400d vs 40d

Gary.D

Gary.D

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Gary Derbridge
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I am looking at upgrading my 400d to the 40d, but reading comments on the internet is it really worth it.
The 40d is going to cost me getting on for £600 and some people are saying on the internet that there isn't really a huge difference from the 400d.

Would you say it was worth the money?

Thanks
 
Depends on why you want to upgrade, the 40 will have better build quality, faster FPS and can be used at 1600 ISO without too much noise, but as I say depends on the need for upgrade, if you dont need the FPS, dont shoot in low light, may be worth sticking with the 400 and invest in glass.
 
That depends whether things like the few extra FPS and niceties like live view and build quality (if you're going to be bashing it around) matter to you. If they don't, you probably don't need to upgrade.

Best thing to do would be to do a side-by-side comparison of the specifications of the two cameras and see if there is anything you think is worth spending the money on.
 
That's certainly a good reason then, but bear in mind that better glass will have an effect on low light performance too. Of course, if you can find a way to afford both then that's even better.
 
MarkG said:
That's certainly a good reason then, but bear in mind that better glass will have an effect on low light performance too. Of course, if you can find a way to afford both then that's even better.
Click to expand...

Got to agree, will help with noise, but as said faster glass may be a better investment.
 
I was in the same boat as the OP a couple of weeks ago and whilst the argument for getting better glass is a good one you have to consider that in the current economic climate good glass costs a small fortune. I was able to sell my 400D with kit lens and grip and upgrade to a 40D with grip for 200 quid all in, far less than I would have to pay for good glass.

I'm finding using the 40D to be a far more enjoyable experience than using the 400D, granted there isn't much difference in the image quality unless your pushing the ISO but the increased frame rate is nice to have.

So my advice would be to pick up a low usage 40D second-hand and flog the 400D :)
 
andrewc said:
save more and get a 5D
Click to expand...
This was my first thought.

If you need FF, then this is the way to do it. If you don't then a 40D will be cheaper next year. Glass will not depreciate the way digital bodies do.

I have never used a Canon xxD body, so am able to discount the handling, ergonomics, faster AF, features & stuff and I only need to consider the sensor. This pleasantly-blinkered view allows me to say I could never spend so much on a crop-body, when a FF is so little more money.

Stroller.
 
I was recently considering getting a new body, because my 350D lives in the office these days. (So the idea was I'd sell that to the company and buy myself something newer/better.) I looked very carefully at the 400D and 40D. Here are my conclusions:

In favour of 40D
Live View
Better AF
Spot metering
Better high ISO performance
Bigger vewfinder
Bigger LCD
Custom menus
Better battery life

In favour of 400D
Battery compatibility with 350D
Weight and size
Price
 
I upgraded from 450D to K10D (not really an upgrade), and I'm impressed, I heard 40D is at same level of K10D and has even better IQ in high ISO so you may want to do it if it doesn't cost you too much to do
 
I upgraded to a 40D from a 400D about a month or so ago and to be fair it really was worth it. ISO and things like that didn't sell it to me, it is the difference in holding the 40D over the 400D, it feels much better. I recently bought a 70-200 and it just didn't feel ight on the 400D. The extra size and balance from the 40D means i can handhold shots so much better, less movement.

I also find that I am getting the exposure spot on so much more with the 40D, and I doubt my photography has improved over night, so i must put that down to the camera.

All in all I don't think you will regret it and you can pick them up for around £450 second hand, so only about £200 more than you would get for your 400D and definately worth it IMO.
 
Another xxxD to xxD upgrader here! :p

I didn't upgrade from a 400D to 40D though, I went from 300D to 30D. I even thought about buying a 400D for a while, but when you hold a xxD series they just feel right. There is just no comparison imo. If I were offered a trade between even a 450D and my 30D I wouldn't take it - I just don't want to shoot one of those cameras anymore, they just don't work as well.

Go try one fella, you'll realise which series you want to go for.

With regard to lenses, buy the best you can, but... if you're on a budget, get the canon 50mm 1.8. It's a great lens and will keep you moving! :)
 
I went from a 450d to a 50d and really appreciate the difference,
the camera is heavier to balance heavier glass (v useful for me)
I love the custom setting modes - you could have inside and outside reception manual exposures set up and be quick to switch with the camera disabling the flash on its own(not sure if on 40d but I think so)
the better iso handling is useful
spot metering is great (I had it before though)
having a pc port is handy
the fps is handy
the whole body is just sexy

ok i want to go play with my camera now.....
 
