CANON 450D VS CANON 40D

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paul mac

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Hello, all you Canon fans could you please tell me which would be the better camera for myself. Iam totally an amatuer photographer but do enjoy some creative photography such as hdr.My photography consist of architectural photography and i enjoy night and street photography. I do realize that the lenses make a diffrence but iam more concerned with the bodys,at the moment i have a Nikon d80 which iam pleased with but i fancy a change,its very scary coming from the dark side :suspect: so i would most grateful if you could put some light on the two cameras for me thanks Paul.
 
Greetings PJM,
I am in the market for an additional camera body to replace my 350D, and found these reviews very helpful. (especially the reviewers conclusions for the 450D in terms of IQ!)
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos450d/
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos40d/
Also worth checking out the review for the 50D while you are there. The conclusions are again, interesting if not unsurprising.
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos50d/
Personally I will be going for the 450D myself, but I suppose at the end of the day, it is horses for courses.
FlyingV
http://flickr.com/photos/mktaurus/
 
The reviews will give you some bedtime reading. My question is whether you have a budget in mind? The 40d will cost more, is it something you can afford? Will you have to scrimp elsewhere to get it?

I only ask as I think if the money isn't an issue the 40d would have it hands down.
 
have you handled any of them ?
that would be a big issue for me, handling issue's was the biggest reason for me to go from a 350 to 40D
 
PD_BARBS said:
This thread from yesterday may help, although it is a comparing a 40D vrs 400D

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=114334
Click to expand...

That was the thread I started and I have decided to go with the 40D, I understand that better lenses will make more of a difference but the features of the camera have done it for me BUT a couple of the features I want are on the 450D anyway (spot metering & live view which I don't currently get on the 400D). The 6.5fps attracted me too as did the better noise handling.
 
Go with the 450D. Newer and being a beginner you'll still be learning for months and months. It's a superb camera and can get some amazing results.
 
I would also say the 450D. From what I have heard it is a good beginner's camera (stick within the Entry-Level range). I feel the 40D may be a little above your needs at this moment in time.
 
40D hands down. It has some more advanced features over and above the 450D, but you don't have to use them. I bought a 400D in April 2008 as my first DSLR, and have already sold it and upgraded to a 40D. I'd outgrown the 400D, and, along with upgrading my lenses, wanted a camera I could continue to use for years to come.

The 450D is a cracking camera, but if you start to get serious about your photography, you'll hanker after something better before long.
 
FlyingV said:
Greetings PJM,
I am in the market for an additional camera body to replace my 350D, and found these reviews very helpful. (especially the reviewers conclusions for the 450D in terms of IQ!)
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos450d/
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos40d/
Also worth checking out the review for the 50D while you are there. The conclusions are again, interesting if not unsurprising.
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos50d/
Personally I will be going for the 450D myself, but I suppose at the end of the day, it is horses for courses.
FlyingV
http://flickr.com/photos/mktaurus/
Click to expand...

Thanks flyingv very helpful reviews :thumbs:
 
Thanks swag 72 money not really an issue i would sooner save a bit if the 40d was the better one thanks.
 
FlyingV said:
Greetings PJM,
I am in the market for an additional camera body to replace my 350D, and found these reviews very helpful. (especially the reviewers conclusions for the 450D in terms of IQ!)
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos450d/
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos40d/
Also worth checking out the review for the 50D while you are there. The conclusions are again, interesting if not unsurprising.
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos50d/
Personally I will be going for the 450D myself, but I suppose at the end of the day, it is horses for courses.
FlyingV
http://flickr.com/photos/mktaurus/
Click to expand...

RKC said:
have you handled any of them ?
that would be a big issue for me, handling issue's was the biggest reason for me to go from a 350 to 40D
Click to expand...

No Rkc i havent handled any of them yet i do perfer something a bit bigger.
 
Thanks for all of your replys there's plenty to think about here, i think the next step would be a trip to the dealers for a play.

I cant belive iam even looking at canons i have always been a nikon man, but the canons have plenty of good reviews i hope i doing the right thing ? :runaway:
 
What ever you buy you will never be satisfied. :bonk:
 
I would just like to add that I was also new to a DSLR and I jumped straight in with a 40D, whilst it was a steep learning curve to begin with I am sure that would have been that case with almost any DSLR. I now love my 40D, but as someone else said you are never satisfied and I am currently having lustful thoughts over a 5D Mark II!

