Canon EOS 40D

Canon launched the EOS 40D in 2007 as a mid-size DSLR built around an APS-C sensor and the EF-S lens mount. At 146 x 108 x 74 mm and 822 g, it carries the grip and balance of a traditional DSLR rather than a travel-light body.

This is a camera for photographers who want a straightforward stills tool. It records no video at all, framing happens through an optical pentaprism viewfinder, and images leave the camera on CompactFlash cards rather than over any wireless link. Owners of EF-S lenses can keep using them.

The optics score of 45 out of 100 is modest, and the 40D sits in the bottom 15% of cameras in our database for Optics. Low points for resolution, maximum ISO and in-body stabilisation all contribute to that result. The 10.1 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor pairs with a Digic III processor.

Sensitivity runs from ISO 100 to 1600. In practice, that ceiling means dim interiors, evening streets and indoor sports will push the camera toward the top of its range quickly.

Burst shooting reaches up to 6.5 frames per second, a quick pace for action and fleeting expressions. The 1/8000 s top shutter speed permits very brief exposures when light is strong. Autofocus offers nine points.

The optical pentaprism viewfinder gives an immediate view with no lag, which helps when framing fast-moving subjects. There is no stabilisation in the body, so slow handheld shutter speeds demand steady technique or solid support.

The EOS 40D does not record video in any form. There is no movie mode at any resolution or frame rate, and no way to capture motion with the camera itself. Anyone who needs moving images alongside stills will have to use a separate device.

Live View is included, but with video recording absent it serves still photography only. The screen can help you compose a photograph, yet it cannot record what it shows, so there is no workaround for the missing movie function.

There is also no built-in timelapse function, so frame-over-time sequences would require triggering each frame manually. For a buyer focused purely on photography, none of this gets in the way.

The feature set scores 36 out of 100, a limited result shaped by low points for screen resolution, touch operation and Bluetooth. A 3-inch LCD with 230,000 dots handles menus and image review.

Live View is included, so you can compose on the screen when the optical viewfinder is awkward, such as on a tripod. The screen does not tilt or flip, so overhead and ground-level framing means crouching into position.

A built-in flash covers quick fill light, and external flash support opens the door to stronger, more controlled lighting setups.

Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS are all absent, so there is no wireless image transfer and no built-in location tagging. There is no weather sealing either, so the body needs care in dust and damp.

Storage and battery score 35 out of 100, a limited result that reflects the single card slot, the battery rating and the lack of USB charging. The 40D takes one CompactFlash card, Type I or II, so there is no second slot or in-camera copying. For a long shoot you plan capacity around one card and carry spares.

The BP-511 battery is rated for 800 shots per charge, a comfortable figure, though real-world endurance will depend on how the camera is used.

There is no USB charging. The battery recharges in its dedicated charger, so a second BP-511 charged and ready is the practical insurance for long outings or travel.