Canon 40d

By Author: Manuel Espinosa
Total Articles: 3
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Why would I choose the EOS 40D as an entry level digital SLR?
I'm very excited about Canon's new successor to the EOS 30D, though it is one of the more expensive entry level digital SLR's, you get what you pay for.

Most entry level digital SLR's use plastic the Canon 40D uses magnesium alloy for the body which not only means it's going to be more durable in the long term but also tougher and resilient.
Like other semi-pro cameras, the Canon EOS 40D offers two control wheels; one on the top of the handgrip, and a large, spinning dial on the back of the camera that is easy to ‘spin', for menu navigation Canon's has incorporated an additional small joystick on the back of the camera which works well. Along with it's easy to read menu system all it's controls soon become second nature, and the layout does make routine adjustments very straightforward.
To make the Canon EOS 40D quicker to use there are two LCD displays on this camera; one on top and the other on the rear. On cheaper cameras, the LCD on the rear usually has to do all the jobs, but on this model all the camera settings are visible from ...
... above on the smaller panel.
The Canon EOS 40D's software suite is very good, too. Not just image browsing and editing software, you also get Canon's simple but effective PhotoStitch application for making panoramic shots, a utility for using the 40D remotely (while tethered to a PC) and Canon's Digital Photo Professional application for converting RAW files. RAW conversion software isn't normally included by other makers.

One advantage of Canon's DIGIC III processor is the speed at which it can process images and save them to the memory card. This, and a heavy-duty shutter/mirror mechanism, allows the Canon EOS 40D to achieve its amazing 6.5fps continuous shooting speed, and to maintain it for 75 JPEG images or 17 RAW files. In this respect that 40D completely obliterates its cheaper rivals, and if you're at all interested in sports photography, it's an excellent choice for this reason alone - the 3fps shooting of other cameras in this price band is just too slow.
If your like me and hate those fat paperbacks with some cameras which turn out to contain just a handful of pages in a dozen different languages, you'll be pleasantly surprised with the documentation that comes with the 40D. Yes it's all in English and you'll find everything you need to know about the camera's operation in here, without the need to go rummaging through the CDs for an ‘electronic' manual.
In a nutshell, the Canon EOS 40D is a hefty, well designed, well made camera with controls aimed firmly at serious photographers. Essentially this is a camera for those who already know how to take good photos and want to be able to do it quickly without fuss and gimmicks. At the other end of the spectrum a green ‘Auto' button offers a foolproof point and shoot allowing novices get better results. A camera that is for frequent use, the Canon 40D is everything you could want in a DSLR.