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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> 40D or 50D ? Which -is the question?
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 12/09/2008 04:52:25 AM · #1
I know I’m opening a can of worms with this one. Views I am sure will be polarized – but I’ll ask anyway.
I’m looking to upgrade. I have had my 350D for 3 years now and had thought that the newest canon would be the way to go. I had waited for this release and unlike a lot of other people – I don’t have the cash to upgrade regularly – therefore this upgrade will probably have to last me another 3 years. The disappointment was that the canon wasn’t quite the upgrade everyone had hoped for (especially considering what Nikon have just brought out). What to do ? What to do ? Three possibilities.

One: Keep the 350 – invest in a 17-40 f4L lens (the weak point in my line up). Keep it for another 3 years (by that stage everyone’s camera will be making video’s, coffee and doing their tax –all at 65 megapixels).
Two: Buy the 50D. Latest camera and wait for another few years for the lens.
Three: Buy the 40D. Not the latest – but good camera and maybe in a year or so get the new lens.

The pro’s and con’s.
The 50D (body only ) is $1700. Latest body. Nice screen. When I first got my 350D I could never see the advantage of a big, clear screen. I had come from film and thought it was only good for reading the menu. 3 years on I now realise the advantage. So, 50D screen much better than 40D. Menu appears to be better, new processor. 15 megapixals (not sure I need it). Noise is suppose to be worse than 40D. One of the big advantages of digital I find over film is the boost to ISO. Therefore noise is an issue, but I don’t know for sure whether the reports of the 50D noise are accurate or exaggerated. I’m not sure whether reports on new camera’s always seem to show a bit of disappointment. I remember the 40D being slammed when it first came out – and then read reviews later raving about it.

The 40D (body only) is $1100. A $600 saving. Megapixals smaller – therefore noise is suppose to be better. Similar to 50D (but not the same – I know). Should do me a few years (I hope). Not a huge difference to the 50D – might do me until the full frames are the same price (if that ever happens).
I’m not prepared to jump systems at the moment – so Nikon owners please don’t tell me to get a 300D but any objective comments would be greatly appreciated.
Anyone been through the same dilemma ? Any objective thoughts on it ? Anything else I should take into consideration ? Speed is also not an issue (I don't shot sports).

Message edited by author 2008-12-09 04:59:50.
 12/09/2008 04:53:56 AM · #2
I'm in exactly the same boat, so this will be interesting.

EDIT: Reason why I wont go 40D, is because of the MP. I'm going into stock, and would like to go into commercial stock but the inustry standard is 12MP unfortunately...

Message edited by author 2008-12-09 04:55:26.
 12/09/2008 05:39:02 AM · #3
I upgraded from the 350D to the 40D. Yes, the 40D is nicer and does a bit more than the 350D and certainly makes me feel more like a "good" photographer, but i have subsequently also re-graded my lens line-up, and am quite convinced that my photography has improved due to the use of better glass!
And everywhere i read i see the same thing - buy better lenses.
So, to answer your question: The 350D is a very reasonable camera, and maybe you should buy a good lens now, and upgrade the body (possibly even 2nd hand) a bit later...
BUT, that is just my opinion...
Cheers
 12/09/2008 05:53:10 AM · #4
i went from the 400d to the 40d and I made a great choice. My lens line up consists of the 17-40L and the 85mm f/1.8 as I plan to go full frame next body.

The xxd series cameras are in a totally different league in terms of operational standards to their rebel counterparts, their quicker, cleaner, more reliable and a lot more sturdy. You could go from the 350d to the 30d and see an improvement.

Yes lenses are crucial, but the sensor on the 40d is better than the one on the 400d. I mean that the pics on the 40d were sharper with better contrast and colour reproduction but whether this is due to different jpeg compression methods or sensor redesign i dont know- either way, it's better.

Differences between 40 and 50d arent enough for me to consider switching. I love my 40d. Its been with me around the world in all climates and has never once let me down or had focus trouble like so many have reported. The 50d is a 40d with a higher resolution screen and more megapixels. I dont care about the resolution as mine is totally and utterly satisfactory and i can get A3 prints no problem at all. The screen is also totally fine and compared to the screen you have on the 350d it'll be a world apart.