I will admit the decision was somewhat easier as buying mine in March 08 (ish) the 450D had only just gone on sale, so for me it was actually cheaper to buy the 40D given the 450D was still being sold for its RRP.
 
andrewc said:
Why not get a D90 or D300 and save yourself the hassels of learning a new body and investing in new lenses, assuming you've got some glass for your D80.
Click to expand...

Yes , just fancy a change from Nikon i only have the one lens. I have thought about the d300 :thinking: I will just have to hold a few bodys.
 
I bought a 450D last year, and I must say I'm now lusting after a 40D:love:

A lot of people comment about the 450Ds size, but I must say that despite having hands like dinner plates I haven't really noticed it. Although the ergonomics of the buttons etc leave a bit to be desired:thinking:

It takes very good pics, but not a patch on my old Sony DSCR1:'( But has obviously got the advantage of changing lenses.

It does feel very plasticky though, and I must say that it was also in the workshop under guarantee shortly after I bought it with the infamous Canon false focussing problem.
The difference afterwards was amazing.

I'm quite happy with it really, but just feel that the 40D is more of a 'real' camera than the 450D.
 
621andy said:
I bought a 450D last year, and I must say I'm now lusting after a 40D:love:

A lot of people comment about the 450Ds size, but I must say that despite having hands like dinner plates I haven't really noticed it. Although the ergonomics of the buttons etc leave a bit to be desired:thinking:

It takes very good pics, but not a patch on my old Sony DSCR1:'( But has obviously got the advantage of changing lenses.

It does feel very plasticky though, and I must say that it was also in the workshop under guarantee shortly after I bought it with the infamous Canon false focussing problem.
The difference afterwards was amazing.

I'm quite happy with it really, but just feel that the 40D is more of a 'real' camera than the 450D.
Click to expand...
I have to strongly disagree with this and say to new buyers to take the above with a huge bag of salt. I've used a 400D, 450D, 40D and a 50D quite often and they all feel the same in build quality. I wouldn't say it felt any more plastic than the 40D/50D. It can take some immense shots (as seen on this forum) and it'll do everything a new photographer will want it to do. I first used a 400D about 2 years ago, and I bought my own 450D about a month ago. I'm still learning and although I'd like a 50D, I can't justify the money at the moment and that's why I went with the 450D. It is still doing everything I need it do at the moment, and I wouldn't say that I'm a slow learner.

There's so many different add-ons you can buy for it. Flash guns, lenses, filters, off-camera flash equiptment and so on -- if you feel you've out grown the 450D there's still tons and tons you can learn without needing more mega pixels or a faster burst. If you haven't got vast SLR experience, the 450D will keep you amused for several months unless you use it a lot more than the average user would.

I'd pick the 450D over the 40D all day long, simply because I wanted a new camera. If I was prepared to buy second hand I probably would have bought a 40D admittedly, but I didn't want to because it's an old model now so I feel the 450D should be compared to the 50D. In that case, the 50D is £400 more than the 450D, and it doesn't come with the 18-55mm IS kit lens (which a new starter should probably invest in seeing as you won't get better for £40-£50).
 
I would go 40d as it takes CF cards and sd infuriates me, I had a 400d replaced with a 450 by the insurance company and it is actually slower than the 400, this is important to me as I shoot a lot of sport maybe less so for you.
Also considering as it would be your second slr the 40d does have more advanced controls (I want one atm)
 
david1701 said:
I would go 40d as it takes CF cards and sd infuriates me, I had a 400d replaced with a 450 by the insurance company and it is actually slower than the 400, this is important to me as I shoot a lot of sport maybe less so for you.
Also considering as it would be your second slr the 40d does have more advanced controls (I want one atm)
Click to expand...
What SD type are you using? I've noticed absolutely no speed loss with SD. A lot of people consider SD a big plus. I had a 400D and managed to bend a pin in it somehow by inserting the CF card, even though it was entered the right way. :shake: My girlfriend and mum both have 400D's and I'm not very scared when changing CF cards.
 
Kryptix- I've been playing with SLRs for nigh on 30 years, from a Zenit-B upwards through Canons and Nikons. I've just never had the money for anything decent- which has probably made my pics better:thumbs:

I didn't say the 450 took bad pics. In fact it takes bluddy good photos.

The 450 is made of plastic. The 40D is made of magnesium therefore it's more solid.

