Product Description
Building on the success of Canon's perennially popular "prosumer" EOS 20D and
30D models, the EOS 40D advances the state-of-the-art for mid-range digital SLR
cameras, making it a natural first choice for advanced amateur photographers and
entry-level professionals, and an ideal second body for more established photo
pros. Indeed, given the level of feature upgrades and improvements,
technological wizardry, and user-requested creative controls, the Canon EOS 40D
SLR's "prosumer" appellation may refer more to its accessible price point than
to the exceptional quality, clarity, and resolution of the images it creates.
From the camera's newly enhanced, 10.1-megapixel CMOS imaging sensor
(designed and manufactured by Canon) and its proprietary and super-efficient
DIGIC III image processor, to its completely redesigned autofocus sensor and
fast, 6.5 frame-per-second (fps) continuous shooting capability (for bursts of
up to 75 Large/Fine JPEGs or 17 RAW images), the EOS 40D SLR puts the fun in
functionality and makes serious photo business a positive pleasure.
Indeed, at 6.5 fps, no digital SLR in the EOS 40D mid-range class and price
category has so high a continuous shooting capability, making it ideal for
shooting--and actually capturing--speed-sensitive outdoor and wild-nature shots
as well as a wide variety of action and sports scenes. The speed of the EOS 40D
SLR comes from Canon's balanced combination of its latest processor, DIGIC IIII,
DDR SDRAM high-speed memory, four-channel-per-line sensor readout, and two
separate motors for shutter and mirror operation.
Display's the Thing
The most easily visible upgrade on the EOS 40D Digital SLR is the camera's
larger 3.0-inch LCD screen (compared with the EOS 30D's 2.5-inch monitor).
Still, size is only the beginning of the difference between these two cameras'
displays. In order to increase viewing ease in outdoor conditions such as bright
sunlight, Canon raised the brightness level of the EOS 40D camera's
230,000-pixel LCD screen, broadened the color gamut, and narrowed the viewing
angle from 170 degrees to a still wide 140-degree perspective in all directions.
An added advantage of the larger-sized display is the ability to use a larger
font size for text, making it easier to read setting and menu options on the
screen. The camera's menu is organized in the same tabbed format as the EOS-1D
Mark III Digital SLR.
Canon extends its "ease-of-reading" policy to the EOS 40D SLR's viewfinder as
well. The upgraded viewfinder increases optical magnification from 0.90x to
0.95x, expands the viewing angle from 251 degrees to 264 degrees and raises the
eye point from 20mm to 22mm.
Enhanced Durability
Recognizing the often rigorous shooting conditions encountered by professional
and advanced amateur photographers, Canon design engineers made the EOS 40D
SLR's magnesium alloy exterior even more ruggedly dependable than its
predecessors with upgraded dust- and weather-resistant construction,
particularly around the camera's connection ports, battery compartment, and
single-slot compact flash (CF) memory card door. Should the user inadvertently
open the compact flash card door while the camera is writing to the card, a
warning will pop up on the LCD screen and an open door "alarm" will sound, but
the image(s) will continue writing to the memory card without interruption. The
EOS 40D SLR also retains many of the outstanding features of the EOS 30D model,
such as its fast 0.15-second initial start-up, its extremely durable shutter
(rated up to 100,000 cycles), its top shutter speed of 1/8000 second, and 1/250
maximum X-sync flash shutter speed setting.
Improved Image Quality
Although it is based on the image sensor used in the EOS Digital Rebel XTi, the
EOS 40D Digital SLR's 10.1-megapixel CMOS APS-C size image sensor has been
significantly improved thanks to the use of larger microlenses over each pixel
to reduce noise and expand sensitivity up to ISO 3200. The EOS 40D retains the
model 30D camera's 1.6x focal length conversion factor (compared to full-frame
digital image sensors or 35mm film) and is compatible with the full line-up of
Canon EF lenses as well as the Company's expanding selection of high-quality,
affordable EF-S lenses created specifically for Canon digital SLRs with APS-C
size image sensors.
Adding to the improved virtuosity of the images captured by the EOS 40D SLR
is the camera's 14-bit Analog-to-Digital (A/D) conversion process. Able to
recognize 16,384 colors per channel (four times the number of colors recognized
by the EOS 30D SLR's 12-bit conversion capability), the EOS 40D camera is able
to produce images with finer and more accurate gradations of tones and colors.
The EOS 40D also incorporates the optional Highlight Tone Priority and High-ISO
Noise Reduction functions first introduced earlier this year with the EOS-1D
Mark III Professional Digital SLR.
DIGIC III
DIGIC III is the latest generation of Canon's proprietary image processing
engine. DIGIC III technology ensures that the fine details and natural colors of
the images are optimally recorded and, as an added bonus, is also responsible
for the EOS 40D SLR's high-speed performance, faster signal processing, and even
its efficient energy consumption.
sRAW
In addition to retaining the RAW image capture capabilities of its predecessors,
the EOS 40D SLR now offers a more manageable "sRAW" recording format. In sRAW
mode, the number of pixels is reduced to one-fourth that of a standard RAW image
and the file size is cut in half, while retaining all of the flexibility and
creative possibilities associated with full-size, conventional RAW images.
