Why didnt Canon Fit a 12.6 MP Sensor in the 40D?

[Overkill]

Is more better...

I guess it is!


Why didnt Canon fit a 12 MP sensor in the 40D! We al waited for the replacement of the 30D and the 40D was a step forward. A 12 MP sensor
would have made the step a little greater!

Fitting it in a entry level camera just after the release of a prosumer model
is not a neat thing to do! (i think)!

Of course.... the 2MP more res wont make my pictures better!!
But specs are important in this business!

[jhorsnel]

Why didnt Canon fit a 12 MP sensor in the 40D!

Probably more to do with product upgrade mapping.
The high res lcd and 12mp sensor and higher ISO and digic 4 will all add to the punch when they announce the 50d (or whatever) in september for delivery after xmas.

No good releasing a product if you're not hungry for it... Now you're hungry for it.....

Only guessing of course!

[Tom W]

My guess is that the 10.1 mpx sensor has cleaner high-ISO performance than the 12 mpx sensor. I certainly wouldn't want them to do what Nikon did with the D200 - process the noise out along with image detail in order to pretend that the camera has low noise.

[Keith R]

I certainly wouldn't want them to do what Nikon did with the D200.

Amen to that!

;)

[cyrn]

Is more better...

I guess it is!


Why didnt Canon fit a 12 MP sensor in the 40D! We al waited for the replacement of the 30D and the 40D was a step forward. A 12 MP sensor
would have made the step a little greater!

Fitting it in a entry level camera just after the release of a prosumer model
is not a neat thing to do! (i think)!

Of course.... the 2MP more res wont make my pictures better!!
But specs are important in this business!

overkill... at least for 98% of the time.

[amfoto1]

Why didnt Canon fit a 12 MP sensor in the 40D!

Probably because their corporate spies forgot to tell them the Nikon D300 was going to be a 12MP camera.

Or maybe they just had a big pile of 10MP chips to use up.


Fitting it in a entry level camera just after the release of a prosumer model
is not a neat thing to do!
Hmmm....

You mean like the 400D/XTi (10MP) being intro'd shortly after the 30D (8MP)?

History repeats itself!

[Broncobear]

The canon 40D out performs an XTI on anything above 200 ISO for noise....the 40D is also better with ISO 200+. I have some that are great for 1600 and 3200. A 12 MP would compromise the quality.

[bungee]

Canon are punch drunk. They've been knocked out of the ring by the new Nikon offerings and are swinging wildly trying to score a hit. Expect marketing chaos to follow.

[Bill Roberts]

I have absolutely no idea. Why not ask Canon? They're the only one who really know ;)

[vpnd]

the 10.1 mp sensor is basically the same as the mk3 without some of the 1series upgrades. The noise level is probably the #1 reason for the 10.1 instead of 12. For most things except landscapes (sports, wildlife, family outings, walkaround, Keaunufests,) 10.1 has worked great.

[stathunter]

I am looking for a turbo charge add on for my 40D to supercharge the megapixels to 20........ maybe the auto parts store can sell me something.......or maybe if I Oxyclean it.

[Alnitak]

It's still APS-C sized, so people don't have to sell their EF-S lenses. Bigger sensors need alot better glass to keep the image sharp edge to edge, and better glass costs more than the body itself would cost.

Keeping it in the pro-sumer league means won't have to buy pro glass.

It's a great camera.

[Alnitak]

the 10.1 mp sensor is basically the same as the mk3 without some of the 1series upgrades. The noise level is probably the #1 reason for the 10.1 instead of 12. For most things except landscapes (sports, wildlife, family outings, walkaround, Keaunufests,) 10.1 has worked great.

Totally different sensor. The 12mp sensor is full frame, so while there are more pixels, there is also more room to fit them without making them so small that noise becomes a huge factor.

The 1D3 sensor is 1.3x, so it is a larger sensor than the 40D. There is a WORLD of difference between the 40D and 1D, not the least of which is the completely different sensor. But, again, I love the 40D, it's a great camera. I'm actually going to sell my Mk2N and get a 40D.

[alt4852]

Totally different sensor. The 12mp sensor is full frame, so while there are more pixels, there is also more room to fit them without making them so small that noise becomes a huge factor.

The 1D3 sensor is 1.3x, so it is a larger sensor than the 40D. There is a WORLD of difference between the 40D and 1D, not the least of which is the completely different sensor. But, again, I love the 40D, it's a great camera. I'm actually going to sell my Mk2N and get a 40D.

might not want to state it like that, as some people may misunderstand that to mean that all 12mp sensors are full frame. the only 12mp camera that offers full frame on the market today is the 5D. the XSi, even the SD950IS are both 12mp too, but offer nothing close to a full frame sensor. when it comes down to it, the number of megapixels has little to do with the sensor size in modern cameras (11mp 1ds classic was full frame, XSi has more megapixels stuffed onto an APS-C sensor).

just out of curiosity, why in the world would you sell a mk2n for a 40d? =P

[Alnitak]

might not want to state it like that, as some people may misunderstand that to mean that all 12mp sensors are full frame. the only 12mp camera that offers full frame on the market today is the 5D. the XSi, even the SD950IS are both 12mp too, but offer nothing close to a full frame sensor. when it comes down to it, the number of megapixels has little to do with the sensor size in modern cameras (11mp 1ds classic was full frame, XSi has more megapixels stuffed onto an APS-C sensor).

just out of curiosity, why in the world would you sell a mk2n for a 40d? =P

You make a fair point (or two). I assumed the OP was talking about the Canon 12mp sensor, which is only found on the 5D, which is full frame. Now that everyone and his dog has a 12mp sensor, I should have been more clear.

