Canon EOS 400D Review

A worthy replacement for the EOS 350D, Canon EOS 400D improves performance already recognized his predecessor by incorporating an anti-dust and a large LCD screen.

Verdict
A new version with no real surprise but not without qualities, both technically qu’ergonomique. With less than 800 €, the EOS 400D should meet with a success at least equivalent to that of his predecessor.

Since the release of the EOS 300D, there is already a little over three years, the announcement of a new reflex digital consumer Canon is still seen as an event. And it must be noted that on paper, the characteristics of the newest are, once again, very attractive: a 10 megapixel sensor, a dust-integrated, increased responsiveness, a wider screen … The list of improvements over the EOS 350D is certainly not infinite but is rather consistent. When you know the success that he has met in the space of one year and a half, we can be confident about the performance and quality finishing of the new cabinet.

The first question that comes to mind of the holders of the EOS 350D is often the following: should I change? Certainly not. The reason is simple: the EOS 400D is intended primarily for amateur photographers who have not yet taken the step of the Reflex. Maybe the holders of the EOS 300D willing to change their equipment to benefit from the latest technological advances.

Canon EOS 400D Review
The acceleration of the renewal of range in recent years due in large part by the rapid progress made by manufacturers in the field of digital technology. Whether the design of sensors, the velocity of the aircraft or the management of noise. It is not surprising therefore, that the EOS 400D enjoys certain benefits to the models of the range semi-professional, as the EOS 30D marketed a few months ago. For an aficionado, anxious that you always have a good case without debt, the best strategy now is to skip a generation before considering replacing its equipment.

The assumption of the EOS 400D is different hardly compared to the EOS 350D. Side dimensions, just a small millimeter more for the depth, which does not alter the compactness of the unit. For ease of use optimal, therefore it is better to have small hands. However, it seems that the trend towards minimum congestion is echoed in most manufacturers of aircraft Reflex general public. This is particularly true of the GX-1S Samsung, Pentax K110D or the Olympus E500. Anyway, adding a handful still possible, if you want to have a bigger box and offering a better grip in portrait mode. Good news: the grip of food compatible is the same as the EOS 350D, the BG-E3.

Your reflex will be a 10 megapixel or it will not. This is the leitmotif of manufacturers, with rare exceptions. No wonder that Canon, which has always had an edge over its competitors to exit the Sony Alpha 100, is trying today to resume the advantage or at least match its rivals . The image resolution is therefore 3888×2592 pixels as optimal for a CMOS whose size remains unchanged at 22.2 x14, 8 mm. The processor is also the same, the Digic II, which seems rather bold. The engineers have nevertheless considerably improved algorithms for image processing. Conclusion: Despite an identical sensor and a small size of photosites, from 8 to 10 million, the noise level is equivalent to one model to another. A small feat that can only delight users exploiting the highest sensitivity available, up to 1600 ISO. It regrets, however, that Canon did not have this reflex of the new Digic III processor already available on some models as compact Ixus 900 Ti. This would permit inter alia enjoy a sensitivity of ISO 3200, sometimes indispensable in concert.

The velocity of the aircraft has also been reinforced. See almost doubled. In burst mode, the camera records continuously up to 27 photos as a JPeg or 10 pictures as a Raw with a sustained flow of 3 frames per second. Comparatively, the Nikon D80 rises to 100 photos JPeg continuously but only 6 photos by opting for the Raw format. The EOS 400D offers a very valuable versatility and fully meets the needs of amateur sports photo.

Canon EOS 400D Review

After Sony and Olympus, Canon decided to incorporate an anti-dust on his case public. The manufacturer also does not make things halfway. His cleaning system combines EOS indeed several methods to ensure optimum efficiency. First in the running: the antistatic treatment of the bayonet, low-pass filter cap and housing. This has the effect of reducing the introduction of dust into the camera. Then the self-cleaning sensor by applying a series of high-frequency vibrations on the low-pass filter. This operation takes place whenever the device is switched on. It takes on average one second. Where necessary, it is still possible to disengage this feature. In absolute terms, this method is ideal for off dust. But actually, in the absence of a recovery (E-500 Olympus is equipped with an adhesive that comes to the house dust), it merely move on the sensor, or better to return temporarily disappears after a few uses of the device.
To get rid of dust, Canon has developed a method ultimate operator this time a software solution. A function dedicated to the EOS 400D is conducting a detailed mapping of the sensor surface from an image witness. The dust and various tasks are then located precisely, the associated information is stored in the device on a principle similar to the custom white balance. Once your photos transferred to the computer, proprietary software Digital Photo Professional takes care of automatically remove traces inappropriate. This method has proved quite effective but requires one hand to turn off automatic cleaning sensor and secondly to make a very regular basis a new mapping, a condition sine qua none for best results. Note here that if the EOS 400D is so far the only model of the range to take advantage of this unique function, it remains quite possible to use the new software version DPP with boxes oldest. The procedure for removal is a bit more laborious but remains effective.

The EOS 400D boasts a multitude of other improvements. Among these, we particularly appreciated the availability of two new collimators, bringing their number to nine. If he does not win really responsive, AutoFocus system of the device offers against further details. However, it regrets that the measure spot has not been implemented. Canon preferred to reserve its boxes pro and semi-pro, as the EOS 30D. Other welcome novelty: the styles of images. It is applied as soon preset shooting and intended to limit the post-processing images with retouching software. Six styles are available by default but remain parameters. They adapt to different situations such as landscape, portrait or black and white. Three styles let you store more personal settings according to your habits shooting. Four parameters can be modified to wish: sharpness, contrast, hue and saturation.

Finally the size of the LCD board. The display area is almost doubled compared to that of the EOS 350D, or 2.5 inches against 1.8 inches above. To achieve this, Canon has done the choice of removing the second LCD screen. Hence, the camera settings (speed, openness, sensitivity, a measure of exposure, collimators, battery level, number of trips remaining and recording quality) are now available on the big screen. If the gain in clarity of display is undeniable, however the battery is more sought, the screen to be operated to control its settings. Canon, however, had the good sense to place just below the viewfinder a sensor that deactivates the LCD screen when you are approaching the eye of the viewfinder.

Canon remains deaf to repeated requests by its users an integrated system. The manufacturer has not yet decided to take the step, which delights its competitors like Sony and Pentax who opted for a stabilisation in their respective models Alpha 100 and K100D. It must be said that Canon has a very broad range of targets stabilized.

Filed under Canon, Digital Cameras |

• Canon EOS 40D Review
• Canon EOS 350D Review
• Canon EOS 30D Review
• Canon EOS 300D Review
• Canon PowerShot A640 Review

One Response to “Canon EOS 400D Review”

1. Canon EOS 400D Review Says:
   July 2nd, 2008 at 10:29 am

   [...] Canon EOS 400D Review In burst mode, the camera records continuously up to 27 photos as a JPeg or 10 pictures as a Raw with a sustained flow of 3 frames per second. Comparatively, the Nikon D80 rises to 100 photos JPeg continuously but only 6 photos by … [...]