Performance Impressions

• Aliasing, which is the cause of Moire, is always present, but Moire itself is only visible on repetitive patterns (window screens, fabrics, occasional architectural details).
• The better the lens, the worse the aliasing. A poor lens acts as its own anti-aliasing filter.
• The Nikon D70 has a weaker anti-aliasing filter than its big brother, the D100. The Rebel XT has the same relationship with the EOS-20D. Neither Nikon nor Canon has explained this. My guess: lower manufacturing cost.
• The above image was shot as a JPEG. Off-camera RAW converters may be able to do a better job of suppressing Moire. It's possible that Moire may not be as much of a problem when shooting RAW.

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Speed

Largely questioned for its speed, Canon responded to critics by equipping the Rebel XT with a DIGIC II processor. The improved processor significantly increases shooting speeds and internal controls, while minimizing processing time. The Rebel XT now performs at a rate parallel to other digital SLRs. Shooting at 3 frames per second, the XT will continue in its burst for up to 14 sequential images (best quality JPEG), up from the original Rebel’s 2½ fps rate for only 4 consecutive images.

The XT’s shutter lag has also been reduced to just 100 milliseconds (equivalent to the lag on the EOS-10D), along with providing a near instantaneous boot-up. The 0.2 second start-up speed can be a real asset if an opportunity suddenly presents itself. A necessary response to the original Rebel’s ascribed "point-and-shoot-like speeds," the XT’s faster configuration will provide a big improvement over the near 3 second turn-on time of the original Rebel.

 

The XT is also compliant with USB 2.0, enabling high speed output from the camera to an external source. The Rebel XT will now be able to fully maximize the potential of high speed cards currently available.

Physical Tour

**Front
**As a single lens reflex camera, the front of the Rebel XT will look different depending on what lens is affixed. The lenses are applied to the EF-S lens mount, which is approximately centered in the frame. When viewing the camera from straight on, the right-hand grip protrudes from the left side of the frame. The bottom three-fourths of it is covered in a muted rubber grip. The top quarter is a light brushed silver color and slants toward the top. At the tip of the slanted portion is the circular shutter release button, with a jog dial sticking out of the camera body just above it to render quick alterations to exposure

settings.

In the valley between the right-hand grip and the lens mount is an illuminator to reduce red-eye, placed level with the top of the rubber gripping surface. To the right of the lens is the large black lens release button. Below this button is a small panel with the Digital Rebel XT logo. Above the button is the EOS logo. Directly above the lens is a pop-up flash with the Canon logo visible when the flash is both open and closed. When the rectangular flash pops out of the body, it is supported by two legs, each attaching at opposite sides of the Canon logo and supported by several moving parts. Above and behind the Canon logo is the hot accessory shoe for optional flash attachments.
**

Back**

The back of the camera body is a brushed silver color except for the black tint of the LCD screen and the black rubber eyepiece that surrounds the optical viewfinder. The viewfinder, which has a diopter adjustment on its top right corner, sits slightly to the left of the Rebel’s middle. Below it is a raised panel with several buttons on both sides of the LCD screen, which rests in the center of this panel. The black border of the LCD screen extends around the top of a separate metering display, which indicates shutter speed, aperture, white balance setting, and other shooting settings being utilized. Below the metering display is the LCD screen and further below is a white lettered Canon logo.

To the left of the LCD screen are five oval-shaped buttons that stick out of the ergonomically pleasing rounded and raised panel. From top to bottom, these buttons are the Menu, Info, Jump, Playback and Delete functions.

To the right of the LCD screen is a collection of mismatched buttons, which are all still unified by the raised panel. In the top right are two circular buttons; the exposure compensation is controlled with the top button and the bottom button enables the burst mode and self-timer. Below these buttons is an oval-shaped button with a graphic of a sun on it and a printing icon next to it. This button also has an LED light on it that lights up when files are being printed or transferred. Below this button and extending the panel toward the right is the four-way navigational dial, which is made up of five separate buttons. Each button on the outside of the circular shaped dial has an arrow on it and a graphic or letters next to it. The "Set" button is used to select menu options. The outer buttons can be used to scroll through menu options or select individual features. The top button can select ISO settings; the right button selects auto focus settings; the bottom button selects white balance options; the left button chooses the metering option. At the very bottom right of the LCD screen is a wide LED light that indicates when a CompactFlash card is in the Rebel XT. In the top right corner of the camera is a slightly slanted surface for easy thumb gripping. On this surface, there are two circular buttons next to each other. On the left is the auto focus lock button that also zooms out in playback mode, and also creates a thumbnail view. The button on the right zooms close in playback mode and is also used as an auto focus point selector.

