Canon has launched the EOS 40D camera, its latest digital SLR for advanced amateurs and semi-professionals.

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, said an official spokesman.

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 marketing manager, Canon Middle East, Hendrik Verbrugghe.

“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.”

Canon’s third generation CMOS sensor improves on its predecessor with redesigned pixels that keep noise to a minimum. The EOS 40D maintains high image quality up to ISO 1600, expandable to H:3200 for situations where flash use is not permitted or desired.

Highlight Tone Priority mode gives wedding and landscape photographers the option to boost dynamic range for highlights when shooting above ISO 200 -  reproducing more tonal detail from wedding dresses, clouds and other light coloured objects.

The DIGIC III processor powers a burst rate of 6.5 fps, working with the image buffer to handle up to 75 Large JPEGs (17 in RAW) without pause. Images are processed at 14-bits for a greatly expanded colour depth, providing smoother gradations and exceptionally accurate colour reproduction.

A key advancement of the EOS 40D is its new nine-point cross-type AF system. All nine AF points can achieve focus on both horizontal and vertical planes. A central AF point is capable of accurate focusing up to aperture f/2.8, with eight outer points working up to f/5.6. In response to requests, the dedicated AF Start (AF-ON) button allows photographers to execute auto focus with their thumb.

The Live View mode simplifies shooting from awkward angles such as ground-level macro or mounted tripod shots. The 3.0” LCD displays a real-time image in
Live View mode, including a selectable grid overlay and a live histogram that simulates image exposure.
The AF-ON button can be configured to flip the camera mirror momentarily and engage auto focusing. For the studio environment, remote Live View lets the photographer compose, adjust settings and capture the shot from a PC using the supplied EOS utility software.

Canon also launched the Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E3. Built to work with the
EOS 40D, the Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E3 enables rapid wireless image transfer to remote FTP servers, along with two-way communication through PTP and HTTP.

In HTTP mode, remote users can trigger the shutter button or download images from the camera via an internet browser window. PTP mode is used for wireless remote shooting with the EOS 40D and supplied EOS Utility software.

For longer shoots, the Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E3 can connect directly to external hard disk drives (HDDs). And if connected to a portable GPS device, the location and time of capture is automatically added to each image as EXIF data.

A convenient grip design features a main dial and shutter controls for vertical shooting, while weather resistant seals protect the unit. – TradeArabia News Service