Upgrade Guide
Canon EOS 5D Mark III→Canon EOS 40D
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
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Skip it
The EOS 40D offers little measurable spec improvement over the EOS 5D Mark III. Spend the money on glass instead.
Unchanged or similar
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Resolution10MP (down from 22MP — optimised for low light)
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 5D Mark III | EOS 40D | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | -1.3 | ||
| Street | -0.1 | ||
| Travel | -0.1 | ||
| Wedding & Events | -2.0 | ||
| Documentary | -1.6 | ||
| Sports & Action | -0.6 | ||
| Landscape | -1.4 | ||
| Wildlife | -0.3 | ||
| Casual | -0.2 | ||
| Food | -0.8 | ||
| Macro | -0.6 | ||
| Architecture | -1.4 | ||
| Astrophotography | -0.8 |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | EOS 5D Mark III | EOS 40D | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £219 | £51 | |
| Released | 2012 | 2007 | ↓ |
| Sensor | 22.3MP full-frame CMOS | 10.1MP APS-C CMOS | |
| Resolution | 22MP | 10MP | ↓ |
| Video | Full HD 1080p/30, 720p/60 | No video | |
| Autofocus | 61-point phase-detect (41 cross-type) via viewfinder; contrast AF with face detection in live view | 9-point all cross-type phase-detect via viewfinder; contrast AF in live view | |
| Stabilisation | No IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only) | No IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only) | |
| Burst Rate | 6fps | 6.5fps | ↑ |
| Battery Life | ~950 shots (CIPA) | ~800 shots (CIPA) | ↓ |
| Weight | 950g (with battery) | 820g (with battery) | ↑ |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes | |
| Viewfinder | Optical pentaprism, 100% coverage, 0.71x | Optical pentaprism, 95% coverage, 0.95x | |
| Screen | 3.2" fixed LCD, 1.04M dots | 3.0" fixed LCD, 230k dots | |
| Mount | Canon EF | Canon EF / EF-S | |
| Memory Cards | Dual slots: CompactFlash + SD | Single CompactFlash slot |
Compare side-by-side
⚖️ Compare these cameras
See EOS 5D Mark III 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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