August 2007 Canon announced’s EOS 40D,it is the company’s latest DSLR designed for enthusiasts and semi-pros. it’s the successor to the EOS 30D, and continues Canon’s 18 month cycle for this product line. While the EOS 30D represented a minor upgrade over its predecessor though, the new 40D features significant improvements – and not a moment too soon considering arch rival Nikon’s leadership in mid-range DSLRs over the past two years.
Canon’s bumped the resolution from 8 to 10.1 Megapixels, added anti-dust features, increased continuous shooting to 6.5fps, and improved the viewfinder, AF system and weatherproofing. The A-D conversion and RAW files now work in 14-bits, the colour monitor is bigger at 3in, and perhaps most notably of all, the EOS 40D now features Live View facilities. Finally, the EOS 40D supports interchangeable focusing screens, an optional wireless transmitter and even shows the ISO in the viewfinder by popular demand.
Canon 40D Basic Specification
10.1 megapixel CMOS sensor
Kit lens EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
Optical Viewfinder plus Live View via LCD
3.0-inch LCD
ISO range of 100 to 3,200
Shutter speeds: 30 second to 1/8000
Uses Compact Flash Type I and Type II, Microdrive
Lithium-ion battery
5.7 x 4.3 x 2.9 inches (146 x 108 x 74mm)
29.7 ounces (844 grams)
MSRP: $1,299 body-only, $1,499 kit
EOS 40D Battery use a Lithium-ion BP-511A
Canon 40D Special Features
6.5 fps continuous-mode speed (30D was 5 fps)
75 large/fine JPEG, 17 RAW buffer size (30D was 28 large/fine frames)
sRAW mode, 1/4 resolution RAW format
New Live View mode (similar to 1D Mark III, but enhanced)
Live View mode allows AF by pressing AF-ON button (drops mirror to focus)
Live View mode offers 5x/10x magnification to aid manual focusing
Live View mode has electronic 1st-curtain shutter option for fast, quiet shutter release
14-bit digitization (up from 12-bit)
Highlight Tone Priority mode
All 9 AF points are cross-type
Center AF point offers enhanced accuracy along both axes with lenses f/2.8 or faster
Expanded metering range, down to EV 0 (30D went to EV 1)
AE system adds 3 "Custom" modes
LCD is brighter than 30D's, but viewing angle is reduced to 140 degrees from 170.
7-step LCD brightness adjust (30D was 5 steps)
Expanded custom function menu (24 vs 17 for 30D)
Menu format follows tabbed design of 1D Mark III
Ultrasonic sensor cleaning system (Similar to Rebel XTi)
DIGIC III processor (up from DIGIC II)
Manual color temperature range extends down to 2,500K (30D was 2,800K)
Viewfinder magnification 0.95x (up from 0.90x on 30D)
Viewfinder eyepoint raised from 20 to 22mm
Interchangeable focusing screen (30D's screen is fixed)
More information in viewfinder readouts
Compatible with Picture Style Editor (PSE) software to adjust style, color, and tone curves
Compatible with latest Digital Photo Professional and EOS Utility 2.1 to support Remote Live View and Dust Delete Data functions
In the Box
The Canon EOS 40D ships with the following items in the box:
EOS 40D body (plus 28-135mm lens if purchased as a kit)
Body cap (plus front and back lens caps if kit is purchased)
Wide Strap EW-100DGR
Battery Charger CG-580
Battery Pack BP-511A
USB Interface Cable IFC-200U
Video Cable VC-100
Software, including Digital Photo Professional for RAW conversion
