Canon EOS 40D vs Sony Alpha 300 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · DSLR · 10.1 MP · APS-C
Canon EOS 40D
42
SCORE
|
Sony · DSLR · 10.2 MP · APS-C
Sony Alpha 300
44
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EOS 40D and the Sony Alpha 300 are APS-C DSLRs with optical viewfinders and interchangeable lenses. The 40D arrived in 2007, the Alpha 300 in 2008. Each takes its own lens family, committing you to Canon EF-S or Sony Alpha DT glass. The Alpha 300 is the smaller and lighter body. It measures 131 x 99 x 75 mm and weighs 632 g, against 146 x 108 x 74 mm and 822 g for the 40D, a 190 g saving in the Sony's favour. | ||
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 30, 2008 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 146 x 108 x 74 mm | 131 x 99 x 75 mm |
| Camera weight | 822 g | 632 g |
| Optics | 45/100 | 49/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe 40D is the stronger camera for moving subjects. It shoots at 6.5 fps against the Alpha 300's 3 fps, capturing more frames of a sprinting child or a bird taking off. Its 1/8000 second top shutter speed against 1/4000 helps keep wide-aperture portraits from overexposing in bright sunlight. It also uses a pentaprism viewfinder, where the Sony has a pentamirror. The Alpha 300 counters with in-body stabilisation, so every lens you mount gains steadier handheld shooting; the 40D offers none. The Sony also reaches 3200 ISO on its standard scale, where the Canon stops at 1600 before expansion. Resolution and focusing are close: both use APS-C sensors of about ten megapixels, CMOS in the Canon and CCD in the Sony, with nine autofocus points each. | ||
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 ComparisonVideoNeither camera records video, so anyone mixing clips with stills needs a different body. Neither offers a built-in intervalometer for timelapse work either. | ||
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 | 34/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe Alpha 300 is the easier camera for low and overhead shots, because its LCD tilts. You can angle the screen for ground-level flower shots or hold the camera above a crowd, composing through live view. The 40D's 3-inch fixed LCD is larger than the Sony's 2.7 inches, which helps when reviewing frames. The core tools are shared: both bodies offer live view, a built-in flash, support for an external flash unit, and 230,000-dot screens. Neither includes GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or weather sealing, so location tagging and wireless transfer need other tools. | ||
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 | Yes |
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 | 32/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe 40D carries the longer rated battery life, at 800 shots against 730 for the Alpha 300. Each camera uses its own battery pack, the BP-511 in the Canon and the NP-FM500H in the Sony, so spares are brand-specific. Storage is close to a match. Both record to Compact Flash cards, the 40D accepting Type I or II while the Alpha 300 takes standard Compact Flash. Neither body has a second card slot, and neither charges over USB. | ||
| 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 | 730 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Canon EOS 40D if you photograph action. Its 6.5 fps burst and 1/8000 second shutter give real advantages for sports, wildlife and running children. Its rated battery life is also longer, 800 shots against 730.
Choose the Sony Alpha 300 for everyday handheld shooting. Its in-body stabilisation steadies every Alpha DT lens you mount, and its tilting screen makes live view workable at awkward angles. At 632 g it is also the lighter body to carry. Otherwise, both are capable ten-megapixel DSLRs, and your preferred lens system can decide it.