40D is the new bench mark in the industry for DSLR's under 3k...
Ive had the chance to play with the camera quite a lot of the past 3 days and love it.
Battery life has been improved also from 750 shots in the 30D to 1100+ shots in the 40D all due to the Digic III processor.
Life view on a 3" screen makes perfect sence now, it very usefull when using a tripod. It now separates the photographer from the camera and allows for more interaction with the subject matter. The weather proof seals are great, its battle zone ready, paired with L series lenses and a 580exII and your set to go.
The 6.5fps sounds good but its not great until you realise it can do that in RAW and for up to 75 frames straight.
Its gonna come as a body only and also in a 17-85mm IS kit... Stock hits the shelves late next week...
PS. The battery grip has been updated also, its now called a BGE2n (Its the same as a BGE2 just now with weather proof seals.)
In short, this camera is gonna sell like hot cakes, it took all the shine of Nikons D3 and D300 launch yesterday afternoon cause all everyone could talk about it how good the canon is in terms of value for money. The Nikons will be over the $3500 mark anyway, and as neither of the Nikons are full frame sensors they wont get much traction in the market with the EOS 5D in place as it has that price point wrapped up nicelly.
Boy its gonna be a busy week this week.