Canon EOS 40D

This is an absolutely fabulous camera! I can not express through a keyboard how glad I am to buy this puppy. The image quality is fantastic, almost enough to get me to sell my film cameras (almost). With a sharp lens the RAW images are fantastic, and even after converting to JPEGs are almost as fantastic. I never understood, until this camera, what the big deal was about enlarging pics to 100%.

The dial controls and menu are easy to navigate, it just took some time reading through the manual to see what was available.

With the metal casing, it's durable. I was filming some bridges in Madison County when I slipped on some rocks in a creek bed and fell backwards, with my precious 40D hitting a rock. The result, some light cosmetic damage to the camera, and some laughs from observers. Camera works just fine, photographer needs some work.

The 3" monitor is a great upgrade from the D-Rebels I've borrowed from friends.

The Picture Styles is a great feature, although somewhat puzzling. From what I can tell, three of them provide the same settings. But they are adjustible, and I highly recommend increasing the sharpness on all of them.

6.5 frames a second, that's nice. When shooting wild bears it's beneficial to have a fast lens and camera that can compliment it. This is where your memory card's processing speed becomes more of a factor . Unless you're machine-gunning large numbers RAW photos, the Ultra II CF cards will work fine and are cheap.

To get additional info for operations, pick up a copy of "Magic Lantern Guides Canon EOS 40D" There's several tips in there that increase your camera's abilties.

Overall, I wish I could give this camera a 4.5, but I won't. I can't shoot IR without modifying the sensor (thus voiding the warranty), I had to get a new cable release that's oversized and also a new battery pack. But the battery pack is sweet because two of the lithium batteries last me all day. In other words, my complaints are very small.

Image quality
Feels good to hand-hold
Durability
3" view monitor
Easy controls and menu
Adjustible Picture Styles
Frame rate !!1!
Battery pack adds shutter, grip, and LONG battery life

Can't shoot IR
Had to buy a new cable release
Bought 2 months before price drop due to 50D intro (mute point)
Have to read through manual to get full effect of software (also a mute point)

Canon Digital Rebel XT

Hope I won't need it any time soon

Firmware update process is a bit frustrating, had to buy a card reader, can't just use a USB cable like on everything else.

I bought this camera about 2 months ago. It is my first DSLR, though I did have an older Canon EOS film camera before. I just bought the body alone since I already had a couple of lenses and didn't want to spend the extra money on a kit lens. I was also able to get a decent rebate at the time of purchase, along with a Canon printer. I'm very pleased with my camera. The ergonomics are very comfortable, the dials and such are easy to reach and handle. Image quality is only limited to my lenses, which is still very good. Even though the D50 is just around the corner, I have no regrets buying this camera. I feel it should last a long time, perhaps at least long enough to afford a full-frame some day. :D

Build Quality
Ergonomics
Ease of use
Price
Lens & accessory selection

A bit heavy

Canon EOS Elan IIe film camera

Haven't had to ever use it.

A short review for me, but jotting down some notes since I've now been using the 40D for a little while...

I don't upgrade model after model like some, so while some folks might miss out on a tweak made from one model to the next, I was still using a 10D when I bought my 40D, missing two in the series. So I noticed the modifications to the body more. I'm going to be honest and say that I do not think the 40D is built as "tank-like" as the 10D was. It's certainly well made, and better made than the Canon Rebel series of course, but there is a certain amount of cost-cutting in order to meet todays price points I think, and when you hold a 10D and then pick up a 40D, you can feel it.

The body is still a composite alloy and sturdy, but perhaps a bit thinner than in the 10D days. Also, the on/off switch to me, feels much more fiddly (and small) than on the 10D - but similar to newer versions of this camera. The other controls are laid out in Canon tradition and feel right for this price of camera, except for the always cheesy feeling memory card door.

Image quality with good lenses is excellent. Many stores bundle this camera with Canon's 28-135 I.S. lens, and while that lens did a good job on past, lower resolution models, I think when you place it on the 40D's 10 megapixel body, it does start to show it's limitations. It's not a "bad" lens, but it doesn't resolve as much detail as the 10MP chip is putting out. You're only paying $200 roughly for it when bought in the bundle (it retails for around $429.00), so it's not a bad deal as a general lens to use, but if you want the most you can get out of your images, it will be good to invest in a higher quality lens.

The 40D is being bought by everyone from everyday folks who want a "very nice" camera, to pros who use it as a backup body, and those in-between. With the recent announcement of the 50D, prices on the 40D will drop even further, making it an even better deal. Recommended.

1) Very good low light/high iso speed capability.

2) Overall solid feel - quality made.

3) Wide range of lenses to choose from.

4) Good handling and weight for a DSLR.

5) Excellent image quality (with good lenses).

1) Colors thrown off in indoor lighting with no flash using "auto" white balance.

2) Fiddly on/off switch (too small).

3) Kit lens (28-135 IS) is not quite good enough to resolve details from the sensor.

4) "Live view" mode too hard to use/access and not practical.

Canon 10D / Rebel XT, Nikon D40, Sony R1

Canon is quick to answer the phone and generally their people are very knowledgeable (and speak English!). But I did have to send one Canon point-and-shoot back for repair and they shipped it to the incorrect address once finished, even though a typed letter in the box explained not to send it to that address.

Now, I'm not sure if the DSLR repair department is separate from the point-and-shoot department, but I do respect a company more if they honor instructions you include with the item being repaired.

Other than that, however, I've not had to send anything in for repair to compared the hit-to-miss ratio.

One of Canon's best. The buffer and burst rate accommodate the Digic III processor beautifully. The camera I used prior to purchasing the 40d was Canon's 1D Mark II. I have not had the necessity to use my 1D but once since purchasing my 40d. With Canon's L lenses, USM in AI Servo focusing mode, there is nothing I can't do with this camera. All Canon needs to add is the availability of a full frame sensor.

Canon has provided the best service I have ever known to exist... When I call, I make my selections, and am talking to a rep before I hear any sort of hold dialogue and/or music.

Nikon ain't got nuthin' on them.

Great camera! I love the easy to use features and the menus are very easy to navigate.
The grip is good, not to heavy nor to light so as to make minute handling a problem.
Used with a good lens this camera can create great pictures and for the price unbeatable deal!

All the buttons are easy to reach while holding the camera and looking through the view finder. Almost all key functions have dedicated buttons or are the secondary feature of the button (activated by pushing the button twice).

Not too heavy nor too light. Good grip and excellent feel. Great images and fast processing power. Lots of options and features.

Doesn't have a full bodied sensor. No vertical hand grip.

Great bought it from B&H.