40D V 550D which way

docholiday

docholiday

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OK so thanks for all the replies re upgrading from the 350D,

Have been looking at the 550D but see a number of people have recommended the 40D, whats the difference between these two ?

cant find much about the 40D

Thanks for your continued advice

doc
 
40D is an older model and only 10mega pixels but is a stunning camera. I have had a couple but find them heavy which is a real shame. They are built better the the xxxD series and have better weather proofing.

I had a 550D and sent it back as it was faulty and now have the 500D which i am very happy with.
 
60D but i would still get the 40D and spend the money on decent glass!!
 
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The 40D is a couple of models ago in the XXD range
The 550D is a newer model in the lower XXXD range

Have you handled them both as they are very different. The bigger 40D weighs 822g compared to the smaller 550D weighing ust 530g.

The 40D can shoot at 6.5 frames per second compared to 3.7 for the 550D

ISO can go higher on the 550 and you've obviously more MP which can be handy if you crop.

40D is more sturdy and can cope with a bit of weather and a few knocks.
 
40D's controls are easier to use, well they are for me. The 60D doesn't have the build quality of the 40D, for some reason Canon decided to downgrade this model, there is no micro adjust either which is strange as it was on the 50D.

TBH the 40D is still a good camera and can hold its own even today :thumbs:

its not all about megapixels :nono:
 
dinners said:
The 40D is a couple of models ago in the XXD range
The 550D is a newer model in the lower XXXD range

Have you handled them both as they are very different. The bigger 40D weighs 822g compared to the smaller 550D weighing ust 530g.

The 40D can shoot at 6.5 frames per second compared to 3.7 for the 550D

ISO can go higher on the 550 and you've obviously more MP which can be handy if you crop.

40D is more sturdy and can cope with a bit of weather and a few knocks.
Click to expand...

Thats really useful, need the ISO as shooting with the 100-400, I can see the build difference but isnt it just better use of modern materials
not o worried about the megapixels as for home use not pro.

still not sure which way to go, looking through the for sale bits I see about £4-500 for the 40D,
no 60D yet up for sale

what would the difference be in the AF between the two?
 
60D and 40D have extremely similar AF performance. The 60D has a beautiful screen which blows that of the 40D away. The 40D goes to ISO 3200, but it's not a real 3200, just ISO 1600 pushed a stop.

A decent 40D is still a good buy and can be had for £350.00 used. A new 60D can be had as a grey import from Digital Rev for around £620.00. Quite a difference! But the 60D has an ISO 6400 and even a pushed ISO 12800 and performs very well.

I should point out that depsite the slight change in build quality, the 60D is more useful to me as it is lighter. The 550D is also a great camera, but suffers from a very small buffer, so if you shoot RAW you aren't gonna get many shots in sequence!
 
docholiday said:
looking through the for sale bits I see about £4-500 for the 40D,
Click to expand...

they come up on here nearly every week for less than that unless you want a kit, there's a body just gone for £310 :thumbs:
 
Have you considered a 50D? Pretty much same as 40D but with a few improvements such as better resolution screen, AF adjust and still the magnesium body of the XXD series.

Until very recently it was a current model so picking one up with warranty etc should be easy.
 
I love my 40d, I find its better in the hand than my old 400d, and much prefer the slightly larger view finder, makes life much easier when shooting in manual to see the exposure bar.

My old man loves his 400d because its slightly smaller and lighter for him, so I guess its horses for courses.
 
Thanks all this has been so helpful. Have to say I am leaning towards the 60D
 
If you can afford it, I would have a 60D instead.
But if it's a question of 40D + nice lenses vs 60D + not so nice lenses, nice lenses wins every time ;)

Remember, if you can afford faster glass with a 40D, it makes up for the ISO not going as high.
 
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