The Canon Rebel XTi (400D) Steers Clear of the Bleeding Edge

The Canon Digital Rebel XTi (400D) is the second last inside the line of Canon digital SLR aimed at the enthusiast market segment. The successor to the Digital Rebel XT (350D) along with the original Digital Rebel (300D) camera indeed marked a turning point within the market for digital SLR.

It was launched in October 2006, exactly three years after the very first of the series (Canon Digital Rebel), with features that eluded several professional cameras. Interesting digital features including a sensor cleaning system (EOS Integrated Cleaning System), the possibility of picture styles, auto focus sensor, 9-point support, F2.8 maximum aperture along with a super bright display of 2.5 inches.

Based on the 10.1 megapixel CMOS sensor and Canon's image processing engine DIGIC II. Criticism of any camera that produces much less noise in pictures with a sensitivity of ISO400 and greater, surpassing a lot more costly cameras like the Nikon D80. This camera has some complaints from consumers with larger hands since of tiny control buttons and dials. Other competitors include the Nikon D40x, the Sony Alpha 100 and Pentax K10D.

Although it's a product for the amateur photographer, it doesn't offer all of the features of the Canon EOS 30D or the Nikon D200. Its picture high quality falls just short of those cameras. Obviously its top shutter speed of 1/4000s and burst of speed of three frames per second (fps) doesn't match the specifications of the professional cameras but meet the needs of most advanced amateur photographers (prosumers).

The camera is surely modest, which may be a difficulty for some, especially if your hands are large or have large lenses, so I would suggest the battery grip (Canon BG-E3 Battery Grip) which also supply place for a second battery. Balancing the camera with the larger grip and adding a far more accessible shutter button when shooting pictures vertically.

The screen deserves a separate chapter thanks to significant improvements over previous models (Digital Rebel and Digital Rebel XT). It now offers a wide viewing angle of 160 degrees and is bright enough to have the ability to view pictures taken in direct sunlight. It's a pity that the little LCD of previous models and won't have the ability to compose the picture across the screen as it permits some reflex digital technology with LiveView.

After utilizing LCD screens from point-and-shoot, I need to admit that a lot more than once it bothers me to need to use a viewfinder. It's also a wonderful surprise to prosumers that a camera in this price range forces you to use the optical viewfinder when framing your pictures. The newer Rebel Xsi, does away with this restriction.

Other reviews I've read, made negative comments about the battery life (Canon NB-2LH Rechargeable Battery) that comes with the camera (720 mAh). Especially, when the competition offers batteries around 1500 mAh. An additional great reason, to opt for the extra battery grip (Canon BG-E3 Battery Grip).

To find out more about this topic, visit Canon Rebel XTI Digital Camera