Yummy .... yummy ... this is probably one of the SLR that I have been waiting for an upgrade.

Some of the good stuff over its predecessor 450D are:

• 15.1 MP APS-C CMOS sensor
• Video recording 1920 x 1080 (1080p HD) at 20 fps
• Video recording 1280 x 720 (720p) at 30 fps
• Video recording up to 29 mins 59 secs (or 4GB file limit)
  
• HDMI connector
• 3.0 inch 920,000 resolution dots LCD (VGA)
  
• ISO 12800
• Digic 4 processor with better high ISO noise reduction.
  
• 3.4 fps
• 170 large JPEG/9 RAW frames buffer

It is in fact an entry-level "50D".  If you don't need the faster conitnuous shooting fps, 500D is definitely a good cheaper alternative to 50D.

Looks like it is about time for me to upgrade from my original 300D which I got it during its launch. However, with this economic downturn, I guess I would have to defer any upgrade for now ... :(.

By the way, you may also want to check out the preview at DPReview:

http://www.dpreview.com/previews/canoneos500d 

Check the movie sample out at DPReview:

http://www.dpreview.com/previews/canoneos5dmarkII/page15.asp

Oh yeah .... it's Full HD ... way way way cooler than my current videocam. But too bad, it costs an arm and a leg ..... :P.

 

Canon EOS 50D in-depth review is now available at DPReview.

Canon's EOS 50D is basically a 40D body. With a newly-developed 15 megapixel sensor, a 3.0" VGA screen and the newly developed imaging processor, DIGIC 4, Canon EOS 50D seems like a good choice for an upgrade.

Canon claims that the new sensor's design (using the new manufacturing processes, redesigned photo diodes and micro lenses) means that despite the higher resolution image, the noise on the captured image has improved quite a bit.

Here is the link to DPReview.

 

 

Here is the full preview from Imaging Resource

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/E40D/E40DA.HTM

Have fun reading !!!

So, the rumour that I mentioned in my blog is true ... Canon 40D is real.

Checkout the press release here ... Canon 40D was released last week.

40D Key features

• 10.1 Megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor
• 6.5 fps continuous shooting, max. burst 75 JPEGs
• New AF system with 9 cross-type sensors
• DIGIC III processor
• 3.0” LCD with Live View mode
• EOS Integrated Cleaning System (similar to 400D)
  
• Clear and bright viewfinder
• Customisable Picture Style processing parameters

Basically, it is just a higher-end version of 400D.

Check out the photo samples at DPReview here. Slurrrpp ... they really looks very good and the noise level is almost not visible at all.

ISO1600 sample

The Canon EOS 40D is rumored to have a 10.1 MP CMOS sensor, DIGIC II processor, Integrated Cleaning System, Spot metering & 9-point AF and a 2.5in LCD with 230K pixels and 160º viewing angle.

The specification looks almost similar to Canon EOS 400D, except for faster fps in continuous shooting (3 fps in 400D) and slightly larger buffer (27 JPEG/10 RAW in 400D) ... basically, there is no "ummph" to it compared to 400D.  It may be a slight improvement over 30D, but for me there is nothing to jump about.  It is a marketing gimmick by Canon to bring some of the new features in 400D into 30D and call it 40D.

Anyway, here’s the Canon EOS 40D specifications that has been circulated on photography forum around the net. 

* 10.1 MP CMOS sensor
* 5fps, 30 JPEG or 11 RAW image burst
* Integrated Cleaning System
* 2.5in LCD with 230K pixels and 160º viewing angle
* Picture Style image processing
* Spot metering & 9-point AF
* DIGIC II processor with 0.2 sec start up
* Digital Photo Professional software
* Magnesium alloy body
* Compatible with all EF/EF-S lenses and EX Speedlite flashes
* Including powerpack and accessories

Designed to inspire. Built to last.

 

CMOS sensor
A 10.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor provides the sensitivity needed for clean, detailed images with fine colour gradation. Large sensor pixels allow for wide dynamic range and reduced noise at higher ISO speeds. The 22.5 x 15mm sensor size adds an effective 1.6x increase to the focal length of EF lenses, extending reach at the telephoto end.

5 fps shooting
The camera delivers fast 5 fps shooting for continuous bursts of up to 30 large JPEG images (11 in RAW). A new 3 fps shooting mode provides greater control for variable-speed sequences.

Large LCD
Illuminated by 6 LEDs, the bright 2.5 Inch 230K pixel LCD is viewable from 85° in almost all directions.

Picture Style
Picture Style pre-sets provide easy control over image processing parameters. Each style offers a different colour response - similar to the way film types are changed to achieve different effects. Sharpness, contrast, colour tone and saturation are adjustable within each pre-set.

Spot metering
Spot metering allows you to base the optimal exposure value on a concentrated spot (3.5%) in the scene - useful in high-contrast scenes where precise metering control is required.

High precision 9-point wide-area AF
Select from one of nine fixed focusing points across the scene for fast, accurate focusing even with off-centre subjects and ‘rule-of-thirds’ compositions.

DIGIC II
DIGIC II renders colours with precision and accuracy. Fast and efficient, DIGIC II prolongs battery life* and delivers instant 0.15 second start up time.

Digital Photo Professional software
The Digital Photo Professional software permits high-speed processing of lossless RAW images.

Magnesium alloy body
A compact magnesium alloy body provides durability while keeping the camera’s weight down to 700 grams.

