Canon EOS -40D

Model Design / Appearance (8.5)
The 40D is designed for usage rather than aesthetics, but for a mid-priced DSLR, it holds its own in both respects. The external styling is similar to the 30D, with the exception of a slight reworking of the rear layout. The 40D comes off a bit smoother than the 30D, with rounder edges and less defined contours.

Canon claims increased protection against the elements; dust and weatherproof sealants have been applied to the base plate and battery compartment door to help prevent dirt and moisture from getting in. We didn’t attempt to test the effectiveness of these additions (tempting as it was), but we could only observe a slight foam outline around the edge of the door. The camera is slightly heavier than its predecessor, which carries the same dimensions. The shutter is now also rated at 100,000 actuations, an accepted benchmark connoting professional-grade durability.

The 40D houses Canon’s 3rd-generation Integrated Cleaning System. Central to the system is an automatic mechanism to shake dust off the sensor. The operation can be set to run automatically when the camera is powered on/off, or can be accessed manually through the menu. A Dust Delete Data function serves as the next line of defense. It essentially takes a test shot and generates a map of the dust detected on the low-pass filter. The information can then be used in conjunction with Digital Photo Professional (packaged software) to automatically remove the dust spots from the photo. Additionally, Canon has applied coatings to the shutter and anti-aliasing filter to repel dust and prevent particles from attaching to the sensor.

The cleaning system is fairly consistent with other manufacturers’ iterations, and for the most part, proved equally effective.

Size / Portability (7.25)
DSLRs aren’t designed to be thrown in a bag or stuffed in a pocket. This series of Canon cameras is lighter than the 1D series, but puts a little more weight in the hand than the entry-level XT series. Like the 20D and 30D, the Canon 40D measures 5.7 x 4.2 x 2.9 inches. At 26.1 ounces, it weighs slightly more than the 24.7-ounce 30D. The 40D’s size and weight are on par with its competitors.

Handling Ability (8.0)
For longtime Canon shooters, handling the EOS 40D will feel like driving an old car - at times frustrating, but still, comforting and familiar. The 40D layout is logical and relatively intuitive, though not as friendly and sensible as Nikon’s designs. On the 40D, like all EOS bodies, Canon has included one jog dial above the shutter button, and applied a Quick control dial to the back of the camera body. The quick control may take a little getting used to for those new to Canon DSLRs, but it’s a strong design and efficient for both shooting and playback once the acclimation period ends.

A recurring question mark in EOS architecture is the continued placement of the power switch on the lower back portion of the camera body. While this leaves the control out of the way of accidental depression, the positioning and sloping design forces users to power the camera on with their left hand while gripping the camera with their right. The two-handed design differs from the more logical construction utilized by Nikon and Pentax, which places the power control around the shutter release. When integrated with the shutter button, users can power the camera on and snap a quick shot much faster, using just their right hand. This also frees shooters up to walk with the camera powered off – conserving battery juice – until they’re ready to fire off a shot.

Control Button / Dial Positioning / Size (7.5)
Retaining the same basic layout as the EOS 30D, the 40D’s control array has been modified from its predecessor to make room for the enlarged 3-inch LCD. In doing so, the vertical array of buttons has been shifted from the left side of the display to below it. This is detrimental for handling, as the expanded display results in less physical space to hold the camera and make adjustments – an issue that’s impacted usability on point-and-shoot cameras for a while. Alternatively, this is not an issue on the competing Nikon D300, which also touts a 3-inch LCD; Nikon was able to expand the display without removing buttons from either side of the screen. The buffer space is where your hands naturally fall, and is invaluable for comfort and control.

The biggest issue with the 40D’s layout, however, is its seemingly unnecessary re-pairing of settings and buttons on the top of the camera. The 30D had the same three buttons, in the same place, but they controlled different settings. With each button, one setting was changed, while the other was kept the same. The buttons on the 40D access Metering/White Balance, Autofocus/Drive mode, ISO/Flash exposure compensation; the same controls on the EOS 30D cover Autofocus/White balance, Drive/ISO, Metering/Flash exposure compensation. Collectively, the same six settings are accessible, with the same three buttons, just not the same buttons for each setting. Make sense? We were under the impression that Canon implemented its Picture Styles (which gain a dedicated button on the 40D) to help streamline compatibility across multiple bodies. It seems like 20D and 30D shooters may oddly face a steep adjustment curve.

The dedicated Picture Styles control, along with the direct print button, also appears to be an impractical use of the 40D’s external real estate. Both features are convenient, and may appeal to a small segment of users; however, we suspect the majority of shooters would have preferred more critical settings (Bracketing, Mirror Lock-Up, Picture Size/Quality Options, Live View menu) assigned to those buttons. Further, neither control is customizable. User-specified button assignments are increasingly common on DSLRs, and we hope Canon furthers its profusion. If not, hopefully 40D (and 5D) users do a lot of direct printing!

