The Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT brings a nice combination of affordability, performance, and power for intermediate to experienced digital camera users. A nearly $900 price tag, along with the need for some potentially pricey add-ons--such as extra lenses, an external flash, and a memory card--will drive some customers away, but the Digital Rebel XT still offers a lot of value for the price. (The Canon EOS 350D is the same model.)

The Digital Rebel XT fits into what's often called the "prosumer" category, placing it at the low end of professional-level digital cameras and at the upper end of consumer-level models. Its 8.0-megapixel resolution yields extremely sharp and vibrant photos, with high-end prints up to 20x25 inches.

Although those who are more familiar with the ultra-thin models might not believe it, the Digital Rebel XT is one of the smaller and lighter digital cameras around--at least for prosumer models. The Digital Rebel XT has the feel of a 35mm film camera.

Not surprisingly, the Digital Rebel XT offers many manual-control features. The camera includes a small LCD for setting the modes (shutter speed, aperture, white balance, flash exposure, and others), which is handy. The small LCD also can be brightened to be viewable in low light (with 5 levels of brightness control).

One disappointment in the Digital Rebel XT is its 1.8-inch LCD for viewing the images. It's not quite as large or as sharp as we'd like to see, and it doesn't have the brightness adjustments we'd like to see.

We liked the fact that this model includes an optical viewfinder that works equally well with a variety of lenses. The viewfinder also makes manual focusing extremely easy, offering a clear, bright view of the subject.

You'll appreciate the Digital Rebel XT's autofocus mechanism, which quickly finds the subject of the photo, even when its off-center or in low light.

The Digital Rebel XT's response times are outstanding, thanks in large part to its use of a high-end Canon image processor. The Digital Rebel XT is ready to shoot its first photo almost immediately after you press the power button (0.2 second start up time). Shutter lag also is not noticeable; Canon measures the camera's shutter lag in milliseconds. The Digital Rebel XT's continuous-shot mode is extremely impressive, allowing three frames per second for 5 seconds at the highest resolution.


Pro: Outstanding response times, many manual-control features, high-end resolution, good value for prosumer model
Con: Add-ons can be pricey, LCD could be larger and sharper

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Canon USA Inc.
One Canon Plaza
Lake Success, N.Y., 11042
http://www.usa.canon.com
800-OK-CANON

Warranty
1 year