EF lenses and accessories
The EOS 40D is compatible with over 60 EF lenses (including the EF-S Series) and all EX Series Speedlite flash units. The E-TTL II flash algorithm passes key shooting data from compatible EF lenses - such as focal length, point of focus and distance information - to the Speedlites for consistently accurate flash exposures. Untethered shooting is possible with the optional Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E1.

Connectivity
Video Out allows reviewing on a TV screen. Connect with USB 2.0 Hi-speed for fast data transfers

So, will Canon keep quiet with the newly launched Nikon D80?

Here is the leak about the new Canon dSLR EOS400D ... checkout some of the pictures of the camera. And 2 new lenses 50mm f/1.2 L and 70-200mm f/4 L IS.

So, what is so new about EOS400D?

10.1MP (but still 1.6X sensor)
9 point autofocus system
Still no spot metering ... :(
3 fps
Same battery pack, BG-E3 battery grip and DIGIC II as the older EOS350D.

The leak was on this website earlier ... but it has been taken down.

http://www.canon.com.cn/front/canon/news/backend_news_detail.jsp?id=2322

PS: I will post any update in the comment section ... :).

Hmmmm ... here are some interesting news that I found regarding Canon 1D replacement after the disappointing news about the newly launched Canon 30D.

Extracted from forum link:

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/358130/0

From my sources deep inside the Canon research lab I found out that the 1Dx series replacement won’t be announced until Febuary of 2007. It will be called the Canon D. It will have a full frame sensor based on equilateral triangle pixels arranged into hexagons. This will allow for 28 - 30 Mega Pixel range but will require special image editing software to fully utilize. Sensors will be based on CYMK vice RGB. This combined with the hexagonal pattern will improve color space and allow wider gamut. Additionally, advanced sensor circuits and digic III processing will allow for patterned de-rating of about half the pixels to greatly expand dynamic range at the cost of about half a stop of sensitivity. Max frame rate will be about 7 FPS. The delay in the release date gives them time to pull all this off. The 3D will be a more traditional camera released as a stop-gap in late 2006 with 22MP FF and 5 FPS in a 5D sized body, but sealed up like the 1 series. The new FF sensor, because of the triangular pixels, does not require an anti-aliasing filter, resulting in higher sharpness and better contrast right out of the box with out any artifacts.

Hmmm .... Canon D and Canon 3D. Well, Canon dominance in FF (full-frame) sensor dSLR is going to be stronger if this is true. We'll wait and see ...

So, it's 30D ... with disappointing 1.6 X crop factor.  And it looks like nothing is really new or something to look forward too.  Well, it may be a good news to those who hasn't leaped into the dSLR world .... but for those already using 20D,  30D is nothing but another marketing gimmick.  I'm really really disappointed with Canon.

Here is the link to:

Rob Galbraith 30D review

From Rob's review, the changes in the 30D over 20D are:

• A new 2.5-inch, 230,000 pixel rear LCD monitor with wide viewing angle
• Canon's more flexible Picture Style menu, which replaces the Parameters menu of the 20D
• Sharpening of in-camera JPEGs can be turned off, which is a first for a Canon entry-level or midrange digital SLR
• ISO 100-1600 is now selectable in 1/3 stop increments
• ISO can be set without taking one's eye away from the viewfinder
• Increased burst depth: 11 frames for RAW CR2 shooting, 30 for Large Fine JPEG and 9 for RAW+JPEG
• A more-durable shutter that's rated for 100,000 cycles
• A slightly-shortened mirror blackout time of 110ms; Canon's specification for shutter lag remains the same as the 20D at 65ms
• Viewfinder information now includes a dedicated Flash Exposure Lock (FEL) indicator
• Switchable High-Speed Continuous (5 fps) and Low-Speed Continuous (3 fps) frame rate settings are now included
• An Auto setting in the Long Exposure Noise Reduction Custom Function
• The ability, like several more-pricey Canon digital SLRs, to simultaneously apply long exposure noise processing to one picture while capturing another
• The addition of a 3.5% spot metering mode
• 0.15 second camera startup time
• A more-precise 4-increment battery charge indicator
• Reduced energy compensation, for a promised improvement of 10% more frames per charge
• No more new folders created every 100 photos; in the 30D, a folder can hold 9999 photos
• A new automatic rotation option that enables verticals to not be rotated on the rear display but appear rotated in compatible browser software on the computer
• The ability to zoom in on a photo in Quick Review mode
• During playback, the image+shooting data screen will display either an RGB or Brightness histogram, file size and will optionally display AF markings
• Improved Jump function
• Refined multicontroller operation
• More-detailed error code information, which now appears on the rear LCD monitor (in addition to the top LCD panel); the camera settings information screen will also display Images Failed to Transfer when the WFT-E1/E1A is in use and a transmit error occurs
• More ways to wake the camera up from an Auto Power Off snooze
• Direct image transfer from the camera to a computer using the PTP protocol
• A revamped software package that includes Digital Photo Professional (DPP) 2.1, EOS Utility 1.0 (a new image transfer, camera settings and camera control application), Image Browser 5.6 (Mac) and ZoomBrowser EX 5.6 (Windows); DPP adds user-settable noise reduction and support for RAW files from the Canon EOS D2000 and D6000
• New and potentially useful direct printing capabilities (plus a dedicated direct print/image transfer button)

Well, what do you have to say?  I am going to go Full Frame on my next upgrade ... yeah, 5D !!!