• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 10.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • 35mm 855.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Canon 40D advantages over Sony A99

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Less expensive
    $1299 vs $2800 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Fast startup
    ~0.40 vs 0.7 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 800 vs 500 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • More cross-type AF points
    9 vs 3
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 17 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Sony A99 advantages over Canon 40D

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Better color depth
    25.0 vs 22.1 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,555 vs 703 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    13.9 vs 11.3 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    11 years vs 17 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    1229k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    24.3 vs 10.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • More AF points
    19 vs 9
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Top deck display
    Both provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Sony A850

Canon 40D
Sony A850
  • $1299
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Lens selection
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Sony A99
Sony A850
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compared to Nikon D800

Canon 40D
Nikon D800
  • $1299
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup
Sony A99
Nikon D800
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Canon 40D
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $1299
  • APS-C
  • Internal flash
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $2139
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Higher effective ISO
Sony A99
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $2139
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compared to Nikon D800E

Canon 40D
Nikon D800E
  • $1299
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $2212
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup
Sony A99
Nikon D800E
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $2212
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compared to Nikon D810

Canon 40D
Nikon D810
  • $1299
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Less shutter lag
  • $2363
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Better color depth
Sony A99
Nikon D810
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $2363
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
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