Sony a700 vs Canon EOS 40D
This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a700 and Canon EOS 40D. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
Sony a700 is manufacturered by Sony but Canon EOS 40D is from Canon. Both Sony and Canon are well known brands though.
These two camera models were both released 2007.Camera | Released |
Sony a700 | 2007 |
Canon EOS 40D | 2007 |
Type of camera
Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.
Sensors / crop factor
These cameras have different sensors. Sony a700 has a "Sony APS-C"-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 ** |
Sony a700 | 75 mm Sony APS-C sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5 |
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 (Sony)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)
Resolution
Sony a700 has a 12 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 |
Sony a700 |
12 MP
12166656 pixels 4272 x 2848 |
Canon EOS 40D |
10,1 MP
10077696 pixels 3888 x 2592 |
Sony a700 has a 21 % 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 40D has a larger ISO-range than Sony a700. Canon EOS 40D has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 3200 while Sony a700 has 100 to 1600.
Camera | ISO Range |
Sony a700 | 100-1600 |
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 Sony a700
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. Sony a700 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 40D can shoot up to 6,5 pictures per seconds.
Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
Sony a700 | 5 |
Canon EOS 40D | 6,5 |
Ability to record movies
It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.
Though, neither Sony a700 or Canon EOS 40D can shoot movies so if that is a functionality that you are really looking for you should look elsewhere.
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 Sony a700 and its 768 gr (or 1.69 lb).
Camera | Weight |
Sony a700 | 768 gr 1.69 lb |
Canon EOS 40D | 822 gr 1.81 lb |
Sony a700 vs Canon EOS 40D Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a700 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 |
Sony a700 |
Canon EOS 40D |
Name | Sony a700 | Canon EOS 40D |
Manufacturer | Sony | Canon |
Release Date and Price |
Sony a700 |
Canon EOS 40D |
Release Year | 2007 | 2007 |
Release Date | 2007-09-06 | 2007-08-20 |
MSRP | 1399 USD | 1299 USD |
Buy it today |
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Camera Type |
Sony a700 |
Canon EOS 40D |
Camera Type | DSLR | DSLR |
Sensor |
Sony a700 |
Canon EOS 40D |
Sensor Size | APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) | APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm) |
Sensor Type | CMOS | CMOS |
Resolution | 4272 x 2848 pixels | 3888 x 2592 pixels |
Megapixels | 12 MP | 10,1 MP |
Image Processor | Bionz | DIGIC 3 |
Image |
Sony a700 |
Canon EOS 40D |
ISO Range | 100 - 1600 | 100 - 3200 |
White Balance Presets | 7 | 6 |
Custom White Balance | Yes | Yes |
Image Stabilization |
Yes (Sensor-Shift) |
No |
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating | 0 stops | 0 stops |
Uncompressed format | RAW | RAW |
Optics & Focus |
Sony a700 |
Canon EOS 40D |
Autofocus Motor | Yes | Yes |
Autofocus |
Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Single Continuous |
Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Single Continuous |
Focus Points | 11 | 9 |
Lens Mount |
Sony A See Compatible Lenses |
Canon EF Canon EF-S See Compatible Lenses |
Focal Length Multiplier |
APS-C Sensor (1.5x) 1.5x multiplier Example: 24 mm becomes 36 mm 50 mm becomes 75 mm 100 mm becomes 150 mm 200 mm becomes 300 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 |
Sony a700 |
Canon EOS 40D |
Articulated LCD | N/A | Fixed |
Screen size | 3” | 3” |
Screen dots | 920000 | 230000 |
Touch screen | No | No |
Screen type | N/A | N/A |
Live view | No | Yes |
Viewfinder Type | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder Coverage | 95% | 95% |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.9× (0.6× 35mm equiv.) | 0.95× (0.59× 35mm equiv.) |
Viewfinder Resolution | N/A | N/A |
Photography features |
Sony a700 |
Canon EOS 40D |
Frames per second | 5 fps | 6,5 fps |
Minimum Shutter Speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/8000 seconds |
Built-in Flash | Yes | Yes |
Built-in Flash Range | 12 meters | 12 meters |
External Flash | Yes | Yes |
Self-Timer | Yes | Yes |
Time-lapse | No | Yes |
Metering modes |
Multi Center Weighted Spot |
Multi Center Weighted Spot Partial |
Exposure Compensation | +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 2/3 EV steps) | +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) |
Videography features |
Sony a700 |
Canon EOS 40D |
Video recording | No | No |
Video format | N/A | N/A |
Video resolution | N/A | N/A |
Built-in Microphone | No | No |
Built-in Speakers | No | No |
Storage |
Sony a700 |
Canon EOS 40D |
Memory Card |
Compact Flash Memory Stick Pro Duo |
Compact Flash |
Connectivity |
Sony a700 |
Canon EOS 40D |
HDMI Output | Yes | No |
Microphone Port | No | No |
Headphone Port | No | No |
Wireless | No | No |
Remote Control | Yes (Wire (Optional)) | Yes (N3 connector) |
GPS | No | No |
Body & Dimensions |
Sony a700 |
Canon EOS 40D |
Enviromentally sealed | No | No |
Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Details |
Lithium-Ion (NP-FM500H) & charger
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Litium-Ion (Li-Ion) BP-511
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Battery Life (CIPA) | 650 shots | 800 shots |
Width | 142 mm | 146 mm |
Height | 105 mm | 108 mm |
Depth | 80 mm | 74 mm |
Weight | 768 gram | 822 gram |