In the summer of 2003, the Canon company revolutionized the digital camera industry by announcing the release of the EOS 300-D, otherwise known as the Digital Rebel. Subsequently, the company released a follow up model, called the Digital Rebel XT. Both cameras employ advanced digital processing for better image quality, compatibility with a huge menu of EF lenses, and high resolution. The Digital Rebel's main competition in its class is Nikon's D-70. Consumer review after consumer review suggests that the Digital Rebel is superior to the D-70 when it comes to a number of important features, including range and start up time. Both the D-70 and the Digital Rebel XT are lightweight compared with the pricier Canon EOS 10-D, but that shouldn't dissuade semi-pros or amateurs. (You may want to tack on some extra heft to your EOS Rebel by attaching a sturdy lens. This will give your Digital Rebel a stronger center of gravity and make you feel more professional.) Despite its 1.6 times lens conversion factor and lack of a spot meter, the Rebel is great for grabbing quick images. At its highest settings, this Canon can comfortably accommodate three frames per second bursts with little blurring or image damage. The EOS Digital Rebel employs a six megapixel CMOS sensor, and the XT features an eight megapixel sensor. Unless you're a serious photo buff or you blow up images to huge sizes, however, it will be very difficult to tell these two resolutions apart. What really distinguishes the two Digital Rebels from one another is the fact that the XT has a DIGIC II processor instead of a DIGIC I processor. |