canon 40d facts

-The Canon EOS 40D will have all the features of the EOS 30D (larger LCD then 20D, Spot

meter, Picture modes etc.)
-A nine point AF system withe the same "diamond" pattern AF zone layout as EOS 30D.
LCD size up from 2.5" (30D) to 3" (40D)
-Same general shape and size as the EOS 30D. It works, why change it.
-Dedicated "picture styles" button
-The Canon 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 seems reasonable. There's little real need to go faster even if

they could. Some rumors are suggesting 6 or 6.25fps. Certainly possible I guess. For most

users it will make little difference though.
-I do not think the Canon EOS 40D will have ECF (eye controlled focus).
-I do not think that the EOS 40D will be fully weathersealed (gasketed dials, buttons and lens

mount). That will stay a "pro" feature. The popup flash on the consumer and prosumer DSLRs

would make full weathersealing quite difficult.
-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.