Canon EOS -40D

Connectivity
Software (8.25)
The 40D packages an EOS Digital Solutions disk with the camera. It includes the following utilities: Digital Photo Professional v3.1, Zoom BrowserEX 5.8, EOS Utility 2.1, Photostitch 3.1, a TWAIN driver, Original Data Security Tools 1.1, WFT Utility 3.1, and Picture Styles Editor 1.0.

Within the various applications, users can sort, file, stitch, and browse images, covert RAW files, and remove mapped dust particles. The RAW converter supplies controls for color, white balance, saturation, exposure, contrast, and sharpness. Users can also apply Picture Styles or reduce noise. Batch processing is also available.

We found RAW conversions made with Digital Photo Professional at its default settings were slightly less saturated, though more contrasty, than the same image processed in Adobe Camera RAW. It’s a powerful program in its own right, but the interface isn’t as clean and fluid as Adobe’s.

Jacks, ports, plugs (7.5)
All of the same jacks and ports that are on the older 30D are also on the 40D, although they are aligned in a cleaner design on the new model. On the left side of the camera body are two vertical rectangular rubber flaps that sit next to each other. There is a shared wide finger grip below them that makes it easier to pry open than the traditionally smaller grips under individual panels. The rubber flap on the right opens to reveal the AV-out and USB jacks. The left flap opens to terminals for PC flash and remote control accessories. A power adaptor can be fitted into the battery compartment; there is a tiny rubber flap on the inner lip of the front of the hand grip that allows the wire to pass through. On the bottom of the camera is another rubber flap that covers a terminal for an extension system. All in all, this selection covers the necessities and then some.

The 40D claims improved weather sealing over the 30D, particularly around the card and battery doors. Also if the card door is opened while the camera is still recording data to the card, a warning appears, but the writing continues, unlike in the past when all buffered frames would be lost.

Direct Print Options (8.0)
With an included USB cable, the EOS 40D is equipped to print images directly from the camera. It is PictBridge compatible and can also print to Canon’s CP, Selphy, and Pixma printers. With all of the manual controls and RAW shooting capability, it is unlikely that the direct print feature will be used often – although it can be handy at times. Canon felt that it deserved a designated button on the camera body, so there is a button in the upper left corner of the back marked with an LED in its center and labeled with printing and transferring icons. This is Canon’s print/share button, which is used to send print orders to the connected printer. Users can choose images to add to the order along with how many of each print to make, the size of the paper, type of paper, printing effects, and layout. There are also a few editing features – trimming and tilt correction – that can be used in conjunction with direct printing. The tilt correction feature isn’t compatible with all printers though.

Battery (7.0)
The Canon EOS 40D takes a BP-511A lithium-ion battery pack. This is the same battery that fits into the 30D, 20D, 5D, and older PowerShot G-series digital cameras. When the flash is turned off and the camera is at room temperature (73 degrees Fahrenheit), the battery lasts 1,100 shots. When the flash is used half of the time, the battery life shortens to 800 shots. In colder temperatures, the battery is strained even more. Without the flash, the battery can get 950 shots at freezing point (32 degrees Fahrenheit). With the flash turned on for half of the pictures, only 700 shots can be taken in the cold. There is also a CR2016 coin-type lithium backup battery, but this won’t power the camera; it will only power the camera enough for it to remember saved exposure settings and such. This backup battery will need to be replaced about every five years. A convenient, small wall-mount CG-580 battery charger is included with the 40D. When users need extended power, an optional AC power adaptor kit can be purchased and loaded into the battery compartment. The cord threads through a rubber flap on the front of the camera; it can barely be seen because it sits at the bottom of the inner lip of the hand grip.

Memory (3.5)
Images can be saved to CompactFlash type I and II memory cards that can be loaded into the right side of the camera body. CF is the most common media format for DSLRs although some entry-level models are now accepting SD cards. Despite its slightly larger size, CF cards are still the preferred media because they have faster read/write speeds than other types of memory cards. There is a plastic door that slides open to reveal the card slot. Images can also be saved to a hard drive via the USB cable or through the optional WFT-E3A wireless file transmitter.

Other features (7.75)
Highlight Tone Priority – According to Canon, this mode is designed to expand the dynamic range in the highlights, which they define as middle gray (18 percent) to the whitest highlight. The setting minimizes the apparent transitions from grays to highlights and creates more continuous tonalities. Canon cautions users to expect to see an increase in noise in the shadow values. The setting also limits Auto ISO to 200 – 1600.

WFT-E3A Wireless Transmitter – An accessory option for the 40D, the WFT-E3A transmitter allows the 40D to send files to external recording media or communicate with a GPS device. Images can be recorded separately to different media, or can be set to record to multiple sources simultaneously. With both the wireless transmitter and live view enabled, studio shooters can manipulate camera controls remotely, watching a video feed of the scene. Unfortunately, the crafty gizmo sells for $699.99.

Custom Settings – The 40D offers 3 sets of user-defined settings and 24 custom functions. The options aren’t quite as extensive as Nikon’s D300, though they cover most necessities.