I have made no secret of the fact that when it comes to digital SLRs I prefer Canon over all other brands. I have also backed up my argument with a long list of reasons.
Everytime any other company gets close to Canon, Canon announces a new camera that out paces the competition both in features and price.
Canon did it again this week. They have announced two new digital SLRs, both will make any serious photographer drool unless they are blinded by their loyalty to another brand of camera.
The most significant of the two announcements is the Canon 40D. The 40D features a 10 megapixel sensor, 6.5 fps, a 3″ LCD view finder, live preview LCD (a rare feature on DSLRs) and nine point focusing. Canon has also targeted the semi-pro photographer by incorporating weather sealed buttons and changeable focusing screens. The camera is also compatible with a new WiFi battery grip that allows wireless transmission of photos even as they are taken.
If it follows the pattern of its predecessors, the 40D will be priced under $2000 with a lens.
The other major announcement was the 1Ds Mark III. This is the new beast camera. In the late 90s Canon knocked Nikon’s F5 out of the top spot with the 1V a weather sealed, drop resistant camera that shot 9 fps. Nikon held the top spot in digital for a couple years until Canon released the 1D, a digital version of the 1V. Try as they might, no one has been able to catch up since.
The 1Ds mark III features a 21 megapixel full frame sensor (most digital sensors are 27mm not a true 35mm), 5fps (if you want faster, go with the 1D Mark III at 10fps), live preview, dust removal, 3″ LCD and dual processors much more dynamic LCD.
Don’t expect this one to be cheap. List price for body only is $8000.
