10.1 Megapixel CMOS Sensor with 14-bit A/D Conversion

Canon's large-area APS-C size (22.5 x 15.0mm) CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) sensor captures images with exceptional clarity and tonal range, and has the same 3:2 ratio as film cameras. The use of improved microlenses and the latest manufacturing techniques mean each pixel is more sensitive to light, and less area between pixels is wasted on the sensor - this permits the EOS 40D to provide an extensive ISO range (from 100 to 1600, plus ISO 3200 in extended mode). The 14-bit Analog-to-Digital (A/D) conversion provides for fine transitions from light to dark tones, and a significant drop in digital and shadow noise while the on-chip noise reduction electronics produce images with less digital noise and better high-ISO performance than previous CMOS sensors for clearer, sharper and more detailed photographs right from the start.

Outstanding Performance

The EOS 40D is one of the fastest digital SLRs available with the ability to shoot up to 6.5 fps, making it ideal for everything from wildlife to sports. It can capture up to 75 JPEGs, or 17 RAW images in one burst. Whether it's the 0.15-second startup time, the high-speed mirror drive, the brief shutter lag time (only 59 msec), or the predictive AF focusing for capturing the action, the EOS 40D will outperform any expectations and ensure that you capture the most elusive shots.

RAW and sRAW Image Capture

In addition to retaining the RAW image capture capabilities of its predecessors, the EOS 40D 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.

Durable and Reliable

The EOS 40D exterior is constructed with lightweight and ultra-rigid magnesium-alloy giving the camera a solid, substantial feel that complements its compact dimensions. Designed to withstand the rigors of everyday use, the camera is shock, dust and weather resistant. It also incorporates a high-speed and durable shutter unit that can reach a top shutter speed of 1/8000 second, and has been tested to withstand a remarkable 100,000-cycle life.

Fast AF System

The high-precision 9-point wide area AF system and each of the nine AF points uses a cross-type coverage system, enabling the camera to focus faster, more accurately, and in ever more complex lighting situations than previous models. For added accuracy and precision with wide-aperture lenses, the 40D incorporates a diagonally mounted, high-precision cross-type sensor at the center AF point that is sensitive to both vertical and horizontal lines when fast lenses (f/2.8 or faster) are used. Furthermore, all focus points can be chosen automatically, or accessed using the intuitive, thumb operated Multi-Controller.

Versatile Exposure Metering System

The 35-zone metering sensor of the EOS 40D provides for multiple patterns including Evaluative metering, which is linked to all AF points, Center-weighted average metering, Partial metering and Spot metering (covering 3.8 percent of the viewfinder at center). The camera also has 12 exposure control modes (11 AE modes plus manual), and three Custom exposure modes.

Sophisticated Flash Photography

The EOS 40D features the acclaimed E-TTL II flash metering system, and is compatible with any of the Canon EX Speedlite series flash units, The E-TTL II system provides reliable flash output whether shooting fill-in flash pictures in sunlight, or using flash in total darkness. This flash system utilizes the exact same 35-zone metering sensor used for measuring ambient light, giving even finer metering command of the image area. As an added convenience, particularly for wireless flash operations, users of the Canon Speedlite 580EX II flash unit can adjust the flash settings directly from the camera.

Large 3.0-inch LCD Monitor

The large three-inch 230,000-pixel LCD screen of the EOS 40D is brighter than previous models with a broad color gamut and a slightly narrowed viewing angle of 140 degrees in order to facilitate easy viewing - even under less than ideal viewing conditions such as bright sunlight. 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.

Advanced Live View Function

The Live View Function is a powerful feature that enables viewing your subjects directly on the 3-inch LCD monitor, and users magnify any part of the scene 5x or 10x for precise manual focus. Users can even choose a grid overlay, perfect for keeping straight lines in your subject straight in your pictures. In the studio, the Live View Function can be used remotely via a computer through the cameras USB connection, or wirelessly or via Ethernet with the optional Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E3A attached. In addition, the Live View function adds a totally unique method for near-silent shooting, with two silent shooting modes.

Improved Viewfinder

The EOS 40D incorporates an upgraded viewfinder that has an optical magnification of 0.95x and an eye point of 22mm. Users can even change the focus screen and opt for a grid-type focus screen that makes it easier to verify horizontal or vertical alignment, as well as a Super-Precision Matte focusing screen that makes manual focusing easier when using a lens with a maximum aperture of f/2.8 or faster.

EOS Integrated Cleaning System

Photographers who must change lenses in dusty environments will find the advanced Canon EOS Integrated Cleaning System a tremendous time saver. Dust that settles on the sensor surface is removed using ultrasonic vibration whenever the camera is powered on or off, and it can also be manually activated. A special collar positioned around the sensor collects the loosened dust. Dust particles can also be automatically removed via software. By shooting a plain white subject, the photographer can acquire dust position data that is transmitted along with the image (whether JPEG or RAW), and the Digital Photo Professional (DPP) software can then be used to manually or automatically erase the dust spots.

"Picture Style" Settings

With Picture Style technology, photographers can utilize one of six preset Picture Style settings (Standard, Portrait, Landscape, Neutral, Faithful and Monochrome), or adjust color, saturation, sharpness and contrast settings to create one of three additional user programmable settings to suit their particular photographic style.

Highlight Tone Priority

The Highlight Tone Priority function assists photographers in preserving highlight details such as the tooling of a white dress or the delicate feathers of a dove - even under high contrast conditions such as bright midday sunlight or stage lighting. And there's no impact on the camera's shooting speed or burst rate when Highlight Tone Priority is engaged.

Compatible with All Canon EF & EF-S Lenses

The EOS 40D is compatible with all Canon lenses in the EF lineup, ranging from ultra-wide angle to super telephoto lenses, and including Canon's EF-S series lenses, manufactured specifically for Canon's APS-C sized digital sensor. Canon lenses employ advanced optical expertise and micron-precision engineering to deliver unprecedented performance in all facets of the photographic process. Aspherical optics and fluorite elements, for example, are featured in the universally acclaimed L Series lenses, and Canon's Image Stabilizer technology in select lenses minimizes the effect of camera shake.

Additional System Accessories

In addition to Canon's EF lenses and Speedlite flashes, many other accessories are designed by Canon to work perfectly with the EOS 40D. The Battery Grip BG-E2N adds a vertical shutter release, and is compatible with up to two of Canon's BP-511A Lithium-ion battery packs for increased shooting capacity, or alternatively a set of six AA-size batteries, for greater convenience when traveling.. The EOS 40D is also compatible with the Canon WFT-E3A Wireless File Transmitter which allows photographers to transmit images from their cameras directly to a computer over a Wireless network (802.11 b/g), connect to compatible third-party GPS device, or plug a compatible USB 2.0 hard drive into the transmitter's USB port, and actually shoot directly to a portable hard drive.

Powerful Bundled Software

Among the most valuable features of the Canon EOS 40D Digital SLR is its compatibility with Canon's Picture Style Editor (PSE) 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 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.