So what's the 'fact' about 40D noise, Vs. 30D?

The only reason I'd upgrade to a 40D from my new-ish 30D would be if ISO1600 and 3200 were cleaner.

So, what's the fact when it comes to a comparison?

If that is the only reason you would upgrade, then the 40D may not be for you. I saw a review somewhere that summarized the noise difference was hardly noticeable if at all.

In my books, the 40D noise is a faction less, if you hit all the correct settings, if you don't, it is gets progressively slightly worse was than the 30D, as I posted before I think you have less tolerance to getting it right on a 40D. all with in reason ofc

The 40D has many other better points than a 30D, but as last poster said, if it is really only Low noise at high ISO you are comparing stay with 30D, or get a 5D

Exactly. The other features of the 40D don't interest me and as far as I'm concerned it isn't worth upgrading from a 30D. But, to me, IQ is paramount so if the noise-handling was better than the, alreday excellent, 30D then it's be worth it.

I'll just wait for the 5D MKII and then get a 5D MK1 as the price drops.

What I'm finding is that between 400 and 1600 the 40D is clearly better than the 30D and chroma noise is virtually non existent.

3200 is no slouch either, but I haven't really compared with the 30D it at that ISO.

Great little camera.

Though Sando, if ISO noise is your main interest, means you are shooting low light, or need higher shutter speeds in low light?
the AF system is notably better and especially at low light, but then if you manually focus, the VF is bigger and brighter too, means you can see MF better in low light through the VF , Maybe these upgraded features would be of some use?

All the high ISO comparisons I've seen on the 'net so far look comparable. Certainly doesn't look like a huge jump up or anything.

Definitely not that straightforward, Jim - there are several thorough, well-conducted tests out there already which indicate that the 40D isn't that far behind the 5D.

KeithR - I'm sorry but the 40D won't touch the 5D in terms of noise... Its no better than the 30D...


SANDO - Check out this link to a study I did comparing the 30D to 40D at 1600 ISO... The 40D is no better than the 30D... And these photos haven't been compressed for the web or anything like that... Feel free to download them and look at them on your own computer... THe 40D is as noisy if not noiser than the 30D

https://photography-on-the.net …376858&highligh​t=sadowsk2

If you're like me, and considered the 40D if it had a 5D-like improvement in ISO performance, the 40D is NOT for you... Save up and get the 5D and you'll see some nice improvement. If you want/need the focus improvements, or the added single and a half frame per second, then you may wanna consider getting one.

The advances made in 14 bit imaging and greater light gathering capabilities on the sensor are lost by reducing the size of the sensor. It's the same sensor in the XTi, just modified in its light gathering abilities. End result is a wash vis a vis the 30D in noise and IQ. Canon dropped the ball on this upgrade. The 10mp sensor in the Mark III does a much better job in the IQ department and in most areas, noise too. Why couldn't Canon have used this set up in the 40D?

Maybe it is to do with the fact the M3 cost 4 times as much.

Certain test don't do much for me, as it is not done under normal working conditions.
for me the 40D is a fraction lower on noise at high ISO as long as you are spot on with your settings, as my last post states

MadProFF - Low light conditions are where you're going to see noise creep up... Shots with siginificant lighting won't expose either systems true noise performance... Hence, I think my shots are very representative of how the noise performance is on the two cameras... For those who shoot in low light and truely need the high ISO (wedding halls, banquet halls, churches, etc) there is no difference...

Jon-Doh - I think you meant to say that the tradeoff was regarding smaller PHOTOCELLS as they jammed more megapixels onto basically the same sized sensor as the 30D as the sensor size itself didn't change apperciably from the 30D

Well I am no expert but all your test shots for me seem to have the wrong WB, hence exposed wrong, thus more noise produced, as per my other post.
If I was a wedding Photographer and produced those effects to my customer, something tells me I would be shot.
And I recall your thread, and I also recall the mention of did you use the NR setting on the 40D?
Anyhow, like everyone we all have our own opinions, what ever the case the difference I agree is minimal either way.

If the OP is only interested in less High ISO Noise, as I did state no point in upgrading

MadProFF- The white balance was kept the same on the two cameras so as long as the settings were comparable its an apples to apples analysis. I can go back and adjust the white balance and I'll bet you they are both comparable. Second, in case you didn't realize or read properly, I indicated I applied no post processing to the images... As a wedding photographer, or photographer in general, you would realize adjusting the white balance after a shot is taken would be "post processing". My wedding photos have attracted quite alot of business, so thankfully I haven't been "shot" and hopefully if you ever shoot a wedding you won't either.

Glad to see we agree there is a minimal amount of difference between the 30D and 40D. Happy shooting.

One of the largest factors in reducing noise is the amount of signal processing you do after the image is captured. The dual CPUs of the 1DMkIII allow significant more processing power. With only one processor in the 40D, you have to trade off the amount of processing you want to perform against your burst rate.

I shoot indoor sports in lousy light. Everything is at 1250-1600 ISO. In such conditions, the chroma noise in the shadows is significantly less on My 40D than on my 30D. Enough so that I'm starting to use JPEGs right out of the camera for my stuff that goes to websites versus postprocessing the raw images, largely in part to reduct shadow noise like I did with the 30D. The autofocus on the 40D also gives me about 2/3 more keeper shots than does the 30D shooting with the same lens in the same conditions.