If you want a really short review...it's great. Here is the longer and more drawn out version.
I upgraded from the 20D to the 40D and it was a big improvement in many areas, although in truth the 20D had very few issues.
The 40D has the feel of camera which has been really well thought out. It is rare to find a camera which is such an accomplished all-rounder, as the companies tend to point DSLR's either at those after speed, or those wanting detail and cut features in order to leave you wanting to upgrade sooner rather than later.
The image quality produced by the 40D is outstanding in every way - the level of detail is exceptional and the definition, sharpness and colours in JPEG's straight from the box are all excellent. You also have the option of RAW mode, or RAW + JPEG followed by photoshop.
Perhaps another strength of this camera is the quality of the point and shoot mode, it is great most of the time but the creative modes have enough to ensure that you have all possibilities at your fingertips. The camera has Aperture, Shutter priority modes as well as Manual.
This camera is suitable for beginners and intermediate / advanced and is small enough to be carried around all day without breaking your neck. One of my personal dislikes however, is the weight of the camera; I now own a Nikon D700 and prefer the extra weight, I think it makes for a more steady shot and it flaps around less when slung around your back but it's a small niggle and this drawback may be an advantage for the more sane.
This camera is also really fast and can cope with action and wildlife photography but perhaps the lack of weather proofing brings it down in this area.
The camera produces a cropped photo: a great advantage when wanting to get up close but the opposite when shooting landscapes. The dedicated wide angle lenses are good but to buy a high quality truly wide angle lens for this camera is costly and if that type of photography is your passion, then perhaps a Full Frame DSLR is a better (if costlier) choice.
While I am mentioning niggles, the Canon cameras tend to have functions buried within menus and sub menus, Nikon cameras tend to use dials on the camera more (although still have much buried away). It is not a showstopper, as you soon find what you need but it does take a bit longer to learn. I have found the controls are easier to use, while looking through the viewfinder on my Nikon than my Canon but six and two threes sums up this argument between brands.
If you read enough camera reviews, you soon realise that the Canon vs Nikon question creates the same level of fanaticism as you find in deep rooted religious conflict but my advice for all it's worth is to choose the camera which suits the type of photography you do.
The kit lens is ok but if I was buying again, I would get the body only, as the kit lens does not do the camera justice and my lens became loose and sloppy after about six months. Perhaps another niggle might be that not all Canon lenses fit this camera, if you later decide to upgrade to Full Frame, you will need to get rid of all you lenses. This downside, has to be tempered with the huge cost of a Full Frame DSLR and the additional cost of top of the range lenses.
There is very little wrong with this camera and a lot to love about it. It does it all and is far better value for money than the 50D, which is a small upgrade for a big price and at the same time it offers a significant advantage over the 30D. If you want it all in one place then this could be for you.
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has been released from Canon. Pre-orders will not be charged until the item ships. The EOS 40D takes mid-range Digital SLRs to exciting heights with enhanced resolu...
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Advantages: Extremely detailed images, ergonomic design layout, huge screen Disadvantages: May feel heavy to some - no other minus points discovered yet
graeme10 28.04.2008 (28.04.2008)
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Review of Canon EOS 40D
Advantages: Extremely detailed images, ergonomic design layout, huge screen Disadvantages: May feel heavy to some - no other minus points discovered yet
graeme10 28.04.2008 (28.04.2008)
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Review of Canon EOS 40D
Advantages: build quality, picture quality, ease of use Disadvantages: very occasional difficulties with auto focus, no anti-dust protection for the sensor
cornzee 08.06.2007 (08.06.2007)
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