Question: 40D or 450D XSi? - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

09/26/2008 10:46:18 PM · #1

I have done some looking into the 40D and like what I see.
But now I see this 450D XSi, and I have done the side by side on DPR.
So is the 450D better than the 40D? The price is better. if you can clear this up for me maybe it will clear up the 50D to 5D thing. $

cpanaioti

Canon EOS-40D

09/26/2008 10:56:49 PM · #2

Better depends on which features are important to you.

One feature that is definitely better on the 40D is the fps at 6.5. The 40D also has some weather sealing and is more robustly built.

The side by side should show you what other features are different between the two.

Also, the controls on the 40D are different from the XSi. The controls on the XSi will be the same as on your 300D.

There's an actual wheel on the back and a lot of the changes you do you can do via buttons without digging into the menus.

09/26/2008 11:03:43 PM · #3

Just brought home a shiny new XSi (battery isn't even charged yet) that I got for the wife for her birthday... I'll tell you what it is a nice rig. Almost all the features of my 40D, minus the big wheel but has 2 more MPs. Body is light and plastic feeling compared to the stronger body of the 40D. I personally like the big wheel over the little arrow push buttons but that is me.

How big are your hands? Compared to my 40D the grip is tiny and cramped. The wife loves the grip, but I can barely hold it. If you have medium to large hands you'd be buying a vertical grip in a week.

Message edited by author 2008-09-26 23:13:09.

Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical IF for Canon

09/26/2008 11:46:20 PM · #4

awpollard Tell me how it is after you get a few shots, for the Dollar what makes the 40D worth more money besides 3fps and cute buttons, I see the same with the 5D and the 50D.

SDW

Canon EOS-60D

09/27/2008 12:42:44 AM · #5

One difference between the 40D and the 450xti is the pixel density. The more pixels a manufacture packs in an area the smaller the photodiodes. This will result in a less desirable picture in some or most cases.

The 40D has 3.1/cm^2 Vs. the 450xti which has 3.7/cm^2. This means that the 40D has larger photodiodes than the 450xti resulting in better image quality. Noise!

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

09/27/2008 01:40:32 AM · #6

Originally posted by elwoodsplace:

awpollard Tell me how it is after you get a few shots, for the Dollar what makes the 40D worth more money besides 3fps and cute buttons, I see the same with the 5D and the 50D.

I've done a couple at ISO-800 (not worthy of posting) and I'd bet placed next to an ISO-800 40D shot few could tell the difference. What amazes me is this "toy" IS lens (18-55mm IS) that comes with it. My wife just shot a pic handheld at 1/10sec in very low light and although not tack sharp it was not blury. Still has that crazy turning front element though.

Menus and everything are real similar to 40D, it's got LiveView and Highlight Tone Priority, spot metering and stuff I use. It is a nice piece of equipment. The auto turn off of display (senses your face when up to viewfinder) is cool. 3" Display like the 40D displays same settings. Size (in hand) and no big dial would be the only thing keeping me from it (well I can't get it away from the wife anyways).

ED: Oh and I am a little rougher on cams than my wife, I like the heavier build of the 40D better.

Message edited by author 2008-09-27 01:44:33.

Prash

Nikon D90

09/27/2008 03:21:13 AM · #7

Originally posted by awpollard:

I have only had my 450D XSi for a few days, and I have never used a 40D before... but I can say this much: I am loving this piece of gadget!!

The one thing that bites me whenever I read its review (and I still havent gottin a feel of that) is this: people say a larger MP number (12.2) in the same sensor area means smaller sensor elements (photo diodes e.g.).. and that also means more potential noise. Being in imaging field, this makes sense in concept... so the images from XSi are supposed to be noisier generally speaking. But then again, I am not a pro, so I dont care as much. If you do, make sure to ask around about that thingy.

Yo_Spiff

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 M.Zuiko ED IS PRO

09/27/2008 04:29:00 AM · #8

Given the advancements in the technology over the last 3 years, I would like to compare the XSi to the Xt with the same ISO and scene. I suspect the 12Mp of the XSi/450D is probably a little cleaner than the 8Mp of the Xt/350D. Might be a worthwhile upgrade for the price, but I don't think I could justify the cost of the 40D.

