The EOS 40D has nearly everything we could want in an advanced consumer SLR. Or is it an entry-level pro model? We can’t tell, and that’s why we like it. Like many high-end SLRs, the 40D has exceptional manual controls, speedy performance, and fantastic image detail. You can even use the LCD as a viewfinder. Our only major complaint is that it doesn’t get high-ISO performance quite right, especially above ISO 800. Otherwise, we easily recommend the 40D to intermediate shooters shopping beyond budget SLRs, or advanced photographers looking for a bargain.

Like other SLRs, the 40D has a through-the-lens, optical perspective for accurate photo composition. The mechanical shutter instantly causes the sensor to capture the image, so forget planning around the shutter lag common on point-and-shoots. The 40D speeds through other processes too, turning on, focusing, and firing in less than a third of a second. In frantic sports shooting, the 40D writes images to CompactFlash about as quickly as you can compose them. We captured bursts of 22 photos over 10 seconds and rarely found any real-world shooting conditions where we had to wait.

Like other Canon SLRs, the 40D works with Canon’s wide selection of lenses, as well as third-party lenses. Our test 40D shipped without a lens, but we swapped in several options. The comfortable, metal-alloy body feels solid and balanced with either short or long lens attachments.

The comfortable shape and other features would be wasted if the 40D didn’t deliver excellent images—and deliver it does. Details and textures looked stunning in the crisp, 10.1-megapixel outdoor photos. Indoor and night photos were also great, with the pop-up flash throwing a bright, even splash across the frame. The automatic white balance—which sets the baseline color calibration—gave bold and accurate hues across most lighting conditions. However, without a flash, longer exposure shots in dim conditions produced too-warm colors. (Manual white balance or image-editing software can correct the problem.)

ISO settings are another way the 40D compensates for darker situations, amping up light sensitivity with climbing ISO numbers. Many SLRs struggle to reproduce sharp details at high ISOs, and while the 40D improves over previous Canon cameras and many competitors, those details are its biggest weakness. Images are generally well defined through ISO 400, although depending on lighting conditions, random speckles of image noise mar photos at ISO 800 and higher. We got the best results at high ISOs under even lighting with little contrast. Otherwise, dark, shadowy areas can show these pesky dots even if the main subject is smoothly reproduced.

The 40D adds even more features to its strong baseline performance. The camera shimmies away loose dust particles every time it’s turned on, cleaning the sensor. Another option records the location of remaining dust for simple, automated edits back on a Mac. Live View mode mimics a point-and-shoot camera by letting you use the LCD to frame your shot. The large, bright, 3-inch screen helps compose overhead and low-angle photos, and it can even display a live histogram to give feedback on exposure settings. Additional pro-level features open the shutter for as short as 1/8,000 second, give extensive manual controls over the flash, offer customizable menus, and more.

Beginner and intermediate photographers might shoot with the various automatic settings, letting the camera tailor photos for portraits, landscapes, and other common situations. A full auto mode also helps these photographers who aren’t ready for manual shutter speeds, apertures, or both. These auto modes work well, although we’re disappointed that they only record JPEG images. Manual settings add options for RAW and sRAW for complete control. The Live View shooting mode is also disabled in auto configurations.

The bottom line. The Canon 40D bridges entry-level SLRs with expensive, pro options. We can easily overlook its few shortcomings and focus on its excellent image quality and wide array of useful features.

COMPANY: Canon

CONTACT: www.canon.com

PRICE: $1,299 body only

REQUIREMENTS: Mac OS X, USB

Excellent image quality. Comfortable, solid body. Live View LCD mode. Complete manual controls and customization.

Noise creeps into extreme-ISO photos. Can’t use Live View or RAW formats in auto modes.