Chris has put up a quick comparison between the D40 and the D80 over on his blog. You can read the entry at http://www.christalbot.co.uk/?p=77
His MB-D80 came today so he's included some basic info about this. I've also arranged to borrow his D80+MB-D80 sometime next week so I can add it to my D2X/D200+MB-D200 comparison.
There are a few things that I'd like to point out:
The EOS-400D is Canon's low-end DSLR, but it's aimed more at the D80 market. I believe that Nikon are currently selling one of the cheapest DSLRs going, the D40.
Canon changed their lens mount from EF (I guess?) to EF-S, which in many ways is similar to the AF-S F-mount glass we see over in the Nikon world. Specifically all Canon glass made in the last n years has a built in motor. I think. But this should mean that there is very little practical difference between AF speed on Canon and Nikkor glass at a given price range. I wouldn't be surprised if the Canon L glass AF speed was better than the Nikkor offering, given that they've been doing it longer. Again, I think. I can't claim to know more than the very basics about the Canon line-up or recent history. If I've got it wrong, add a comment.
These days it would be crazy to buy the D40 over the D40X (10MP with better high ISO, etc. instead of 6MP). Given the price difference between the D40X and the D80... I'd argue that those people are also crazy not to buy the D80. But it is definitely horses for courses, and if you want a compact, cheap yet powerful DSLR, the D40(X) is the way to go.
All lenses with a Canon EF mount *have* to have a motor in the lens if you want to focus, there is no mechanical linking option as there is with the Nikons. What this means is that if you move your 50mm from a 300D to a 1D it will not focus any quicker or quieter. The same is not true for Nikon. It should also be noted that Canon have multiple classes of in-lens focus motors, the ones that are labeled as USM being the best ones.
ReplyDeleteThe focus motor was nuked from the D40 in order to get it to a smaller size. EF-S is the Canon equivelent of DX with the difference being if you stick an EF-S lens on an EF body, instead of getting a small image circle you will get a broken mirror as the lens back sits closer to the sensor.
As for D80 vs D40x, I'll take the D40x any day of the week, as long as I can keep a D2x as a backup ;) I'm just not a fan of the D80, while I can put up with the failings of the D40x in exchange for its small size.
Given the price difference it's crazy to buy the D40x over the D40 as long as the latter is still available (the sensor is discontinued, hence the D40x). The resolution difference, as anyone knows, is tiny in real use. ISO change would be all right (spares from using ND's). But neither is even remotely worth the difference.
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