Regarding the trade of my Mk2N for a 40D, the Mk2N is superb at a good many things, but hanging off the back of a telescope for long exposures is not one of them! I am becoming more and more involved in astrophotography, so I wanted the 40D for its live preview, for its larger chimpscreen, and for its better long-exposure capability. (and the balance of $$ to help fund the new refractor). I love love love the Mk2N, but I wasn't utilizing it nearly like I'd hoped I would. I will use the 40D more. Felt kind of silly having a 1-series for snapshot-taking.

[vpnd]

there not worlds apart. Gearheads and Canon Sales reps will tell you that. Yes I apologize, I forgot that the 1dmk3 is a 1.3 coversion. Thaey are not WORLDS apart. My 1ds mk2 is better yes but not like some people like to make out.

[alt4852]

You make a fair point (or two). I assumed the OP was talking about the Canon 12mp sensor, which is only found on the 5D, which is full frame. Now that everyone and his dog has a 12mp sensor, I should have been more clear.

Regarding the trade of my Mk2N for a 40D, the Mk2N is superb at a good many things, but hanging off the back of a telescope for long exposures is not one of them! I am becoming more and more involved in astrophotography, so I wanted the 40D for its live preview, for its larger chimpscreen, and for its better long-exposure capability. (and the balance of $$ to help fund the new refractor). I love love love the Mk2N, but I wasn't utilizing it nearly like I'd hoped I would. I will use the 40D more. Felt kind of silly having a 1-series for snapshot-taking.

yea, that makes a whole lot of sense. good luck with the astrophotography, if i didn't live so close to the city i'd be right out there with you guys. =D

[anmoldagreat]

ill trade you my 40d for your mk2n if you want pal
im always here to help a photographer in need :)

[rockabilly808]

aside form the physical limitations that it would be basically a full frame thus making the EF-s lenses useless with it I think it's that it'd be stepping on the toes of the 1D series, same reason they capped the fps of the 40D at 6.5

[alt4852]

aside form the physical limitations that it would be basically a full frame thus making the EF-s lenses useless with it I think it's that it'd be stepping on the toes of the 1D series, same reason they capped the fps of the 40D at 6.5

huh?

more megapixels ≠ bigger sensor

[rockabilly808]

huh?

more megapixels ≠ bigger sensor

I though the OP was talking about a physically larger sensor?

[DVS_WiNdz]

Canon should have put a 10.1 megapixel on the 30D and a 12 megapixel on a 40D if you ask me.

[MrChad]

If anyone thinks 12MP will make a hill of beans to the photos then just buy an XSi to go with your 40D.

Don't spend nearly the time dwelling on the specs of the next model to come, spend it playing with the one in hand. The 40D is a nice step up from the previous 30D - don't fuss so much the 40D makes great photos. I doubt 12MP would add much.

That said in some studio conditions I could see the new Rebel maybe adding that little touch to some Macro work. For that reason I have been thinking of using one for my second body instead of a 30D.

I'm just glad we have an option coming in the XSi and from the menu features it sounds like beside (H) 3200 ISO the Rebel will deliver all the image quality of the 40D if without the build.

I think putting the new sensors in the Rebel is a great idea; however, this allows them to work the bugs out on the mass run cheaper consumer models. So when we do get that next great xxD model - we have very few issues related to the chip hopefully.

It might also help Canon reduce costs by putting a well established chip in the prosumer body down the line as the Rebel version may have already paid for the initial engineering and setup costs for the chip.

[danielyamseng]

If you notice, canon is conservative on incr the MP count. say if you're a canon business owner, would you invest on R& D on 20MP and put it straight ahead even though it's not cost feasible to do the R&D in the first place?

I guess they already hv something like 22mp in the pipeline but the cost of production for 10MP is cheaper and based on their previous 30D selling, they can made a decent profit within 1 1/2 year time frame.

[Overkill]

If you notice, canon is conservative on incr the MP count. say if you're a canon business owner, would you invest on R& D on 20MP and put it straight ahead even though it's not cost feasible to do the R&D in the first place?

I guess they already hv something like 22mp in the pipeline but the cost of production for 10MP is cheaper and based on their previous 30D selling, they can made a decent profit within 1 1/2 year time frame.


That is true.... But the difference between the 450D and the 40D isn't that big anymore and i think the price difference is to big!