Canon EOS 400D 10.1-megapixel DSLR

Canon's New "Mid-range" DSLR

10-megapixel cameras seem to be the rage these days and we are not just strictly referring to the professional range. Be it in the realm of digital SLRs or compacts, there are enough signs to tell you that the 10-megapixel camera race is on. Here over at www.hardwarezone.com, we have already featured several 10-megapixel cameras with the most recent ones being the D80 and Alpha A100 from Nikon and Sony respectively.

Our focus today is the new entry-level 400D DSLR from Canon. While many might say that the 400D is a response to Nikon and Sony, the fact that it outguns the mid-range 30D (8.0-megapixel) with a revolutionary 10-megapixel image sensor just drives home the point that the 400D is more a natural progression than a knee-jerk reaction.

The 400D may have the same pixel count and imaging flexibility as the D80 and Alpha A100 but that's really where the similarities end. The Canon 400D sits comfortably on the other side of the fence because it uses a more advanced CMOS image sensor as opposed to the CCD variants installed in the D80 and Alpha A100. Hence, it's quite a different ball game of imaging performance and value comparison altogether. Also, Canon is the only manufacturer mentioned here that produces and designs camera components in-house, from lenses and image sensors right down to image processors.

Conventional wisdom will tell you that the 400D is the successor to the 350D. Well, you'd be right in most cases of modeling based on ascending numbers but in the case of the 400D, it is quite the contrary. We were told that the 350D will continue to coexist with 400D in the entry-level DSLR space (with a price drop for the 350D of course). Realistically, the Canon 400D was designed to sit in between the 350D and 30D, which is Canon's way of stretching its product range to cater to an increasingly diverse consumer group. In terms of features, it shares numerous features with its more established brethrens, the 30D and the 5D, but it does have a brand new anti-dust system (finally) that is not even available on the top-of-the-range 1Ds Mark II. Let us take a few seconds to inspect the attributes of the new 400D shall we?

Contents in Standard Kit

• EOS 400D
• EF 18-55mm Lens
• Battery Pack NB-2LH w/cover
• Battery Charger CB-2LWE
• 2 Pin Power Cord for the Battery Charger
• Interface Cable IFC-400PCU
• Video Cable VC-100
• Strap EW-100DB11
• EOS Digital Software Instruction Manual
• EOX Digital Solution Disk
• Pocket Guide
• EOS 400D Digital Instruction Manual
• Software Guide
• Warranty Card

Specifications Comparison

On paper, the three DSLR cameras share quite a lot in common but surely there are things about the new Canon 400D that sets it well and truly apart from her competitors right? Well, there are a few actually and over the next few pages you'll learn why the 400D had been so hotly anticipated.

The New Features

No More Dust!

Any DSLR user will tell you that dust is the most annoying problem as far as maintenance of DSLR cameras is concerned. Stuck onto the sensor, dust particles create shadow-like spots that effectively render photos unusable for professional productions. There are however, several ways to get rid of dust particles with the easiest way being a built-in anti-dust system. In the Canon 400D, this comes in the form of the EOS I.C.S (EOS Integrated Cleaning System) that comprises of a Self-Cleaning Sensor Unit (SCSU) and Dust-Delete function to remove dust particles. Quite similar to the Sony A100, the Canon's SCSU employs ultrasonic vibrations to shake off dust from the 3-layered anti-static low pass filter (LPF) system. Dust particles that fall off are collected in a dust retainer within the camera to prevent them from tainting the sensor again. The dust retainer basically has a sticky substance that is commonly used in industrial applications which doesn't require any replacement at all. The SCSU is activated every time the camera is turned on or off and takes about one second to execute.

At times when stubborn dusts could not be removed by the SCSU, users can turn to another solution called Dust-Delete function. By taking a shot of a white wall, for example, the 400D is able to detect and register the location of dust particles adhering on the LPS and append this information to all the photos which it then "heals" effected areas using Canon's Digital Photo Professional 2.2 (DPP 2.2) post-editing software. The Dust-Delete function is unique to 400D and doesn't work on previous Canon DSLR yet.

Nine-point AF

The 400D uses a nine-point autofocus (AF) system arranged in a diamond-shape ala the 30D and the 5D. The 350D on the other hand uses just seven points. The AF metering range now starts from - 0.5EV all the way to 18EV - one full stop more sensitive than the 350D under low light (at 23C, ISO 100).

Picture Style

Consistent with the 30D, 5D, and 1D Mark II N, the 400D image adjustment parameters are now collectively grouped under the Picture Style menu. Within this are profiles such as Portrait, Landscape, Neutral and Faithful (among others) and the ability to customized them in terms of sharpness, contrast, saturation, color tone, et cetera. Three user definable presets are available too. White balance (WB) bracketing also gains the ability to select blue/amber or magenta/green bias.

Magnified Record View

You can now zoom into your image under both instant playback and record review (option via a custom function). The latter also required you to do a two-button press - a tad cumbersome but gets the job done.

RGB Histogram

Other than a combined brightness histogram, the 400D now gets another RGB histogram.

11 Custom Functions

The 11 custom functions in two more than what we have in the 350D. The two new additions are CF10 - Magnified view (image review and playback) and CF11 - LCD display when power ON (always or remember power off status). The total number of settings is also up from 24 to 29. An auto long exposure noise reduction option can also be found under CF2.

Up to 9999 images in a folder

Like the 30D, the 400D can now store up to 9999 images in a single folder. 350D users will no doubt like this as it is ten times what the 350D can store in a single folder.

