Upgrade Guide
Canon EOS-1Ds→Canon EOS 400D
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
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Worthwhile
Clear improvements over the EOS-1Ds. Whether it justifies the cost depends on which upgrades matter most to your shooting.
What's new in the EOS 400D
-
StabilisationIBIS added — significant for handheld and video
-
Generation4 years newer (2006 vs 2002)
Unchanged or similar
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ResolutionSimilar (10MP)
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Weather sealingNot present in new body
Suitability by genre
Base scores — computed from verified specs for an enthusiast shooting photo and video. The Upgrade Checker adjusts them for your skill level.
| Genre | EOS-1Ds | EOS 400D | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | -0.3 | ||
| Street | +1.7 | ||
| Travel | +1.2 | ||
| Wedding & Events | -1.1 | ||
| Documentary | -0.7 | ||
| Sports & Action | -0.4 | ||
| Landscape | -0.9 | ||
| Wildlife | -0.4 | ||
| Casual | +1.3 | ||
| Food | +0.1 | ||
| Macro | +0.2 | ||
| Architecture | -0.4 | ||
| Astrophotography | -1.1 |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | EOS-1Ds | EOS 400D | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £102 used | £31 used | |
| Released | 2002 | 2006 | ↑ |
| Sensor | 11.1MP full-frame CMOS | 10.1MP APS-C CMOS | |
| Resolution | 11MP | 10MP | ↓ |
| Video | — | No video | |
| Autofocus | 45-point AF with 7 cross-type points | 9-point phase-detect AF | |
| Stabilisation | — | No IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only) | |
| Burst Rate | 3fps continuous | 3fps | |
| Battery Life | ~500 shots per charge | ~360 shots (CIPA) | ↓ |
| Weight | 1270g (body only) | 510g (with battery) | ↑ |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Not weather sealed | ↓ |
| Viewfinder | OVF, 0.70× magnification, 100% coverage | Optical pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.8x | |
| Screen | 2.0" fixed LCD | 2.5" fixed LCD, 230k dots | |
| Mount | Canon EF | Canon EF | |
| Memory Cards | CompactFlash Type I/II | Single CompactFlash slot |
Compare side-by-side
⚖️ Compare these cameras
See EOS-1Ds and EOS 400D next to each other with our interactive comparison tool.
Get a personalised upgrade score
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Tell us what you shoot and we'll score the EOS 400D against your specific genres — not just specs.
Other upgrades from the EOS-1Ds
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Camera family history