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December 13, 2006
Canon EOS
400D / Digital Rebel XTi is still holding on to the Rebel popularity
advantage, but Canon better watch out for the new Nikon D40 lightweight
contender.
Kind of hard to know what is going to happen next, since so far
everyone has been comparing the new Canon EOS 400D / Rebel XTi DSLR to
the Nikon D80 DSLR. With the Nikon D80 generally winning the reviewers
raves, but the Canon EOS 400D / Rebel XTi still more favored by the
consumers, because of the lower price and general Canon popularity
among consumers.
Not much has been said yet about the new Nikon D40 DSLR in this battle.
Probably because the Nikon D40 DSLR has just been released and it is
only a 6 megapixel camera,
whereas the Canon Rebel XTi DSLR and the Nikon D80 DSLR are both 10
megapixel cameras.
The problem for Canon is that, the camera they would like everyone to
compare the Nikon D40 to is the 8 megapixel Canon EOS 350D / Digital
Rebel XT, but in the eyes of the consumers this camera is already
history. So how will Canon backtrack and make the Rebel XT a new
camera? They could copy Nikon and come up with a new name with a
smaller number, but to beat Nikon they will also have to redesign the
camera. Unless Canon knew what Nikon was up to and already has a
redesigned 6 or 8 megapixel $500 DSLR in the wings, this could prove to
be a real problem for Canon.
Nikon has already started doing a "pixel count isn't everything
campaign" (very much like Apple used to do with the speed of their
processors) and they may get some of the consumers to listen to them.
Whatever the outcome, it should be interesting to watch and hopefully
we will soon see the magic $500 barrier broken (with a newly released
DSLR camera kit).
Just in case the names of the cameras are confusing anyone reading this
article. In the US Canon uses the name EOS Rebel XTi, in most of the
rest of the world the same camera is known as the EOS 400D.
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CANON'S NEW EOS DIGITAL REBEL XTi SLR
RAISES
RESOLUTION, INCREASES EASE, LOWERS COST AND LEAVES OTHER DIGITAL SLRS
IN THE DUST
LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., Aug 24, 2006
– Canon's EOS Digital Rebel XT model – the camera that set all time
sales records for digital SLRs of any persuasion (supplanting the
original Digital Rebel's claim to that title) - now takes its place
alongside of the newest member of the irrepressible Rebel clan: the
10.1 megapixel EOS Digital Rebel XTi SLR camera. For 16 years, the
Rebel brand has stood for advanced, sophisticated and easy-to-use. The
new Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi camera continues that legacy, taking
discriminating photo hobbyists, enthusiasts, advanced amateurs and SLR
aficionados to places digital dreams are made of...and more
economically than ever before.
"The
EOS Digital Rebel XTi camera continues to lead the way with impressive
innovations and an array of advancements simply not found on other
digital SLRs in the sub-$1,000 price-range," stated Yukiaki Hashimoto,
senior vice president and general manager of the consumer imaging group
at Canon USA, Inc. "Canon technology is born of inspiration,
imagination and our passion to help photographers make the best
pictures possible. Nowhere is the combination of undeniable quality and
value more evident than on this new EOS Digital Rebel XTi camera."
In
stores mid-September, the EOS Digital Rebel XTi camera is offered in
both sleek brushed silver patina and "pro" matte black finishes. It is
available in two kit configurations: with and without Canon's high
quality EF-S 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6 zoom lens. The EOS Digital Rebel XTi
camera will be available for an estimated selling price $899*
with the zoom lens kit, while the body only kit will carry and
estimated selling price of $799*.
In order to maintain an appropriate pricing structure, the Digital
Rebel XT model will carry an adjusted estimated selling price of $799*
with the zoom lens kit and $699* for the body only kit.
