Canon EOS 30D vs Canon EOS 40D

      Canon EOS 30D

      Canon EOS 40D
      55
      Image cannot be found
      58
      Image cannot be found
      Image cannot be found
      Image cannot be found
      Image cannot be found
      Image cannot be found

      Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

      Overview

      In this comparison, we will evaluate the Canon EOS 30D and the Canon EOS 40D, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

      Canon EOS 30D was introduced in April 2006 and Canon EOS 40D was introduced in October 2007. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Canon EOS 30D Highlights

      • 8.2 MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
      • 100 - 1,600 Native ISO
      • 9 Focus Points
      • 2.5" 230k dot Fixed Screen
      • Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder
      • 5.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • Built-in Flash

      Canon EOS 40D Highlights

      • 10.1 MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
      • 100 - 1,600 Native ISO
      • 9 Focus Points
      • 3.0" 230k dot Fixed Screen
      • Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder
      • 6.5 fps Continuous Shooting
      • Built-in Flash
      • Wheather Sealed Body
      Table of Contents
      1. Overview
      2. Pros and Cons
      3. Advantage of Canon EOS 30D
      4. Advantage of Canon EOS 40D
      5. Common Strengths and Weaknesses
      6. Screen and Viewfinder
      7. Sensor
      8. Photography Features
      9. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
      10. Other Features
      11. Physical Parameters
      12. For Different Types of Photography
      13. Evaluations
      14. Specifications  

      Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Canon EOS 30D and Canon EOS 40D.

      PROS

      Canon EOS 30D

      Canon EOS 40D

      •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   Orientation Sensor
      •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Orientation Sensor

      CONS

      Canon EOS 30D

      Canon EOS 40D

      •   No Video Capture
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 8.2 Megapixel
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low DxO Overall Score - 59
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   No Video Capture
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 10.1 Megapixel
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth


      And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

      AVERAGE

      Canon EOS 30D

      Canon EOS 40D

      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   Screen Size - 2.5"
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
      •   Weight - 784 g (1.73 lb / 27.65 oz)
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 6.5 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
      •   DxO Overall Score - 64
      •   Weight - 822 g (1.81 lb / 29.00 oz)
      •   Battery Life - 800 shots

      Advantage of Canon EOS 30D

      Canon 30D
      Image cannot be found
      Image cannot be found
      Image cannot be found

      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Canon EOS 30D over Canon EOS 40D.

      Canon EOS 30D vs Canon EOS 40D
      Higher DxO Low Light ISO 736 vs 703
      Lighter 784 g (1.73 lb / 27.65 oz) vs 822 g (1.81 lb / 29.00 oz)

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Canon EOS 30D.

      Canon 60D
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      18.0 MP

      Canon 20D
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      8 MP

      Canon 70D
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      20.2 MP

      Canon 10D
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      6 MP

      Canon 90D
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      32.5 MP

      Canon 50D
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      15.1 MP

      Canon 80D
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Canon 77D
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Canon 20Da
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      8.25 MP

      Canon 60Da
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      18.0 MP

      Canon Rebel SL1
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      18.0 MP

      Panasonic S5
      Image cannot be found

      Full Frame

      24.2 MP

      Advantage of Canon EOS 40D

      Canon 40D
      Image cannot be found
      Image cannot be found
      Image cannot be found

      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Canon EOS 40D over Canon EOS 30D.

      Canon EOS 30D vs Canon EOS 40D
      Higher Sensor Resolution 8.2 Megapixel vs 10.1 Megapixel
      Max Image Resolution 3504 x 2336 vs 3888 x 2592
      Larger Screen 2.5" vs 3.0"
      Live View vs
      Higher Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent) 0.56x vs 0.59x
      Higher Max Continuous Shooting 5.0 fps vs 6.5 fps
      Multi-Segment Metering vs
      Average Metering vs
      Spot Metering vs
      Lower Min Metering +1 EV vs 0 EV
      Higher DxO Color Depth 21.5 vs 22.1
      Higher DxO Dynamic Range 10.8 vs 11.3
      Higher DxO Overall Score 59 vs 64
      Environmental Sealing vs

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Canon EOS 40D.