09/27/2008 09:27:55 AM · #9

Originally posted by SDW:

OK so if I got this correct, The 40D should have a better picture quality than the XSi (less noise). Then it should also have a better picture quality over the 50D because the sensor size is the same yet the Pixel density is 3.1 on the 40D and 4.5 on the 50D. If I have this wrong SORRY I was always a slow learner.

Olympus 12-45mm /f4.0 Pro

09/27/2008 10:16:29 AM · #10

2 25w CFL lights, Tripod, 50mm 1.8 @ 1/40sec f/2.8 ISO-800, 100% crop no touch, Picture Style Standard, Auto WB

Camera A

Camera B

Message edited by author 2008-09-27 10:17:54.

OdysseyF22

Panasonic DC-G9

09/27/2008 10:43:21 AM · #11

Originally posted by elwoodsplace:

awpollard Tell me how it is after you get a few shots, for the Dollar what makes the 40D worth more money besides 3fps and cute buttons, I see the same with the 5D and the 50D.

What makes it better has been mentioned in part. The 40D is a series above the Rebels - it has a stronger frame, better build, and is more geared toward a working professional where it will stand up to use and abuse.

The Rebel series has always been cheaper - plastic bodies, less rugged, more oriented toward the hobbyist/soccer mom crowd. (Rebel series owners, don't take offense to this)

I own a 400D myself and use it as a second/backup camera. But it just doesn't have the pure guts to be my primary camera - it's features are limited compared to the x0D series (lower ISOs, shooting speed, etc.)

Simple version: if you're looking for a camera to take family photos with, if you consider yourself a hobbyist, then the Rebel series is just fine. If you're looking to step up and do sports shooting, weddings, or serious amounts of professional work, then the 40D is a more versatile camera and will stand up better.

09/27/2008 10:44:42 AM · #12

Originally posted by awpollard:

2 25w CFL lights, Tripod, 50mm 1.8 @ 1/40sec f/2.8 ISO-800, 100% crop no touch, Picture Style Standard, Auto WB

Camera A

Camera B

Ok I like Camera (B)

09/27/2008 10:59:24 AM · #13

LOL >> What makes it better has been mentioned in part. The 40D is a series above the Rebels - it has a stronger frame, better build, and is more geared toward a working professional where it will stand up to use and abuse.

The Rebel series has always been cheaper - plastic bodies, less rugged, more oriented toward the hobbyist/soccer mom crowd. (Rebel series owners, don't take offense to this)

No Offence to you but this seems a bit ASS Backwards, The Pro Shooter is going to be the one taking care of his/her gear, wear the "Soccer mom" would need something a bit more rugged that would take the real abuse of the kids and the rolling around on the floor of the mini van and the OOPs it spilled on your camera Mom.

09/27/2008 11:15:30 AM · #14

Originally posted by elwoodsplace:

Originally posted by awpollard:
2 25w CFL lights, Tripod, 50mm 1.8 @ 1/40sec f/2.8 ISO-800, 100% crop no touch, Picture Style Standard, Auto WB

Camera A

Camera B

Ok I like Camera (B)

Bad news is that would be the XSi, I actually said the same when I brought them in to my editor to crop. I should of thought about it when I was shooting because the extra 2MP gave me more picture to work from the 50mm and the b shot does seem a bit closer in.

I am going to say this, the features are in the XSi. The only thing I see different are Frames Per Second and body build and feel. For me the navigation through settings is different. From the rebel 300D that the wife has been using this camera is a masterpiece. She still shoots jpg and often fills the buffer on the 300D, in Large/Fine this thing will shoot 53 shots before filling the buffer. I think see will be safe.

I think the 40D/450D thing is going to turn in to the ol 5D/40D thing where those who paid more for their cams have to defend their rigs basically because we paid more. The pixel peepers might find something wrong with a shot, but last time I checked the end result is what counted.

I have a 40D, I love it, it was the right decision for me. As features and upgrades are added to cameras costing less than mine...I will accept that and move on.

The wife and I are shooting an airshow next week, my fear is she will keep up with me and produce some better shots with the XSi...doh!

Message edited by author 2008-09-27 11:31:01.