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Nikon D80 vs Canon 40D

The Nikon D80 and the Canon EOS 40D are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in August 2006 and August 2007. Both are DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras that are equipped with an APS-C sensor. The Nikon has a resolution of 10 megapixels, whereas the Canon provides 10.1 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications
Nikon D80
versus
Canon 40D
Nikon D80   Canon 40D
Digital single lens reflex Digital single lens reflex
Nikon F mount lenses Canon EF mount lenses
10 MP – APS-C sensor 10.1 MP – APS-C sensor
no Video no Video
ISO 100-1,600 (100 - 3,200) ISO 100-1,600 (100 - 3,200)
Optical viewfinder Optical viewfinder
2.5" LCD – 230k dots 3.0" LCD – 230k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive) Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
3 shutter flaps per second 6.5 shutter flaps per second
600 shots per battery charge750 shots per battery charge
132 x 103 x 77 mm, 668 g 146 x 108 x 74 mm, 822 g
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Nikon D80 and the Canon EOS 40D? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

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Body comparison

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Nikon D80 and the Canon 40D is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Size Nikon D80 vs Canon 40D
Compare D80 versus 40D top
Comparison D80 or 40D rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Canon 40D is notably larger (16 percent) than the Nikon D80. Moreover, the 40D is markedly heavier (23 percent) than the D80. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the D80 nor the 40D are weather-sealed.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. Yet, since both cameras are based around an APS-C sensor, their respective lenses will tend to have similar dimensions and heft. You can compare the optics available for the two cameras in the Nikon Lens Catalog (D80) and the Canon EF Lens Catalog (40D).

Concerning battery life, the D80 gets 600 shots out of its Nikon EN-EL3e battery, while the 40D can take 750 images on a single charge of its Canon BP-511A power pack.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, you can use the CAM-parator app to select your camera combination among a large number of options.

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Body Specifications
# image Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Nikon D80 132 mm 103 mm 77 mm 668 g 600 n Aug 2006 999ebay.com
2.
 
Canon 40D 146 mm 108 mm 74 mm 822 g 750 n Aug 2007 1,299ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 60D 145 mm 106 mm 79 mm 755 g 1100 Y Aug 2010 1,399ebay.com
4.
 
Canon 50D 146 mm 108 mm 74 mm 822 g 800 Y Aug 2008 1,299ebay.com
5.
 
Canon 30D 144 mm 106 mm 74 mm 785 g 750 n Feb 2006 1,399ebay.com
6.
 
Canon 20D 144 mm 106 mm 72 mm 770 g 700 n Aug 2004 1,499ebay.com
7.
 
Canon 10D 150 mm 107 mm 75 mm 850 g 500 n Feb 2003 1,999ebay.com
8.
 
Nikon D3000 126 mm 97 mm 64 mm 536 g 500 n Jul 2009 599ebay.com
9.
 
Nikon D5000 127 mm 104 mm 80 mm 590 g 510 n Apr 2009 749ebay.com
10.
 
Nikon D60 126 mm 94 mm 64 mm 522 g 500 n Jan 2008 629ebay.com
11.
 
Nikon D90 132 mm 103 mm 77 mm 703 g 850 n Aug 2008 1,299ebay.com
12.
 
Nikon D40X 124 mm 94 mm 64 mm 522 g 520 n Mar 2007 729ebay.com
13.
 
Nikon D300 147 mm 114 mm 74 mm 925 g 1000 Y Aug 2007 1,799ebay.com
14.
 
Nikon D2Xs 158 mm 150 mm 86 mm 1252 g 3800 Y Jun 2006 4,699ebay.com
15.
 
Nikon D50 133 mm 102 mm 76 mm 620 g 400 n Apr 2005 749ebay.com
16.
 
Nikon D70s 140 mm 111 mm 78 mm 679 g 500 n Apr 2005 899ebay.com
17.
 
Nikon D70 140 mm 111 mm 78 mm 679 g 400 n Jan 2004 999ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The D80 was launched at a somewhat lower price (by 23 percent) than the 40D, which makes it more attractive for photographers on a tight budget. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.

Sensor comparison

The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Both cameras under consideration feature an APS-C sensor, but their sensors differ slightly in size. The sensor area in the 40D is 11 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have format factors, respectively, of 1.5 (D80) and 1.6. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Nikon D80 and Canon 40D sensor measures

Despite having a smaller sensor, the 40D offers a slightly higher resolution of 10.1 megapixels, compared with 10 MP of the D80. This megapixels advantage comes at the cost of a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 5.73μm versus 6.11μm for the D80). However, it should be noted that the 40D is a somewhat more recent model (by 1 year) than the D80, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time that partly offset its pixel-size disadvantage.

The Nikon D80 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 1600, which can be extended to ISO 100-3200. The Canon EOS 40D offers exactly the same ISO settings.

In terms of underlying technology, the D80 is build around a CCD sensor, while the 40D uses a CMOS imager. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

D80 versus 40D MP

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. The Overall DXO ratings for the two cameras under consideration are close, suggesting that they provide similar imaging performance. The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

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Sensor Characteristics
# image Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Nikon D80 APS-C 10.0 3872 2592none22.111.252461
2.
 
