We enjoyed using the EOS 400D and its performance was good, especially for an entry-level SLR. Shutter response time was well under a second and the writing speed blistering – again, well below one second on a SanDisk Extreme III card. We fired off a set of shots using the AI Servo focus and the EOS 400D had no problem in tracking a fast moving vehicle.

Sample shots
Click for full-size images

We really liked the colour reproduction and detail

We weren’t impressed with some of the auto features, like landscape (right), which is meant to offer enhanced quality over auto mode (left)

You can get some very nice close-up shots with the EOS 400D

It offers a range of shutter speeds. This car was shot with a speed of 1/5sec

Two shots that show the extremes of the 18-5mm lens supplied (wide angle left and tele right)

We were less impressed with some of the Basic Zone features. The landscape setting, for example, is claimed to give more vivid colours than the auto mode, but we couldn’t notice any difference. The camera also struggled at times when shooting into a strong backlight and it took a bit of tweaking with the ISO setting to gets things looking fine.

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Likewise, we have seen better low-light performance from other cameras. It’s also a shame that there is no image stabilisation system and the best Canon can suggest is using a tripod. However, colour reproduction and detail were very good and there was no noise using ISO 100 and 200 settings and nothing to shout about at ISO 400.

Verdict

Let’s be blunt: there are better DSLRs on the market and the fast-moving world of digital photography means that the EOS 400 is hardly a top rank camera. But we think it is a fine model for anyone dipping their toe into DSLR photography and doesn’t want to lose the shirt on their back in order to own a DSLR camera.

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