You just know when it feels right.

I've used/owned a 300D, 350D, 20D, 30D, and now a 40D... The 40D wins hands down in everything so far. I haven't found a single thing where I thought one of the other cameras performed better than the 40D. The build feels far better to me, and the ergonomics are superior. The AF is head and shoulders above the entire list. It's just better.

It is all Personal Preference, I own a 40D, sold my 30D, cannot say thee is a lot of difference in the build quality between the two the 40D has a better grip, more rubbery, and with the added AF button the indent to hold, is bigger and fits better into my hand
As for metal hinge and plastic hinge, if the plastic does a good as job, what difference does it make, though I use the old 30D grip, so took off battery door
I think people are finding it hard to appreciate the new 40D is really turning out to be a great camera, and trying to find faults that really are irrelevant, looking at some of the photos from the 40D taken by people who are getting used to it show how good this camera is

I held one and it felt tighter and more well built than my 20D... might just be that my 20D's getting on a bit nowadays

Mind you, so did a new 30D a few months ago. Nothing like the feel of a new camera

It seems strange how people are saying the feel or size of the 40D doesn't compare to the 5D. As they are pretty close in size and feel. In weight and dimensions the 40D is 5.7 x 4.2 x 2.9 in. 26.1 oz and the 5D is 6.0 x 4.4 x 3.0 in. 28.6 oz Not very much of a difference.
Here is a photos of the 5D next to the 40D (the 40D is the one with the strap).

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As another poster added this to a thread on the Forums, these Photos sum up how good the the £750-00 40D can be in the right hands, Photos will silence the Critics, But some will just never be happy

http://forums.dpreview​.com …rum=1019&messag​e=24943573

Also might add I for one, as many others I guess thought upgrading from a 30D to the 40D was going to be easy, and a straight switch, how wrong I was, 40D is a lot different over my 30D, and I still learning it now.

I've yet to use the 40D in anger for a wedding (I've just finished my season so have a while to get used to the body now). I like what I'm seeing so far though:

Lost in the debate is image quality, of course. How are the 40D's pictures? Exactly.

SouthNola wrote in post #3995587
Lost in the debate is image quality, of course. How are the 40D's pictures? Exactly.

Go look, and I am pretty pleased with some of mine as well

http://forums.dpreview​.com/forums/re...ssage​=24943573

SouthNola,
There good enough for this 5D & 40D user

White Store Falls

IMAGE LINK: http://johnbdigital.co​m …ls/white_store_​falls7.htm

My 40D and 5D feel the same to me. Silver shoe on the 40D helps tell them apart at a glance. I couldn't care less about the shutter sound and honestly haven't paid it any attention. The IQ from both cameras is excellent. That, I did notice. If the 40D does not pass the "fondle" test, don't get it.

Cant really fault either camera.... better to have both i say

5D menu and functions now feel slow to me compared to the 40D, they lag which sh#ts me a bit... Cfn Layout on 40 is better and faster to use for sure. i dislike not seeing ISO on top of the 5D at all times... i think i equally like the viewfinders - 5D bigger, 40D still big but has the bigger info which is relied upon...

Very very similar in size and feel, 40 sounds more electronic with its shutter but seems sharp and accurate, 5d seems more traditional and mechanical... I like shutter sound better but it seems sloppy now I have been using the 40 for a while... at first i disliked the 40... grown on me though. BUT i mean there is 2 years difference in development and technology and at the end of the day the 5D takes a better pic IQ wise and theres no debate - The q is can it get the pic? sports? yes it can but not as easily as a 40D. Landscape? guarentee 5d pops more. Low light... pick up the 5d. Shoot a bird at 400mm - 40d hands down.

half the price - its a big difference and unless its 20"x30" i dont think it really matters that much... if the print is that important to you - it goes through PP and noise reduction anyways... so you get an L lens for free with the 40D... People will ALWAYS back their purchase. Its human nature. The only people who can have a dig are the ones who have both and take the wrong body to the wrong event and are pis#ed off at themselves... the rest just have to go and shoot and do the best with what they have.

I Simonius wrote in post #3995267

There we have. It's a fact.

The 40D is a cheap camera. It shares a lot of the XTi parts in it.

And?