From the Manufacturer
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.
Accessories (Not Included–Must be Purchased Separately)
New
system accessories for the EOS 40D SLR include the redesigned
high-capacity Battery Grip BG-E2N, which facilitates high-volume
shooting and easier vertical shooting. Compatible with up to two
BP-511A battery packs or a set of six AA-size batteries, the battery
grip approximately doubles the number of shots that can be taken,
compared with the battery power of the EOS 40D SLR alone. The BG-E2N
grip features new sealing material around the battery compartment to
better resist water and dust. The new model replaces the original BG-E2
grip and is compatible with the EOS 20D, 30D, and 40D models.
Designed
exclusively for the EOS 40D SLR, the new Wireless File Transmitter
WFT-E3A permits wireless transfer and back-up, as well as remote
control of the camera in Live View mode. It can also be connected to
various GPS receivers or Hi-Speed USB 2.0 external storage devices such
as convenient flash drives or high-capacity hard drives with much
larger storage capacity than the memory cards in the camera for instant
back-up as images are captured. Compact and affordable, the WFT-E3A
wireless transmitter also doubles as a vertical grip and requires its
own BP-511A battery pack in addition to the battery installed in the
camera body.
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