Canon 40D APS-C 10.1 3888 2592none22.111.370364
3.
 
Canon 60D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p22.211.581366
4.
 
Canon 50D APS-C 15.1 4752 3168none21.811.469663
5.
 
Canon 30D APS-C 8.2 3504 2336none21.510.873659
6.
 
Canon 20D APS-C 8.2 3504 2336none21.911.072162
7.
 
Canon 10D APS-C 6.3 3072 2048none21.110.957157
8.
 
Nikon D3000 APS-C 10.0 3872 2592none22.311.156362
9.
 
Nikon D5000 APS-C 12.2 4288 2848720/24p22.712.586872
10.
 
Nikon D60 APS-C 10.0 3872 2592none22.511.456265
11.
 
Nikon D90 APS-C 12.2 4288 2848720/24p22.712.597773
12.
 
Nikon D40X APS-C 10.0 3872 2592none22.411.451663
13.
 
Nikon D300 APS-C 12.2 4288 2848none22.112.067967
14.
 
Nikon D2Xs APS-C 12.2 4288 2848none22.210.948959
15.
 
Nikon D50 APS-C 6.0 3008 2000none20.910.856055
16.
 
Nikon D70s APS-C 6.0 3008 2000none20.410.352950
17.
 
Nikon D70 APS-C 6.0 3008 2000none20.410.352950
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The 40D offers Live View, so that it can project the live image that the sensor receives onto the rear screen for framing. The D80 lacks this capability. Both cameras are still-image focused and cannot record videos.
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Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The D80 and the 40D are similar in the sense that both have an optical viewfinder. The latter is useful for getting a clear image for framing even in brightly lit environments. The viewfinders of both cameras offer the same field of view (95%), but the viewfinder of the D80 has a higher magnification than the one of the 40D (0.62x vs 0.59x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Nikon D80 and Canon 40D along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

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Core Features
# image Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Nikon D80optical n2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
2.
 
Canon 40Doptical Y3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/8000s 6.5/s Y n
3.
 
Canon 60Doptical Y3.0 / 1040 swivel n 1/8000s 5.3/s Y n
4.
 
Canon 50Doptical Y3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/8000s 6.3/s Y n
5.
 
Canon 30Doptical Y2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/8000s 5.0/s Y n
6.
 
Canon 20Doptical Y1.8 / 118 fixed n 1/8000s 5.0/s Y n
7.
 
Canon 10Doptical Y1.8 / 118 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
8.
 
Nikon D3000optical n3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
9.
 
Nikon D5000optical n2.7 / 230 full-flex n 1/4000s 4.0/s Y n
10.
 
Nikon D60optical n2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
11.
 
Nikon D90optical Y3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 4.5/s Y n
12.
 
Nikon D40Xoptical n2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
13.
 
Nikon D300optical Y3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/8000s 6.0/s Y n
14.
 
Nikon D2Xsoptical Y2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/8000s 5.0/s n n
15.
 
Nikon D50optical n2.0 / 130 fixed n 1/4000s 2.5/s Y n
16.
 
Nikon D70soptical n2.0 / 130 fixed n 1/8000s 3.0/s Y n
17.
 
Nikon D70optical n1.8 / 130 fixed n 1/8000s 3.0/s Y n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
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One feature that is present on the 40D, but is missing on the D80 is a top-level LCD. While being, of course, smaller than the rear screen, the control panel conveys some of the essential shooting information and can be convenient for quick and easy settings verification.

The D80 writes its imaging data to SDHC cards, while the 40D uses Compact Flash cards.

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Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Nikon D80 and Canon EOS 40D and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
# image Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Nikon D80Y- / ----2.0---
2.
 
Canon 40DY- / ----2.0---
3.
 
Canon 60DYmono / monoY-mini2.0---
4.
 
Canon 50DY- / ---mini2.0---
5.
 
Canon 30DY- / ----2.0---
6.
 
Canon 20DY- / ----1.1---
7.
 
Canon 10DY- / ----1.1---
8.
 
Nikon D3000Y- / ----2.0---
9.
 
Nikon D5000Ymono / mono--mini2.0---
10.
 
Nikon D60Y- / ----2.0---
11.
 
Nikon D90Ymono / mono--mini2.0---
12.
 
Nikon D40XY- / ----2.0---
13.
 
Nikon D300Y- / ---mini2.0---
14.
 
Nikon D2XsY- / ----2.0---
15.
 
Nikon D50Y- / ----2.0---
16.
 
Nikon D70sY- / ----2.0---
17.
 
Nikon D70Y- / ----1.0---
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Studio photographers will appreciate that the Canon 40D (unlike the D80) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.

Both the D80 and the 40D have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The D80 was replaced by the Nikon D90, while the 40D was followed by the Canon 50D. Further information on the features and operation of the D80 and 40D can be found, respectively, in the Nikon D80 Manual (free pdf) or the online Canon 40D Manual.

