Rebel With A Cause

INTRODUCTION
Fed-up with the limitations of Point-and-Shoot (P&S) digital cameras, I finally decided it was time to move up to the Digital SLR world. After a great deal of research, I finally decided on the Nikon D70. The Canon 20D was too expensive and I did not like the Canon Rebel EOS 300D. When I went to a local camera store to purchase the D70, the salesperson was showing the Rebel XT, which just arrived, to a customer. After trying both the D70 and Rebel XT, and comparing features, I ended up purchasing the Canon Rebel XT.

Nikon was offering a $200 rebate on the D70 making it compatible with the $999 price tag on the Rebel XT. Both are fine cameras and you won’t go wrong with either one.

However, I decided on the Rebel XT because of
1). Price (didn’t want to wait on the rebate)
2). Size and Weight (much smaller and lighter than the Nikon D70 or Canon 20D)
3). 8 MP (I do a great deal of software cropping)
4). Many of my friends use Canon (can borrow their stuff).

The Rebel XT is an entry level digital SLR and is being ranked in that category. One reason Canon produced such an attractive price\feature camera is they know consumers are less likely to switch brands once they are invested in one brand's lenses and equipment.

COOL FEATURES
* .2 Second Startup Speed
* 3 FPS
* 3.5 Times Faster Compact Flash Write time than EOS 300D
* 8 MP CMOS Sensor
* 14 Fine-Quality JPEG Buffer
* 600 Shot Batter Life (w/o Flash)
* 100 millisecond shutter release time lag
* 50,000 Shot Shutter Life
* AE Bracketing
* AI Focus, AI Servo and One-Shot Focus Options
* Battery Lasts 600 Shots without Flash
* Black and White Mode
* DIGIC II Processor
* Dioptric Adjustment
* E-TTL II Distance Linked Flash Metering
* Evaluative, Partial and Center-Weighted Light Metering
* Flash Exposure Compensation
* High Flash Speed Sync with EX Series Speedlite
* ISO 100 -1600
* Image Quality on Par with 20D
* Many Add-On Options
* Mirror Lockup for up to 30 Seconds
* PictBridge One-Touch Direct Print Capability
* Quieter Shutter than 20D
* RAW and JPEG MODE
* Shutter Speed 1/4000 – 30 seconds in 1/2 or 1/3 increments + Bulb
* Size and Weight 4.98 x 3.71 x 2.63 inches, 17.1 Ounces
* USB 2.0
* White Balance Correction Same as 20D

UNCOOL FEATURES
* ArcSoft PhotoStudio 5.5 Software Instead of Adobe Photo Elements 2.0 like 20D
* EF-S 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6 Zoom Lens (with Lens Kit version)
* Images can be sized at only 8, 4 or 2 MP, nothing in between (like many cameras)
* No Included Compact Flash Card
* No ISO 3200
* Shutter Speed does not go up to 1/8000 like Nikon D70
* Small LCD and View Finder

FACT OR FICTION
* Auto-focus has Problems in Low-Light – I did experience a little of this, but nothing major. Turning the focus ring a little manually and letting auto-focus kick in again seems to help.

* Auto-focus Slower than 20D – Yes, but what do you expect for a $600 price difference? The auto-focus is still fast. Good lenses will help keep the auto-focus as fast as possible.

* Made of Cheap Plastic – Actually it is made of polycarbonate. This lightweight material is so heat, cold and shatter resistant, aircraft windshields are made of it. Do an internet search for polycarbonate and you’ll probably be pleasantly surprised.

* Goes Up to ISO 100 – True, it goes from 100-1600. The Nikon D70 goes from ISO 200 – 1600.

* Only Goes Down to ISO 1600 –True, but the Nikon D70 only goes to ISO 1600 also and the Canon 20D will only go to ISO 3200 by using a custom function. There are software hacks available to make the ISO 3200 setting available on the Rebel EOS 300D (Rebel XT’s predecessor), but rumor has it ISO 3200 will not be available on the Rebel XT even with a software hack. But when would you use ISO 3200? At poorly lit night games, early morning or night time nature shots, rock concerts? If you don’t photograph at dark events such as those, ISO 3200 is not needed.

