Review: Canon EOS 400D digital SLR

Interestingly the 400D has also inherited the superior 9-point auto-focus system of the pricier EOS 30D along with its Picture Styles processing options.

Canon has also increased the continuous shooting buffer to record up to 27 Jpegs at 3fps (frames per second).

Shutter speeds range from 30 seconds to 1/4000 and sensitivity from ISO 100 to ISO 1600.

It has the same popup flash as the 350D and, if you want something more powerful, a hotshoe for external Speedlites.

In lab tests, the 400D resolved measurably greater detail than its predecessor and the pricier EOS 30D model.

Indeed the 400D is now the highest-resolution Canon body with an EF-S compatible lens mount.

Compare real-life images though and there’s not a great deal of difference between the 10.1 megapixel 400D and its 8 megapixel predecessor, but anyone upgrading from a 6 megapixel DSLR will notice a big difference.

There’s always the fear of greater noise levels when resolutions are increased, but Canon has kept them under check.

While the 400D is fractionally noisier than the 350D at the highest sensitivities, it remains very usable at all ISOs.

Crucially, its images are cleaner than the competition's. It also handles well, feeling responsive and ready for action.

The metering, exposure and processing do a good job, delivering great-looking images. And while the anti-dust systems didn’t get rid of all the marks, they eliminated most of them.

The only aspect we can knock the 400D on is its lack of anti-shake in the standard kit.

Canon offers a number of excellent lenses with image stabilisation, but you’ll need to pay £400 for a general purpose EF-S model.

In contrast, the Sony A100 has anti-shake facilities built-in and comes with a slightly longer zoom than the Canon kit for an RRP of £699.

Ultimately we prefer the images from the 400D, but the Sony has better features.

It’s a tough choice and you’ll need to check out both in person to make a decision; Nikon’s forthcoming D80 should also be considered (review coming soon).

But either way the EOS 400D remains an excellent entry-level digital SLR and comes highly recommended.

Also consider:
Nikon D80
Nikon ups the ante with a 10 megapixel sensor, bigger screen and improved functionality

Olympus E330
More than just an upgrade to the E-300, Olympus's digital SLR now has a live LCD viewfinder

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