      Canon 70D
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      20.2 MP

      Canon 60D
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      18.0 MP

      Canon 50D
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      15.1 MP

      Canon 20D
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      8 MP

      Canon 10D
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      6 MP

      Canon 77D
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Canon 90D
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      32.5 MP

      Canon 80D
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Canon 60Da
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      18.0 MP

      Canon 20Da
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      8.25 MP

      Canon Rebel T5
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      18.0 MP

      Fujifilm X-T100
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

      STRENGTHS Canon EOS 30D Canon EOS 40D
        High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain)1/8000 sec1/8000 sec
        Built-in Flash
        Orientation Sensor
      WEAKNESSES Canon EOS 30D Canon EOS 40D
        No Video Capture
        Low Resolution Sensor8.2 Megapixel10.1 Megapixel
        Low Native ISO1,6001,600
        Timelapse Recording
        Few Focus Points99
        No Face Detection
        No Image Stabilization
        Screen TypeFixedFixed
        Low Resolution Screen230k dot230k dot
        No HDMI Output
        No Microphone Input
        No Headphone Output
        No Built-in GPS
        No Built-In Wi-Fi
        No Built-In Bluetooth

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Screen

      Canon EOS 30D has a 2.5" screen with 230k dot resolution and Canon EOS 40D has a 3.0" screen with 230k dot resolution. Both have Fixed screens.


      Viewfinder

      Cameras have built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinders. They both have 95% coverage.

      Sensor

      Canon EOS 30D features a 8.2 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with dimensions of 22.5 x 15 mm and a total area of 337.5 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 1,600 and expands to 100 - 3,200 in boosted mode. Canon EOS 40D features a 10.1 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with dimensions of 22.2 x 14.8 mm and a total area of 219 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 1,600 and expands to 100 - 3,200 in boosted mode.


      Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how different sensors compare with each other:

      Sensor size chart
      Sensor Dimensions Area Aspect Ratio Crop Factor
      Image cannot be displayedMedium Format44 x 33 mm1452 mm24:30.79x
      Image cannot be displayedFull Frame36 x 24 mm864 mm23:21x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-H27 x 18 mm486 mm23:21.3x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C23.6 x 15.6 mm368.2 mm23:21.5x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C (Canon)22.3 x 14.9 mm332.3 mm23:21.6x
      Image cannot be displayedMicro Four Thirds17.4 x 13 mm226.2 mm24:32x
      Image cannot be displayed1-inch13.2 x 8.8 mm116.2 mm23:22.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/1.7-inch7.44 x 5.58 mm41.5 mm24:34.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/2.3-inch6.17 x 4.55 mm28.1 mm24:35.6x

      Photography Features

      Canon EOS 30D can take pictures up to 3504 x 2336 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 2544 x 1696, 1728 x 1152 with 3:2 aspect ratios. Canon EOS 40D can take pictures up to 3888 x 2592 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 2816 x 1880, 1936 x 1288 with 3:2 aspect ratios.


      Lens Mount

      Cameras have Canon EF/EF-S lens mount. Due to their APS-C sensor their crop factor (also called lens multiplier) is equal to 1.6x. This means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 1.6.


      No Image Stabilization

      The cameras do not have image stabilization. On Canon EOS 30D it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Canon EOS 40D nothing can be done. On Canon EOS 40D it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Canon EOS 30D nothing can be done.

      Connectivity, Battery and Storage

      USB Inputs

      Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer.


      External Storage Slots

      Cameras have a single CompactFlash (Type I/II) card slot.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Canon EOS 30D and Canon EOS 40D have Electronically Controlled Vertical-travel Mechanical Focal-plane. shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/8000 sec on Canon EOS 30D, and up to 1/8000 sec on Canon EOS 40D. Canon EOS 30D can shoot continuously up to 5.0 fps. Canon EOS 40D can shoot continuously up to 6.5 fps.


      Focusing

      Canon EOS 30D has 9 focusing points and Canon EOS 40D has Dual Pixel CMOS AF system with 9 focusing points..


