We Rate It |
| Camera: EOS Digital Rebel
XT |
| Category: AF Digital SLR |
| Autofocus Perfomance |
4 |
| Metering Performance |
5 |
| Feature Set |
5 |
| Ease Of Use |
5 |
| Ergonomics |
5 |
| Value |
5 |
4.8 Overall |
Canon’s original EOS Digital Rebel was the first digital SLR to sell
for under $1000. Now it has a “big brother,” the Digital Rebel XT,
with more megapixels, better performance and more features, but still priced
under $1000—including an 18–55mm zoom lens. (The original Digital
Rebel is still available for $799 with the same lens.)
The new XT produces 8.0-megapixel images, compared to the original Digital Rebel’s
6.3, with the same 1.6x crop factor (that 18–55mm zoom lens used on either
Digital Rebel frames like a 29–88mm lens on a 35mm SLR because the image
sensor is smaller than a full 35mm film frame). The XT can record images in
JPEG (at three resolutions and compression levels) or raw format, or JPEG +
raw simultaneously, but not in TIFF format.
The new XT will accept all Canon EF-mount lenses, including the digital-only
EF-S lenses that can’t be used with EOS film cameras or pro digital SLRs
with full-size sensors. This gives the XT user a tremendous selection of optics—more
than 50 lenses, with focal lengths from 10-600mm. A handy built-in pop-up flash
unit (ISO 100 guide number 13/43 in meters/feet) provides E-TTL II autoflash,
which utilizes a pre-flash and distance data from the AF system to provide very
accurate flash exposures. Dedicated EX-series Canon Speedlites can be mounted
on the hot shoe atop the finder, or used wirelessly off-camera, with E-TTL II
flash control.
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With tiny size and excellent capabilities, the XT/18–55mm
zoom package is a terrific hiking companion. ISO 800, 1/100
at f/5.6, 18mm, handheld.
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Small But Comfortable
When I first picked up the XT I thought it was too small—it and the similar-sized
Pentax *ist DS are the smallest digital SLRs by a goodly margin. But the little
camera grew on me, and I soon felt quite comfortable with it, able to hold it
steadily and operate all the controls, and even change CompactFlash cards while
wearing gloves on cold mornings. All of my shooting was handheld, mostly with
my 300mm lens, yet I got almost the same percentage of sharp images as I do
with my EOS 20D. I often shot at ISO 800 and even 1600, and image quality at
those high settings was surprisingly good—I wouldn’t hesitate to
use them when shooting conditions require.
Image quality at ISO 100, 200 and 400 is excellent. I shot mostly in Large/Fine
mode (highest-quality JPEGs), but raw image quality is better, especially at
the higher ISO settings. I really appreciate the XT’s quick start up time—the
same 0.2 seconds as my 20D, and 10x faster than the original Digital Rebel.
The quick start up, quick autofocusing and 3-frames per second shooting rate
for up to 14 shots are due in part to the XT’s excellent image processor.
Easy Operation
Operation is quick and easy. Exposure modes are set directly by rotating the
mode dial to the desired icon. Frequently changed camera settings (ISO, Autofocus
mode, White Balance, Metering mode) are easily adjusted by pressing the appropriate
button, then rotating the main dial until the desired setting appears on the
LCD monitor. You can choose among seven AF points by pressing the AF-point button
and rotating the main dial until the desired point lights in the viewfinder.
You can toggle between the center AF point and all AF points by pressing the
set button.
The 35-segment evaluative metering is excellent. I did dial in –0.3 stop
of exposure compensation when shooting light subjects in bright sun (as I do
with most digital cameras), but otherwise I just let the camera do its thing.
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I’ve always found it tough to hold tiny cameras steady with
long focal lengths, but quickly adapted to the XT. ISO 800, 1/125
at f/4.0, 300mm IS lens, handheld.
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The XT’s AF system acquired birds in flight more quickly than my 20D,
but didn’t track them for prolonged periods as well. That’s not
to say the XT didn't do a good job; I bought the 20D expressly for its excellent
performance tracking birds in flight. The 20D also autofocuses better in dim
light than the XT, but the 20D is better than most DSLRs at low-light autofocusing.
In short, I wouldn’t have shot over 3000 photos with our XT test camera
if it hadn’t performed well.
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