My results

Okay, so it feels great, has cool new features, is built well and may be able to fold my laundry. But what about the most important thing — how do the pictures look? After all, it's the ends that justify the means in photography. For my first test shots, I strapped on the 28-135mm IS (image-stabilized) lens that came with the camera kit.

A hawk making a turn. Thanks to the 40D's 10.1-megapixel sensor, tight crops like this one come out nice and clear.

After coming back from my hike, I figured I'd snap some shots indoors in low light to see how the 40D performed at its highest sensitivity settings — ISO 1600 and 3200. Whenever you use higher sensitivity settings, noise — or graininess — begins to creep into your photos.

The noise under those conditions surprised me, it was so low. I was used to much grainier-looking shots at the higher settings. Even on my computer monitor, where noise is most obvious, I found it more than acceptable. I bet I'd hardly notice it in an 8x10 print. Everyone's tolerance for noise in digital photos is different, but in my opinion the high-ISO performance of the 40D is exemplary. Pictures taken in ambient light without a flash always have more depth and emotion, and when your camera performs this well under those conditions, you'll find yourself using the built-in flash only as a last resort.

Image stabilization stops the shake
The lens' image stabilization really does work. I even got some useable shots at very slow shutter speeds — as slow as 1/6 second. Image-stabilized lenses compensate for shake, essentially allowing your hand to stay still longer. Without image stabilization steadying my hand, I'd need a tripod to get a decent picture with a shutter speed that slow. The picture below is a good example — I was able to capture the motion of the water by slowing down the shutter, and best of all I was able to leave my tripod at home.

To get this "silky water" shot, I had to slow down the shutter speed. Normally I'd need a tripod to pull this off, but the image stabilization in my lens let me shoot by hand.

Conclusions

The Canon 40D a great step-up for the serious amateur photographer, and probably fast enough to be a pro's backup body. If you like total control over your shooting conditions, the 40D will serve you well. I love how I can assign my own menu settings and save my own camera settings for different situations — they're both amazing time-savers that help me get the shots I want.

The 40D's high-speed burst is great for shooting wildlife action shots.

The 40D has tons of photographer-friendly features. The controls are laid out well, and won't slow you down when you're shooting pictures. Its high-ISO performance, color rendition, and speed are outstanding. It's built to last and feels great in your hand all day. If you've shot with film cameras, feel like you need just a little more than your entry-level model gives you, or are a control freak with a camera in your hand, the 40D is a great choice. It's a creative tool that will grow with you as your interest in photography evolves.