Canon added an AF-On button on the back of the camera that we found particularly useful. The AF-On button is adjustable (in the Custom Settings menu), and can be used to separate autofocus and auto exposure lock functions, and engage autofocus in Live View mode. The button is flexible, logically placed opposite the shutter release on the top back portion of the camera, and improves shooting efficiency.

Menu (8.25)
The Menu system is organized in nine tabs; two Shooting, two Playback, three Setup, one Custom, and one My Menu tabs. The tabs are color coded; red for Shooting, blue for Playback, yellow for Setup, orange for Custom Function, and green for My Menu.

The 40D’s menu layout is a break from its predecessors, which have list-style menus that require users to scrolls through options with the Quick Control dial. The tabbed menus are logically arranged and closely resemble the 1D Mark III. Menu options fit on the displayed screen, eliminating the need to scroll through lengthy lists.

Shooting 1
Quality	Set image size and compression
Red-eye On/Off	Turn red-eye reduction on or off
Beep	Turn focus lock beep on or off
Shoot w/o card	Take a shot without a memory card in the camera
Review time	Off, 2 second, 4 second, 8 second, Hold
Shooting 2
AEB	Controls exposure bracketing, +/- 2 stops in 1/3-stop increments.
White balance	Select from auto and preset white balance settings
Custom WB	Manual white balance
WB SHIFT/BKT	Shift white balance along the blue/amber and magenta/green axis, bracket white balance +/- 3 steps in full stops
Color space	sRGB or Adobe RGB
Picture Style	Standard, Portrait, Landscape, Neutral, Faithful, Monochrome, three custom settings
Dust Delete Data	Used in conjunction with included Digital Photo Professional software to track and remove spots in images caused by dust on the sensor
Playback 1
Protect images	Prevents images from being erased
Rotate	Rotates selected image
Erase images	Erase individual images or all images on the memory card
Print order	Select number of prints to be made from an individual image or all images on a memory card
Transfer order	Select images to transfer from the camera to the computer
External media backup	Appears when an external device is attached to the camera
Playback 2
Highlight alert	Turns the highlight warning on or off
AF point disp.	Display the focus points on the image during playback
Histogram	Select brightness or RGB histogram
Auto play	Plays images automatically

Setup 1
Auto power off	The power can be set to shut off after 1, 2, 4, 8, 15 or 30 minutes.
File numbering	Set the way images are numbered
Auto rotate	Images can be set to automatically rotate when viewed on the LCD screen and/or computer.
INFO button	The INFO button can be set to display camera settings and/or shooting functions.
Format	Formats the memory card
WFT settings	Appears when the wireless transmitter is attached
Record func. + media select	Appears when media is connected via the wireless transmitter
Setup 2
LCD brightness	Sets the LCD brightness
Date/Time	Sets the date and time
Language	18 languages are available
Video system
Sensor cleaning	Can be set to auto, manual, or clean now
Live View function settings	Enable/Disable Live View and select settings
Flash control	Controls various flash functions
Setup 3
Camera user setting	Assign camera settings to the custom positions on the mode dial
Clear all camera settings	Restores default settings
Firmware Ver.	Displays current firmware version installed in the camera

Custom Functions
C.Fn I: Exposure	Set ISO increments
C.Fn II: Image	Turn long exposure noise reduction to off, auto, or on
C.Fn III: Auto focus/Drive	Enable or disable mirror lockup
C.Fn IV: Operation/Others	Enable/disable Live View exposure simulation
Clear all Custom Func. (C.Fn)	Clears all Custom Functions

My Menu
My Menu settings	Stores Menu settings and Custom Functions selected by the user

Ease of Use (6.75)
The 40D supplies a range of modes that allow users to determine the degree of control they’d like to assume over the camera. For those looking for point-and-shoot usability, the Full Auto mode transforms the camera into a one click device; those interested in more advanced functionality can shoot remotely, manually adjusting each setting on their PC. The all-inclusive approach offers a versatile platform for users looking to grow into the medium, and the logical layout should be reasonably intuitive for all level shooters.

Ironically, the biggest roadblock in usability applies to existing 30D shooters. Canon, for some reason, has reassigned the three control buttons on the top of the camera. The buttons access critical shooting parameters - ISO, White Balance, and Metering mode – and are likely to disorient 30D shooters who have become familiar enough with the camera to shoot by feel. 30D users expecting to adjust ISO with the center control will actually end up switching the Drive mode on the 40D. If they’d like to change the ISO on the 40D, they will have to use the rightmost control, which set the Metering pattern on the 30D. We feel for any professional on a shoot with both 30D and 40D bodies – hopefully the additional weight or enlarged LCD will help the association along. Perhaps a future Picture Style will emerge for unifying button assignments?