Canon 40D - Latest Rumors

It looks like the latest rumors is that the Canon 40D will be release on the 23rd August 2007. So far the trend has been:
Canon 10D to the Canon 20D = 18 months
Canon 20D to the Canon 30D = 18 months
Canon 30D to the Canon 40D = 18 months = August 2007

Based on a Japanese forum and translated to English, the following specifications have appeared.

EOS-40D

12,000,000 pixel 5 scene/second 40 shot buffer -

12 megapixel, 5fps, 40 shot buffer

Iso 100 - 3200 (Hi 6400 expansion)

Digic3 dust reduction

Live view photographing

3 inch liquid crystal display

Highlight brightness priority setting loading

I'm not sure if these are true, however if you merge these figures with the leaked PDF file of the new Olympus E-P1 (page 11) some assumptions start to appear. Olympus have conducted their own internal survey and constructed their own SWOT (Strength, Weakness, Opportunities and Threat) analysis of their E-P1 against the new Canon 40D (see diagram shown below). As indicated you can extrapolate the following information.

The Canon 40D will have the following:

Larger LCD screen

so 3 inch sounds correct

Larger megapixels - so 12 megapixels sounds correct

No anti-shake mechanism

Not splash proof (ie no weather sealing)

Live preview

(but not as good as the Olympus E-P1 which has patented shadow adjustment technology as well as swivel and hyper crystal LCD screen.

Anyhow, have a look and judge for yourself.