Product Reviews

Canon's EOS 400D is the successor to the hugely popular EOS 350D digital SLR, featuring 10.1 megapixel resolution, anti-dust features and a bigger, 2.5in, screen.

The 10.1 megapixel sensor makes it the highest resolution Canon DSLR with an EF-S lens mount, overtaking the pricier Eos 30D. It captures images with a maximum resolution of 3888 x 2592 pixels, sufficient for 300dpi reproduction up to 13 x 8.5in. This gives it an advantage of about 1.5in diagonally over 8 megapixel models like the, or about 3in over those with 6 megapixels.

Images are recorded onto Compact Flash cards and best quality Jpegs measure between 2.5 and 5.5MB each. Images can, alternatively, be recorded in Canon's CR2 Raw format, accompanied by a Jpeg if desired. Canon bundles its Digital Photo Professional (DPP) software for processing Raw files.

The 400D's lens mount can take any Canon EF or EF-S lens and, thanks to its APS-C sized sensor, effectively multiplies their field of view by 1.6 times so the optionally-bundled EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 lens effectively delivers a 29-88mm range.

The ability to switch lenses is both a major benefit and an Achilles heel, with the potential for dust to enter the body. The 400D is the first Canon DSLR to actively combat dust, using several methods.

Like Olympus DSLRs, the 400D vibrates its low pass filter in an attempt to shake off any particles. This process takes around one second and occurs during power-on and off; unlike Olympus though, you can interrupt the process by simply pressing the shutter release if you see a photo opportunity.

Secondly, the 400D can record a dust reference frame which is appended to subsequent images, allowing the DPP software to automatically retouch any marks out later in one step. This data is so small it has virtually no impact on file sizes, but you can prevent it from being attached by resetting the camera if desired.

During our test period we found the 400D's filter was unable to shake-off persistent dust particles, but DPP eliminated almost

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all of them using the reference data; any remaining marks were also easily retouched and their positions stored for application to subsequent images.

From the front, top and side, it looks identical to the 350D and it remains one of the smallest and lightest DSLRs around - ideal for travelling with.

Turn the body around, and you'll see the new 2.5in screen dominating the rear surface. Following the Sony A100, the 400D uses this display not just for playback and menu navigation, but also for all shooting information - there's no secondary LCD screen.

This allows the 400D to always present a vast array of information, including ISO, flash compensation and focus-point selection, along with the usual exposure details - it's all readable in direct sunlight although, unlike the Sony, the text doesn't flip by 90 degrees as you take portrait shots. Greater use of the main screen, not to mention the anti-dust features, results in a slight reduction in battery life, but you should still get around 360 shots per charge.

The 400D features a popup flash with a hotshoe for Speedlites, shutter speeds from 1/4000 to 30 seconds, and sensitivity from 100 to 1600 ISO. Adobe RGB and sRGB colour spaces are supported, and while the continuous shooting remains at 3fps, the buffer's been enlarged to record up to 27 Jpegs in a burst. In a welcome move, the 400D has also inherited the 30D's superior nine-point autofocus system, although dots rather than rectangles illuminate the active points in the viewfinder.

In use, the 400D handles much like the 350D; starting quickly and feeling very responsive overall. The anti-dust systems may not be 100% infallible, but they're a welcome development and well-implemented - being able to interrupt the filter vibration and append images with dust data for later removal are excellent touches.

The resolving power is measurably higher than the 350D in lab tests, but doesn't make a big difference in real-life. Luckily though, the increased resolution hasn't compromised noise levels. They may be fractionally higher than the 350D, at 1600 ISO, but the 400D still delivers silky smooth results across its ISO range, which remains cleaner than the Sony A100 at higher sensitivities.

The only real downside is lack of anti-shake in the standard package. To combat any wobbles, you'll need to invest in an image-stabilised lens, and in this respect the Sony A100 which features built-in anti-shake takes the lead. This aside, the Eos 400D is a superb entry-level DSLR and worthy successor to the 350D. We can highly recommend it, but also consider the Sony A100 and Nikon D80.