Specifications
F
ollowing its appearance on the EOS-1D Mark III (in tandem form), the EOS 40D also
u
ses Canon’s latest image processor, the DIGIC III. It retains the DIGIC II's widely
a
dmired image detail, natural colors and high speed, while providing 1.7 times faster
s
ignal processing speed.
T
he analog output signal from the imaging element is converted into a digital signal
w
ith 14 bits (16,384 colors) per channel instead of the previous 12 bits (4,096 colors).
The result is digital data with finer gradation. With RAW/sRAW images recorded at 14
bits, one can use Canon DPP (Digital Photo Professional) software to process and save
the image as a 16-bit TIFF image. This yields the maximum range of colors afforded by
14-bit processing. Also, because images recorded in JPEG (8 bits per color) are also
generated from 14-bit RAW data, there are fewer blown highlights than before and
gradation is excellent. Even in the case of highly saturated subjects or subjects with
high contrast and clear differences between light and dark features, high quality color
reproduction and smooth tone rendition from highlights to shadows are possible.
When compared to the EOS 30D, the image quality of the EOS 40D is appreciably better.
Resolution is now higher, with approximately 10.1 megapixels versus the 8.2 megapixels
of the EOS 30D. Image quality is higher because of the DIGIC III and 14-bit image pro-
cessing. Noise reduction of high ISO shots, first offered on the EOS-1D Mark III, is
enabled via C.Fn II-2. Highlight Tone Priority (ISO range 200-1600*), makes gradation
finer fr
om grays to highlights, reducing the likelihood of blown high values. This feature,
too, first appeared on the EOS-1D Mark III. It is set on the EOS 40D via C.Fn II-3.
* Standard output
sen
sitivity. Recommended exposure index.
On the image-recording quality selection screen, when one
selects the image-recording quality, the respective pixel
count (horizontal x vertical) and the number of shots possible
with the current CF card are now displayed as well. Also,
sRAW (approximately 2.50 megapixels), another feature
from the EOS-1D Mark III, has been added as a highly useful
image-recording quality option.
Small RAW can also be recorded simulta-
neously with any JPEG recording quality.
For image size and number of possible
shots with their respective image-recording
settings, see the chart given here.
III. PERFORMANCE 6
D
IGIC III and 14-bit A/D
C
onversion
Image Recording and
Processing
Im
ag
e-r
ecording
Quality
Im
age
Fi
le Size
[Approx. MB]
P
o
s
s
ible Shots
[Approx.]
M
ax
imum B
ur
st
[Appr
ox.]
High-
Speed
L
o
w-
Speed
L (Large/Fine)
L
(L
ar
g
e/Fine)
M (Medium/Fine)
M (M
edium/Fine)
S (Small/Fine)
S (Small/Fine)
RAW
RAW+
sRAW
L
(Large)
L (Large)
M (Medium)
M (M
edium)
S
(S
mal
l)
S (Small)
3.5
1.8
274
523
454
854
779
1451
76
59
66
65
70
69
72
135
90
107
103
116
115
124
2.1
1.1
1.2
0.7
12.4
12.4+3.5
12.4+1.8
12.4+2.1
12.4+1.1
12.4+1.2
12.4+0.7
7.1
7.1+3.5
7.1+1.8
7.1+2.1
7.1+1.1
7.1+1.2
7.1+0.7
75
171
140
303
271
625
17
14
14
14
14
14
20
17
17
17
17
17
17
17
205
523
454
854
779
1451
20
16
16
16
16
16
16
34
21
22
22
23
24
25
sRAW+
L (Large)
L (Large)
M (Medium)
M (Medium)
S (Small)
S (Small)
The number
of po
ssible shots (battery life) and continuous shooting speed are based on Canon’s testing
standards and a 1GB CF card. The size of one image, number of possible shots (battery life), and contin-
uous
shootin
g
spe
e
d ar
e based on JPEG quality 8, ISO 100, and the Standard Picture Style. (These fig-
ur
e
s vary depending on the subject, memory card brands, ISO speed, Picture Style, etc.)
Fig. 37 Quality selection screen
Selected image-recording quality and
the respective pixels are displayed
Possible shots
Quality Selection Screen