* Too Small for Big Hands – My brother-in-law is 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighs 250 lbs. He uses a smaller P&S camera with no problems. If it is really an issue, a battery pack will add heft and grip space while increasing your battery capacity.

* Not a Professional Camera – I know of 1 professional photographer who shoots professionally with the Rebel XT, 1 “prosumer” that uses it for weddings and a 3rd retired professional who is getting back into photography who will purchase it. Other online reviews of professional photographers show they use it professionally too. Image quality difference between the Rebel XT and the 20D is non-existent in my amateur eyes.

* The LCD and View Finder are Small – Small is subjective, but I do think they are on the small side. The LCD is 1.8 inches and the view finder is about 10% smaller than the 20D.

* LCD Menus are Hard to Read in Bright Light – I have 20/20 vision and had no problems if the LCD was set to its brightest display. If someone really has trouble, they can just turn their back to the sun and adjust setting in their body shadow.

* Menus are Hard to Use – Well, they are more cumbersome than the 20D, but I wouldn’t say HARD to use.

* ISO Setting Not Visible in the Viewfinder – Sadly, very true, but other cameras lack this feature as well.

TIPS
The Canon Rebel XT and the 20D might be thought of as a Toyota Camry and Lexus. Both with get you from Point A to Point B, but the Lexus will get you there in more comfort and style.

The 20D is easier to navigate, has more features, more auto-focus points (9 vs 7), better quality and faster auto-focus, 66% faster FPS (5 FPS vs 3 FPS), larger frame buffer (23 vs 14), has a larger LCD, faster shutter (1/8000 vs 1/4000), faster flash x-sync speed (1/250 vs 1/200), a longer lasting battery (1000 shots vs 600), faster shutter lag (65ms vs 100ms), shortened view finder blackout (115ms vs 170ms), more custom functions (18 vs 9), ships with better software (Adobe PhotoShop Elements 2 vs ArcSoft Photo Studio 5.5), offers a lower ISO (3200 vs 1600), and has a longer shutter life (150,000 vs 50000) shots. If you consider repairing a shutter costs about $250, the price between the two cameras even out in the long run. (Some put the shutter life of the 20D at about 100,000 cycles instead of 150,000.)

If you can afford it, go with the 20D. If you can’t afford it, the Rebel XT is a very capable performer. I’d rather have the Rebel XT and a good lens than the 20D and a mediocre lens. Consider ordering the Rebel XT without the lens kit and invest the savings in a good quality lens, such as a Canon UltraSonic lens.

That said, I’d rather have the Rebel XT in some situations, like and fishing or hiking trips. Some people with small hands would probably prefer the Rebel XT. If you won’t use the extra features, why spend the money on the 20D? A newer better camera will come out and some people won’t feel so bad upgrading if they have the Rebel XT.

Also, go to Fry’s or a local camera shot to try out any cameras and then consider purchasing it from a reputable on-line retailer if they offer a lower price. I would have purchased over the internet, but I wanted the ability to return it quickly and get something else if I changed my mind.

Beware of any store’s return policy, The fine print may state you can return the camera in a certain amount of days IF YOU DON’T OPEN THE SOFTWARE, which the salesperson neglected to mention to me.

Purchase at least a 1 GB High Speed Compact Flash with the either the Rebel XT or 20D.

Be prepared to invest more money and time when entering the Digital SLR world. Quality lenses are expensive and you'll need a good add-on flash eventually. Some photography classes offered at a local community college or photo shop can take you to the next level.

As mentioned earlier, the Nikon D70 is a good choice too and some reviewers think it is the better camera (http://www.digitalreview.ca/cams/NikonD70versusRebelXT.shtml). If you can wait, Nikon will answer the Rebel XT with something very good, and that will give you even more choices. But if you’re waiting for the leap frogging to stop before you buy, you’ll be waiting a long time.