Left Side

The left side has a black panel running up the center of the brushed silver body. On the rear side of the panel is a rubber port door to the A/V out and USB jacks. There is an indentation where a thumb can easily pry the door open. At the top of the black panel is a wide loop for the neck strap. Located just below the flash is the overriding flash pop-up button. Below the protrusion where the lens release button resides is a black circular depth of field preview button, visible on the left side.

 

Right Side

The right side of the Canon Rebel XT has a black rubber gripping surface on the front portion. The rear of the right side has a plastic door that opens to the CompactFlash card slot. At the top of the right side is a wide loop for a neck strap.

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Top

On each side of the top, a neck strap loop is visible. Slightly to the left side is the pop-up flash, with the hot shoe for accessories in its center. Directly to the right of the flash is the mode dial, complete with icons and letters representing shooting modes. An LED light sits to the left to indicate which mode is currently in use. The power switch surrounds the right side of the dial and is clearly labeled with "On" at the top and "Off" at the bottom. Above the power switch, the right-hand grip extends up to a point, with the shutter release button at the tip. Below the button is a jog dial with notched edges for easy turning and a divot around it for easy pressing. These top two features are visible from both the front and the top.

Components

Viewfinder

While the Rebel XT’s compact casing has been compressed, Canon has not significantly minimized the size of the viewfinder. The pentamirror viewfinder displays 95 percent frame coverage with a 0.8x magnified perspective across a fixed laser matte screen. All crucial exposure and focal information, as well as memory options, can be displayed within the viewfinder. The eyepiece is surprisingly large for such a condensed body. For a digital SLR, a comfortable viewfinder is a necessity; users pressed to an awkward eyepiece for prolonged periods of time will quickly become resentful of the camera and should be cognizant of this when shopping for a digital SLR.

A -3.0 to +1.0 dioptric adjustment mechanism is applied to the outside of the viewfinder, allowing users to synchronize the camera’s focus to their personal vision. Since all shooting and composing will be done with an eye in the viewfinder, shooting information must be visible. Within the viewfinder window, users can perceive information regarding the following:

-Aperture and Shutter Speed settings

-Exposure level display and Exposure compensation

-Burst and continuous shooting

-Focus confirmation (AF/MF)

-AF points, AE lock

-AEB settings

-Flash status and settings, Flash exposure compensation

-High-speed Sync

-CF card status

-Data processing indicator

**

LCD Screen**

The back of the Rebel XT houses a 1.8" TFT color LCD monitor composed of 115,000 displayed pixels. The screen offers an approximated 100 percent frame coverage with five adjustable brightness levels (accessed within the menu, by selecting "LCD brightness"). With the much-anticipated success and demand for the Rebel XT, Canon has included 14 selectable languages; English, German, French, Dutch, Danish, Italian, Finnish, Norwegian, Swedish, Spanish, Simplified/Traditional Chinese, Korean, Russian, and Japanese are all recognized by the Rebel XT.

Flash

The Rebel XT contains a fixed pop-up retractable flash unit that utilizes the E-TTL II auto flash system (launched in the EOS-20D and Mark II series cameras). The stock flash provides coverage correlating to roughly a 17mm focal length (27mm equivalency in 35mm format). There are four selectable modes: Auto, Manual On/Off, and Red-Eye Reduction. The flash takes roughly 3 seconds to recycle.

For the more engaged photographer, there are eight customizable flash metering modes as well as a flash compensation function to enable users to control the intensity of the lighting. When further illumination or atmospheric overtones are sought, engaged users can apply EOS external Speedlites and accessory flash units using the camera’s hot shoe.