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Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Is the Nikon D80 better than the Canon 40D or vice versa? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

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Arguments in favor of the Nikon D80:

  • Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.62x vs 0.59x).
  • More compact: Is smaller (132x103mm vs 146x108mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
  • Less heavy: Is lighter (by 154g or 19 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
  • More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced segment (23 percent cheaper at launch).
  • More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in August 2006).

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Advantages of the Canon EOS 40D:

  • Better low-light sensitivity: Can shoot in dim conditions (0.4 stops ISO advantage).
  • Easier setting verification: Features a control panel on top to check shooting parameters.
  • Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.0" vs 2.5") for image review and settings control.
  • Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/4000s) to freeze action.
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (6.5 vs 3 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • Longer lasting: Gets more shots (750 versus 600) out of a single battery charge.
  • Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
  • More modern: Was introduced somewhat (1 year) more recently.

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the 40D emerges as the winner of the match-up (8 : 5 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding on a new camera. A professional wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

D80 05:08 40D

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Nikon D80 and the Canon 40D place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the D80 or the 40D perform in practice. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased.

Expert reviews

This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

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Expert Camera Reviews
# image  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Nikon D80..+..+ +o4.5/5 Aug 2006 999ebay.com
2.
 
Canon 40D..+ +..+ +4.5/54.5/5 Aug 2007 1,299ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 60D5/5+..79/1004/54.5/5 Aug 2010 1,399ebay.com
4.
 
Canon 50D..+ +..+ +4.5/54.5/5 Aug 2008 1,299ebay.com
5.
 
Canon 30D..+ +..+ +o.. Feb 2006 1,399ebay.com
6.
 
Canon 20D......+ +.... Aug 2004 1,499ebay.com
7.
 
Canon 10D......+ +.... Feb 2003 1,999ebay.com
8.
 
Nikon D3000..+..72/1004/54.5/5 Jul 2009 599ebay.com
9.
 
Nikon D5000..+ +..75/1004/54.5/5 Apr 2009 749ebay.com
10.
 
Nikon D60..80/100..+ +4/54.5/5 Jan 2008 629ebay.com
11.
 
Nikon D90..+ +..+ +4/54.5/5 Aug 2008 1,299ebay.com
12.
 
Nikon D40X..79/100..+ +4/54/5 Mar 2007 729ebay.com
13.
 
Nikon D300..+ +..+ +5/54.5/5 Aug 2007 1,799ebay.com
14.
 
Nikon D2Xs............ Jun 2006 4,699ebay.com
15.
 
Nikon D50..78/100..+ +4/54.5/5 Apr 2005 749ebay.com
16.
 
Nikon D70s..........5/5 Apr 2005 899ebay.com
17.
 
Nikon D70......+ +.... Jan 2004 999ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make your choice using the following search menu. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.

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    Specifications: Nikon D80 vs Canon 40D

    Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Nikon D80 Canon 40D
    Camera Type Digital single lens reflex Digital single lens reflex
    Camera Lens Nikon F mount lenses Canon EF mount lenses
    Launch Date August 2006 August 2007
    Launch Price USD 999 USD 1,299
    Sensor Specs Nikon D80 Canon 40D
    Sensor Technology CCD CMOS
    Sensor Format APS-C Sensor APS-C Sensor
    Sensor Size 23.6 x 15.8 mm 22.3 x 14.9 mm
    Sensor Area 372.88 mm2 332.27 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 28.4 mm 26.8 mm
    Crop Factor 1.5x 1.6x
    Sensor Resolution 10 Megapixels 10.1 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 3872 x 2592 pixels 3888 x 2592 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 6.11 μm 5.73 μm
    Pixel Density 2.69 MP/cm2 3.03 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability no Video no Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 1,600 ISO 100 - 1,600 ISO
    ISO Boost 100 - 3,200 ISO 100 - 3,200 ISO
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 61 64
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 22.1 22.1
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 11.2 11.3
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 524 703
    Screen Specs Nikon D80 Canon 40D
    Viewfinder Type Optical viewfinder Optical viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 95% 95%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.62x 0.59x
    Top-Level Screen no Top Display Control Panel
    LCD Framing Live View
    Rear LCD Size 2.5inch 3.0inch
    LCD Resolution 230k dots 230k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen Fixed screen
    Shooting Specs Nikon D80 Canon 40D
    Focus System Phase-detect AF Phase-detect AF
    Continuous Shooting 3 shutter flaps/s 6.5 shutter flaps/s
    Shutter Life Expectancy100 000 actuations100 000 actuations
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium SDHC cards CF cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Single card slot
    Connectivity Specs Nikon D80 Canon 40D
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    Studio Flash no PC Sync PC Sync socket
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port no HDMI no HDMI
    Wifi Support no Wifi no Wifi
    Body Specs Nikon D80 Canon 40D
    Battery Type Nikon EN-EL3e Canon BP-511A
    Battery Life (CIPA)600 shots per charge750 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 132 x 103 x 77 mm
    (5.2 x 4.1 x 3.0 in)
    146 x 108 x 74 mm
    (5.7 x 4.3 x 2.9 in)
    Camera Weight 668 g (23.6 oz) 822 g (29.0 oz)
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