Improved Autofocus and Exposure Control
While the EOS 40D SLR maintains the nine-point wide area AF coverage first
introduced on the EOS 20D camera, Canon has made significant improvements to its
speed, precision, and functionality, minimizing subject recognition problems in
the process. The EOS 40D camera's completely redesigned nine-point AF sensor
provides cross-type AF measurement at all nine focusing points for maximum
apertures up to f5.6, and for the first time in any EOS camera, 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 f2.8 or
faster. AF calculation speed with the EOS 40D camera is 30 percent faster than
the EOS 30D model.
The Canon EOS 40D Digital SLR retains the same 35-zone metering sensor as its
predecessor. Available patterns include Evaluative metering, which is linked to
all AF points and is set automatically in the Basic Zone modes, Centerweighted
average metering, Partial metering, and Spot metering, covering approximately 9
percent or 3.8 percent of the viewfinder at center, respectively. The camera's
E-TTL II autoflash and 12 exposure control modes (11 AE modes plus manual) are
also unchanged from the EOS 30D SLR model. However, as a result of consumer
input, Canon has added three Custom exposure modes. As an added convenience,
particularly for wireless flash operations, users can adjust the flash settings
of the Canon Speedlite 580EX II directly from the camera.
The Canon EOS 40D camera offers ISO speeds from ISO 100 to ISO 1600 in
1/3-stop increments. Users can also opt for a high-speed setting of ISO 3200.
For the first time in any EOS camera, the 40D model offers Auto ISO capability
in Creative Zone exposure modes. This valuable new feature adjusts the ISO speed
to the optimal setting based on low light or shaky shooting conditions.
Additionally, the EOS 40D provides full-time display of the active ISO speed
setting, both in the viewfinder as well as on the top LCD data panel.
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
f2.8 or faster.
Enhanced Live View
Previously the province of the EOS-1D Mark III DSLR (one of Canon's top-tier
professional cameras), the Live View function now gives EOS 40D camera users an
expanded and exceedingly convenient and comfortable set of shooting options. By
permitting the framing and capturing of subjects using the camera's LCD screen
instead of the viewfinder, the shooter gains a 100 percent field view to more
easily achieve the desired composition. 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. Also, in the Live
View shooting mode the user can magnify the image by five or ten times in order
to ensure that the shot is optimally focused. Live View is at its best during
tripod shooting--particularly for close-up photography where precise focusing is
imperative. As a side benefit, the Live View shooting mode helps to reduce
vibration by lifting the reflex mirror out of the optical path well in advance
of the exposure, improving image quality at slow shutter speeds. A new
electronic 1st-curtain shutter function in Live View mode reduces release time
lag and operational noise even further to avoid spooking wildlife or disturbing
people nearby with unwanted camera sounds. Additionally, as the release time lag
is miniscule, even instantaneous movements like a bird taking flight can be
readily captured.
EOS Integrated Cleaning System
First introduced on the EOS Digital Rebel XTi camera, the EOS Integrated
Cleaning System is a prime example of trickle-up technology and is now becoming
a standard feature on all new EOS Digital SLRs. The camera's Self-Cleaning
Sensor Unit uses ultrasonic vibrations to literally shake dust particles off of
the low-pass filter in front of the sensor each time the camera is powered up or
shut down. Users also have the option of engaging the "clean now" function at
will or bypassing it altogether. Additionally, the EOS 40D SLR's manual sensor
cleaning function raises the mirror and allows users to clean dust that has
stuck to the low-pass filter. Dust that has been shaken or blown loose is then
trapped by adhesive at the base of the sensor unit housing, preventing the
problematic particles from reattaching themselves to the filter when the camera
moves. The second part of the cleaning system is a software solution that maps
the location of any spots that may remain on the sensor. The mapped information
is saved as Dust Delete Data and attached to the image file. Subsequently, the
offending dust information is subtracted from the final image during post
processing with a compatible personal computer, using the supplied Digital Photo
Professional software.
Improved Software
Among the most valuable features of the Canon EOS 40D Digital SLR is its
compatibility with Canon's Picture Style Editor (PSE) 1.0 software. With PSE,
shooters can actually design the look of their photographs by inputting their
own preferred style, color, and tone curves. The EOS 40D Digital SLR also ships
with the latest versions of Canon's powerful software applications, including
Digital Photo Professional 3.1 and EOS Utility 2.1, which now support the
camera's Remote Live View and Dust Delete Data functions, as well as
incorporating a broad range of additional improvements designed to improve image
quality and speed up workflow. Also included are ZoomBrowser EX 5.8 and
ImageBrowser 5.8 for easy browsing, viewing, printing, and archiving with
compatible computer operating systems, including Microsoft Windows Vista and
Windows XP, as well as Mac OS X. |