      Exposure

      Exposure meterings of Canon EOS 30D and Canon EOS 40D range from +1 to +20 EV and 0 to +20 EV respectively and you can set the exposure compensation within the ±2 EV range. You can also do exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Canon EOS 30D and exposure lock, exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Canon EOS 40D.


      Flash

      Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 12.00 m at ISO 100.. They also accept external flash. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/250 sec on both cameras.

      Physical Parameters

      Canon EOS 30D body has dimensions of 144 x 106 x 74 mm (5.67 x 4.17 x 2.91") and Canon EOS 40D body has dimensions of 146 x 108 x 74 mm (5.75 x 4.25 x 2.91"). Canon EOS 30D weighs 784 g (1.73 lb / 27.65 oz) and Canon EOS 40D weighs 822 g (1.81 lb / 29.00 oz).

      Canon EOS 30D

      Canon EOS 40D

      144 mm

      106 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      146 mm

      108 mm

      Image cannot be displayed


      106 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      108 mm

      Image cannot be displayed


      74 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      74 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      Size comparisons of Canon EOS 30D and Canon EOS 40D

      Canon EOS 30D and Canon EOS 40D for Different Types of Photography

      We give scores to the cameras for six types of photography based on their features and specifications. Let us see how suitable they are for each type of photography.

      Landscape Photography

      Canon EOS 30D

      Canon EOS 40D

      AVERAGE
      63
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      GOOD
      79
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Canon EOS 30D

      Canon EOS 40D

      AVERAGE
      55
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
      •   Orientation Sensor
      AVERAGE
      59
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 6.5 fps
      •   Battery Life - 800 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Wildlife Photography

      Canon EOS 30D

      Canon EOS 40D

      POOR
      53
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Orientation Sensor
      AVERAGE
      61
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 6.5 fps
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Battery Life - 800 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Portrait Photography

      Canon EOS 30D

      Canon EOS 40D

      GOOD
      70
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 2.5"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor
      GOOD
      73
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Street Photography

      Canon EOS 30D

      Canon EOS 40D

      GOOD
      74
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 784 g (1.73 lb / 27.65 oz)
      GOOD
      78
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 822 g (1.81 lb / 29.00 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Canon EOS 30D

      Canon EOS 40D

      GOOD
      73
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 784 g (1.73 lb / 27.65 oz)
      GOOD
      79
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 822 g (1.81 lb / 29.00 oz)
      •   Battery Life - 800 shots

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Canon EOS 30D and Canon EOS 40D and give them scores of 55 and 58 out of 100 recpectively. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


      Canon EOS 30D

      Canon EOS 40D

      OVERALL
      55
      OVERALL
      58

      Sensor

      Canon EOS 30D

      Canon EOS 40D

      AVERAGE
      66
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 8.2 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   Low DxO Overall Score - 59
      AVERAGE
      67
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 10.1 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   DxO Overall Score - 64

      Photo

      Canon EOS 30D

      Canon EOS 40D

      AVERAGE
      61
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
      AVERAGE
      62
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 6.5 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec

      Video

      Canon EOS 30D

      Canon EOS 40D

      BAD
      0
      •   No Image Stabilization
      BAD
      0
      •   No Image Stabilization

      Focusing

      Canon EOS 30D

      Canon EOS 40D

      AVERAGE
      69
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      AVERAGE
      69
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Canon EOS 30D

      Canon EOS 40D

      AVERAGE
      67
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 2.5"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      AVERAGE
      69
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot

      Connectivity

      Canon EOS 30D

      Canon EOS 40D

      POOR
      41
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      POOR
      41
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Canon EOS 30D

      Canon EOS 40D

      BAD
      39
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 784 g (1.73 lb / 27.65 oz)
      AVERAGE
      69
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 822 g (1.81 lb / 29.00 oz)
      •   Battery Life - 800 shots


      For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

      Amazon Affiliate Disclosure
      ZKelectronics is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for website owners to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon (.com, .co.uk, .ca, etc) and any other websites that may be affiliated with Amazon Service LLC Associates Program.