My Impetus

In a previous post I was talking about the 18 month release cycle for Canon’s consumer line of digital camera’s. Over at BobAtkins.com Bob has a very nice writeup of some of his thoughts on the ‘predicted’ features of the 40d, and he thinks an October 2007 release is quite likely.  From BobAtkins.com:

So what can we expect to see in the new Canon EOS 40D? I think the following are reasonable guesses based on my knowledge of the Canon system. I have no “inside info”. Canon don’t tell me any of this stuff – and even if they did I would not be able to repeat it!

• The EOS 40D will have all the features of the EOS 30D (larger LCD then 20D, Spot meter, Picture modes etc.)
• Same general shape and size as the EOS 30D. It works, why change it.
• The EOS 40D will stick with the APS-C sensor size. Given the upgrade path from the XTi and 30D, maintaining the EF-S lens mount seems inevitable, which means sticking with APS-C
• More Pixels. I’d expect to see at least a 10 to 10.5MP sensor in the EOS 40D. It could be 12MP, but that’s unlikely in my opinion, since the 1D Mk III only has 10MP and the EOS 5D is 12MP. A 12MP EOS 40D could possibly affect sales of more expensive models. It would be nice if they used the 14-bit A/D from the 1D MKIII for more dynamic range and I think that’s a possible. The Digic III processor (see below) may be able to handle the higher data load. The new sensor may be based on the design of the 1D MkIII sensor which has a better capture ratio than earlier sensors due to optimized pixel design.
• Noise levels equal to or lower than the 30D. Same ISO 100 – 1600 + “H” (3200) range.
• A single Digic III processor (the 1Ds MkIII uses two of them). I’d expect this since Canon are now using the Digic III in their digicams. It could help lower noise a little and speed up camera operation.
• The dust repelling sensor features of the XTi. They may not work perfectly, but they can help a little.
• The EOS 40D will stick with Compact Flash memory rather than going to SD(HC) cards.
• A larger buffer for both JPEG and RAW files. New models always have a larger buffer!
• Sticking with a 5fps frame rate. No real need to go faster even if they could.
• I do not think the EOS 40D will have ECF (eye controlled focus).
• I do not think that the EOS 40D will be weathersealed. That will stay a “pro” feature.
• I’d say “live view” is a possibility. The EOS 20Da had it and the 1D MkIII has it. It’s something few DSLRs have, some consumers want and is mainly a firmware feature. Canon obviously have the technology to do it and I doubt that the cost is high. All the development has been done and it would be a “unique feature” in the price range for APS-C DSLRs. It’s not quite like the live LCD view of P&S digicams, but that may not matter.
• Though I’d love to see image stabilization in the body, I really don’t think Canon are ready to do that yet. They have too much invested in IS lenses. Right now Nikon doesn’t have IS in the body. Sony and Pentax do, but I’m not sure they represent too much competition for Canon.
• A price for the EOS 40D in the $1400 range, +/- $100. The Nikon D200 is selling for $1500 and I’d expect Canon to try to match Nikon on features and certainly under cut them on pricing. It’s guess that $1300 is more likely than $1500.
• EOS 40D real availability by October 2007 (i.e. when you might actually get one in your hand).

Give it a read!

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