I've also had a problem with an SD card last year. The 'blades' got bent whilst inserting it into a reader.

but I didn't want to because it's an old model now
Click to expand...
Eh?? 18 months old I believe, and the 50D is a sister model to the 40D NOT a replacement.

Oh, and
you can learn without needing more mega pixels
Click to expand...
the 40D has fewer MP than the 450D.

Finally, the comment
the 450D will keep you amused for several months
Click to expand...
is also a bit suspect...I want a camera to keep me 'amused' for a bit longer than a few months!!

I've had mine for 6 months or so, and due to the price reductions on the 40D I'm very tempted.

All in all, I'm not sure whose comments should be taken with a huge bag of salt here:shrug:

Andy
 
40D will be easier to use, the nice big wheel on the back is worth it on its own. Also, as said, it's made of metal, not plastic if that matters to you. Ergonomics are better for everyone I've spoken to (and myself).

AF will also be better I imagine, along with the metering. Do you get a spot meter on the 450?

Now, I don't know much (read, anything) about Nikon. But, would a 40D not be a sideways step from a D80? Or is it more 30D level. Either way, I always thought the 80 was a decent body. Are you just changing for the fun of it? It's your money of course. ;)
 
40D - no question :thumbs:

Just to add to this 'discussion' in a way that I hope helps... my first Canon DSLR was a 350D which was fine.. for a while. When it came to moving up I too looked at the 450D as at the time I considered the 40D to be out of my range dosh-wise.

However, once I physically compared both cameras, side by side, in my hands, there was no competition - the 40D won hands down. It is IMHO a fantastic camera and a purchase I do not regret one bit. And just to confirm, the comparisions were made at Focus 2 years ago on the Canon stand, not in a store with a keen salesman 'feeding' me the benifits of the more expensive 40D.

There was a posting earlier about being new to the camera and it having too many facilities you may not use - maybe, so don't use them. But as your skills develope, these 'facilities' will be there ready and waiting.

Size always comes into postings like this (ok, you all know what I mean :nono:) and I found that the 40D is far easier to handle too, compared to the smaller body of the 450D.

Final word - if you can afford the difference in cost go with the 40D - you won't regret it.
 
Jayst84 said:
40D will be easier to use, the nice big wheel on the back is worth it on its own. Also, as said, it's made of metal, not plastic if that matters to you. Ergonomics are better for everyone I've spoken to (and myself).
Click to expand...

Now I discounted the big wheel on the back and upgraded to the 40D for a number of other features.

BUT - with my 40D bust and having to use our 400D at the moment, I'm really missing the big wheel. That and the size of the 400D just feels all wrong with the bigger lenses on.
 
I've had my 450D for 8 months.
I couldn't justify the cost of a new 40D at the time so I considered the 450D to be the best option.
I now find myself lusting after a 40D as I believe it has advantages over the 450D that I could make use of (higher ISO settings for example).
Do I regret buying the 450D, nope not at all but in hindsight I now know I should have gone for a 40D.
As you already own a Nikon D80 you've already broken into the world of DSLR's.
Go for the 40D as it will be a much better step up for you.
 
Well I would'nt pick up a Nikon D300 if I were you!

Your looking for a change from your old D80 - something to spice up your life; something new to learn etc.

You could look at a Canon 450D it's a bit small and plasticky really, but the images are quite nice. :gag:

Or pick-up that Canon 40D - it's quite nice too - Hmmm it definately feels better but, what's going on with the buttons they're not quite in the right place. I don't understand; whats wrong? :(

Oh, lets see what this old Nikon D300 feels like to compare.. OMG! this is so nicely built and the buttons all seem to be in the right place! The balance and build quality is great and that lcd screen looks sweet and I love the sound of this shutter!

Next thing you know; your reaching for your credit card and wondering what lens to pair it with..

Just warning you that's all! :D :thumbs: :clap:
 
Personally I would stick with the D80 its a perfectly capable camera. Get some good glass from the money saved buying a new body and take some pictures.
 
621andy said:
I bought a 450D last year, and I must say I'm now lusting after a 40D:love:

A lot of people comment about the 450Ds size, but I must say that despite having hands like dinner plates I haven't really noticed it. Although the ergonomics of the buttons etc leave a bit to be desired:thinking:

It takes very good pics, but not a patch on my old Sony DSCR1:'( But has obviously got the advantage of changing lenses.

It does feel very plasticky though, and I must say that it was also in the workshop under guarantee shortly after I bought it with the infamous Canon false focussing problem.
The difference afterwards was amazing.

