The MF-575 digital picture frame is a photo, MP3, and video player. The MF-575 sports a bright, high-resolution 5.6-inch TFT screen that displays digital photos and video clips in vivid color. Set up as a slide show and play directly from a memory card. The number of images is only limited by the capacity of the memory card being used. The MF-575 accepts MD/SD/MMC cards for maximum compatibility with major digital cameras. The MF-575 comes with a wood picture frame. You can change the look of the MF-575 to fit your décor with any off-the-shelf wood 5×7 picture frame. The unit is light, portable and easy to use. A great companion to your digital camera and an excellent way of showing off your pictures and video clips to family and friends. Another cool feature is the ability to add MP3 music tracks to your memory card and listen to the tunes over the built-in stereo speakers. The unit also supports MPEG1, 2, 4 movie formats for play back of digital camera movies or movies created on the PC.

The MF-575 digital picture frame is a photo, MP3, and video player. The MF-575 sports a bright, high-resolution 5.6-inch TFT screen that displays digital photos and video clips in vivid color. Set up as a slide show and play directly from a memory card. The number of images is only limited by the capacity of the memory card being used. The MF-575 accepts MD/SD/MMC cards for maximum compatibility with major digital cameras. The MF-575 comes with a wood picture frame. You can change the look of the MF-575 to fit your d cor with any off-the-shelf wood 5×7 picture frame. The unit is light, portable and easy to use. A great companion to your digital camera and an excellent way of showing off your pictures and video clips to family and friends. Another cool feature is the ability to add MP3 music tracks to your memory card and listen to the tunes over the built-in stereo speakers. A remote control is used to access the easy to use on board menu, giving you full control of the slide show and player functions. The unit also supports MPEG1, 2, 4 movie formats for play back of digital camera movies or movies created on the PC.

>> Available from Amazon.com

Reviews

Just What I was looking for!
Reviewer: T. Campa “GadgetGirl” (SoCal)

I love cool gadgets and this one is inexpensive, easy to use and the picture quality is great. I put cell phone pictures, digital camara pics and a music CD on a SanDisk to check out its capabilities and I am truly impressed. I can play music… but volume controll is by menu and that’s not easily controlled as an external control would be but I was more interested in running a series of pics like vacation, family events, etc. Music and pics don’t work and I haven’t tried Music videos yet. I plan on buying a few more for family and may even use them for a corporate gift to customers.

Good for pictures, not much else
Reviewer: K. Mayarovich (Philadelphia, PA USA)

This frame is great for what I wanted it to do - play a picture slideshow. Ignore whatever else it says it does. It plays mp3s and you’d think that you can play music in the background while the slideshow is going, but you’d be wrong. Technically, you could do it, but the song starts skipping around - I guess there isn’t much processing power in the frame. In its defense, I didn’t expect it to have much.

I was also a little bummed that the only video supported is MPEG (and I haven’t even tried that yet). It’s a shame one of the most popular formats (AVI) isn’t supported.

Those are all the negatives. As for what I do like about it:

It’s a great digital picture frame, but keep your expectations low as far as the background music capability goes.

Add comment December 21st, 2006

Equipped with the latest Canon technology, the PowerShot SD600 Digital Elph gives all the power you’d expect from a high resolution camera and more. Packed with a full array of Canon’s most popular and convenient shooting features, this Digital Elph has a sleek, ergonomic design that will turn heads.

High resolution and superior comfort

Designed for the way you like to shoot, the sleek and compact 6.0-megapixel PowerShot SD600 Digital Elph has just what you need to make every image razor sharp and vibrantly colorful. The genuine Canon 3x optical zoom UA lens brings you in close for the details that will make your images startling and bold.

Better shots, easier replay

PowerShot SD600 Digital Elph incorporates a large 2.5-inch LCD screen for a truly eye-opening view. This high-resolution screen offers a crisp, clear picture and wider viewing angle to make shooting, playback, and using the camera’s menu functions especially convenient. And when you’re shooting at dusk or at night, the Night Display function lets you see the display clearly. It brightens the object while you compose your shot by reducing the frame rate on the LCD screen.

Canon innovation enhances your experience

The PowerShot SD600 Digital Elph features new ISO 800 and High ISO Auto settings that reduce the effects of camera shake and sharpen subjects in low-light situations with high shutter speeds, giving you greater flexibility for shooting.

Advanced imaging technology improves every photo.

DIGIC II Image Processor

Canon’s DIGIC II Image Processor is designed to improve processing speed and image quality, so DIGIC II provides markedly faster startup, autofocus, and playback, plus it assures that every image is more colorfully vibrant.

iSAPS Technology

iSAPS Technology is an entirely original scene-recognition technology developed for digital cameras by Canon. Using an internal database of thousands of different photos, iSAPS works with the fast DIGIC II Image Processor to improve focus speed and accuracy, as well as exposure and white balance.

Shoot and view wide images

The PowerShot SD600 Digital Elph includes a 16:9 widescreen resolution option, producing images and film clips that are perfect for your widescreen TV or computer monitor.

