Canon’s New 10-Megapixel DSLR

August 24, 2006: The latest addition to Canon’s EOS DSLR line-up, the EOS 400D, is due to go on sale in Australia on 8 September, with two new Canon lenses released shortly afterwards.
Featuring a Canon-developed 10.1-megapixel “APS-C sized” CMOS sensor and the same 2.5-inch LCD monitor as the ESO 5D, the EOS 400D will replace the popular EOS 350D model and be available in black and silver. Back and top views of the camera are shown below, along with a siver model with the optional BG-E3 battery pack attached.

Weighing only 510 grams (without battery and CF card), it can record images in JPEG or raw format, with simultaneous JPEG+RAW possible. The EOS 400D also features a new, built-in, dust-prevention system, which minimises the risk of dust on the image sensor in three ways:
1. Through special body and end caps plus components in the mirror box which stop dust from getting into the camera in the first place.
2. A piezo-electric motor attached to the low-bandpass filter that sits in front of the CMOS sensor vibrates the filter for one second each time the camera starts-up and/or shuts down to dislodge any dust that may have collected. Dislodged dust is collected by a sophisticated adhesive system that uses technology inherited from Canon’s copier development. (If the photographer wants to take a shot while the filter is being shaken, the vibration is stopped allowing shooting to take priority.)
3. Built-in software allows the camera to “map” the position of any welded-on dust that was not removed by vibrating the low-bandpass filter. Software in the camera tags the image file so that it opens with the dust marks removed. This software used similar algorithms to those used for the dust-removal function in Digital Photo Professional software (which also ships with the new camera).
The new camera also inherits the proprietary DiG!C II image processor that supports burst shooting at three frames/second for up to 27 frames. It also includes the high-speed, 9-point, wide-area autofocus system that was first featured on the EOS 30D. This includes superimposed AF points and choice of One-Shot, AI Servo and AI Focus modes. As in the EOS 30D, Canon’s new Picture Styles menu (which made its debut in the EOS 5D) supplants the earlier Parameter settings used on the 350D.
Several new features have been included to make the EOS 400D easier and more comfortable to use than its predecessors. Of interest is a new sensor that is located just below the viewfinder housing, which can detect when the camera is raised to the user’s eye and automatically shuts down the LCD display. This not only conserves battery power, it also makes the camera more comfortable to use, especially in dim lighting.
Camera specifications are as follows:
Image sensor: 10.1 Effective Megapixel CMOS sensor; 22.2 x 14.8mm effective size
Number of recording pixels: Large / Fine: 3888 x 2592 pixels (approx. 10.1 Megapixels); Medium / Fine: 2816 x 1880 pixels (approx. 5.3 Megapixels); Small / Fine: 1936 x 1288 pixels (approx. 2.5 Megapixels); RAW: 3888 x 2592 pixels (approx. 10.1 Megapixels)
Sensitivity (equ. film speed): ISO 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600 (selectable via ISO Speed menu)
Image data storage: Compact Flash (CF) card Type I or Type II standard; 1 slot
Image compression: Still image: JPEG or RAW – simultaneous recording possible
Image compression level: Raw / Fine / Normal
Lens mount: Canon EF and EF-S series, effective focal length 1.6x
Shutter type: Vertical-travel, mechanical, focal plane shutter with electronic control
Shutter speed: 1/4,000 sec. – 30 sec., Bulb; maximum flash sync at 1/200 sec.
Focusing method: TTL-CT-SIR type. Wide area AF with 9 selectable focus points.
Focusing modes: Autofocus (One-shot AF, Predictive AI Servo AF, One-Shot /Predictive AI Servo AF switching) and Manual Focusing
Light metering method: Evaluative, Partial, and Centre-weighted average metering
Metering range: EV1-EV20
White balance control: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash and Custom
Shooting modes: Program AE, Shutter-priority AE, Aperture priority AE, Depth-of-field AE, Full Auto, Programmed Image Control modes (6), Manual, E-TTL II autoflash Program AE
Continuous shooting speed: 3 frames per sec for up to 27 in a single burst
Self timer: Yes – 10 seconds
Flash (built-in): Auto pop-up, retractable, built-in flash in the pentaprism
Flash guide number (built-in): 13 at 100 ISO (m)
Flash (external) Hot-shoe: X-sync contacts, with EX-series Speedlites: E-TTL II autoflash
Optical viewfinder: Eye-level SLR (with fixed pentamirror)
Viewfinder adjustment: -3 to +1 dpt
Viewfinder coverage: 95% (vertically and horizontally)
Monitor type: 2.5-inch TFT colour, liquid crystal monitor – 230,000 pixels
File format: Complies to Design rule for Camera File standards
Interface Digital Terminal: USB 2.0 Hi-Speed
Video Output Terminal: NTSC / PAL
Remote Control Terminal: E3-type, Wireless Remote Control for RC-1 and RC-5, Direct printing Camera, compatible printer, dedicated cable
Power source: Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery (type: NB-2LH), AC adapter (type: ACK-700)
Operating environment: Temperature: 0 ° – 40 ° C; Humidity: 85% or lower
Dimensions (W x H x D): 126.5 x 94.2 x 65mm
Weight: Approx. 510gms (body only)
Optional Accessories: AC Adapter Kit ACK-DC20, Semi-Hard Case EH18-L, Battery Grip BG-E3, Remote Switch RS-60E3, Remote Controller RC-1 and Remote Controller RC-5 and the complete range of Canon EF lenses and EX Speedlights plus the MR-14EX Macro Ring Lite and MR-24EX Macro Twin Lite.
Announced simultaneously with the EOS 400D are two new lenses: the EF 50mm f/1.2L USM and the EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM. The fastest in Canon’s lens line-up, the EF 50mm f/1.2L USM features a ring-type ultrasonic motor that works almost silently and also offers full-time mechanical manual focusing. Constructed with high levels of dust and moisture resistance, this lens is designed for imaging onto a 36 x 24 mm image area. It can focus down to 45 cm, has a filter diameter of 72mm and weighs 545 grams. Release date is late September.
The EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM zoom lens is ideal for travelling photographers, thanks to its built-in image stabilisation (IS) system. Due to go on sale in late November, it is designed for imaging onto a 36 x 24 mm image area and weighs 760 grams. Internal focusing provides fast and quiet operation and allows use of angle-sensitive filters. Filter diameter is 67mm. High levels of dust and moisture resistance allow it to be used in harsh conditions.
Information on pricing is not yet available but full details of the camera and associated lenses will be posted on Canon’s website at www.canon.com.au. For stockist information, phone Canon Australia on 1800 021 167.