No
mere intermediate upgrade, this new EOS Digital Rebel XTi SLR continues
Canon's combination of imaging excellence, intuitive ease of use and
affordability. Indeed the EOS XTi Digital SLR camera now leads the
Digital Rebel revolution with such marquee features as its higher 10.1
megapixel resolution; refined and redesigned Canon CMOS sensor; larger,
easier to read 2.5 inch display screen (along with simplified and
streamlined menu navigation), and the remarkable EOS Integrated
Cleaning System, a self-cleaning image sensor unit/dust removal system
that is available on no other camera of any make, at any price.
Despite
the addition of these and other imaging improvements - including
Canon's fast, high-precision 9-point autofocus system and a new maximum
burst rate in large/fine and raw quality modes that - at three frames
per second - is double the capability of the Digital Rebel XT SLR, The
EOS Digital Rebel XTi SLR makes its debut at a price point that is $100
less than its top-selling sibling was at its introduction and hundreds
of dollars less than other SLR cameras and camera kits in its class.
CMOS Sensor-tivity
At
the heart of the Rebel XTi SLR's high-resolution image capability is
its large, single plate, CMOS color image sensor. Designed and
manufactured by Canon specifically for the Rebel XTi SLR, this highly
responsive sensor's 10.1 million pixels are fractionally smaller than
the pixels in the 8 megapixel Rebel XT model, yet deliver markedly
improved resolution, enabling the sensor to capture more image
information. This results not simply in the ability to generate larger
images, but also permits details from cropped images to be rendered
with higher image quality than cropped images from lower resolution
sensors. At 22.2 x 14.8 mm in size, this new CMOS sensor maintains the
1.6x conversion ratio found on many other members of the EOS Digital
SLR line including the Rebel XT and the EOS 30D models.
Inherently
more efficient than CCD type image sensors, Canon CMOS sensors
significantly reduce image noise levels by converting light values to
electrical signals on the chip rather than having them converted
elsewhere in the camera. The Rebel XTi SLR's CMOS sensor goes further
still, maintaining an exceptional dynamic range while reducing the
noise level that one might typically expect for a pixel size delivering
such high resolution. Canon engineers and designers achieved this
breakthrough in sensor design by reducing the space between the chip's
microlenses while at the same time increasing the sensitivity of each
photodiode. As a result, the camera achieves 20 percent greater
resolution than an eight-megapixel sensor with comparable noise
reduction and dynamic range.
The Digital Rebel XTi SLR also
continues the long-standing tradition of featuring a wide range of ISO
settings (100 -1600) with the ability to "float" to any intermediate
step along that range in fully automatic modes while allowing the user
to set the ISO manually at full step intervals in the camera's creative
modes.
The Dust Free Zone
Beautiful, high-res images
marred by the presence of ugly high-res dust spots can be cause for
painstaking, time consuming photo retouching (with varying degrees of
success). Canon takes the quest for imaging excellence and easier
camera maintenance a unified giant step forward with its new,
two-tiered dust removal technology called the EOS Integrated Cleaning
System, available only on the EOS Rebel XTi camera.
While real
world shooting rarely achieves "clean-room" standards, Canon has gone
out of its way to design the XTi model to first create or attract no
dust. Canon begins by minimizing the dust and particles created by the
camera itself, by reformulating the materials used in the body cap and
shutter to materials more resistant to particle "fall out" due to
normal use and wear. Canon also treats the camera's low pass filter
with an anti-static charge to prevent static-charged dust from adhering
to it.
Still, recognizing that humidity and a variety of real
world conditions can cause dust to enter and adhere to the sensor or
low pass filter despite the most scrupulous of efforts, Canon created
the Self Cleaning Sensor Unit. The low pass filter on the front of the
CMOS sensor is attached to an ultrasonic vibrating unit that literally
shakes the loose dust particles off of the surface. The newly liberated
dust is then captured by an adhesive material that keeps the particles
from becoming airborne again once the camera moves.
The self
cleaning sensor unit's ultrasonic anti-dust shake activates
automatically for one second whenever the camera is powered on or off,
ensuring that the camera will be as relatively dust free as possible
and can be activated at other times through a simple menu selection.