**

Zoom Lens**

Trying to decide whether to purchase the kit lens or not? The EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens, which adds $100 to the cost of the Rebel XT, is a remarkable value. In a word, it's sharp. But some buyers may want to consider purchasing the body alone because other lenses offer even greater capability. Independent manufacturers are starting to introduce lightweight but sharp lenses that cover the Rebel XT's sensor size. I have a friend who raves about Sigma's new 18-125mm f/3.5-5.6 DC lens. I may give it a try; my neck gets sore from carrying the Canon 25-70 f/2.8L. Sigma also has an 18-50mm f/3.8 EX DC (large aperture) lens and a 30mm f/1.4 EX DC (really large aperture) lens. Tamron has also announced an 18-200mm f/3.6-6.3 lens that has drawn significant interest, though lenses with such extreme zoom ranges usually involve

some quality compromise; yet they're getting better. I look forward to testing some of them with Imatest. Without question, the array of compatible, independent lenses along with full Canon EF and EF-S lens accessibility significantly adds to the appeal of the XT and makes the camera an extremely attractive sub-$1,000 option.

The focus speed on the 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 EF-S version II kit lens (which is not a super speedy USM lens) is surprisingly good, better than I expected. It seems to be almost as fast as an actual USM lens. The XT kit is virtually identical to the lens included with the original Digital Rebel, other than a minor exterior alteration to the focus ring. The rubber support grooves on the zoom ring have been placed a bit closer together for added texture and enhanced grip.

Design / Layout

**Model Design / Appearance
**The Rebel XT looks like a slightly shrunken regular SLR. At 4.98 x 3.71 x 2.63 inches (48.6 in³) and 17.1 oz, it's significantly smaller and lighter than the original Rebel and most digital SLRs on the market;

it's almost small enough to be mistaken for a compact. The Rebel XT appears miniature when contrasted with the 5.7 x 4.2 x 2.9 inch (69.4 in³), 24.3 oz EOS-20D and the Nikon D70, which spans 5.5 x 4.4 x 3.1 inches (75.02 in³) and weighs 21 oz. Although the XT is crafted to be lightweight and easily transportable, the camera retains an SLR feel. Some users with exceptionally large hands may find the camera a little small for comfort, though this can be rectified by adding the BG-E3 battery grip, which offers extended battery life as well as added stability and substance.

The Rebel XT is shaped into a condensed SLR form that will come across as delicate or frail to some users accustomed to dense SLRs. Shipping in both black and silver casings, the polycarbonate chassis includes some stainless steel elements but remains largely a plastic composite. While I certainly wouldn't call it a 'professional' feel, I wouldn't call it "cheap" either.

Size / Portability

While some question the durability and feel of the Rebel XT, portability is an area where the camera shines. Measuring 4.98 x 3.71 x 2.63 inches and weighing just 17.1 oz, the Rebel XT is ideal for the traveling user or vacationing enthusiast. 15% smaller and 10% lighter than its predecessor, the XT is designed to provide prosumer imagery in a portable package, setting a new standard for mobility within the compact SLR ranks. The camera’s versatility is expressed with added surface area and substance provided by the additional battery grip. The compact "base with additional parts" design philosophy used by Canon seems ideal for the frontrunner in the expanding consumer SLR genre.

Original EOS-300D Digital Rebel - EOS-350D *Digital Rebel XT*

Handling Ability

For control and handling, more casual users will appreciate the camera’s lightweight feel, condensed form, and comfortable grip, although SLR traditionalists and professional photographers accustomed to shooting with a 20D or 1Ds Mark II will certainly feel a bit of a void. Other than the Pentax *istDS, the Rebel XT seems to be the only DSLR on the market that can be controlled with a single hand (though obviously not recommended, the potential is always welcome). The minimized shape and sloping curves of the XT’s body are comfortably sculpted, producing an organic form that is easily manageable by any level user and effortless to control. With the application of additional manual features and an approachable, simplified interface, users can shoot "right out of the box" or grow into the full extent of control.

**

Menu****
**All menu settings are visible on the 1.8-inch LCD panel on the rear of the camera. Buttons for activating them are logically organized. Despite my experience with the very different EOS-20D, I was able to quickly discern their proper functions. The major difference in the XT from the EOS-20D is that there is no LCD panel on the top of the camera body. Settings that are in the top panel in the EOS-20D are in the top display of the XT, just above the

main LCD screen on the back of the camera. I find this to be a significant advantage. When I'm working with the camera, especially when it's on a tripod, it's the back I see. I often have to angle the camera to view the top. No such problem with the Rebel XT. I could live with that - very happily. Contents of the menu are categorized into 5 generalized sections: 2 shooting divisions, 2 setup groupings and a playback subsection.

