Canon EOS 40D 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)

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Product Overview

• Style: 40D Body Only
• Brand: Canon
• Type: DSLR
• Model: EOS 40D

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 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. Canon EOS 40D Highlights
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. What's in the box: EOS 40D digital SLR body, eyecup Eb,
wide neck strap EW-100DGR, video cable VC-100, USB interface cable IFC-200U,
battery pack BP-511A, battery charger CG-580, "Great Photography is Easy"
booklet and "Do More with Macro" booklet, EOS Digital Solution Disc, software
instruction manual