Upgrade Guide
Canon EOS-1Ds→Canon EOS 40D
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
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Strong upgrade
The EOS 40D improves across 4 key areas at a reasonable price gap. Most EOS-1Ds owners will notice the difference.
What's new in the EOS 40D
-
StabilisationIBIS added — significant for handheld and video
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Burst rate6.5fps vs 3fps continuous
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Battery life~800 shots (CIPA) vs ~500 shots per charge
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Generation5 years newer (2007 vs 2002)
Unchanged or similar
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ResolutionSimilar (10MP)
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 40D | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | -0.3 | ||
| Street | +0.9 | ||
| Travel | +1.2 | ||
| Wedding & Events | +0.1 | ||
| Documentary | +0.2 | ||
| Sports & Action | +1.0 | ||
| Landscape | -0.1 | ||
| Wildlife | +0.7 | ||
| Casual | +0.7 | ||
| Food | -0.1 | ||
| Macro | — | ||
| Architecture | -0.3 | ||
| Astrophotography | -0.6 |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | EOS-1Ds | EOS 40D | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £102 used | £26 used | |
| Released | 2002 | 2007 | ↑ |
| 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 all cross-type phase-detect via viewfinder; contrast AF in live view | |
| Stabilisation | — | No IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only) | |
| Burst Rate | 3fps continuous | 6.5fps | ↑ |
| Battery Life | ~500 shots per charge | ~800 shots (CIPA) | ↑ |
| Weight | 1270g (body only) | 820g (with battery) | ↑ |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes | |
| Viewfinder | OVF, 0.70× magnification, 100% coverage | Optical pentaprism, 95% coverage, 0.95x | |
| Screen | 2.0" fixed LCD | 3.0" fixed LCD, 230k dots | |
| Mount | Canon EF | Canon EF / EF-S | |
| Memory Cards | CompactFlash Type I/II | Single CompactFlash slot |
Compare side-by-side
⚖️ Compare these cameras
See EOS-1Ds and EOS 40D next to each other with our interactive comparison tool.
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Tell us what you shoot and we'll score the EOS 40D against your specific genres — not just specs.
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