Canon EOS 40D first look Digital SLR Review

Canon EOS 40D hands-on first look Review - The Canon EOS 40D falls into the mitts of Rebecca Bradley who tries out its new features in an ePHOTOzine first, hands on look.

Rumours of the Canon EOS 40D have been around for a while, but it wasn't until yesterday that the new mid-range SLR was launched officially at the Canon Autumn Collection press event. And it was worth every bit of the wait.

CANON EOS 40D SPECIFICATIONS

• Sensor: CMOS - 10.1Mp
• Image Size: 3888x2592
• Lens: Takes all Canon EF and EF-S lenses
• Focus: TTL 9 AF Points
• Exposure: Auto/Program/AP/SP/M
• Metering: 35 Zone Eval/CW/Spot/P
• Monitor: 3.0in. TFT
• Other Features: Live View, EOS Integrated Cleaning System, 6.5fps
• Movie Mode: No
• Storage: CompactFlash I/II
• Batteries: Rechargeable Lithium-ion
• AC Adaptor: Optional
• Size/Weight: 146x108x74mm - 740g
• Transfer: USB 2.0

CANON EOS 40D CONTROLS

1. Mode Dial
2. White Balance
3. AF
4. ISO
5. Exposure lock
6. AF Point selection
7. Menu selection dial
8. Image playback
9. Delete
10. Jump
11. Information display
12. Picture style

In comparison to its predecessor, it has 10.1Mp resolution as opposed to 8.2Mp on the 30D, and has an increased shooting speed of 6.5 fps, making it an ideal choice for sports and wildlife photography. There has also been the inclusion of the latest generation of Canon's image processing engine DIGIC III, and an increase in LCD size from 2.5in to 3in, enabling easier menu operation and image playback.

Another interesting feature of the 40D is the inclusion of the sRAW recording format, which cuts the file size in half while retaining all of the creative possibilities associated with shooting in RAW.

CANON EOS 40D HANDLING
One of the first things I noticed about the 40D was how well set out and unclustered the arrangement of buttons on the back was, making it very easy to use. The traditional wheel on the back is retained and the camera is simpler to pick up and use than a Nikon D200 for example, although it's not quite the same build quality. There's only one selection wheel for example.

The camera is easy to grip and feels sturdy and well-built, if slightly on the heavy side, and when carrying out test shots it was quick to start up. The focusing was fast enough, though the 9-point focusing system could pick up things nearest the camera, rather than in the centre of the image. When the camera is reviewed fully we'll look at how the different focusing modes work. The results were bright and colourful by default, and were easily viewable on the sizeable 3in. LCD screen. The LCD can, unusually if you don't use Olympus, also be used to frame the scene in a Live view mode. The fast shooting speed of 6.5fps enables you to rattle pictures off in rapid succession and this gives pleasing feedback in use.

 

A quick test shot taken with the camera, in fairly low light, hence the soft result.

 

The Canon EOS 40D is expected to be available as from September at a RRP of £899 (body only). A full review will follow.

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