SusanFromVermont Loc: Southwest corner of Vermont

Thank you!

jimmya Loc: Phoenix

I'd say it depends on what you call "better". More features - yes. Higher MP count sensors - yes. Easier to operate - not always. Are you satisfied with the photos you're getting now? If not then perhaps it is time. Do you want to shoot professionally? Then it's time for an upgrade. If you're thinking of upgrading just for the sake of upgrading it's not time. Good luck.

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

I recently bought the 80D and am very pleased. I got it for several reasons. 1st - I was disappointing in my previous camera's (T2i) inability to focus in low light, the 80D FOCUSING is far superior. 2nd - I had had several occasions where I needed to shoot with the camera high over my head. The 80D has an articulated viewing screen with Live View.

There are other capabilities that my previous camera didn't have that I didn't care about at the time: Touch screen and Wi-Fi. I find the touch screen most helpful when changing settings and wi-fi will enable wireless remote control of the camera should I ever need it. It also allows wireless transfer of photos to a smartphone, tablet or computer, though it is slower than wired.

Of course, there are other improvements - higher pixel count, better high ISO performance, and so on.

I expect some, if not all of these improvements will help in your photography activities should you want and can afford them.

SusanFromVermont Loc: Southwest corner of Vermont

Funny thing about upgrading is you will discover new capabilities that you never knew you needed! All those "extra bells and whistles" suddenly become important... I love the improvements to my new camera over my older one and I suspect that many people enjoy those as much as I do - despite the fact that they did not know they would!!!

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

40D is a pretty decent camera. The real question is whether or not you feel any shortcomings using it... or perhaps if yours has pretty "high mileage" after many years of use.... or if this is just a case of GAS ("gear acquisition syndrome"... highly contagious and very common on forums like UHH ).

Let me try to put it in perspective.... The recently discontinued Rebel T5i (or the T4i before it) have pretty much the same 9-point AF system as your 40D, but offer nearly double the resolution (18MP vs 10MP). Your camera has 1/8000 top shutter speed and 1/250 flash sync (compared to 1/4000 and 1/200), and a faster frame rate (6.5 fps compared to 5 fps)... but those Rebel models have an articulated LCD screen, which your camera lacks. All the Rebel series use a penta-mirror, instead of the true pentaprism in your 40D and later models in that line. The pentaprism makes for a bit brighter and bigger viewfinder image.

And, recently discontinued 70D is 20MP and has a much improved 19-point AF system (actually a slightly dumbed down version of the 19-point AF introduced in the original 7D, also 18MP and able to shoot 8 fps). Aside from higher resolution and fancier AF, the 70D pretty much matches all the performance factors of your 40D, plus has an articulated rear monitor screen.

Now T6i, T6s and 80D are all 24MP, nearly 2.5X the resolution of your camera. T6i/T6s inherited the 70D's 19-point AF system and the 80D got a whole new 45-point AF system all of it's own (so far). Those two current Rebels' frame rate is about the same as the earlier ones, but the 80D can now shoot at 7 fps. 7D Mark II uses a 20MP sensor similar to the 70Ds, can shoot at 10 fps, and has a 65-point AF system unique to it (so far).

Your 40D's AF is "f5.6 limited" and good to about -0.5EV or -1EV. The 70D, original 7D and T6i/T6s are about the same, but the 80D and 7D Mark II are both "f8 capable" and able to focus to -3EV. This simply means that the latter two cameras are able to focus an f5.6 lens with a 1.4X teleconverter attached (or an f4 lens with 2X) and can focus in lower light conditions (-3EV is roughly equivalent to a "moonlit scene" on a clear night).

Canon split the xxD series in two beginning with the 60D and original 7D. The 60D is slightly smaller, uses more plastic to be lighter and has slightly different control layout than your 40D. In some respects the 7D-series models' control and "feel" might seem more similar to your 40D.

The T6i and T6s are basically the same camera, but the $100 more expensive "s" has a control and display layout somewhat more similar to 70D, while the "i" uses a more traditional "Rebel-style" control and display design. The T6s apparently also has some video-related features (I don't shoot video with my DSLRs, so don't know much about this).

Your 40D was one of the first Canon to have Live View shooting mode, which can be helpful at times (especially with an articulated LCD screen). The 70D and later models have a new Dual Pixel Auto Focus which makes Live View focusing much, much faster and more useful than the contrast detection method used with earlier cameras.

T6i/T6s and 80D also have "touch screen" control via their rear displays.

Over the past 15 years or so I went from 6MP 10D to 8MP 30D, then to 15MP 50D, 18MP 7D (original) and now use 20MP 7D Mark II.

A significant difference I see with the higher megapixel cameras is that images are much more "croppable", if need be (of course, they'd also allow for bigger prints).

But I also found that the higher MP cameras seemed less sharp than the earlier, lower MP models. The original 7D, in particular, seemed to use a pretty strong anti-alias filter. I just needed to use stronger sharpening, after which images looked fine.

Another thing with the more densely crowded sensors is that the cameras are more sensitive to shake blur. So I tend to use higher ISOs and shutter speeds, to offset this.

The higher density and smaller pixels sites of the increased MP also means diffraction occurs at larger apertures or has stronger effect at the same, smaller ones. Where a 10MP camera might be "f10" diffraction limited (8x10 print), an 18MP camera is f7.1 limited. These are the apertures at which diffraction starts to occur, though it might be hard to see much loss of fine detail in an 8x10 print until even smaller apertures are used. Personally I try not to stop my 18/20MP APS-C cameras much smaller than f11.

Some things you'll want to take into consideration, that might mean some additional cost for any upgrade....

