Comparing Canon EOS 350D and 400D (A review of the 400D)

Digital Rebel XTi

The Canon EOS 400D is advertised as an upgrade and a most improved version of the 350D. Released with some controversy, the 400D has been talked about and tested extensively. Canon was somewhat secretive regarding the release of this camera and many popular review sites were ignored as the camera release passed without much fanfare.

However, what the camera lacked for in initial fanfare they are more than making up for with the camera’s performance and features. Across the board, the camera truly does live up to its claims. And when comparing it to the 350D, one can see that the 400D really is an upgrade.

But is the 400D truly superior to the 350D? Upon observing both we’ve found them to be both similar and different from each other. By observing the design, performance, features, and overall results of both, we were able to determine the pros and cons of each when compared to each other. And scrutiny has been necessary since the 350D is a highly popular, best selling model.

Here are the results of our observations.

Canon EOS 400D and 350D Design Comparison

Paired side by side, they essential look like the same camera, just different colors. The 400D is black and the 350D is black and silver. However, do not let this fool you into thinking that nothing has changed on the 400D. Though the outward appearance is extremely similar, the other differences are considerable.

Both cameras are extremely lightweight and small compared to the SLR models that other companies have. While some think this is a setback, the smaller body and weight have a lot of practical uses. However, some SLR lenses are heavy and people may feel as if the lightweight design will not hold up to the bulkier lenses. We have not found this to be the case. This is the same for both the 400D and the 350D.

The major difference in appearance is that the LCD display screen is 2.5 inches on the 400D, which is an upgrade from the smaller screen on the 350D. A larger LCD is a definite advantage because it makes viewing the saved photographs and composing each shot a lot easier. Though, looking through the viewfinder is also a great way to compose a shot and some prefer it. A lot of the other features, such as controls and dials, are nearly identical in the two models.

The one drawback to the 400D is that the battery life has experienced a 10% reduction from the 350D, though they have the same lithium battery pack. This is because the larger screen and the sensor cleaning unit in the 400D drain more of the battery life. So the improved design features are a benefit, but the drawback is that they affect the battery rating.

Other Features and Benefits of EOS 350D & EOS 400D

Though the two cameras look nearly identical, there are some essential and positive differences between the 400D as opposed to the 350D. First, the 350D has an 8 megapixel sensor and the 400D has a 10.1 megapixel sensor. This is a marked improvement because Canon could have easily used the same sensor. In general the sensor is the same (or similar). One just has more megapixels than the other, which is a nice improvement. Now, this sensor improvement is ironically one of the reasons why the battery life has faced a reduction in the 400D. Most of the time, this difference will not matter because you can just plan for it by charging it more often.

Another item that is a benefit with the sensor on the 400D is that it features a self cleaning mechanism that helps get rid of other dust and debris that may accumulate on it. This feature is not present in the 350D. In fact, this camera is the first of Canon’s DSLR to have it. This may seem minor at first glance, but consider that these sensors can be difficult to clean at times and can affect the overall quality of your photo if it is dirty.

With the Canon 350D and 400D, some consideration needs to be made concerning which lens you will use with it. The 400D will take basically any EF and EF-S lens and there are pricier models and budget lenses in this group to accommodate any price range. In order to find the best lens for your needs, you may need to do some experimenting. You can purchase the camera and lens in a group or buy the lenses that you feel will best accommodate your needs. Check out the Canon EF-S 18-55mm or the EF-S 17-85 as two of your many choices.

If you know you would like to purchase either a 350D or a 400D it helps to view some photos that were taken by both. In fact, it helps to take the shots yourself and make it so the picture is identical. Overall, it is often hard to determine the difference between the 8 megapixels and the 10.1 megapixels but in general, there is more clarity with the 400D and the colors are a little richer, particularly in the blues and greens. The 400D seems to perform better in general, though the 350D is still a great camera. You can compare images by taking them yourself or viewing test results by others. Sometimes it is best to complete your own experiments.

Canon 400D, An Upgrade?

When a manufacturer “upgrades” a popular camera model and releases the new one to the public, the results are often disappointing. When weighing the evidence, it is clear that the 400D has some considerable upgrades over the 350D despite the fact that they look similar. In fact, to those who are familiar with the 350D and knew about the 400D before it was released were surprised by how much of a difference in quality the Canon 400D is over the 350D. To most, the biggest surprise is the dust removal system. Since Canon did not have any other camera with this prior to the release of the 400D, no one really expected it.

If given a choice between the 350D and the 400D, the 400D seems the logical choice if you do outdoor photography and away from computer so the sensor cleaning and larger LCD will come to account. If you do fashion, portrait and other types of photography which are usually indoor then you are in less need of sensor cleaning. You can easily use computers indoor so you won’t need larger LCD as well. But you should still consider the higher quality of the images that is produced by EOS 400D. In fact, to many, it is the only choice. However, keep in mind that the 350D is the old favorite and a best seller. Both cameras produce great photos that have a lot of clarity. The larger LCD screen and the dust removal system for the sensor are great improvements over the 350D. But whichever you decide to purchase, know that you will be getting a high quality camera. Also know that the lens you choose will also have an impact on the clarity of the images. If you decide to perform tests of your own to compare the two, make sure you use the same lens on each so that you will be better able to compare them.

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