oleg

      I think it’s not better to buy an optics park, to a greater extent the picture depends on the lens, and not on the camera.

      • Denis

        And what do you recommend buying? It is possible from manual. I rent both indoors and outdoors, for myself (children, nature). I mainly use 50mm, f1,8, and the whale lies on the strip.

    • Andrey T.

      There's a meaning; the photos will not look alike; the 40D has a pixel almost twice as thick, and that says it all ...

      • Oleg

        Uh-huh, only the win on ISO will be vryat. "The noise level at high ISO values ​​is not happy :(" Quote from Arkady. With the colors of modern canons, everything is in order, even in budget ones. There is a sense of switching from crop to full frame, all the rest of the pampering. There is another depth of field, other ISO workers, another DD.

        • Andrey T.

          In the picture, the 40D is much closer to the FF than to the 1200D. As far as I understand, these are the circumstances that the author of the question considers “interesting”. What does ISO have to do with it is not entirely clear.

          • ~ 1Dsmk3

            Crop will never be close to FF.
            Especially so old. Especially the crop from Canon. There is only color. But there is no DD, there are no normal ISO workers.

            • Andrey T.

              DD for 40D and 5D Classic is the same. As for ISO, not everyone likes to shoot in the dark. Who shot the family on 40D and xxxxD - understands the difference in the picture ...

              • Oleg

                This is out of love for the warm and the tube. Nevertheless, according to Arkady 5D, the dynamic range does not shine. When Arkady takes off an old nikon in pursuit of color, you need to remember that this nikon has a different type of matrix that kenon never used. Therefore, the color difference you most likely will not notice. The only better 40d is constructive.

              • Andrey T.

                2 Oleg
                It shines - it does not shine, but it has 11 stops with a penny. Almost the same as the 1200D - 0.2 higher. 1Dsmk3, by the way, which was recalled by the nickname of the previous speaker, has 12. It's not about love for the warm and lamp, but about the fact that a small pixel on the crop dries the picture. For those who do not have funds for FF, more often than not, they also do not have them for lenses sharpened for a small pixel.

              • Denis

                I cease to understand you, gentlemen, it is necessary to tighten the equipment)

          • Denis

            I haven't dealt with FF yet. Of course I want to hold it in my hands, but I don’t know if it makes sense if photography is not professional. And going back to 40d and 1200d, yes, first of all I am interested in DD and iso. Of course, I don't like to shoot in the dark, but more often than not, it turns out that way.

            • Andrey T.

              Everything is simple here. People, not the fact that they shot on 40D and the xxxxD family (at least, no one announced it out loud), say that there will be no difference in the picture. I, who shot both for this and for this, assure you that there will be - and very significant.

              • Denis

                Got it) Thank you all for the answers! To be honest, I did not expect anyone to respond. I will often look here)

              • Andrey T.

                2 Denis
                But in essence the question is like this: 1) DD is almost the same. Both cameras are not studio cameras, and for outdoor shooting in natural light, their DD is completely sufficient. 2) ISO 1200D is better, but if you really want to shoot at high ISO - you are in a different price category of cameras. Better doesn't mean good. 3) The 40D's picture is much better due to the bold pixel with budget lenses. See for yourself - you will be pleasantly surprised.

              • Vadim

                I support it as I shot on 1200D and then switched to 40D. I like the 40D for its colors, plus the ergonomics. But be careful with on-camera JPEG! The 1200D, in my opinion, has a better JPEG. At forty, you need to set it up correctly for yourself. If you are not too lazy to do this, then the colors are good. The only thing is that if you convert RAW from a computer via DPP (program), then the sharpness in photos is noticeably higher than camera JPEG 40D, pay attention to this!

            • Oleg

              And also pay attention to the beautiful photos taken by Arkady at 1200d, both in the review of the camera itself and in the review of Nikon Nikkor 85mm 1: 1.4. And I think no pixel bothers her and everything is in order with color

              • Andrey T.

                I will keep silent about the quality - I will not offend the owner ...

        • Fedor

          From the old crop it makes sense to switch to a more recent one, for example, the transition from Nikon d200 to Nikon d7200 gives obvious advantages in the form of a much larger DD working ISO up to 1600 and more resolution. Pictures with d7200 are better than with the old ff canon 5d m2

  • Arthur

    magpie is an excellent camera, in my opinion it gives a color cleaner and more pleasant than 7d, which I also have. besides, with 40d it is much easier to get a sharp picture, unlike the same seeds on the same lens, maybe with the elks there will be an advantage, but at the present time it is almost unrealistic)) I enclose the link. the dragonfly was removed on 40d and helios 44 with rings, a bug on industrial i96u, also with rings, the rest on canon 15-85 /
    https://photos.app.goo.gl/gWcVtRYBAsmpSna79

    • Artyom

      Arthur, great photos, the dragonfly is just super. Also I have 40d and in the industrial park I96u, I tried it at home with rings but it turns out dark. Near the window on the windowsill the flower was fotkal, the flu is very small. I didn’t like what I tried to click. Did you process it?