SO, in my humble opinion, get the 40d and the money saved can get you the lens you're after. There's a lot of 17-40Ls on Fred Miranda, Ebay et al so you can get a good deal. I think I got mine for $430 from this very site (cheers, Joey L).

Good luck.
 12/09/2008 08:16:11 AM · #5
Hey Terry ... I know that you already know my opinion of the 50D (you got my PM, right?) I'm using the Tamron 28-75 on the 50D and just love it ... I've had great results with that camera/lens combo. Honestly, I think that you'll be satisfied if you just get the lens and keep the XT, but I also think that you'll quickly be wondering what you could do if you had either the 40D or 50D. Having previously used the XT, I can say that the screen on the 50D is simply amazing ... there were many shots that I thought were sharp when using the XT, only to find that they really weren't when I got home to edit ... with the 50D I can tell right away if there are issues with sharpness or motion blur and re-shoot ... I've not been disappointed with the camera so far ... I know this isn't an easy decision for you, but I'm sure you'll be happy with any upgrade route you choose ... If I were you, I'd probably pick the 40D and then have a head start on saving for the lens ...
 12/09/2008 08:23:42 AM · #6
I had that choice this month and I ordered the 40D based on reviews and the fact that I can still use my EFS wide angle lense.

I will be getting the 5D2 whenever they iron out the flaws they have found so far. :)
12/09/2008 08:52:51 AM · #7
Originally posted by Tez:

Yes lenses are crucial, but the sensor on the 40d is better than the one on the 400d. I mean that the pics on the 40d were sharper with better contrast and colour reproduction but whether this is due to different jpeg compression methods or sensor redesign i dont know- either way, it's better.



Is this true? I thought they pretty much had the same sensor.
 12/09/2008 10:31:26 AM · #8
Originally posted by JaimeVinas:
I had that choice this month and I ordered the 40D based on reviews and the fact that I can still use my EFS wide angle lense.


50D accepts EF-S lenses as well...

R,
 12/09/2008 10:43:38 AM · #9
Originally posted by Bear_Music:
Originally posted by JaimeVinas:
I had that choice this month and I ordered the 40D based on reviews and the fact that I can still use my EFS wide angle lense.


50D accepts EF-S lenses as well...

R,


Well talk about getting my cameras crossed lol

I still hear that the 40D is better with noise :(
12/09/2008 11:22:39 AM · #10
I upgraded to a 50D from a 20D, and the noise is clearly better then the 20D. I have looked at 100% crops from the 40D and 50D, and they look identical, which is impressive because the 50D's sensor has many more pixels.

There is always a little wiggle room to play with the noise in PP. I think the ability to crop photos and retain a fair amount or quailty is more important than slightly "better" noise performance.

My $.02.
 12/09/2008 11:27:27 AM · #11
If your lens lineup is up to date, you have the 70-200 f/4 and Tamron 28-75 f/2.8. I'd say a body upgrade is a good choice at this point.

Between the 40D and 50D, I'd probably take the 40D and use the savings on glass (50 f/1.4 if you like portraits, or a macro) or lights (decent light is perhaps the most important ingredient of photography). I'd also look to see if a used 5D could be had for a similar price (in the US, the 40D, 50D, and used 5D's are $840, $1100, and ~$1300 respectively).

Don't feel pressured to get the latest and greatest camera, though, because your XT is a good camera, and the marginal returns in camera bodies diminish. In other words, the price difference between a P&S and your XT is small but performance difference is big (shutter lag, noise performance, auto focus). Between your XT and the 40D, there is a big price difference, but the performance upgrade may not be that huge. But if you can pinpoint specific ways that your body is holding you back and you have the money to upgrade, by all means do it.

Whatever you do, enjoy shooting and post your pics! =)
 12/09/2008 12:27:13 PM · #12
I have three 40Ds and I love this body. I've had 300, 20, 30 bodies also in the past, and used most of the other canon bodies.

The 50 will have a much nicer LCD on the back, more MP, is a newer body overall. I don't think it adds any real features and IMO the extra MP isn't a big bonus. It's actually gonna chew up more computing power and storage space. Noise wise the 50 is probably a stop cleaner on the high end, if that.

Have you considerd used? As in buy a used 40D. Around here (US) they're going for $700 vs $1200 for a new 50D.

