Hands-on with Canon's 40D DSLR

We know this sucker hits the sweet spot for many amatures and professionals alike, and we can't say we blame them: Canon's 40D seems just the right balance of form and function for mounting those beastly lenses without going off the financial deep end or adopting the sheer size of the 1Ds. We're still a little partial to the feel of the Nikons, but these days it seems you can hardly go wrong at the level these manufacturers are playing, and obviously it's going to come down to the specs you need, the images you like and the glass you have.

[Bill Goodman @ Sep 1st 2007 3:39PM]

I can't wait until I get mine next month. The 30D is great but some of the featues of the 40D are enough for me to warrent an upgrade.

[Michael Christoffersen @ Sep 1st 2007 11:14AM]

You've done it wrong, Mr. Miller. Ypour post lacks the Gallery preview thingie.

Cheers,
Michael C.

[Michael Christoffersen @ Sep 1st 2007 11:18AM]

P?! Ugh. Seems like my post went a bit too fast though my system too.
:P

[Spieg @ Sep 1st 2007 6:19PM]

"Amature" is for amateurs.

[Billy Fiul @ Sep 1st 2007 1:27PM]

It's all about the glass, baby!

[Kris S. @ Sep 1st 2007 1:32PM]

Glass? What does glass have anything to do with a camera?

They are called Lenses, even though they are made of glass, they are still lenses.

Damn I hate when people use the term glass for lenses.

[cc @ Sep 1st 2007 1:46PM]

"Glass" is photographer slang that is older than most of us reading Engadget... what's wrong with it?

[Jeff P. @ Sep 1st 2007 3:51PM]

"Glass" is a perfectly acceptable slang term for a lens. If you were a professional photographer you would know that. If you simply don't like the term then just don't use it.

[Josh @ Sep 1st 2007 4:06PM]

Exactly what i keep telling myself to keep from spending money on a new body ;)

[Sinbios @ Sep 1st 2007 1:38PM]

No wonder Engadget can never get any decent product shots. Kinda ironic that they're drooling over expensive DSLRs but shoot with a dinky P&S.

[Josh @ Sep 1st 2007 4:05PM]

i was laughing at that myself. Engadget needs to get the hook up on some new cameras.

[Carl @ Sep 1st 2007 1:42PM]

I love how the 4th picture captures the reflection of the iddy biddy camera in the reflection of the giant camera's display.
Yes I'm easily amused.

[Danny @ Sep 1st 2007 1:57PM]

Interesting to see the new 17-85mm lens that it looks like they'll be bundling with the new 40D. Did anyone else notice that it looks different, and has a focus ring on the "barrel" of the lens instead of at the end?

[joeyabc @ Oct 26th 2007 6:10PM]

Thats because its in a higher range than the 'consumer zooms' (like the 18-55) all the better Canon lenses have a proper focus ring on the barrel, since they use Internal focusing system, so that the lens doesn't extend/retract while focusing. (unless its a zoom lens, but even then the even more expensive canon zooms don't change length)

[JD @ Sep 1st 2007 2:38PM]

Have I missed something? Is this just a bunch of pictures or did he have a write up about it?


Good GLASS YES, but a good camera is needed.

[Ryan @ Sep 1st 2007 2:39PM]

I have to say I am slightly underwhelmed. There are some definite improvements but I expected the 40D to bridge the gap to the 5d a little bit more. But I suppose they didnt do that to avoid cannibalization of the 5d or its possible successor. A 5D Mark II, if priced better could really blow everything out of the water.

[Kevo @ Sep 1st 2007 3:33PM]

They are selling the 28-135 as the kit lens. I'd be amazed if they gave the 17-85 in a kit since that is a $500 lens. Although the 17-85 range is better for a kit lens. The 28-135 is already a great deal at $200 above the body only price for a lens that retails for almost $400.

I just got my 40D in the mail an hour ago. The battery is almost charged and I'm off to take pics of random flowers and my cat! :D

[joeyabc @ Oct 26th 2007 6:10PM]

Depends on which market their selling to, on the International market the kit is the 17-85 while in America the 28-135 is the kit lens

[Karl @ Sep 1st 2007 3:05PM]

This will be a nice upgrade for 20D/30D owners. We cannot go far wrong with all the choices out there. At the end of the day though, it's the pictures we take that matter, not the gear

[Josh @ Sep 1st 2007 4:02PM]

They just got these in at the local precision camera store where i live, wouldn't be too surprised if other stores, besides the massive e-tailors, have them. Unfortunately the sales assistant said they had to few a quantity to allow me to play around with one. Talk about selling out quickly - they just came in today :P

[Claudius Coenen @ Sep 2nd 2007 9:14AM]

I Posted my own EOS 40D Review on my blog. It's german, but it has some neat photos ;-)

It is merely a comparison to the EOS 20D.
http://amenthes.de/index.php/2007/09/die-kleinen-dinge-der-canon-eos-40d/

[MiqueMaus @ Sep 3rd 2007 3:08PM]

I can't wait to see an in-depth comparison between the Canon 40D and the Nikon D300. Personally, I think Canon offers a wider variety of lenses for someone who wants a bit more than lens kits and a bit less than L-Series stuff.

[Tabish @ Sep 4th 2007 1:57AM]

Isnt she a beaut! Me getting one soon...