Superior quality movies

Fast Frame Rate Movie Mode allows you to record extremely smooth, full-motion movie clips for up to one minute long in QVGA at 60 frames per second (fps) (320 x 240 pixels). With a highly flexible movie mode, you can create the movie that’s perfect for any application. Select from VGA (640 x 480 pixels) and QVGA (320 x 240 pixels) with frame rates of 30 fps and 15 fps for recording up to 1 hour or 1 GB. Plus, Compact Movie Mode (QQVGA; 160 x 120 pixels) records at 15 fps for up to 3 minutes.

Shooting Modes

• Vivid Blue: Emphasize the sea, sky and other blue areas.
• Vivid Green: Add vivid dimension to greens for extraordinary nature shots.
• Vivid Red: Charge up red objects in your images for extra impact.

The complete print solution

The PowerShot SD600’s Print/Share button makes direct printing easier than ever. Simply connect the SD600 to a Canon CP, SELPHY, or PIXMA Photo Printer or any PictBridge-compatible photo printer, press the lighted Print/Share button, and print! (Printer not included–must be purchased separately.) Also use the Print/Share button to transfer images to a computer (Windows and Macintosh).

What’s in the Box

PowerShot SD600 body, Lithium battery pack NB-4L, battery charger CB-2LV, SD memory card SDC-16M, wrist strap WS-600, Digital Camera Solution CD-ROM, USB interface cable IFC-400PCU, AV cable AVC-DC300

Equipped with the latest Canon technology, the PowerShot SD600 Digital ELPH gives all the power you’d expect from a high resolution camera and more. Packed with a full array of Canon’s most popular and convenient shooting features including 16:9 widescreen mode, ISO 800 exposure, Fast Frame Rate Movie Mode, and brilliantly large 2.5″ LCD screen, this Digital ELPH has a sleek, ergonomic design that will turn heads. Built-in Flash with Auto, Auto w/ Red-Eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On w/ Red-Eye Reduction, Flash Off, and Slow Synchro settings Shooting Specs - Auto, Camera M, Portrait, Special Scene (Foliage, Snow, Beach, Fireworks, Underwater, Indoor, Kids & Pets, Color Accent, Color Swap), Night Snapshot, Digital Macro, My Colors, Stitch Assist, Movie; 2-sec./10-sec./Custom Self-Timer; Continuous shooting at approximately 2.1fps JPEG images and AVI movies stored on SD Memory Card or MultiMedia Card (MMC) (sold separately) A 16MB SD Card is included, however we suggest purchasing an Optional 512MB memory card. It will allow you to store a lot more Video and images, as well as take advantage of the camera’s high Resolution abilities. Print directly to Canon CP/SELPHY Compact Photo Printers, PIXMA Photo Printers and PictBridge compatible printers via USB 2.0 Cable without a computer using the dedicated Print/Share Button! Interfaces - USB 2.0 (mini-B jack), A/V out (NTSC/PAL) Approximate Unit Dimensions - (WxHxD) 3.39 x 2.11 x 0.85; Unit Weight - 4.94 oz. (without battery and memory card)

>> Available from Amazon.com

Reviews

A week in Boston - 400+ photos and not a bad one in the bunch!
Reviewer: Donn Young (Columbus, OH USA)

This is my third - and possibly final - digital camera. It does everything superbly and in a size I can just throw in my pocket so it’s always there. Before the SD600 I had a Canon S100 2.1 mp [a great camera] and a Sony DSC-W1 5.1 mp [a piece of $%#@ - every other image blurry].

With the Sony less than a year old, I couldn’t put up with it anymore - it was time to go back to Canon so I wouldn’t miss any future shots. I got the SD600 at Best Buy 1 day before leaving on a week-long trip to Boston. My 10-yr old daughter was studying the Revolutionary War in school so I was told to take a lot of photos and “Dad, make sure they aren’t blurry like all those others.” [She’s got the old S100, so she’s not worried].

Since I’d already had the old S100, the controls were familiar. Best Buy had a 1GB PNY SD chip on sale for $39, so I had room for over 500 photos, plus I picked up an extra battery.

In the week in Boston I shot day, night, flash, long exposure, high light, low light, drizzle, rain, sun, and even a short video of Morris dancers in Boston Common. Every shot was great - and not one blurry, even when the ’shaking hand’ was on. I’m not sue that the image stabilization with the SD700 would be all that necessary.

I found that indoors [my greatest fear since the Sony made you worry about every shot] with reasonably good lighting I was able to turn the flash off and shoot with natural light. I’ve not yet had the time to play with the various modes - just straight turn it on and shoot [both of which were very quick with minimal delay].

Everyone we were with were greatly impressed by the 600’s size, style, and images on the LCD - and surprised to see me turn it on end to show full screen portrait format shots [very cool]. Even friends with the SD450 [my Christmas recommendation] wanted to trade theirs in.

I was able to get over 150 shots - maybe a quarter with flash - without recharging [I just stuck the little spare in the coin pocket in my jeans and didn’t worry about it].

