Ohlamon’s Technology News Blog

Canon 40D Officially released. It is time to compare our predicted specification to the real ones.

Canon 40D Specifications:
[Predicted] 10.2 Megapixel APS-C size CMOS sensor
[Real] 10.1 Megapixel CMOS Sensor, extensive noise reduction technology, and 14-bit conversion for outstanding color tones and gradations.
Almost correct

[Predicted] 5 fps and 30 large JPEG frame burst
[Real] 6.5 fps, burst rate up to 75 consecutive JPEGs or 17 RAW images
Wow! Reality is much better!

[Predicted] Integrated Cleaning System(like in xti)
[Real] EOS Integrated Cleaning System
Nobody even doubt that

[Predicted] 3″(or at least 2.5”) wide viewing angle LCD screen
[Real] Large 3.0-inch LCD monitor and advanced Live View Function with new options for reduced shutter time lag and quiet operation.
3 inch LCD is cool!

[Predicted] Spot metering and High Precision 9-point AF system
[Real] New AF system with 9 cross-type sensors, and world’s first diagonal high-precision cross-type AF at center point with f/2.8 and faster lenses.
Same thing in other words

[Predicted] DIGIC III(May be Digic II) image processor with 0.15 sec start-up time
[Real] and DIGIC III Image Processor.
Correct

[Predicted] sRaw (Small RAW format preview)
[Real] sRAW: Approx. 7.1MB (1,936 x 1,288)
Correct

[Predicted] 100,000 cycle shutter durability and rugged magnesium alloy body
[Real] Strong, rugged build quality: magnesium-alloy exterior, shutter durability-tested to 100,000 cycles, top speed 1/8000, top x-sync speed 1/250.
as we think

[Predicted] Simultaneous RAW and JPEG recording
[Real] JPEG, RAW and RAW+JPEG simultaneous recording possible.
Cool!

[Predicted] 100-3200 ISO range
[Real] Equivalent to ISO 100-1600* (in 1/3-stop or whole stop increments), ISO speed can be expanded to ISO 3200
Well. Lets say it was correct

[Predicted] E-TTL II Flash
[Real] E-TTL II autoflash
Yep

[Predicted] Complete compatibility with all Canon EF and EF-S lenses and EX-series Speedlites
[Real] Compatible Lenses: Canon EF, EF-S, TS-E, and MP-E lenses
Correct

[Predicted] USB 2.0 Hi-Speed and Video Out connectivity
[Real] USB 2.0 Hi-Speed, mini-B port. NTSC/PAL for video output
Right again

[Predicted] Price: (MSRP) $1599
[Real] (MSRP Body only) $1299
Better, but $1599 probably was Kit price

In addition to the original Gorillapod
New Gorillapod from Joby supports DSLR cameras with zoom lenses. This $50 tripod is small, portable, and can provide the right angles by utilizing the environment even with a big zoom lens.

Two images of a Nikon D40 leaked from the website of German electronics retailer Neckermann. There are some possible specifications:

• 6 megapixel CCD,
• 3 point focusing,
• No auto focus motor
• No status LCD

This is definitely going to be the cheapest D-SLR from Nikon.

Some interesting Photokina 2006 Lens announcements from Tamron and Sigma

Tamron SP AF17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II was announced several month ago. So Sigma finally strikes back with very similar answer. Sigma has announced the Sigma 18-50 mm F2.8 EX DC Macro lens. Like all other DC lenses this one is designed specifically for digital SLR’s with APS sized sensors.

Usually Tamron and Sigma present very similar products, but not in this time. They both have in stock 18-200 mm 3.5-6.3 lenses that offers a big 11x zoom for digital SLR’s only. They moved in different direction for the second generation of these lenses. Tamron has presented AF 18-250 mm Di-II lens, adding further telephoto range. It provides a zoom range of 13.8x, producing an equivalent field of view of approximately 27 to 375 mm on a digital SLR with a 1.5x FOV crop. Alternatively Sigma 18-200 mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS offers the same old 11x zoom range in combination with Sigma’s own Optical Stabilizer.

Interesting video about New Canon Digital Rebel XTi Sensor Cleaning System

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