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- Pentax K10D
- Samsung GX-10
- Sigma SD14 (vs. Nikon D200)
- Olympus E-410
- Canon EOS-1D Mk III
- Canon EOS 400D
- Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro
- Nikon D40
- Nikon D40x
- Nikon D200 (vs. Sigma SD14)
Canon EOS 400D
Nikon D40x Vs Canon EOS 400D. It’s been the closest of challenges the whole way, with several similarities between the two models making it hard to separate the pair. But there are some noticeable differences. The Nikon feels slightly better made and the LCD monitor is a real treat. On the other hand, the Canon is slightly quicker in operation and in terms of specification, boasts some features not found on the Nikon that would appeal to enthusiasts. In terms of image quality, colours from the Nikon are more vivid, although it’s easy to tweak the Canon’s to give a punchier result. In other areas of image quality, there isn’t really anything to separate the two. Which brings us to the final judging criteria – value for money. Having been around a while, the Canon has the price advantage (it can be found for under £500), so for now, it offers better value than the Nikon, which is sure to also see a price drop in the coming months. It’s the tightest of decisions, but the Canon EOS 400D retains its crown.
Features 22/25
Performance 22/25
Value for money 23/25
Final Score 89/100
Handling & ease of use
The EOS 400D is designed to be lightweight and small, much like the 300D and 350D before it. It's slightly larger than the Nikon, but the difference isn't really an issue. And while the earlier generation models weren't particularly solid, the EOS 400D is much better and feels almost as solid as the Nikon, and also boasts a decent handgrip for a secure hold. The viewfinder is a similar size to the Nikon but boasts a thicker hood. As with the D40x, the bright, sharp screen provides a decent image and the display runs along the bottom. As with the Nikon, the Canon's exposure mode dial dominates the top-plate, while the vast majority of the control buttons surround the LCD. And, as with an increasing number of SLRs, the four-way controller is used to select core functions like White Balance, ISO rating and autofocus. It's a neat arrangement that makes the EOS an easy camera to get the hang of using, SCORE 22/25
Features
The Canon EOS 400D first appeared in September 2006 and while six months is a long time in the fast-paced world of digital photography, the Canon's specification still holds its own against more recent releases and offers a specification that is very similar to the Nikon D40x in most departments. It boasts an APS-C sized 10.1-megapixel CMOS sensor, which gives a maximum resolution of 3888x2592 pixels. Unlike the Nikon, the sensor is housed in a self-cleaning unit, which vibrates when the camera is switched on and off. The Canon's exposure system, like the Nikon's, is very comprehensive, with a full set of exposure modes to cater for all levels of photographer. As with the Nikon, there are three metering patterns, although the Canon partial meter, with its 9% metering area, lacks the precision of Nikon’s spot meter (2.5%). The autofocus system is more advanced than that of the Nikon, boasting nine AF sensors arranged in a diamond formation to cover a wide area of the frame. The flash system is on a par, offering a similar array of modes and external flashgun options. The EOS 400D has a healthy number of digital filters and other creative options for the photographer looking to alter the colour and sharpness of images in-camera. Whether you want to use colour filters to effect black & white results or play with the saturation values of colour images, you’ll find plenty of options available, via the on-screen menu. This brings us nicely to the Canon's LCD monitor. While it lacks the innovation of the Nikon, it's a very comprehensive and well laid out system that is easy to navigate. SCORE 22/25
Performance
The EOS 400D has already proven itself as a very capable performer. It's very quick to start up and in terms of write times, it's slightly ahead of the Nikon. Like the D40x, the EOS is quiet in operation, with the camera’s mirror action being well dampened. Even though the kit lens lacks a USM (Ultrasonic Motor), the autofocus noise is kept to a minimum and is quicker than the Nikon. Image quality is very good indeed and our prints to A4 showed no difference in terms of sharpness to the Nikon's, although colours are a little lacklustre in comparison. Where the Nikon does hold a very slight edge is with its multi-zone meter, the Canon images are a shade darker, although this is easily corrected in post-production. Flash exposures from the Canon's integral flash are consistently good. The other area where the EOS comes second to the D40x is in the quality of the images displayed on the LCD monitor, which lacks the vibrancy of the Nikon display. Overall, the EOS provides a solid performance in all the key areas. SCORE 22/25
IN THE BOX
Canon EOS 400D body & cap; EF 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II lens with front and rear caps; strap; rubber eyecup; USB & video cables; li-ion battery (NB-2LH) and charger (CB-2LWE); mains lead; Software CD; Pocket Guide; instruction manual.
Lenses
As well as being compatible with all Canon EF lenses, the EOS 400D can also be used with the EF-S range, designed specifically for SLRs with APS-C-sized sensors
Media
Canon has stuck with the highly popular CompactFlash card for the EOS 400D, with 16Gb being the highest capacity card in this format.