I'm quite happy with it really, but just feel that the 40D is more of a 'real' camera than the 450D.
Click to expand...


Cheers thanks for that info :thumbs:
 
Kryptix said:
I have to strongly disagree with this and say to new buyers to take the above with a huge bag of salt. I've used a 400D, 450D, 40D and a 50D quite often and they all feel the same in build quality. I wouldn't say it felt any more plastic than the 40D/50D. It can take some immense shots (as seen on this forum) and it'll do everything a new photographer will want it to do. I first used a 400D about 2 years ago, and I bought my own 450D about a month ago. I'm still learning and although I'd like a 50D, I can't justify the money at the moment and that's why I went with the 450D. It is still doing everything I need it do at the moment, and I wouldn't say that I'm a slow learner.

There's so many different add-ons you can buy for it. Flash guns, lenses, filters, off-camera flash equiptment and so on -- if you feel you've out grown the 450D there's still tons and tons you can learn without needing more mega pixels or a faster burst. If you haven't got vast SLR experience, the 450D will keep you amused for several months unless you use it a lot more than the average user would.

I'd pick the 450D over the 40D all day long, simply because I wanted a new camera. If I was prepared to buy second hand I probably would have bought a 40D admittedly, but I didn't want to because it's an old model now so I feel the 450D should be compared to the 50D. In that case, the 50D is £400 more than the 450D, and it doesn't come with the 18-55mm IS kit lens (which a new starter should probably invest in seeing as you won't get better for £40-£50).
Click to expand...


Thanks for your reply the 450d sounds a great camera, and at the moment iam so busy working away the price of the 40d would be just sitting at home. :thumbs:
 
Jayst84 said:
40D will be easier to use, the nice big wheel on the back is worth it on its own. Also, as said, it's made of metal, not plastic if that matters to you. Ergonomics are better for everyone I've spoken to (and myself).

AF will also be better I imagine, along with the metering. Do you get a spot meter on the 450?

Now, I don't know much (read, anything) about Nikon. But, would a 40D not be a sideways step from a D80? Or is it more 30D level. Either way, I always thought the 80 was a decent body. Are you just changing for the fun of it? It's your money of course. ;)
Click to expand...


Yes is the answer if iam honest ive always had nikon since the film days i think in life everybody needs change even in photography,my feeling are if you dont try diffrent things your never know.Thanks for your comments .:thumbs:
 
hashcake said:
I've had my 450D for 8 months.
I couldn't justify the cost of a new 40D at the time so I considered the 450D to be the best option.
I now find myself lusting after a 40D as I believe it has advantages over the 450D that I could make use of (higher ISO settings for example).
Do I regret buying the 450D, nope not at all but in hindsight I now know I should have gone for a 40D.
As you already own a Nikon D80 you've already broken into the world of DSLR's.
Go for the 40D as it will be a much better step up for you.
Click to expand...

Thanks hashcake ,deep down i think i want the 40d , it would be worth saving up for ,you can bet your life soon as ive brought a 450d i will want a 40d.thanks Paul
 
Firestorm said:
Well I would'nt pick up a Nikon D300 if I were you!

Your looking for a change from your old D80 - something to spice up your life; something new to learn etc.

You could look at a Canon 450D it's a bit small and plasticky really, but the images are quite nice. :gag:

Or pick-up that Canon 40D - it's quite nice too - Hmmm it definately feels better but, what's going on with the buttons they're not quite in the right place. I don't understand; whats wrong? :(

Oh, lets see what this old Nikon D300 feels like to compare.. OMG! this is so nicely built and the buttons all seem to be in the right place! The balance and build quality is great and that lcd screen looks sweet and I love the sound of this shutter!

Next thing you know; your reaching for your credit card and wondering what lens to pair it with..

Just warning you that's all! :D :thumbs: :clap:
Click to expand...




Firestorm what are you doing to me ? i know nikons are great cameras ,you have got me thinking, but i want to come out of the darkside :runaway i:nikon: i meen :canon:
 
I'm an ex 350D user now using a 40D. Both are excellent cameras. I can't imagine the 400 and 450D are any worse than the 350.
My advice, get the cheaper 400D and invest the differnce in a quality lens, the EF-S 17-55mm f2.8 IS is awsome!
 
I have used 400D and 40D quite a lot and the later is especially usefull with very fast lenses, focusing is easier. the result was better in my opinion with 40D.
 
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