Best Hardware

Custom functions make this camera a breeze to use (2008-11-11)
I have owned this camera since June 2008, prior to this shot with Canon's PowerShot G2. So my review is based on upgrading from an old but still very good point and shoot camera with manual controls to a modern SLR. Since there are obvious difference between the two I'll concentrate on some of the features I like: Custom setting (C1,C2,C3) and the My Menu setting.

The 40D has a multitude of options available, highlight recover, iso noise reduction, mirror lock up, bracketing, live view, etc... but generally you don't need all of these options all the time, that's where the custom setting function comes in handy. Swapping between different shooting profiles is as easy as turning the dial.

Another feature I like is the My Menu setting as you can put your "favorite" menu items on this page giving you quick access to them as some of the settings are a few menus deep in the system.

Learning how to use the 2 features above to your advantage makes the camera that much easier to use.

A work horse (2008-11-09)
What can I say about the Canon 40D that hasn't already been written in dozens of photography magazines and web forums? Probably not a whole lot! LOL!!! If you are seriously considering this camera, chances are you are already familiar with the brand if not the model by now so I will just highlight the things I've found useful and the things I have found annoying about this camera (and YES, there are some things I've found annoying).

First let me say that for a "mid level" DSLR, the piece of equipment is, as my review title states, a serious work horse. Having stepped up from a Canon Rebel XT, which was a great DSLR in it's own right, I was quite impressed with the quality, both of the camera itself and the images it creates right out of the box. My first gripe however is that after using my XT for a while, I found the 40D to be rather bulky and cumbersome. If you are just stepping up to a "pro" level camera from something like a regular point & shoot or if you are like me and simply have small hands (or as in my case, both!), this is something to be aware of. The best analogy I can give is to be used to driving a small compact car like an old Chevy Chevette and suddenly finding yourself behind the wheel of a '56 Buick Roadmaster! It's large, it's heavy and it feels rather awkward. Personally I also find having the info LCD on the top of the camera instead of the back of the camera to be...well...stupid. I really don't like having to stop and "tilt" the camera upwards just to read my settings. There is a button on the back to use the rear screen for this, but it's an extra step to have to do it...I thought the lay out of the Rebel XT was much nicer in this regard.

Now as I said, the image quality this camera produces makes the annoyance of the camera's size and poorly placed info LCD well worth dealing with. Even with my "cheap" third party lenses, the images that have come off this camera have been superb. I've cropped images at close to 100% that have still been very printable. Also I shoot in mostly Aperture Priority mode and I've found the camera to be pretty much right on the nose most of the time. Speaking of crops, another thing to be aware of is that this camera does have an APS-C sized sensor (NOT full frame) so there is aprox a 1.6x crop factor involved with the lenses. Not a complaint mind you, but something to be aware of. Please note however this IS just a crop and not an actual zoom factor...and there IS a difference.

And speaking of "IS"...this leads me to my second gripe. If you are already familiar with Canon, then you should know by now that they have not yet started to incorporate IS or "Image Stabilization" into their DSLR's the way many of the other camera makers have. As such, you usually have to pay a great deal extra for this feature as most Canon IS lenses are rather expensive. In fact with the exception of a couple of recently introduced EF-S models, Canon IS lenses start around $600 and the sky is the virtual limit compared with many other brands with many of their lenses costing several thousands of dollars.

All and all, this is a great camera but it's not "perfect" in the way some Canon aficionados would have you believe. Another minor gripe was that moving up from my XT I had to purchase new spare batteries all over again as the "Rebels" and their higher end counter parts use different batteries...even though both are Li-ion. The same is true of many of the accessories as well...I had to get a new remote, the vertical grips aren't compatible, etc., etc.. If you already own a Rebel, this is something to be aware of as you'll have to replace all of these accessories that you've already shelled out cash for!

Now after reading this I'm sure you're asking, "With all these issues, is it worth it?" and the answer is yes. I've gotten shots with this camera that simply would not have been possible with anything else I've ever owned (digital or film). The focus is fast and accurate, I've had no compatibility problems with any of my lenses (although I do have one fussy flash unit from ProMaster that still won't work with it) and once you get used to it, this camera has a lot of very useful features, such as Highlight Priority, etc.. If you already own Canon EOS gear (remember, this bugger won't work with FD equipment) then it's a very worth while upgrade considering the price drop. If you don't need the high ISO's of the new 50D or the full frame wonders of the 5D Mark II, then the 40D is a wonderful investment and should serve you well for many years.

A great all around camera/lens combination (2008-11-05)
I'm not going into all the lurid details, but this is a GREAT camera and the 28-135 IS is the lens I use day to day with it. It gives a very good range of focal lengths and the IS feature helps with the camera shake at slow shutter speeds that all zoom lens suffer from.

My only caveat is that they're a bit heavy together. Not nearly as bad as some though!

If you can't afford the 50D this is an amazing value and the images are superb. I've printed up to 12x18 with this 10 Mpixel camera and had good results. Depth of colour and sharpness are first rate.

I recommend it highly.

Just get it (2008-10-24)
I shoot professionally full time specializing in advertising and weddings. When I got into advertising I was unsure if this 40d would produce a big enough file to accommodate billboards. I've been proven wrong.

10.1 megapixels is sufficient for full sized billboards. For weddings, in my experience anything larger than this file size would be overkill for the type of prints wedding couples want produced.

The color accuracy has amazed me as well as the endless list of custom functions. You can truly trick this camera out to suit your individual shooting style.

The body is rugged... I don't make a habit of dropping my gear like a schmuck, but if that is your disposition then you will appreciate the magnesium alloy body.

The size fits nicely in big hands and the weight is ideal over larger cameras such as the Mark II series which I have had the pleasure of shooting with.

I will not be upgrading to the new 50d. I will instead be upgrading to the new 5d mark II once that comes out. Only for my own gluttonous reasons though.

Take my word. This beast will serve you well!

dissatisfied (2008-10-19)
I've paid the full price for a new camera, instead, the file numbering shows that's been used a lot before it got to me. I am dissatisfied in the way that the camera works, but I can't return it because I moved to Europe a week after bying it.