Canon EOS 6D vs Canon EOS 40D

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS 6D and Canon EOS 40D. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Canon.

Canon EOS 6D were released 2012 and Canon EOS 40D was released 2007. That is a 5 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Canon EOS 6D 2012
Canon EOS 40D 2007

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Canon EOS 6D has a "Canon Full Frame"-sensor while Canon EOS 40D has a "Canon APS-C"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Canon EOS 6D 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Canon EOS 40D 80 mm
Canon APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)

Resolution

Canon EOS 6D has a 20,2 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS 40D has 10,1 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Canon EOS 6D 20,2 MP
19961856 pixels
5472 x 3648
Canon EOS 40D 10,1 MP
10077696 pixels
3888 x 2592

Canon EOS 6D has a 98 % larger resolution than Canon EOS 40D. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Canon EOS 6D has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 40D. Canon EOS 6D has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Canon EOS 40D has 100 to 3200.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS 6D 100-25600
Canon EOS 40D 100-3200

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 6D
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 40D

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Canon EOS 6D can shoot up to 4,5 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 40D can shoot up to 6,5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS 6D 4,5
Canon EOS 40D 6,5

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

When comparing these two cameras there is only one of them that can shoot movies and that is Canon EOS 6D. Unfortunately Canon EOS 40D does not support recording movies and movie clips.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Canon EOS 40D weighs 822 gr (equal to 1.81 lb) which is 7% heavier than Canon EOS 6D and its 770 gr (or 1.7 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS 6D 770 gr
1.7 lb
Canon EOS 40D 822 gr
1.81 lb

Canon EOS 6D vs Canon EOS 40D Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS 6D and Canon EOS 40D, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Canon EOS 6D
Canon EOS 40D
Name Canon EOS 6D Canon EOS 40D
Manufacturer Canon Canon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS 6D
Canon EOS 40D
Release Year 2012 2007
Release Date 2012-09-17 2007-08-20
MSRP 2099 USD 1299 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS 6D
Canon EOS 40D
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Canon EOS 6D
Canon EOS 40D
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 5472 x 3648 pixels 3888 x 2592 pixels
Megapixels 20,2 MP 10,1 MP
Image Processor DIGIC 5+ DIGIC 3
Image
Canon EOS 6D
Canon EOS 40D
ISO Range 100 - 25600 100 - 3200
White Balance Presets 6 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Canon EOS 6D
Canon EOS 40D
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Focus Points 11 9
Lens Mount Canon EF

See Compatible Lenses
Canon EF
Canon EF-S

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier Full frame
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
APS-C Sensor
1.6x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 38 mm
50 mm becomes 80 mm
100 mm becomes 160 mm
200 mm becomes 320 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Canon EOS 6D
Canon EOS 40D
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 1040000 230000
Touch screen No No
Screen type Clear View II TFT LCD N/A
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 97% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.71× 0.95× (0.59× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Canon EOS 6D
Canon EOS 40D
Frames per second 4,5 fps 6,5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash No Yes
Built-in Flash Range N/A 12 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Canon EOS 6D
Canon EOS 40D
Video recording Yes No
Video format H.264
N/A
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
N/A
Built-in Microphone Yes No
Built-in Speakers Yes No
Storage
Canon EOS 6D
Canon EOS 40D
Memory Card SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Canon EOS 6D
Canon EOS 40D
HDMI Output Yes No
Microphone Port Yes No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Built-in
No
Remote Control Yes (Remote control with N3 type contact, Wireless Controller LC-5, Remote Controller RC-6)
Yes (N3 connector)
GPS Yes
Built-in, Image tagging and tracking modes
No
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS 6D
Canon EOS 40D
Enviromentally sealed Yes No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion LP-E6 rechargeable battery & charger
Litium-Ion (Li-Ion) BP-511
Battery Life (CIPA) 1090 shots 800 shots
Width 145 mm 146 mm
Height 111 mm 108 mm
Depth 71 mm 74 mm
Weight 770 gram 822 gram