Ease of Use

Although much of the transformation in the Canon Rebel XT has been applied to enhance performance, Canon has made the decision to keep the model grounded in consumer accessibility. Initially designed as a virtual "point-and-shoot SLR," a majority of the EOS Digital Rebel’s original configuration was centered on automatic assistance and an intuitive interface. With the popularity and success of the original Rebel, it makes sense for Canon to continue to appeal to that group of users. Fortunately, additional user control has been incorporated to broaden the camera’s appeal without sacrificing the Rebel‘s simplistic interface and "casual consumer" audience. In the XT, Canon has successfully fused two traditionally disparate elements, blending ease of use with manual control. The result is a truly versatile, introductory DSLR that can help users grow and develop photographically.

Modes

Auto Mode

Although the revised Rebel is designed for added control and advanced manual features, Canon has rightly kept its roots in user accessibility. With a continued appeal to the Rebel’s "core consumer audience," the XT contains a full Auto mode, Program AE, Aperture and Shutter Priority modes, as well as five image presets. The mode selection available grants XT users the opportunity to dictate the degree of involvement or assistance they desire. All added manual controls and settings modified on the XT have corresponding automatic settings to handle the responsibility when the user defers.

In the time I spent with the camera, I found the XT’s automatic focus to be extremely responsive and reliable, even when camera-to-subject distance was shortened. Ample automatic settings are offered for metering and white balance, although the auto ISO range is significantly truncated from the 100-1600 manual range offered, down to a typical 100-400 point-and-shoot sensitivity. All in all, the XT offers a balance between user control and intuitive interface. Automatically inclined users may benefit from the original Rebel with a reduced price of $799 with the kit lens, though the XT is certainly worth the extra investment.

Movie Mode

As with all digital single lens reflex cameras, the unfortunate tradeoff for improved image quality, speed, and lens interchangeability is the lack of a movie mode. While more impressive still image capabilities lie within, video and audio can not be recorded with the Rebel XT.

**Drive / Burst Mode
**Prosumer users snubbed the original Digital Rebel not only for the near suffocating lack of manual control, but also for its point-and-shoot recording speeds. To offer a more viable option for serious shooters, Canon vastly improved all facets of the Rebel XT’s recording and processing speeds. The continuous recording mode on the XT is a particular area of improvement from its precursor, which recorded a mere 4 consecutive images at 2.5 frames per second in burst mode. The revised Rebel’s continuous recording can now capture subsequent images at 3 frames per second for up to 14 consecutive (Large/Fine) images before writing to the card. The XT’s 3 fps recording rate parallels its Nikon D70 rival, though the D70 still overtakes the Rebel in endurance, persisting for up to 20 images. While the two drive modes are still not quite congruent, the Rebel has gained significant ground in an area that was previously dominated by Nikon in the sub-$1000 digital SLR ranks.

Canon includes a single image capture mode as well as a 10 second self-timer under the general drive settings.

Playback Mode

There is an expansive set of Playback options available on the Rebel XT. With four selectable viewing formats, users can perceive their recorded images as a Single image, 9-image thumbnail Index; Magnified view (zoom); Auto Play or instant Auto Play (following capture). Like all digital cameras, users can protect valuable images and discard extraneous frames. An Erase All feature is included when time conservation is critical. There is also a helpful Highlight Alert feature included that will outline blown-out portions of the frame. The selected region will blink, drawing the user’s attention to the overexposed areas. All previously recorded images are viewable on the Rebel XT’s 1.8" TFT color LCD screen and are accessible by selecting the Playback button (marked by the standard triangular play icon) on the back of the camera, just to the left of the screen.

Custom Image Presets

Often understated (or absent) on digital SLRs, six image presets are offered on the user-friendly Rebel XT (tagged "Programmed Image Control modes" by Canon). In a circular arrangement around the mode dial, the XT displays icons for the offered presets: Portrait, Landscape, Close-up, Sports, Night Portrait, and Flash Off. Consumers upgrading to a digital SLR from a compact or point-and-shoot model will notice a significant reduction in selection, though the selection does cover all the basics and should assist the transition.

Control Options

Manual Control Options

Manual control is a primary area of modification on the Rebel XT. Users can now select metering pattern and AF mode, alter flash and exposure compensation settings, as well as utilize 9 included custom parameters to personalize the camera to the individual user. Added tonal precision is available using a white balance correction feature, alterable in 9-tonal steps. With the emphasized manual interface, the Digital Rebel XT appears far closer to the EOS-20D in terms of performance and capabilities than to its genetic descendant. Although the camera will remain grounded in its core "casual consumer" audience, look for the Rebel XT to make a far stronger appeal to enthusiasts and an impact on the prosumer market.