You will see a huge differnce between what you have now and eitehr of these bodies - 14 bit RAW, live view, focusing, custom functions, custom settings on the top dial are all winners in my book.
 12/09/2008 03:34:30 PM · #13
[quote=sjl2116] I upgraded to a 50D from a 20D, and the noise is clearly better then the 20D. I have looked at 100% crops from the 40D and 50D, and they look identical, which is impressive because the 50D's sensor has many more pixels.

Steve - so to your eyes the noise is identical ? This is what I mean about reviews. Do they expect because it is new (50D) that it has to be light years ahead of the last model ?
I tend to think if the noise is not worse - then that is ok.
 12/09/2008 04:24:38 PM · #14
It seems to me that the designers at Canon have to decided to take the gains they made in sensor technology and put them toward adding MP to the senors, the rational (i am guessing) being that the 50D is supposed to be an upper-end prosumer, meaning that its users probably want more MP and can afford to shell out the big $$$ to buy the largest aperture versions of the lenses they want e.g the 70-200 f/2.8 in lieu of the 70-200 f/4(which allows them to shoot at a lower ISO).

Also you can massage the noise in PP with gaussian blur, neatimage, noise-ninja and the like. It's a lot harded to get pixels that weren't there in the first place.

I find the 50D low ISO results to be pretty good.
 12/09/2008 04:30:10 PM · #15
The 40D is $837 @ buydig.com and the 50D is $1095, and I've ordered from them with no issues.

I recently went from the 350D to the 40D and find it a huge improvement, although glass is always a good investment. A big deciding factor in getting the 40D was the improvement in noise.
 12/09/2008 04:57:50 PM · #16
Interesting discussion and well timed for me. Am buying my son a new camera for his birthday and like the 40D as one of the two choices.

Like you, he will be upgrading from the 350D that he banged up and now doesn't work so well. :)

I could not help but notice that you did not mention the 450D (Digital Rebel XSi) as a possibility. That is my other choice for him. The inside technology of the XSi is much better than the 40D. I assume the cheap plastic 350D-like construction wards you off... that is what I dislike about it greatly but otherwise would chose the XSi in a heartbeat. I decided to let him pick between the two. lol!!!

The 40D looks to be the better choice than the 50D because the cost/benefit for the 50D just isn't there. Going for a full frame (35mm) like a used 5D might be worth consideration as well.

As for glass... good "L" series lenses are the right choices. Don't cut corners on your glass, you'll regret it if you do. Definitely avoid EF-S lenses because they are very limited as to the cameras that they fit and as to how well they work on the cameras that you can put them on.
 12/09/2008 05:18:57 PM · #17
I don't know if htis link helps ?

40D/50D comparison
 12/09/2008 05:48:05 PM · #18
Originally posted by Artifacts:
The inside technology of the XSi is much better than the 40D.


What inside technology is better?
 12/10/2008 03:28:05 PM · #19
Yes - your comment about the 450D - what is better than the 40D ? I must admit - I do like the feel etc of the 40/50D better. I just wish they were fully weather sealed. I had mentioned this in another thread a while ago- I don't know why cannon (and nikon for that matter) can't give us sealed units in this range like Pentax has for a while (and cheaper - so it's not a price factor).
 03/06/2009 05:01:23 PM · #20
I struggled for a while for this question myself.

For what it is worth, I found this review extremely useful:

//tech.spotcoolstuff.com/photography/digital-camera/slr-showdown-40d-50d-canon-eos/

And based on that I bought a 40D. It is hard to know the road not traveled, but I have to say that I've never once wished I had gotten the 50D instead. The 40D is an excellent camera. It does absolutely everything I wanted it to. And I was able to take some of the money I would have used on a 50D to buy an especially good lens.

Hope that helps.
 03/06/2009 05:20:56 PM · #21
Just so you know--I know nothing about the 50D, so this is not a completely informed reply.

However, I LOVE my 40D. I went from a rebel, which I liked, to a 20D which I detested, to the 40D. When I saw the 50D, I didn't even bother to look at what I was missing. I am completely and totally happy with my 40D and can't see myself changing to anything else for a very long time. (couldn't afford the ones that could tempt me away). I would much rather save up for an L series lens.
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