Canon EOS 40D vs Sony Alpha 200 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · DSLR · 10.1 MP · APS-C
Canon EOS 40D
42
WINNER
|
Sony · DSLR · 10.2 MP · APS-C
Sony Alpha 200
40
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Sony Alpha 200 is the lighter, more compact carry of the two DSLRs, while the Canon EOS 40D takes the larger-body approach. Sony announced the Alpha 200 in January 2008, a few months after Canon announced the EOS 40D in August 2007. Both are APS-C digital SLRs aimed at photographers who want an optical viewfinder and interchangeable lenses. The Alpha 200 measures 131 x 99 x 71 mm and weighs 572 g, against 146 x 108 x 74 mm and 822 g for the EOS 40D, a 250 g difference. For travel or all-day carrying, that gap favours the Sony. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2007 | 2008 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
August 20, 2007 | January 7, 2008 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 146 x 108 x 74 mm | 131 x 99 x 71 mm |
| Camera weight | 822 g | 572 g |
| Optics | 45/100 | 49/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Canon EOS 40D is the stronger choice for action photography. It shoots at 6.5 frames per second against 3 fps on the Alpha 200, and its shutter reaches 1/8000 second versus 1/4000. That shorter top exposure helps freeze fast subjects in bright light with wide apertures. The Sony Alpha 200 answers with in-body stabilisation, so every lens you mount gains steadier handheld shooting. It reaches 3200 ISO natively, where the Canon stops at 1600 standard, though the 40D offers 3200 expanded. Both use 9 autofocus points and near-identical resolution, 10.2 versus 10.1 megapixels. The lens mounts differ, Canon EF-S versus Sony Alpha DT, so your lens choice follows the system you buy into. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
10.1 MP050 | 10.2 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
3888 x 2592 | 3872 x 2592 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
15 x 22 | 16 x 24 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 APS-C | APS-C |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
6.5 fps045 | 3 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Canon EF-S | Sony Alpha DT |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Digic III | Bionz |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
16003003280000 | 32003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
32003003280000 | 32003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
800080032000 | 400080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
90300 | 90300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
No |  Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | ||
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe EOS 40D and the Alpha 200 are both stills-only DSLRs. Neither records video, and neither includes a built-in timelapse mode, so anyone wanting movie clips or interval shooting needs a later model. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
N/A | N/A |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
N/A | N/A |
| Features | 36/100 | 21/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe EOS 40D offers live view on its 3-inch LCD, so you can frame shots on the screen for tripod work. The Alpha 200 has no live view, so its screen serves playback and menus. That 2.7-inch screen tilts, which helps when reviewing shots at high or low angles. Both cameras include a built-in flash and support external flash units, and both LCDs show the same 230,000 dots. Neither offers GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, touch control or weather sealing, so wireless transfer and geotagging are unavailable. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 3" | 2.7" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
2300001150001500000 | 2300001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
No |  Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | No |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
✗ | ✗ |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 35/100 | 35/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryBoth cameras write to a single Compact Flash card, with neither offering a second slot. The EOS 40D accepts Type I or II cards, a wider choice of media. Its BP-511 battery is rated for 800 shots against 750 for the Alpha 200's NP-FM500H, a modest Canon lead. Neither camera charges over USB, so both need their own external charger. If you already own Compact Flash cards from an earlier DSLR, either body can reuse them. | ||
| Memory card | Compact Flash (Type I or II) | Compact Flash |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | BP-511 | NP-FM500H |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
800 shots1505000 | 750 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Canon EOS 40D if you shoot moving subjects. Its 6.5 fps drive and 1/8000 second shutter suit sports, wildlife and any fast sequence work.
Choose the Sony Alpha 200 for handheld shooting in dim interiors or at slow shutter speeds. Its in-body stabilisation works with every Alpha DT lens you mount, and its standard sensitivity range reaches 3200 ISO. The lens system should anchor the decision, because EF-S and Alpha DT glass cannot cross between the mounts.