 

Focus
Auto
The Rebel XT utilizes a newly crafted high-precision 7-point AF system, designed for speed and accuracy. The employed AF system offers both manual and automatic point selection, a substantial modification from the previous Rebel. The integration of manual AF selection helps illustrate Canon’s conscious shift towards photo "enthusiasts." Some prosumers shied away from the original Digital Rebel because of control restrictions and imposed automatic features that often compromised the the shot. For instance, AF selection on the preceding Rebel was rendered automatically. Designed to simplify control for beginner digital SLR users, the original Rebel was engineered to first determine whether the subject was stationary or in motion prior to locking focus. The perceivable hesitation and apparent lag prior to each recorded shot proved detrimental to the Rebel’s prosumer acceptance and alienated many potential consumers. The oversimplification may have contributed to the enormous success of the Nikon D70 and has been noted and corrected by Canon on the XT.

There are three focusing modes available to select from: One-Shot AF, Predictive AI Servo AF, and AI Focus AF, which automatically selects either One-Shot AF or AI Servo AF. Predictive AF enables users to focus on mobile subjects as they move through the composition.

An AF-assist beam is also included to apply added visibility for focusing in low light. The intermittent illuminator effectively functions within a working range of just over 13 ft. from center and 11.5 ft. along the perimeter of the field of view.
**

**Manual

Manual focus is engaged by moving the mode selection switch on the lens barrel to the "MF" position. Focus is altered by rotating the rubber focus ring surrounding the lens. The included 18-55mm EF-S series II kit lens that ships with the Rebel XT has an updated groove arrangement on the focus ring. The revised layout is meant to provide added grip and support as well as improved aesthetics.

Metering

The Rebel XT employs a "max. aperture" 35-zone SPC TTL metering system. On the XT, users can manually select the metering pattern and method used to read the scene. Evaluative metering, Partial metering (at center — approx. 9% of viewfinder) and Center-weighted average metering modes are available. The metering selection is designed to mimic a traditional 35mm, making the XT a short bridge to cross for recent film converts.

The XT’s metering range runs from 1-20 EV in "traditional" conditions, defined by Canon as: 68° F / 20° C, when shooting with a 50mm, f/1.4 lens at ISO 100.

Exposure

A hefty array of exposure controls is encased within the Rebel XT, enabling users to carefully craft the exposure. Exposure settings have been spread out over five generalized Exposure Control Systems. These include a "shiftable" Program AE, Aperture-Priority, Shutter-Priority, Automatic Depth-of-Field AE and Full Auto. There are also E-TTL II Autoflash Program AE and Manual Image Control modes.

For subtle gradations or alterations to exposure, users can opt to use the exposure compensation feature. Exposure Compensation is offered up to +/-2 stops in 1/2 or 1/3-stop increments. An Auto Exposure Bracketing system is also included to provide assistance in difficult, high-contrast lighting situations when users are unsure which tone to meter for.

When shooting in a non-Basic Zone automatic mode, an AE lock feature is activated by depressing the AE lock button.

White Balance

In marketing the second generation Rebel to more photographically educated users or engaged enthusiasts, color accuracy is far more pertinent. The majority of prosumer and professional digital photographers will concede the most frustrating challenge of digital photography is attaining proper color calibration. With digital processing taking place within the camera body, users have to rely on the camera’s white balance function to accurately replicate realistic tones. To attain color precision, Canon has included a multitude of manual and automatic controls to help users adapt to virtually any lighting situation.

For more automatically inclined Digital Rebel users, the XT stocks 6 preset white balance options to supplement the full Auto setting. Among these presets are Daylight, Shade, Cloudy/Twilight/Sunset, Tungsten light, White fluorescent light, and Flash options. While this is not quite as comprehensive as the included presets on many point-and-shoot models, engaged users can utilize the customizable Manual white balance feature to orient the camera to a selected shade of "pure white." When color difficulties still persist, a white balance correction feature has been appropriated from the professional portion of the EOS digital SLR line. The white balance correction feature is accessed through the menu setup and provides an interactive grid that users can alter in 9 steps in either the Blue-Amber or Magenta-Green directions.