Despite
the ingenuity behind the Self Cleaning Sensor Unit there are occasions
when dust particles of a stickier nature are not vibrated free of the
low pass filter. In these situations, the Dust Delete Data function can
be engaged. Simply put, by aiming the camera at a white wall or even a
white piece of paper (or, in a pinch, removing the lens from the
camera) the Dust Delete Data function will map the size and position of
the dust particles remaining on the low pass filter. Once the dust is
"mapped", that information is attached as metadata to all subsequently
shot images regardless of recording format, RAW or JPEG. When the
images and appended dust data map are transferred to a computer using
the Rebel XTi's new Digital Photo Professional software, the dust
information can be subtracted from the images simply by selecting the
"apply dust delete data" option. Users can update the Dust Delete Data
at any time via controls found in the Rebel XTi's LCD menu.
Bigger and Brighter: XTi Model's Brilliant LCD
Monitor
Among
the decidedly user-friendly enhancements built in to the new Digital
Rebel XTi is the 2.5 inch, 230,000 pixel color TFT LCD monitor with its
wide, 160 degree viewing angle. The envy of the EOS digital SLR line,
this new screen features a viewing area that is nearly twice as large
as the Rebel XT model's 1.8 -inch monitor, and offers six brightness
settings for easy viewing of images and menu options in a wide range of
lighting conditions. Indeed, this brilliant monitor is approximately
40% brighter at its maximum setting than screens found on the top-tier
EOS-1D Mark II N, EOS 5D and EOS 30D digital SLRs. The monitor is also
the new home for all camera settings information. This was previously
housed on a separate LCD. This new configuration allows for more
information and larger font & icons in one easy-to-view area.
The
monitor is even intuitive enough to automatically (and temporarily)
turn the display off when the camera is raised up to the user's eye.
This feature not only saves valuable battery life but also avoid
subjecting the user to distracting screen brightness when looking
through the viewfinder. For maximum battery life, the LCD display can
be shut off manually as well.
Picture Style Optimizes Images
In
keeping with this new, bigger, brighter monitor is the Rebel XTi SLR's
redesigned menu, made bolder, easier to read and easier to navigate.
Notable among the expanded info screen menu features offered for the
first time on a Digital Rebel camera are the RGB histogram and the
Picture Style functions first introduced on the Canon EOS-1D Mark II N,
EOS 5D cameras and most recently added to the EOS 30D's imaging
arsenal. With Picture Style, users can more easily select presets for
sharpening, contrast, saturation, and color tone that most closely
reflect their needs and intent for a particular picture. Similar to
selecting the film type in order to achieve a desired result, the
Picture Style feature offers six setting choices-Standard, Portrait,
Landscape, Neutral, Faithful and Monochrome-with an additional three
user defined settings available.
Fast Focus
Also
migrating to the Rebel XTi camera from the upper reaches of the EOS
Digital SLR line is Canon's flexible folder management system with
capability to store 9,999 images in a folder as well as manual creation
of new folders and perhaps most importantly, the same high precision
9-point Autofocus sensor and AF unit found on the EOS 30D SLR.
Like
its Digital Rebel predecessors, the EOS Digital Rebel XTi camera is
equipped with Canon's standard EOS EF lens mount making it compatible
with Canon's complete line of EF lenses as well as the EF-S line of
lenses created specifically for the EOS 20D, and EOS 30D prosumer
digital SLRs, and the EOS Digital Rebel models.
While the
Digital Rebel XTi offers the same fast 3 frames per second as the
Digital Rebel XT model, the burst rate in Large/Fine JPEG and Raw
settings has nearly doubled, from 14 eight- megapixel JPEG images and
five eight- megapixel RAW images on the Rebel XT model to 27 10.1
megapixel JPEGS and ten 10.1 megapixel RAW images on the new Rebel XTi
camera.
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