New Direct Print Features

While the Direct Print button is nothing new, the 400D has a host of new features including red-eye reduction, face brightening, 20 or 35-image contact sheet and printing with EXIF information. The camera also works with some of the latest and more advanced Canon PIXMA printers. While we used to question the rationale of having such functions on higher-end, professional DSLRs, we think they do make sense in the entry-level 400D as budding photographers and enthusiasts are becoming more versed in digital photography.

Improved Buffer

At 3FPS, the 350D can record up to 14 JPEG or 4 RAW files in a burst before it starts to slow down. The 400D on the other hand can capture up to 27 JPEG or 10 RAW files in the same time. That's double the capacity even though it records at a higher resolution (10.1 versus 8.2 megapixels).

A Close Up Look at the New Camera

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Handling of the Camera

Never mind it being a DSLR camera, Canon has taken great lengths to keep the handling of the 400D as easy as possible. Buttons are well positioned and most are clearly labelled, much in the same user friendly manner as the Nikon D80. Different from the Nikon model however, is that instead of having two seperate dials for adjusting shuttle speed and changing aperture size on the fly, the 400D only has one control dial. Hence, the Nikon D80 is a slightly easier camera to live with in this regard. Let us take a look at the menu and its other interface in the next page.

Menus

Test and Tried - ISO/Sensitivity

ISO Sensitivity is the digital equivalent of film speed or more specifically the measurement used to define light sensitivity. For this test, we pitched the Canon 400D against the Nikon D80 and Sony A100 and here are the results:

Test and Tried - White Balance Settings

The Canon 400D has several white balance options to choose from, ranging from auto white balance, daylight, shade, cloudy, tungsten light, white fluorescent light, flash to custom. For our test shots, commonly used white balance modes of auto, fluorescent and tungsten were used.

White Balance Performance under Daylight Condition

The automatic white balance and fluorescent settings produced similar results. When compared against the GretagMacbeth ColorChecker Color Rendition Chart, yellows appeared much brighter while cyan had a bluish tinge to it.

White Balance Performance under Tungsten Lighting Condition

In tungsten mode, the color chart was fairly accurate with yellow and green appearing a little off.

Tried and Tested: Resolution Test

For measuring image resolution, the ISO-12233 compliant I3A/ISO Camera Resolution Chart was used. Purpose of this test is to acquire an objective and qualitative appraisal on sensor performance in the areas of resolution and lens quality.

The numbers labeled on the chart signify a 1/100-line per picture height. A value of 10 represents 1000 lines per picture height (LPH). From a series of images taken of the chart using the kit lens at different aperture settings, the sharpest image would be selected to determine the resolution quality of the Canon 400D. From the sample shot chosen, fine lines were still visible pass 1750 H on both horizontal and vertical LPH, reflecting the impressive resolution quality of the Canon 400D.

Sample Gallery

Final Verdict - Buy or Not to Buy?

Canon sure has an interesting approach in the positioning of the 400D; the arrival of this newcomer does not signal the demise of an existing model, which is usually the norm practised by the industry. Looking at where it sits within Canon's lineup of DSLR cameras, the 400D is neither an entry-level camera nor is it a mid-range camera. Instead, it sits nicely between the 350D (which will continue to be Canon's most affordable DSLR) and 30D, albeit with a slightly different set of features. Suffice to say, the Canon 400D is not just a mere step up from the 350D released last year. This is because it boasts a new 10.1-megapixel CMOS sensor and brings with it a better nine point autofocus and a larger LCD screen. According to Canon, viewing angles have been improved to 160-degrees for both the horizontal and vertical axes. Another glaring difference between the 400D and the 350D is that the status LCD panel that once sat above the LCD monitor on the latter has been left out of the 400D. All information are now displayed on the new 2.5-inch LCD instead. And to prevent the glare of the LCD from affecting your judgment when you look through the optical viewfinder, Canon has included an intelligent proximity sensor into the 400D. This automatically powers off the LCD temporarily whenever your face is within range, which it interprets as you peering through the viewfinder to line up a shot.

Most noteworthy is the inclusion of EOS I.C.S system, which is not even available on the high-end 1Ds Mark II. In terms of performance, the 400D can be seen as a little brother of the 30D, even if the latter has a smaller 8.2-megapixel CMOS sensor in comparison. To list a few differences, the 400D doesn't have as fast a continuous shooting speed and better build as the 30D, but at 65% the price of the 30D, we are definitely not complaining. Still, there's no denying that the proposition offered by the 400D is one that offers advanced imaging capabilities and flexibility of the 30D but at a fraction of the price. Those on a tight budget will no doubt find the 400D an attractive DSLR - we certainly think it represents incredible value for what it is capable of delivering.

Against competing models such as the Sony Alpha A100 and Nikon D80, the 400D is the smallest and lightest unit. Those with bigger hands will probably need some time to adjust to the new handling dynamics of the 400D. Build quality however, remains a praise reserved for the Nikon D80 because its chassis is manufactured out of metal alloy and not plastic. On that note, the Canon EOS 400D is the most affordable DSLR camera among the three commanding a price of only US$799 (Body only) and US$899 (with 18-55 mm lens). It is about US$200 less than the Nikon D80 and Sony A100 thus winning our Most Value for Money award in the 10-megapixel DSLR category.

As for performance, the Canon 400D commands a slight edge by having better noise suppression. Photo details and color reproduction on the 400D are also commendable. End of the day, the three cameras are inseparable where imaging performance is concerned. Making a pick in our opinion is really down to personal preference because all three cameras have their own strengths and weaknesses. Furthermore, with the availability of the Olympus E400 and Pentax K10D formally announced, deciding which 10-megapixel DSLR to invest is all but more challenging than ever.

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