**ISO
**The Rebel XT is slated for significantly improved low light capabilities. Along with the inclusion of a long exposure noise reduction feature, the Rebel XT offers a versatile manual sensitivity range, equivalent to ISO 100-1600. When using the auto ISO setting, the available ISO range is significantly abridged to a typical point-and-shoot selection of 100-400.

Several internal modifications have improved the Rebel XT’s low light performance and noise suppression. The pixel configuration on the sensor has been redesigned to maximize sensitivity and minimize distortion. The photodiode or light sensitive portion beneath each microlens has also been directly enhanced to reduce the signal amplification necessary to attain a detailed exposure. Additionally, the microlenses themselves have been enlarged, though the overall size of the pixels have been reduced. The increased lens area will attract more light to each individual pixel, minimizing the vacant space between microlenses and creating more sensitized surface to absorb information. This is a far more efficient and effective system of information gathering and should significantly improve the camera’s low light performance. Canon has also applied an on-chip Noise Reduction Circuit to the XT’s CMOS sensor for added noise protection.

The addition of the DIGIC II Processor also assists in reducing apparent noise or grain distortion by increasing the accuracy of data analysis. The DIGIC II can more accurately discern the boundaries between adjacent pixels and interpret whether the perceived variance in pixel values is attributed to detail in the image or noise. With these alterations applied to the 100-1600 ISO range available, XT users should have plenty of flexibility in difficult lighting. **

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Shutter Speed

Exposure duration on the Rebel XT is controlled by the "soft-touch" electromagnetic focal-plane shutter, alterable from 1/4000th to 30 seconds in general modes in either 1/2 or 1/3 incremental steps. The camera syncs with the flash at 1/200^th of a second. For time lapse shots and long exposures, users can hold down the shutter for an extended amount of time by setting the shutter speed to "bulb." Bulb exposures will likely be recorded using a tripod and the wired remote control. ****

Image Parameters

Picture Quality / Size Options

The Rebel XT is compliant with Exif 2.21 and Design rule for Camera File System, recording in both JPEG and RAW (CR2) formats. Images are defined by continuously numbered folders that can be automatically set or reset. JPEG images can be recorded in 3 selectable image sizes with multiple quality settings available for each aspect ratio:

• 3456 x 2304: Large-Fine (3.3 MB); Large-Normal (1.7 MB)

• 2496 x 1664: Medium-Fine (2.0 MB); Medium-Normal (1.0 MB)

• 1728 x 1152: Small-Fine (1.2 MB); Small-Normal (0.6 MB)

RAW images can be recorded at full 3456 x 2304-pixel resolution, translating to 8.3MB images.

Picture Effects Mode

For users who render image alterations during shooting, image-processing parameters are included within the XT’s menu. Waiting and applying image transformations in postproduction using external software is suggested, but users who value immediacy will enjoy the inclusion of standard image and custom processing parameters. For those hopeful enthusiasts who shoot digital black and white images, monochromatic tonality can be recorded with the XT and while I’m personally not an advocate of it, I have seen far worse attempts made by other models.

Connectivity / Extras

Connectivity
Software

The Rebel XT comes ready to connect to Windows XP or Mac OS X through PTP compatibility. Also packaged with the XT are EOS Capture, Digital Photo Professional, Zoom Browser EX, and PhotoStitch programs.

Jacks, Ports, Plugs

To complement the added processing speeds of the XT, a USB 2.0 Hi-Speed port is now included, which is capable of transferring images at roughly ten times the speed of the original Digital Rebel. A Video Out port and E3 wired remote control are also available for analogue transfers. **

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*Direct Print Options
*The Digital Rebel XT preserves the original Rebel’s reputation for consumer ease. Printing is no different with the PictBridge compliant Rebel XT. A Direct Print function is constructed into the camera’s design to simplify and expedite the printing process.

Battery

The Rebel XT uses a smaller NB-2LH battery (720 mAh capacity) than the original Rebel (or the EOS-10D and 20D). Thanks to the implementation of the DIGIC II Processor and reconfigured electronics, the XT is far more efficient, consuming 35 percent less power than the original EOS Digital Rebel. Because of this, the smaller battery on the XT retains the same image capacity per charge; this conserves physical space in the camera and enables a smaller frame to be used.

Memory

As expected, there is no internal memory contained within the Rebel XT. Recorded images can be written to both Type I and Type II CompactFlash cards as well as Microdrive media.

