craniac's place

So yesterday’s rumours were true.  Canon has announced the EOS 400D DSLR, to be known as the Digital Rebel XTi in North America.  They have also announced two new lenses, the EF 70-200 F/4L IS USM, an upgrade of the EF 70-200 F/4L, which adds image stabilisation to what is already a popular lens.  Even more interesting, given the popularity of the EF 50mm F/1.8 and F/1.4 lenses is the announcement of the EF 50mm F/1.2L.

It seems that someone in China slipped up long enough to let the guys at Engadget get a look at a page on the soon to be announced (tomorrow?) EOS 400D DSLR, successor to the 350D/Digital Rebel XT/Kiss N. As the page was in Chinese, the interpretation of the specifications is sketchy but it seems to have still have an APS-C (1.6× crop factor) sensor but that resolution is upped to 10.1 megapixels. Besides the resolution increase the big new feature appears to be ultrasonic dust removal, which will make it worth getting. It isn’t mentioned but I would also like to see it introduce spot metering as was done with the 30D.

So the question now is, do I start looking for falling 350D prices and pick up a bargain as an upgrade for my 300D, or do I wait a few months and jump straight to the 400D?