All the above are APS-C models, so will be fully usable with any Canon EF-S or EF lenses you might have in your kit. Any third party lenses you have also will likely be usable... however there's no guarantee. Sometimes older third party lenses have compatibility issues with newer camera models. The same might be true of other dedicated accessories. For example, I've had no trouble using Canon 550EX flashes that I bought to use with my EOS-3 cameras over 15 years ago, on even my newest Canon DSLRs (7D Mark II)... but older third party flashes sometimes don't work or are limited on newer camera models.

Canon also changed to lithium battery packs, beginning with 5D Mark II and later models. 70D, 80D and 7D-series all use LP-E6 and LP-E6N batteries. The Rebel series models use smaller LP-E8 or LP-E17 (that give about half as many shots per charge, compared to the larger LP-E6/E6N). These battery packs are more expensive than the BP511/511A that your 40D and a lot of other Canon used, but the newer type batteries get more shots per charge and don't have problems with "memory effect". Where I used to carry two backup BP511/511A for every one I had in a camera... with the LP series batteries I only carry a one backup per, and rarely have need of those (unless I forget to charge things before a shoot). So although the newer batteries are more expensive individually, in the end it might work out about the same cost, if fewer are needed.

70D, 80D and all the Rebel Series models use SD memory cards. Original 7D uses Compact Flash (like your 40D) and the 7D Mark II has dual slots that allow it to use both SD and CF cards.

When I upgraded from Canon 30D to 50D, the software I was using didn't support the new cameras. So I had to update Photoshop and Lightroom, too. Unfortunately, my old operating system didn't work with the new PS and LR software... plus my old computer was somewhat under-powered for use with the new s'ware & OS! So I ended up buying a whole new computer, too. Needless to say, that was an expensive upgrade!

These may or may not apply to you... just things to watch out for, that can make it more expensive than expected to do a "camera upgrade".

I'm also a big believer that lenses can make more difference than the camera they're used upon. I'd rather have an older, lower specification camera with a high quality lens, than a lower quality lens on the latest and greatest camera. IMO the lens has more effect on the quality of the image, than the camera does. And, to take full advantage of some of the AF systems of the cameras, they might need to be matched up with lenses that have high performance AF systems, too.... for example, Canon's USM "ultrasonic" lenses are generally the fastest (best for fast action shooting), while their STM "stepper motor" are a bit slower but quieter and smoother (more ideal for video), and the "micro motor" that are typically the most entry-level (and are not marked either USM or STM) tend to be the slowest and noisiest. STM lenses cost about $50 more than micro motor, while USM lenses might cost another $100 or more (sometimes a whole lot more, depending upon other lens specifications and performance factors).

Hope this helps you decide.

Smudgey Loc: Ohio, Calif, Now Arizona

Ditto!

royden Loc: Decatur, GA

Alan, I always look forward to your posts. Thank you.

Heli pilot Loc: Plymouth, IN

I have the EFS 15-55 F 2.8, Tokina SD 11-16 F 2.8, Sigma DG 50mm macro2.8 and Canon 28-135 3.5- 5.6, and just ordered the 55-250 IS II. Needed a zoom and could not afford much.

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

amfoto1 (and I in a post on another chain) left out another significant improvement of the 80D. The focusing system in live view, or video. It gives dramatically faster and more sensitive focusing then the old type.

Bugfan Loc: Toronto, Canada

The age of your camera I don't think is relavent. I have a ten year old DSLR that is only 10 megapixels but it continues to take amazing images. Now in fairness I also have two other bodies, a Nikon D3 and a D800 but those were not so much upgrades as they were additions to my tool box. I also have a 6 megapixel camera that is still operating too, I loan it to kids who want to learn photography and it still works admirably.

Look at the differences, clearly the upgrade will represent some significant improvements particularly when you consider the length of time since you've last looked at cameras but then ask yourself if those improvements are worth the cost of buying a new body and perhaps even having to learn it too.

Over the years I've often been tempted to upgrade whenever a new model comes out. I always ask the same question, what is the difference and what will the difference cost me? Once that's been figured out the other question is - is it worth the money to upgrade, does the new body solve any important issues I happen to have left?

That's how I ended up with four bodies in the past fifteen years. It wasn't so much upgrades as it was getting tools that solved a number of my problems. I'm happy with what I have at the moment, each of my bodies are used for specific challenges and as a result it's doubtful that I'll be upgrading any time soon, the new ones haven't solved the remaining few frustrations I still have and the bodies I have do remarkable stuff in the areas where I do like to photograph.l

Keep in mind that the manufacturers keep adding new features to seduce you into replacing your camera. Don't allow them to do that. Seduction is not a legitimate approach to force you to spend money. Cold, considered reason makes a lot more sense.

That's kind of how I look at the upgrade business.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

And they probably be still using them 50 years from now!

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

1. It's up to you if you upgrade or not. Not us. Your 40D is still just as capable as it was when it was new but newer is generally better in the camera world.
2. What is your budget? That would help people recommend particular models.
3. Without knowing your budget or needs I would suggest you take a look at the 80D if you do upgrade. From all reports it is outstanding and all your current lenses will work with it. Also to be considered would be the Rebel 6T and upcoming 7T series for probably less money then the 80D.
4. Don't hesitate to consider refurbished cameras at canon.com. As good as new with the same warranty for less money.

Heli pilot Loc: Plymouth, IN

A couple features I do like on the 80D is the better and faster focusing and the articulating screen. $1,000.00 is about my price range.I think i might go with the 80D. Thought about the 70D. It is kind of a toss ip between the two

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

Here ya go:
http://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/eos-80d-body-refurbished