Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT / 350D Digital SLRs

Price: Approximately $800 US

Canon EOS Rebel XT Studio Test Images ISO 100 Sample ISO 200 Sample >> ISO 400 Sample >> ISO 800 Sample >> ISO 1600 Sample >>

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I used the new XT and the 20D side by side on a recent two-week job, and I concluded that while the 20D is indeed faster and easier to use than the XT, the XT is a very capable camera. If you are not put off by the differences between the two control interfaces (physical and software), the slower continuous shooting speed, and the lack of weatherproofing, you may find the XT to be a suitable main camera or back-up body. Put the money saved into an EF-S lens, and you've got a camera with high price-performance value.

Compared to the 20D, the XT mainly lacks white-balance setting in specific degrees Kelvin, a PC terminal for use with external lighting, and fast continuous shooting speed. Buy the 20D if you need to regularly set your white balance at specific temperatures. At three frames per second (fps) continuous shooting, the XT is adequate, but you may miss capturing optimum compositions with things like flapping wings, sports action, and so forth. And for external strobes, a PC terminal adapter can be added via the hotshoe mount for $15.

There are other minor differences between the XT and the 20D, such as seven AF points vs. nine AF points, flash sync at 1/200th vs. 1/250th, maximum shutter speed of 1/4000th vs. 1/8000th, and so forth. I work around these smaller differences and, therefore, do not prioritize them.

Autofocus can be chosen from seven points seen in the viewfinder, but I only use the single center point. My technique is a common one: lock focus and then recompose the frame as needed. The center focus point is the most sensitive and therefore the fastest, so I never bother with the multipoint system. I also did not test the follow-focus (AI Focus) modes, so I won't comment on the potential performance of this camera in that department. Rob Galbraith's review ([url]www.robgalbraith.com[/url]) of the Canon 20D is highly favorable toward the AF system, and the XT's system is at least as new as the 20D's DIGIC II technology.

The built-in flash worked well for casual snapshots. Most of the time I preserve the natural ambient light, so when I use flash, I just mix a little in with the existing light. Thus, I set flash exposure compensation to -1 1/3 stop, and this gives me the look I desire. I did not test this with big wide-angle lenses, so if this is an issue for you, I recommend dedicated Canon flashes.

The XT shares a new lens mount with the 20D enabling the use of Canon's EF-S lenses built specifically for small digital image sensors. The EF-S lenses are a topic for other reviews, but my experience with the lenses suggests that this is a reasonable means of bringing quality wide-angle lenses back to low-end digital photography.

The Canon EOS Rebel XT next to the Canon EOS 10D

Canon EOS Rebel XT Controls
During my test, I found it simple, although admittedly distracting, to shift gears from using the 20D controls to using the XT controls. Control is where the 20D really shines in terms of ease of use. The scroll wheel on the back of the 20D is like using an iPod's scroll wheel. And, settings "stick"-they stay where you set them-without the need to "confirm" the change with an additional press of the SET button. The scroll wheel is simple, fast, and effective.
Arrow buttons on the Rebel XT (left) vs. the scroll wheel on the EOS 20D (right)

The XT replaces the wheel with arrow buttons, and the navigation uses groups of features (menus) organized by top-level tabs. This means that when you want to change a feature setting in a group different from the one you are in, you must travel through the menu you are in up to the tabs, then across the tabs, then down the menu to the item you want. This menu navigation system is similar to that found on many point-and-shoots.
The Rebel XT menu display (left) and image review with information and histogram on (right)

One reason to choose a DSLR over a point-and-shoot is that SLR cameras, by design, provide very efficient access to camera features. Ironically, the small size of the XT and its menu design make it feel a little like a point-and-shoot camera! Photographers who change settings frequently will dislike this characteristic. But, let me stress that when it comes to actually using the XT, it retains the advantages of the SLR that it is unless you have large hands and fingers.

A typical 10- to 12-hour day involved heavy use of the rear LCD to check scene composition and lighting (all lighting was generated by flashes and studio lights set up off camera, all fired via PocketWizard Plus radios and slave-syncs). Also as shoot situations changed from static interior "still-life" settings to live models and back again, I constantly changed the camera's controls for white balance, quality (RAW+JPEG and RAW), shutter drive (continuous, timer), and mirror lock-up (in custom functions). I also edited continuously during the shoot, reviewing focus and histograms and deleting clear losers as I went through the day. Finally, the client and art director looked over my shoulder at the LCD all day long, too. Despite working in this way, the remarkable batteries needed to be recharged only in the evening.

Left: Canon Rebel XT default setting outdoor color sample Right: Same image with author's adjusted color

Left: Canon EOS Rebel XT ISO 100 cropped fly closeup Right: Screenshot of the fly image crop

During my test, the white balance was frequently adjusted using automatic or the preset settings. I find the outdoor balance and electronic flash settings acceptable (but I tend to tweak in post-processing). The indoor tungsten setting can be a bit cool (too blue or pale) for my taste. And using automatic white balance (AWB) for indoor tungsten lighting can be too yellow-red, especially when there is underexposure. I prefer to tweak white balance in post-processing if the JPEG recorded at the same time appears unattractive. Occasionally I used the AWB feature based on a white card shot in the ambient light. In practice, I find this system satisfactory but not always satisfying.

Canon's image quality is among the best in the industry, so using high ISO settings is not a problem. Post-processing software like Noise Ninja from PictureCode also helps. (Keep in mind that what you see onscreen may come out smoother-in a good way-when you make prints; they are in a different medium.)

More Canon EOS Rebel XT samples. Click to see full images.

• Those who may need a quiet shutter: wedding, wildlife, documentary photographers.
• Budget, beginning, and casual photographers who want control and lens selection.
• Photographers looking for a small, lightweight camera system to use while traveling/hiking.
• Pros who don't like most point-and-shoots (me)!

Why not buy an XT?

• Physically too small for large hands.
• Menu navigation awkward, inefficient.
• Lack of weatherproofing.
• Consumer build-quality is high, but not built for rigorous use or extreme environmental conditions.
• Slow continuous shooting inadequate for sports.
• Small image sensor results in 1.6x focal length multiplier; L-series lenses slightly compromised.
• Lack of special-purpose, high-end features such as 45 AF points or flash exposure lock.

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About Laurence Chen
Laurence Chen is a freelance editorial, commercial, and wedding photographer based in Seattle, Wash. His clients have included Fortune Magazine, Sunset Magazine, and America 24/7. Visit his portfolio at www.Lchenphoto.com and buy his e-book, "Take Control of Buying a Digital Camera", at http://www.takecontrolbooks.com/buying-digicam.html.

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