Viewfinder (8.75)
The 40D’s Eye-level pentaprism on the 40D is a lofty step up from its predecessor. With increased magnification from .90x to .95x, the view is notably larger and brighter than that of the 30D. Canon didn’t improve framing accuracy, however, retaining the same 95 percent coverage as previous models in the line. The 5 percent leniency was weighted towards the bottom of the frame on the model we evaluated, adding more to the captured image than what had been composed.
The 40D is backed by an interchangeable Standard Precision Matte (Ef-A) focusing screen. There are two accessory options available: a Precision Matte Grid (Ef-D) screen, which contains a 4x2 matrix superimposed across the center of the frame, and a Super Precision Matte (Ef-S) screen that is said to make it easier to see the point of focus when working manually.
Canon updated the shooting information visible in the 40D’s viewfinder. The 40D shows a constant display of ISO speed; previous models in the line only indicated the sensitivity when the setting was being adjusted. Canon has also added a signifier for its black and white setting and a two-digit burst readout.
LCD Screen (8.75)
The Canon 40D features a 3-inch LCD screen, composed of 230,000 pixels. The screen is larger than the display on the 30D, though formed of equal resolution. The additional surface area makes the 40D easier to see, though the quality is inferior.
The display is brighter than previous iterations, and the sharpening applied to thumbnail images is said to have been increased, though we still found images looked soft on screen. We were also disappointed with the rendering of colors, which appeared more vibrant and saturated than the actual file.
The LCD is aligned with the far left portion of the back of the camera. Canon positioned the screen further towards the edge than on previous models, consuming the space where the control buttons were arrayed on the 30D. The slightly unusual placement may make it challenging to hold the camera with two hands without rubbing your thumb across the screen or obscuring portions of the display.
Some competing DSLRs with Live View capabilities couple the feature with an articulated display screen that can be tilted or rotated to remain visible at extreme angles. The 40D’s screen does not move, though is viewable off-axis. The screen offers a wide angle of view in all directions, quoted by Canon at 140 degrees. The visibility range has been reduced from the 170-degree viewing angle of the EOS 30D’s screen, in an attempt to increase performance in bright outdoor conditions.
Canon increased the maximum screen brightness on the 40D to offer manual adjustment along a 7-step range. Canon also advertises an expanded color gamut on the new LCD. During our evaluation, the screen’s slightly saturated rendering of images was more apparent, particularly in red and green tones. The monitor does remain surprisingly defined at extreme angles – particularly when viewed from below – although there’s no significant improvement in bright light performance; visibility is still minimal.
Live View
The 40D offers a Live View setting, which supplies a “real-time” display of lighting, tonalities, color balance, and composition on the LCD or computer screen prior to capturing an image. The live view displayed on the LCD screen carries 100 percent frame coverage, unlike the viewfinder, so recorded images appear exactly as they were composed. It is only available in Creative Zone modes, however.
In Live View, users can magnify images up to 10x, preview depth-of-field, and view a grid overlay to justify subjects. A live histogram is also available, which can be set to show either a Brightness or RGB display. For many users, the histogram will likely serve as the most useful element of the live preview, providing an accurate gauge of exposure levels across the tonal range. Variable Metering Timer settings are offered, with options from 4 seconds to 30 minutes, selectable in the dedicated Live View menu.
Autofocus
The 40D provides optional autofocus functionality in Live View mode. It can be enabled or disabled in the Custom Settings menu, and is accessed during capture with the AF-On button. Depressing the button drops-down the mirror and engages the autofocus; the mirror will remain down for as long as the AF button is held. The process itself is quite loud, and focusing performance was marginal at best; we found it often took multiple attempts to catch and lock in properly.
Silent Mode
Canon has included a selection of “silent shooting” modes, available in Live View. The settings aim to minimize noise by reducing the shutter release time. Three options are available: Silent Mode 1, Silent Mode 2, and Disabled. We found the Silent modes to be more interesting in concept than in usage. When engaged, the shutter will produce less audible noise than ordinary shooting without the setting; however, the effect is somewhat overstated by Canon. Even at its most reserved, the 40D isn’t inconspicuous enough for fly-on-the-wall photojournalism.
Monochrome LCD
Consistent with previous models in the line, the EOS 40D retains a monochromatic LCD display on the top of the camera. The informational screen presents the following shooting data: Shutter Speed, Flash indicator, Image Quality/Size, White Balance, Battery level indicator, Exposure scale, Bracketing range, Card writing status, ISO, B&W shooting, Custom function, Metering Mode, Drive Mode, AF Mode, White Balance correction, Self-timer & Bulb countdown, Shots remaining indicator, CF warning, and AF point selection. An orange illuminator is available for viewing in low light, and the data presented is generally easy to read.
Flash (8.25)
The EOS 40D has a pop-up flash built into the camera body and a Hot Shoe on the viewfinder hump for attaching dedicated flashes. Canon reports a guide number of 13 (in meters) at ISO 100, and an angle of view that covers 17mm lenses and longer for its pop-up unit. The flash has a 3-second recycle time.
The 40D also has max sync speed of 1/250 second, which is consistent with its direct competitors.
We evaluated the flash output at f/4 at 10 feet and the results were solid. Coverage was uniform edge to edge, with consistent illumination across the frame.
Flash options and settings are somewhat randomly distributed throughout the interface. For example, red-eye reduction is activated in the Shooting menu and flash exposure compensation has a dedicated button on top of the camera. A Flash Control submenu is housed within the Setup menu, which accesses the following options:
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Flash Control
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Flash firing
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Enable or disable
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Built-in flash func. Setting
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Flash mode, Shutter sync, Flash exp. Comp, E-TTL II
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External flash func. Setting
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Controls external flash
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External flash C.Fn setting
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Controls external flash
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Like the EOS 1D Mark III, the 40D can adjust settings on external Speedlites within the Camera menu. Among the controllable settings are: Flash mode, sync, bracketing, flash EV compensation, and zoom. The 40D can also control communication settings across multiple flashes – channels, groupings, and brightness ratios – when a 580 EX II Speedlite is locked into the Hot Shoe to trigger slave flashes. This feature resembles Nikon’s Commander mode (included on some of its DSLRs); however, Nikon’s version is far more innovative and pragmatic since it constructs the master trigger into the pop-up flash. At the very least, Nikon’s design saves the cost of an extra Speedlite, which for the 40D equates to about $400.
Lens Mount (9.0)
The 40D accepts Canon’s vast assortment of EF and EF-S lenses. The selection is considerable, and there are a number of key focal lengths offered at multiple max apertures (e.g. 70-200 f/4, and 70-200 f/2.8), granting a bit more flexibility in price and optical design than most manufacturers provide.
The EOS 40D – like all Canon DSLRs – lacks body-based image stabilization. Canon does, however, offer select lenses (primarily telephoto) with moving optical elements to compensate for camera shake. Canon’s “IS” lenses are effective, but generally quite costly, and the selection limited. Sensor-shift stabilization systems, now employed by a number of DSLR manufacturers, offer a more practical system for DSLRs since it impacts all applied lenses.
Canon sells the 40D in a few different kits. All three kit lenses carry optical image stabilization. The least expensive package supplies a modified version of the 30D’s kit lens that now includes IS and lists for $1,299. Two more costly, though far more capable packages are also available; the first pairs the camera with an EF-S 17-85 IS USM lens and sells for $1,799, while the other includes an EF 28-135 f/3.5-5.6 IS lens and costs $1,499.95.
