Canon 40D Review

Welcome to my Canon 40D review. Unlike some of my other reviews, this is definitely not the first to hit the web. In fact, almost all of the major sites have now covered the 40D in great detail. Having said that, for better or for worse, my approach with regards to the occasional equipment reviews I undertake is quite different from the major sites. I’ve had the 40D for over a month now and have shot over 5,000 frames with it as it’s accompanied me on the floor of the set of The Contender Asia, a major TV production for which I am the Official Photographer. So, this review is a recount of how the camera has performed in the field. Rather than focusing on resolution charts and studio scenes shot (and reshot) at 7 different ISO levels (in RAW, JPG, JPG at different sharpening levels and so on), I’ll attempt to provide a field review of extensive usage with the camera.

 

One caveat is that I’ve been using a Canon 5D for the majority of my photography for the past year. As such, my review will constantly reference the 5D, providing comparisons between the two.

This review is divided into five parts: 

1. Part 1      – Introduction
2. Part 2      – Design, Controls, Timings
3. Part 3      – Live View
4. Part 4      – Image quality
5. Part 5      – Conclusion

Hope you enjoy the review.

Comments

[nemesis]

Thanks Lawrence fot the comprehensive review.

I was contemplating to change my D70s to 40D. It's just that i'm not sure which lens to go with the body. I was thinking of 17-55IS but never had the experience shooting with that glass.

hope that u can help.

Thanks

[etegration]

Cool review! you're really making your 40D work a lot for you. i had my 40D for 4 weeks and i hit 8k shutter but it's due to all the panos since each pano will require at least 20 shots, the number of shots generally go up quickly but you are shooting pro and 5k in a month is really a lot!

[Beyond Megapixels]

Hi, Nemesis. We got the 18-55 IS kit lens, and it's pretty solid. I can shoot handheld at 1/6 and it's still tack sharp.

[jude]

holy shit.. I had no idea you had the 40D - last I heard you were thinking about the 1D Mark III (at which point I have to deny knowing you out of pure jealousy). You just keep buying and doing the reviews.. I'll wait until my choice is made and my pennies are saved. You're a help (believe it or not)..lol