Canon EOS 40D (2007)
At 740 grams, it lands in your hands like a tool that means business—solid, deliberate, and built to last.
Overview
The Canon EOS 40D came out in 2007. It was fifth in the line after the D30, D60, 10D, 20D, and 30D. It was a refinement, not a revolution. It has a 10.1 MP APS-C sensor and shoots 6.5 FPS, which looks modest today, but owners report it was never about the numbers. They say it was about how the camera disappeared into the act of shooting: how the grip felt, how the controls responded, how the 3" LCD finally stopped being an afterthought.
The 40D moved forward in build and usability. The body is dimensionally similar to earlier models at 146 x 108 x 74 mm and 740 g, but it gained a "rubberier" cover that collectors say made a real difference in grip and handling, especially over long sessions. It replaced the "nasty hard plastic" of the 20D and 30D with a more tactile, secure feel. Weather sealing improved too. The CF card door now has foam seals, a small upgrade for shooters working in poor conditions.
The 10.1 MP sensor (10,077,696 pixels) gave image quality nearly indistinguishable from other Canon DSLRs of the era. According to user reports, the final output from the 40D held up just as well as that from the 5D or Rebel XTi, even if the specs suggested otherwise. The real differences were in use. The 95% viewfinder has a legible bottom display. The 3" LCD was described by users as "big, bold, bright and vivid" compared to the dim screens of earlier models. The shutter is quieter and smoother, which reduced hand vibration. One photographer put it plainly: "The 40D just gets out of your way better and faster than its very similar predecessors."
Specifications
| Manufacturer | Canon |
| Product type | DSLR |
| Pixel count | 10,077,696 |
| Megapixel rating | 10.1 |
| Resolution | 10.1 MP |
| Burst rate | 6.5 FPS |
| LCD screen size | 3" |
| Original price | $1,299.99 |
| Sensor size | APS-C (1.6x crop) |
| ISO range | 100-1600 (expandable to 3200) |
| Shutter speed range | 1/8000 to 30 seconds, Bulb |
| Viewfinder coverage | 95% |
| Autofocus system | 9-point, all cross-type |
| Storage media | CompactFlash (CF) |
| Battery | BP-511A |
| Dimensions | 5.7 x 4.2 x 2.9" (146 x 108 x 74 mm) |
| Weight | 26 oz (740 g) body only |
| Lens mount | Canon EF-S mount |
| Compatible lenses | Canon EF and EF-S-mount lenses |
| Number of compatible native lenses | 333 |
| Shutter life expectancy | 150,000 images |
| Built-in flash guide number | 43 feet (13 meters) at ISO 100 |
| Construction | Built-in flash |
| Accessory | Battery grip model BG0-2EN |
Key Features
Rubberized Grip and Improved Weather Sealing
The 40D’s body was a response to years of user feedback. "Rubberier" was not a marketing term. It was a direct quote from shooters who had put up with the slippery, hard plastic of the 20D and 30D. With foam seals on the CF card door, the 40D offered noticeably better resistance to dust and moisture than the 5D, which made it more reliable in the field. It wasn’t fully sealed like a 1D-series body, but it was a meaningful step up for a mid-tier DSLR.
Three Custom Camera State Memories (C1, C2, C3)
One of the 40D’s underappreciated strengths is its three customizable shooting modes - C1, C2, and C3 - which store every camera setting, not just exposure. Photographers could switch instantly between complex setups such as studio lighting, outdoor action, or macro. Earlier models required manual resetting. The 40D let users lock in complete workflows, a feature typically found on higher-end bodies at the time.
3" LCD Screen with Vivid Display
Many DSLRs of the era still shipped with dim, low-resolution screens. The 40D’s 3" LCD was a big step up. Owners consistently praised it as "two or three classes above" the displays in the 30D and even the 5D. It was bright, bold, and color-accurate enough for quick review, which made chimping less of a chore and helped with manual focusing and composition. For a time, it set a new standard in the prosumer bracket.
Tabbed Menu System from the 1D Mark III
Canon took the 40D’s menu layout directly from the professional-grade 1D Mark III. It uses a tabbed interface that made navigation faster and more intuitive. That was a significant upgrade over the linear menus of the 20D and 30D, and it cut the number of button presses needed to change settings.
Historical Context
The 40D was positioned as the successor to the 30D and 20D, continuing Canon’s strategy of iterative refinement in its prosumer DSLR line. As the fifth generation in the series - following the D30, D60, 10D, 20D, and 30D - it bridged the gap between enthusiast and professional use. It was eventually replaced by the Canon 50D, which pushed resolution and processing further. By 2013, some reviewers noted the 40D was "long in the tooth," yet still called it a "formidable camera" for its class.
Collectibility & Value
As of 2024, the Canon EOS 40D trades for about $100 used on eBay, reflecting its status as a well-built but outdated DSLR. It lacks modern features like video or live view, but it still works for stills and appeals to users seeking a tactile, mechanical shooting experience. Common issues include shutter failure, a known point of wear given its 150,000-cycle rating, and autofocus problems. Some users report focus hunting or inconsistent lock, often linked to misalignment. Firmware version 1.1.1 is available, and shutter count can be checked via the camera’s firmware, which helps with maintenance. Some units fail to format memory cards or produce soft, out-of-focus images, though these are not universal.
Market Value
┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ CANON 40D Nov 2026 │ ├──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ │ High $195 Latest $60 │ │ Median $82 Trend — │ │ Low $35 Volume ~30/mo │ ├──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ │ $200 ┤ │ │ │ . . . .. . │ │ │ ..... .. . . .. . │ │ $114 ┤. . ... .. . . .. ........ │ │ │ .. . ....... ......... . ... . │ │ │ . ........................... ....│ │ │ .. ... .... . ..... .. .... . │ │ $0 ┤ │ │ ├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────│ │ vol │▁ ▁ ▃▃▂▃▆▅█▇▅▂▅▂▆▄▄▄▄▅▅▂▁▅▄▂▃▄▅▂▃▂▄▁│ │ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────│ │ 2025-11 2026-03 2026-07│ └──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
eBay completed sales. Excludes accessories, parts, and non-working units. Hover points for details.
eBay Listings
Recently sold on eBay: $52–$145 (median $82, based on 236 completed sales, past 12 months)
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