Canon 40D or 450D/500D?

[99hjhm]

Looking to purchase a DSLR, just seem to find any infomation on weather a 40D would be better than a 500D, even though it's older, the spec is/was better. I would be looking second hand 40D or a new 500D.

Thanks.

[Sim89]

I use a 450d with the standard 18-55mm lense and a Canon 70-300mm. It is a fantastic camera for my uses and I don't regret the purchase one bit. However, my father uses a 500d and it is superb, 3200 ISO and DIGIC 4 are great. Not to mention the ability to shoot 1080p videos. I suppose it all comes down to what you're using it for, if you're after a high FPS, maybe the 40d is the answer.

[99hjhm]

Wanting it for motorsport use, using a Canon 70-200mm L IS lens.

[xrrr]

I upgraded from a 400D to a 40D about 3 years ago. In comparison the 40D felt more solid and fit into my hands a lot better than the 400D.

At the time the 40D was packing more features than the 400D (e.g. live view, spot meter). The 40D is easier to use as there are more buttons and the rear dial meaning that when you are in a hurry it is less button pushes to get what you need. If you are planning to take a lot of photos then the 40D is more solid and has a faster fps in burst mode.

Picture quality ought to be pretty much the same as it is the lenses that make a difference.

http://snapsort.com/compare/Canon_EOS_40D-vs-Canon...

I did not regret my upgrade one bit. However the 40D is getting a bit old now and the newer consumer cameras have higher specs. I have no plans to change mine though as it takes great pictures and I know my way around it. If you plan to use it a lot and want something slightly more rugged then I would get the 40D.

Edited by xrrr on Monday 13th September 22:13

[Kermit power]

I looked at the 40D and the 450D when I bought. The only advantage I could see to the 40D was the higher frame rate, which didn't really matter much to me for the sort of stuff I tend to do with it.

Had I been comparing the 500D with the 40D, I might've been more inclined to go for the 40D, but that's just because I'd resent paying for the pointless HD recording functionality. Why pay for HD video, then combine it with a crappy built-in mono microphone and no external jack?

[99hjhm]

All very useful, thanks for the advice.

40D seems a better bet, for the price.

[flat-planedCrank]

99hjhm said:

All very useful, thanks for the advice.

40D seems a better bet, for the price.

Just to back up what others have said...

Unless the extra features (such as video) really appeal then I'd have no hessitance getting the 40D. The 40D will offer much better build quality thanks to its metal body, and the **D models also provide night-and-day better usability with the extra top screen, rear wheel and other buttons for fast access to common features.
I can easily change shutter speed / ISO / etc. on my 30D without having to stop looking through the viewfinder - when your shooting fast moving motorsports you don't want to be digging through menus on a lcd screen


Cheers.

[Chicken Pox]

went from 350D to 40D mainly for larger screen and added ruggedness, showed up some of shotcomings on lens or two (well that's what ill tell the mrs when i "need" to get the L lenses) and certainly a good place to start/all rounder for the £

[JABB]

Just gone from a 20D to a 40D. Fantastic cameras. Stick with **D cameras.

[Court Jester]

Not sure if you have seen a 40D for sale but a member on the s2ki forum has this one for sale - says he is open to offers
http://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=813...