      • Arthur

        Artem, thanks! processing - of course) industar is not very convenient for manual shooting, besides my copy gives a picture with extremely low contrast, you have to pull everything in Photoshop.

    • a

      Times are really hungry ...

  • Vadym

    Quote: “When using fast memory cards, the burst length is much longer than the frame buffer”

    Fact: nifiga like that. As a result, I got to 966 UAH by buying a fast SanDisk card 800x 120 MB / sec. And the series remained at the level of 17-19 frames / sec and then - brakes ... ..
    The old 120x 18 MB / sec had the same result !!!!

    • Michael

      This does not apply to RAW. This camera does not support UHS-I. The write speed on it is most likely limited to 25 MB / s (7.5 according to dpreview) (this is the “fast card”). For JPEG, the burst length can be longer than the buffer, because the camera manages to record them on the card during shooting.

      • Vadym

        Apparently, this is not a matter of RAW, but, nevertheless, the fact that the magpie does not support UHS-I
        Nothing. I've sold my 70D and want to save again and buy a 40D / 50D. They are worth it!

  • shlomo

    my 350d bought for $ 20 a couple of years ago with 3 native batteries and a 4gb card makes much more beautiful pictures than my 550d and 600d. especially in fine weather outside. in the summer if canon then 350d plus 17-50 tamron or 20-35 canon. and the convenience of older models is for girls
    https://gurushots.com/photo/9c3257075fb7a8cfde6efb0526d9df5a
    https://gurushots.com/photo/43ad5f599aeceabf4a65204135887af0

  • Cat

    Gentlemen, the 40D is a great camera for everyday tasks. The megapixel race - just for your money! A photo taken with a whale or a budget "fifty" paired with a 40D is much better and clearer than a modern carcass with tens of megapixels! And of course definitely better than the entire xxxD line! To unleash the full potential of tens of megapixels, you need the appropriate optics! Which costs many times more than the carcass itself! Plus a huge sensitivity to vibration! So you can take amazing pictures with a pair of 40D + Helios 44 (M)! Why pay more if you don't see the difference?

  • Vadim

    40D + 18-135stm

  • Vadim

    I once selected a lens for my forties: I was very doubtful about the 18-135 STM, as it turned out in vain. Before that there was a Sigma 18-125 3.5-5.6 - an old well-assembled lens (produced back in 2004). He just did not have a stabilizer, which is why he changed it to 18-135stm.
    I liked Sigma in the forties and there was enough permission.
    Panorama shot at 40D + Sigma 18-125 3.5-5.6

  • Bukozik

    You put on an external flash and take pictures calmly and almost instantly…. but xxxD cameras shoot much slower in the dark even with an external flash ... I scanned a little more than 100 thousand frames. Then the mirror broke ...

  • Sergey

    Good afternoon, I need advice! I bought a canon 550d with a real mileage of less than 10 frames. I am considering the option of acquiring the canon 2d body as the 40nd device. Outwardly, it seems nothing. But the mileage of 91 thousand frames is confusing. I want to take 40ku for training: try Soviet lenses, learn the basics of shooting. Thank you all in advance for your reply.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      and than 550d is not suitable for training? I would stay with only 550d and better add a new lens. but if necessary, the 40d is a very nice old camera

      • Sergey

        I was inclined to the same decision. I will study the lenses. I ordered a ring with an adapter for helios on Ali. Thank you Arkady for the advice. I am very glad that I found your resource. Thanks to him, he decided to buy the first DSLR.)

  • a guest

    And the matrix on it is not the same as in 400 and 1000d. The 1000 has a 14-bit one, but it is very felt that the matrix is ​​the same as that of the 400, it stretches the same way, and the colors. And I was looking for information about 40k when I switched from 400d, and the matrix there is somewhat different in design and gives really 14 bits of rave.

  • Vadim

    I bought this camera a year ago for 3 rubles. Mileage 30t. After sleeping for a long time getting used to it. Despite its age, the camera can shoot. Skinton liked the default. Ravka is dragging on. The screen of course has a low resolution, it seems that there is no sharpness, but everything goes well on the computer. In the hand lies like a glove. The shutter is quiet. You should have heard how the mirror knocks on Sonya a 100.

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