Other Features**
Custom Functions** - **The Rebel XT has 9 custom functions, half as many as the EOS-20D's 18, although the original Rebel did not include any. Most are obscure and won't be noticed by the majority of users. Mirror lock-up is included - an important function I'd prefer to see more accessible as a menu item. A long exposure Noise Reduction Feature is also included, set within the C. Fn-02 custom function.

**

*

Depth of Field Preview *— A depressible depth of field preview button is affixed to the front of the camera body, just to the left of the lens barrel. The DOF button enables users to view the frame with the lens stopped down prior to recording and perceive the potential planes of depth within the composition.

**

Remote Control — *The Rebel XT can be remotely controlled by the RC-1/RC-5 wireless remote controller using the camera’s RS-60E3 Terminal. This is good for long exposures *and lazy shooters!

Overall Impressions

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Value

For $999, you can’t really beat the Digital Rebel XT. The price is really where the weight and punch of the Rebel line resides. Packaged with a sharp 18-55mm EF-S Series II lens, there may not be a better buy. The impressive marketing strategy employed by Canon will keep the original EOS 300 Digital Rebel on the market, extending the accessibility of the EOS line to consumers in the sub-$1000 (USD) price range, a demographic that has traditionally been economically restricted to compact models. While this may be the bargain of the moment right now, the added resolution, speed, manual control, and minimized frame dimensions of the XT justify the extra $200 investment, if it’s available to spend. The arrival of these two cameras in their respectable price brackets should significantly alter the configuration of the consumer market and send many consumers home with a DSLR and a smile at the end of the day.

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***Comparison to Nikon D70 **
*The closest competition to the Rebel XT is the 6.1 megapixel Nikon D70, which feels more like a serious SLR camera for the simple reason that it's larger (5.5 x 4.4 x 3.1 inches) and heavier (21 oz). That doesn't mean it's more stable or rugged. It just looks and feels more serious. Both cameras can shoot continuously at 3.0 fps, but the Rebel XT's maximum burst of 14 frames is a bit short of the D70's 20 frames. The Rebel XT should be fast enough for everyone except devoted sports, action, or wildlife photographers, although the reduced size and weight will offer a more appealing package for traveling shooters. Surpassing the larger, heavier D70 in resolution and portability, the 8.0 megapixel, $999 Rebel XT is tough to pass over.

Conclusion

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Conclusion

Initially unveiled at PMA 2005, roughly a year and a half after its predecessor, the Canon Digital Rebel XT appears to be a real winner. Offering high image quality, rapid shooting and processing speeds, and the ability to apply a range of Canon and independent lenses in a compressed package, the XT should have a wide appeal. Canon seems to have corrected the majority of the flaws apparent in the Original EOS Digital Rebel, with the only remaining question concerning the feel of the body. As with the original Digital Rebel, the XT is again formed out of an extremely lightweight polycarbonate, retaining the same consumer-grade frailty that forced some to denounce it as amateur. Although meager to some, the compact frame will unquestionably be an asset to other users, as the 17.1 oz. Rebel XT, currently the lightest digital SLR on the market, offers the portability of a compact camera with the performance and lens interchangeability of a prosumer model.

The XT is backed by an 8.0 megapixel CMOS sensor along with a second generation DIGIC II Processor. The DIGIC II is responsible for the XT’s increased start-up time, shot-to-shot rate, and processing speeds. With the virtual elimination of lag time, the XT bears a far closer resemblance to the EOS 20D than the original Digital Rebel in terms of performance. Straight image quality should parallel or surpass 35mm film. Based on my experience with the EOS-20D, you should expect the XT to make razor-sharp 13 x 19 inch prints, even with the inexpensive but excellent EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens.

Offered as a kit for $999 (USD), the package should be particularly appealing to college students and first time digital SLR owners. Fusing a consumer-friendly interface with an expansive offering of user control, the only limitation I foresee is in the weak potential appeal to professional photographers. With the combination of a sharp sensor and equally sharp lens along with a weak anti-aliasing filter, there will be a problem with Moire fringing in certain situations. This obviously will not pass for a wedding or event photographer who only has one chance to get the shot; however, for the consumer and prosumer markets, the birth of the XT and $200 price reduction of the original Digital Rebel should result in a substantial upgrade for many happy consumers.

Specs

**Specs Table
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