I upgraded to a 40D and have had no regrets, as has been said, the 40D is slightly bigger and heavier, but I found it more comfrortable and a better feel. Certainly wouldn't have any reservations about recommending a xxD DSLR. :thumbs:
 
I have used both a lot and after using 40D I dont like handling 400d or similar anymore, it seems such a small camera! I know it should not be important. I think 40D is worth the extra if you have superfast lenses to shoot f1.4 and wider, focusing is better and the viewfinder helps as well.
 
Did this very upgrade myself a couple of weeks ago (400D to 40D).

Much prefer the size and solidity of the 40D in general use, plus also valued the small but useful improvements in many areas, such as:

Spot metering
3" LCD
Top LCD
ISO button & viewfinder display
Bigger, brighter viewfinder
Improved AF
6.5 fps
Better high ISO performance
Finer ISO steps
 
I swapped from a 400D to a 40D just over a year ago. Never once regretted it and when I use the 400D now, it feels like a toy. Awful shutter lag compared to the 40D

Here's one at 3200 with the 40D (in the almost darkness of a gig). No noise reduction used. I'm very happy with it.

IMG_1224-Edit-B_W.jpg
 
photostar_1 said:
Here's one at 3200 with the 40D (in the almost darkness of a gig). No noise reduction used.
Click to expand...
Other than resizing of course, which automatically reduces the visible noise. (The process of combining (say) 4 pixels into one has to involve some sort of averaging, which reduces the noise.) If you want to see how much noise there really is, you need to look at an unresized picture.
 
photostar_1 said:
I swapped from a 400D to a 40D just over a year ago. Never once regretted it and when I use the 400D now, it feels like a toy. Awful shutter lag compared to the 40D

Here's one at 3200 with the 40D (in the almost darkness of a gig). No noise reduction used. I'm very happy with it.
Click to expand...

I have to say I've never experienced any shutter lag at all on my 400D!

I considered the upgrade from my 400D to the 40D due to better high ISO performance as I shoot quite a lot of horse shows / comps indoors (where the light is always awful - why do they never use their indoor lighting????). However, I swapped my 55-250 for a friends 100-400 last w/end and slapped it on the 400D and by God, the low level light performance was incredible! For me, the glass upgrade is by FAR the most beneficial, and I will be looking for glass at the mo, then buying a body upgrade at a later date (by then, the 60D will probably be available, so I'll get a 50D!). Also if you upgrade the glass you can shoot at lower ISO's, which is will always give you better IQ.

...and as for handling, just add a battery grip!
 
odd jim said:
I have to say I've never experienced any shutter lag at all on my 400D!
Click to expand...

Nor me, but my 40D does confirm focus a little quicker. On full manual (inc focus) they both seem the same.
 
I had really bad shutter lag on the 300D, so had to anticipate shots, but can't say I noticed it on the 400D. I did miss my 40D when it went off for repair though and struggled to use the 400D in the meantime. You just get used to the extra buttons/wheels making items easily available, plus it felt so small with my lenses on.

Still got some great shots with it though.
 
I'm looking to upgrade to either a 40D or 50D (since talking about it with CanonBob I'm leaning more towards the 40D), and was wondering if there's a custom settings function on the 40D where you can save camera settings such as aperture or shutter speed and then quickly refer to it when switching from subject to subject such as a macro shot and action shot?
I had it on my old Canon Powershot S3 IS but don't have it on my 400D and miss it! :-)

Cheers,

Joe
 
Yes you can, the wheel has 3 fully programable positions on the 40D.
 
I can, but the 400D is at her ladyships right now.
 
StewartR said:
Other than resizing of course, which automatically reduces the visible noise. (The process of combining (say) 4 pixels into one has to involve some sort of averaging, which reduces the noise.) If you want to see how much noise there really is, you need to look at an unresized picture.
Click to expand...

That's interesting..........I never knew that! Must resize more often ;)
 
I was looking to go to the 40d from a 350d , but have decided to go for glass at the moment, and got to say im happy with the decision, however I still want to upgrade teh body at some point soonish, due to low light handling

Phil
 
I went from a 350D to a 40D end of last year, could not be more happy. :)

Welsh Dan, is that a spot of dust on your 40D sensor, middle left ish(just above the plug) in the picture?
 
Yes it is. I had to change lenses at an outdoor stunt show a few days ago so its probably from then, I'll clean it before I next take the camera out :).
 
This thread is killing me! I really want to upgrade to the 40D but the woman would kill me if I did!
 
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