A year and a half in the making, Canon’s EOS 40D modifies the foundation set by the EOS 30D and 20D, while incorporating elements from the manufacturer’s 1D line. The camera is centered on a 10.1-megapixel APS-C-sized CMOS sensor, paired with a newly developed DIGIC III image processor, which boosts the continuous burst speed up to 6.5 frames per second. Mechanical improvements include a renovated autofocus system with 9 cross-type sensors, and the addition of Canon’s Integrated Cleaning System (dust reduction). Additional weatherproofing has been applied around the base plate and compartment doors, and a large 3-inch Live View LCD screen is affixed to the camera body. Canon also worked in Silent Shooting modes, sRAW files, and a revamped menu structure. The 40D is offered in various kits, ranging in price from $1,299 to $1,799, depending on the packaged lens.
Physical Tour
Front (7.5)
The Canon EOS 40D looks like a formidable DSLR with its large build and hefty grip. It looks almost exactly like the 30D, except for a more pronounced divot for the middle finger to grasp. The hand grip is coated with a textured rubbery material that almost looks like leather. Above the finger cradle at the top of the hand grip is a plane that slants from the top of the camera toward the front; this is where the large shutter release button is located. To its right, in the valley between the grip and the lens mount, is an LED that acts as the self-timer and red-eye reduction lamp. Near the bottom of the grip on the inner edge is a small rubber panel that fits where the power adaptor plugs into the battery compartment.
To the right of the hand grip is the large lens mount with its couplings around the rim and its contacts along the bottom of the inside. On the right side of the mount is the lens release button with an EOS 40D badge above it. There are buttons above and below the lens release button, but those are more visible from the left side and will be discussed in that section.
Above the lens mount is the trademark white Canon logo with the built-in flash just above it. The wide flash unit pops up about two inches on two sturdy hinged legs. Visible behind it is the hot shoe.
Canon EOS 30D (left), Canon EOS 40D (right)
Back (7.0)
The back of the Canon EOS 40D has a few similarities to the 30D, but is mostly redesigned. The 40D accommodates a larger LCD screen – 3 inches rather than the 30D’s 2.5 inches – that sits closer to the left edge of the back. At the bottom of the LCD is Canon’s logo, and below it is a horizontal row of buttons. On the older 30D, this row of buttons was placed vertically on the left edge. On the 40D, the buttons activate the following functions from left to right: playback, delete, jump, info, and picture style selection. The picture style selection button is new on the body, and forces the menu button out of this line and up to the upper left corner of the back.
Above the upper left corner of the LCD is the menu button with a smaller LED-adorned print/transfer button to its right. Above them, the grooved edge of the mode dial can be seen. Above the right half of the LCD is the viewfinder surrounded by a large, soft eyecup. A small diopter adjustment dial peeks out from the upper right corner of the cushioned eyecup.
The smooth black paneling that incorporates the buttons, viewfinder, and LCD spills to the right and encloses the large quick control dial and the smaller multi-controller above it. The large quick control dial spins around easily with its wide grooved edge. In its center is a set button and to its lower right is a small indicator LED light. To its lower left is a power switch that moves between off, on, and on with quick control navigation. The quick control dial can be disabled with this switch.
To the right of the smooth black panel and the majority of the controls is an odd-shaped textured surface that matches that of the front hand grip. This surface, along with the slightly raised upper right corner of the camera, aids in handling.
The raised right corner is contoured and has two multi-function buttons: FE lock/index/reduce button on the left and AF point selection/enlarge button on the right. To the left of these buttons, on the slope downward, is a smaller AF-on start button. The last button mentioned is also new to the camera body.
Canon EOS 30D (left), Canon EOS 40D (right)
Right Side (8.0)
The right side of the 40D is thick, just like the 30D. From this angle, the Canon DSLRs look very similar. They both have the same textured panel on the front of the hand grip. The rear half has a memory card door with a few bumps for friction. The door pops open to reveal the CompactFlash card slot, but the hinge isn’t very springy. Near the top of the right side, the shutter release button can be seen at the front and the strap lug shows towards the back.
Left Side (8.0)
This side differs from the 30D. The 30D has a strangely shaped rubber panel that protects the jacks and ports. The 40D, however, organizes these jacks and ports under two rectangular panels that are placed side-by-side. The cleaner look is welcome. The left panel covers the PC and remote control terminals, while the right panel houses video-out and USB jacks. The wide divot below these two panels makes them easier to pry open than the typical skinny, narrow fingernail grips.
Most of the left side of the body is coated in the rubber material prevalent on the right hand grip. Toward the front of the camera and on the cusp of the lens mount are three buttons. The central button, the lens release, is flanked by smaller buttons above and below it. The flash button is at the top with the unlabeled depth-of-field preview button at the bottom.
Top (7.75)
The Canon EOS 40D looks very similar to its predecessor from this angle. The mode dial is located on the left shoulder and the flash/hot shoe/viewfinder hump is located just above the lens mount. The hot shoe can be clearly seen from here: it has four contacts and brackets on each side to attach flash accessories.
The top of the hand grip looks familiar with the shutter release placed in a comfy contour near the front and a protruding jog dial behind it. Near the back is a monochrome LCD panel that displays exposure settings and information. Between it and the front of the camera is a row of four small ball-like buttons that activate the following functions: LCD illumination, metering/white balance, AF/drive, and ISO/flash exposure compensation.
Bottom (8.0)
Below the hand grip is a plastic door with a flimsy hinge. The door, which covers the battery, has a lock on it that must be slid inward to open. The battery has a small lock that keeps it in place. The door snaps back tightly.
Centered below the lens mount is a metal quarter-inch tripod socket surrounded by legal compliance information and the serial number. There are some grooves near the tripod mount. In the lower corner, opposite the hand grip, is a thumbnail-sized rubber panel that covers the extension system terminal.
