Canon introduces its latest digital SLR for advanced amateurs and semi-professionals: the EOS 40D. With a 10.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor, 6.5 frames per second burst performance, a newly developed AF system and 3.0” LCD with Live View mode, the EOS 40D makes significant advances in both performance and versatility.
The camera benefits from the new EOS technology platform introduced earlier this year with the professional EOS 1D Mark III. Canon’s DIGIC III processor delivers responsive operation, improved colour rendering and near-instant start-up time. The EOS Integrated Cleaning System1 combats sensor dust, while a strong magnesium alloy body with weather resistance ensures lasting durability.
“The EOS 40D represents an important step in the development of EOS for the advanced amateur market. It incorporates many of the technologies pioneered in our latest EOS-1 series cameras,” said Mogens Jensen, Head of Canon Consumer Imaging, Europe. “For digital photographers, the benefits of upgrading to the EOS 40D are real and significant. For analogue SLR users, there’s never been a more compelling reason to make the switch.”
FEATURES
- 10.1 MP APS-C CMOS sensor
- 6.5fps, 75 JPEG image burst
- High precision wide area AF
- 3.0" LCD with Live View mode
- DIGIC III processor
- EOS Integrated Cleaning System
- Picture Style
- Magnesium alloy body
- Compatible with all EF/EF-S lenses and EX Speedlites
Canon made waves with its Digic II processor, the same used on its current top of the range cameras and which it included in the 350D entry level camera. Digic III represents a new technological step as it processes more information faster. This has allowed colour rendition to improve from 12 bit on the Digic II to 14 bit on the Digic III, a difference of 4096 tonal levels per channel versus 16384 tonal levels per channel. This means that your photographs will have more faithful and more subtle tonal gradation. This is also an improvement that will apply to shooting in 8 bit JPEG mode as the JPEGs will be created from a greater source of information, reducing tonal skipping.
Other features that have improved on the 40D over the 30D is the new larger 3 inch LCD screen with Live View mode that displays what the camera is seeing on the LCD – great for awkward shots like taking pictures over a crowd.
Thanks to DIGIC III, another improvement is the higher frames per second burst that has improved from 5 to 6.5 frames per second, but more importantly is now sustainable over 75 JPEG images or 17 RAW images, this is an extremely useful feature when trying to capture that decisive moment that will never be repeated.
In other respects the camera retains the now standard features developed around accurate exposure metering and focussing. Picture styles simulate different film types as well as offering customisable styles.
Canon 17-85mm f4/5.6 IS USM lens
The 17-85mm lens is the 35mm equivalent of 27-136mm which provides a good perspective range from extra wide to short telephoto, for groups and portraiture.
IS is for Image Stabiliser
Canon’s optical stabiliser uses micro gyroscopic sensors that detect light camera shake and inform the onboard computer which then actually shifts the IS lens group to compensate for the movement in your hands. With this system you can shoot at much lower shutter speeds and still achieve sharp pictures.
USM is for Ultrasonic motor
Instead of a motor, ultrasonic vibrations power the lens, making focusing precise, virtually noiseless and incredibly quick – some lenses focusing literally faster than the human eye. The USM starts instantaneously and stops the moment focus is achieved, with no overshooting. What's more, the USM requires minimal battery power so you can shoot for longer on a single charge.
Filter Diameter = 67mm
