Canon (finally) announced the EOS 40D and rumors of a ship date in early September are all over the Net. Amazon says the release date is Sept 20. Pricing should be in the $1299 range for the body and it appears they’re bundling the 40D with a 28-135 IS lens for around $1600.

The EOS 40D sports a 10 MP sensor, a Digic III processor, 6.5 frames per second shooting, a new 9 point AF system, Live View 3 inch LCD and a quieter mirror system. It incorporates Canon’s sensor Cleaning System like many of the other newer models from Canon.

The Live LCD thing on an SLR is just wrong. I completely understand that in certain shooting situations it can be useful; macro or studio settings perhaps. However, we all know there’s that group of folks who will use it just like their P&S camera and then complain that their photos are blurry (camera shake, duh!). Nikon, if you’re listening, please don’t EVER put a Live LCD on a digital SLR!!

You can find the ESO 40D listed on Amazon and other places. Personally, I’d like to see the version that was circulated around the web many months ago. Check out the fake 40D here.