Canon 40D vs Sony A58

Cameras
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Canon 40D vs Sony A58

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APS-C 369.7mm²
10.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 1600

Go in depth with our full Canon 40D Review.
See real-world photos taken with the 40D.

APS-C 366.6mm²
20.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 16,000

Go in depth with our full Sony A58 Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A58 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A58.
Compare Sony A58 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A58 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Canon 50D
Compare 40D vs 50D

Succeeded by the Sony A68
Compare A58 vs A68

Compare CANON 50D vs SONY A68

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Differences

Canon 40D advantages over Sony A58

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Bigger pixels
~ 6.10 vs 4.31 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.40 vs 1.9 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
More cross-type AF points
9 vs 3
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Higher max flash sync
1/250 vs 1/160 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Faster JPEG shooting
6.4 fps vs 4.9 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 8 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Sony A58 advantages over Canon 40D

Less expensive
$600 vs $1299 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
More dynamic range

More dynamic range

Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
A58 test data on DxO Mark 40D test data on DxO Mark

12.5 vs 11.3 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Newer
12 years vs 17 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
More dots on screen
461k vs 230k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
More pixels
20.1 vs 10.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
More AF points
15 vs 9
More AF points improve autofocus
Higher extended ISO
16000 vs 3200 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read 40D User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A58 User Reviews

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Review Excerpt

Read our Canon 40D Full Review

Improved 20.1-megapixel resolution; Impressive image quality, especially for its price; Fast and decisive autofocus (in most conditions); Very good battery life; Good video quality (Full HD 1080p, though it doesn't support 60p frame rate).
Plastic lens mount; Slower burst mode speeds and shallower buffer than A57; LCD no longer fully articulating; Mediocre kit lens; Electronic instead of an optical viewfinder may be a turnoff for some.
Read our Sony A58 Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D3200

Canon 40D

Nikon D3200

$1299
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Longer stills battery life

$477
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
More dynamic range

Compare Canon 40D vs Nikon D3200

Sony A58

Nikon D3200

$598
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$477
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony A58 vs Nikon D3200

Compared to Pentax K-5 IIs

Canon 40D

Pentax K-5 IIs

$1299
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

$497
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon 40D vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Sony A58

Pentax K-5 IIs

$598
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$497
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony A58 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Compared to Nikon D5200

Canon 40D

Nikon D5200

$1299
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Longer stills battery life

$500
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon 40D vs Nikon D5200

Sony A58

Nikon D5200

$598
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$500
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A58 vs Nikon D5200

Compared to Canon T5i

Canon 40D

Canon T5i

$1299
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$539
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Canon 40D vs Canon T5i

Sony A58

Canon T5i

$598
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$539
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A58 vs Canon T5i

Compared to Pentax K-500

Canon 40D

Pentax K-500

$1299
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Top deck display

$597
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Canon 40D vs Pentax K-500

Sony A58

Pentax K-500

$598
APS-C

In-camera panoramas
Tiltable Screen

$597
APS-C

Lens selection
Higher effective ISO

Compare Sony A58 vs Pentax K-500

Compare Other Cameras?