Higher MP's needed?

I currently have a 40D...I like it as it compliments by 400mm just fine. But I know that almost all bird images are cropped unless you get up close which happens, but...not all the time.

So, would it be worth my $'s to look for a 60D or 7D which has 18mp? Would I see that much of a difference over the 40D and 10mp realistically. ...

I'm open for advice, thanks, jim

Let's say you crop a bit so that 25% of the frame is gone on each edge. That leaves you with 9/16 of your resolution. So your 10MP ends up at 5.6MP. If you did the same crop on a 60D, you'd still be left with 10.1MP. If you crop out 50%, a heavy crop, you would be at 2.5MP on the 40D, but you will still have 4.5MP on the 60D.

So basically you have 1.8x the resolution on the 18MP sensor and so any crop you do will also have 1.8x the resolution. Whether that will make a big difference depends on how large you print.

I heard that one of Canon's reasons given in answer to those who would rather see greater dynamic range than more pixels was for the reason you just gave: the benefit when cropping.

You have a great combination with the 40D and 400mm prime...I loved that combo when I used mine (I still own it also).

You have some great advice thus far and I agree with it...I now own the 7D and don't regret my decision. It's a different beast compared to the 40D and took some getting used to but I'm happy with my decision.

This reply is no help (just my opinion) but I was in your shoes more than a year ago and made the leap after asking questions just like yours. Good luck.

1.4 or 2x tc?

Buy a 800mm Sigma / other and keep the 40D.
Canon Long Glass is too pricey.

7D gets you closer and gives you a 1.6 crop - Digic IV processor and AF better.
I have been fortunate to own 3 Canon bodies (5DM2, 7D and 1DM4) and each serves a different purpose. Higher MP is good if always cropping but try to get closer or longer...

EL_PIC wrote in post #12572470
Buy a 800mm Sigma / other and keep the 40D.
Canon Long Glass is too pricey.

The flat out wonderful Canon 500 f/4 is about $2,300 more. With either you would also want a good tripod and a Whimberly head or similar.

As a fine bird shooter reminded me the other day, slowly crawling closer often works very well. <G>

Agreed...the issue with getting closer isn't an issue...we all know that...an an 800 mm of any lens would help but folks....I am not National Geographic ...So, that is why I am thinking of a 18mp for crops will take up for the times I cannot get close, jim

lmans wrote in post #12573750
Agreed...the issue with getting closer isn't an issue...we all know that...an an 800 mm of any lens would help but folks....I am not National Geographic ...So, that is why I am thinking of a 18mp for crops will take up for the times I cannot get close, jim

If you were NG then buy a 800 Canon L at $13K and a new camera.
NG does not use 7D.
If you think an 18 mp camera is better for crop the hell out of it ...
you need to realize that those pixels are allready too small for major crops.
People buy 7D because it will focus, shoot frames faster, good for smaller prints,
are MP gearheads, and cant afford the same in a FF camera like 1D or near FF.
7D has the same reach as Canon APS-C ... like your 40D ... but much less IQ
as the big boy camera above.
CMOS Sensor technology + Image Logic becomes adverse when pixels
become too small for light gathering. See the many references on this ...
http://www.clarkvision​.com …rmance.summary/​index.html
My rule is currently nothing smaller than 5 microns ... your rules may differ.
Its your money ... use it as you want ... call 1-800-Cash-Now.

I use a 60D, not sure how much longer. The AF is fine, just not very happy with IQ. Wish I kept my MK III instead. If I were you, I'd keep the 40D for now.

At the moment I think I am keeping the 40D...wouldn't mind some video though... but I can always pick up a separate video camera since I was thinking of that being a non-birding camera.... The 40d so far is suiting me fine but I know I am a few years behind tech in regards to not just MP but also AF, FPS etc

I don't think you can go wrong with the 40D, very nice camera. You're not far from the point where mpxls will become secondary to features, IMO. As a boost of confidence for your decision here's a 4 mpxl shot taken with my first digital camera(point and shoot).

http://i3.photobucket.​com …0Photography/fr​ogcnpa.jpg