The company also announced the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

Aug 20, 2007 14:48 GMT  ·  By

Canon seems to have learned from the past mistake with the 30D, which was a simple and uninteresting upgrade of the EOS 20D. Back then, Nikon's D200 was better appreciated by reviewers and users alike for its amazing feature set and overall performance. This time, Canon have come up with a D200 of their own, the EOS 40D.

Resolution wise, the jump from 8MP to 10.1MP is not radical, but it's a good thing nonetheless, especially for those who need larger prints. The new 1.6x crop factor CMOS sensor isaccompanied by the DIGIC III image processor found in the 1D Mark III and the newly released 1Ds Mark III. Canon claims that image quality is superior thanks to the use of larger microlenses over each pixel to reduce noise and expand sensitivity up to ISO 3200.

Thanks to the new processor, the 40D is able to reach 6.5 frames per second in bursts of up to 75 Large/Fine JPEGs or 17 RAW images, which makes it the fastest in its class. As Canon's press release informs, this performance comes from "Canon's balanced combination of its latest processor, DIGIC III, DDR SDRAM high-speed memory, four-channel-per-line sensor readout, and two separate motors for shutter and mirror operation".

However, sheer drive speed is not enough without a good autofocusing module. Fear not though, because Canon has been working on this part as well. Although the new DSLR has nine AF points, just like the 30D, they all provide cross-type measurement for maximum apertures up to f/5.6. Moreover, the central AF point offers enhanced precision for both vertical and horizontal subject contrast when using EF or EF-S lenses featuring maximum apertures of f/2.8 or faster. Overall, the number one manufacturer of DSLR claims a 30 percent performance improvement over the EOS 30D.

Aside from the new sensor design, the camera also sports 14-bit Analog-to-Digital (A/D) conversion process, which is touted as being able to recognize 16,384 colors per channel.

The viewfinder has also been improved, the new unit increasing optical magnification from 0.90x to 0.95x and consequently expanding the viewing angle from 251 degrees to 264 degrees and raises the eye point from 20mm to 22mm.

Unsurprisingly, the new 40D also boasts the Live View shooting mode, which lets users focus and compose on the impressive 3.0-inch LCD screen and magnify the image to achieve the optimal focus. It's worth noting that Canon's Live View shooting mode functions on a different basis than the Olympus/Panasonic one, the EOS-1D Mark III lifting the mirror prior to exposing. This works a little bit like mirror lock-up, thus reducing the vibrations caused by the mirror's flapping. A new Custom Function on the EOS 40D allows autofocus during Live View by pressing the camera's AF-ON button. At that point, the reflex mirror goes down and AF is carried out in the normal way. Letting go of the AF-ON button resumes Live View functions.

Again unsurprisingly, the 40D benefits from EOS Integrated Cleaning System, which is also featured by the latest 1D Mark III and 1Ds Mark III.

Surprisingly, "the Canon EOS 40D Digital SLR is also the first camera in its class to offer two interchangeable focusing screens in addition to the standard precision matte screen. Users can opt for a grid-type focus screen that makes it easier to verify horizontal or vertical alignment while determining image composition, as well as the Super-Precision Matte focusing screen that makes it easier to grasp the "sweet spot" of manual focusing when using a lens with a maximum aperture of f/2.8 or faster".

The Canon EOS 40D Digital SLR is scheduled for early September and will be available for $1,299 (not including the kit lens). Now that Canon have refreshed their advanced and professional DSLR lineups, all eyes are on Nikon for an equal response. According to numerous photographic forums, Nikon fans are growing weary of the company's passivity when it comes to the advanced/professional segment.

Back to Canon, there is also good news for those who enjoy kit lenses. The company also announced the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS, which offers image stabilization to low-budget photographers. It appears that the new version is the same in terms of optical quality, but image stabilization for $200 does sound pretty good for Canon users.

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The EOS 40D
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