The software’s great, too. I used the old ZoomBrowser EX with the Sony, so it was nice to see this updated and much more functional. I might not have to use Irfan Skiljan’s IrfanView package anymore.

I’m sure that over the summer I’ll find all those bells and whistles to be entertaining, but for just taking pictures, I don’t think there’s anything more I’d ever want. Now if I can just find someone to take the Sony… and I’ll throw in my old Omega D2 enlarger for free!

The SD600 is as close to perfect as you can get and all I’ll ever need.

500, 550, 600, 630, 700, 800, 900: Which is “the one”?
Reviewer: Samuel Chell (Kenosha,, WI United States)

Even though my SD110 seemed indestructible, it couldn’t match the size and nimbleness of the new generation of Elves, so it was time for a replacement.

With under a hundred bucks separating the first five models, a consumer might well be in a minor dither about which to get. Currently most Amazon consumers are bucking the adage “newer is better” and going with the SD600 (which the tech people at Cnet support, giving it a rating identical to or higher than the slightly larger and heavier SD700 and recent SD800 and SD900, both with Digic III processors). Perhaps their thinking is like mine: first, its dimensions (width, depth, and height) are smaller and its weight (under 5 oz) lighter than the other six models (the 500’s are the largest, and the 630, in fact, is a bit of an oxymoron: a bigger screen to accommodate failing eyes but tighter and tinier controls for those same eyes to locate and navigate); second, the 600 is the only one of the seven that maintains the original Canon Elph aesthetic of perfectly square angles at all corners of the camera (the contoured look that Canon is beginning to introduce is, I confess, a slight offense to my eye). Finally, in the category of set-up time for the first and each subsequent shot, the 600 is comparable in speed with the other models, rated a nano-second behind the 800 but better than the 900. Moreover, the price at this time is right (though don’t expect this model to be around much longer). If you can live with a “mere” 6 megapixels and shoot with a sufficiently steady hand to ignore the absence of the 700’s image stabilizer feature this may very well be “the one” for you. (Not for an eternity, but in our world of rapidly changing technology even an “extended honeymoon” of several years has to be considered equivalent to a lasting marriage.)

If it needs a further recommendation, my botanist son-in-law, who owns an SD500, is about to order a supply of the smaller and lighter 600’s to put in the hands of his students in the field.

Postscript: Contrary to a later reviewer’s claim, this camera does not have an “anti-shake” feature like the SD700. I’ve never had a problem with shaky pictures, but should you observe jittery images, try shooting through the viewfinder for a firmer grip (which is lacking, by the way on the SD630). As for a 6 megapixel lens vs. a higher number, only the sharpest eye would detect any difference in quality of resolution–and even then it would have to be an image blown up to wallpaper size. Finally, the cost of SD memory cards has come down by 50% in just the past several months, so it makes sense to go for the larger (1 GB) card. Also, I would spend the extra fifteen bucks for the faster speed of the Sandisk Ultra II card. (If you like to check the results of a shot the instant after exposure or if you transfer large numbers of shots to your computer at the same time, you’ll notice a difference). If you’re content with a conventional SD card and want to save a few additional bucks, go with Kingston (as good as Sandisk, in my experience, though I’d stay clear of Lexar, which has given me trouble).

Add comment December 20th, 2006

The Canon EOS Digital Rebel camera now has a new, faster, even smaller big brother. Sibling rivalries aside, the 8.0-megapixel Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT SLR adds resolution, speed, extra creative control, and enhanced comfort in the hand to one of the smallest and lightest digital cameras in its class. Even with its advancements in ergonomic design and technology, this easy-to-use EOS digital camera is compatible with all of Canon’s EF lenses, including the EF-S lenses.

Rebel Without a Choice No More

The EOS Digital Rebel XT camera takes its place alongside the original 6.3-megapixel EOS Digital Rebel camera that first placed an affordable, high-resolution digital SLR into the hands of Canon consumers. The EOS Digital Rebel XT model is offered in two kit configurations: with Canon’s high-quality EF-S 18-55mm f3.5-f5.6 zoom lens (in matte black and in brushed silver) and as a body only (in matte black and in brushed silver).

The Rebel XT’s image sensor has the same 3:2 ratio as film cameras, creating an effective angle of view that is 1.6 times the normal EF lens’s focal length.

While many of the feature advancements and innovations on the new EOS Digital Rebel XT digital camera are inherited from Canon’s EOS 20D “prosumer” SLR, the two cameras’ most striking technological similarities are their use of Canon’s newly developed large-single-plate, high-sensitivity, high-resolution color CMOS imaging sensor technology. While the size of the APS-C CMOS sensor on the EOS Digital Rebel XT SLR is fractionally smaller than the APS-C CMOS sensor on the EOS 20D camera (22.2 x 14.8 millimeters versus 22.5 x 15.0 millimeters, respectively) accounting in part for the cameras’ 8.0- vs. 8.2-megapixel resolution rating, individual pixel dimensions are identical, and they both provide the same effective angle of view, equivalent to 1.6x the normal EF lens focal length.

There are, of course, some very real differences between the EOS Digital Rebel XT digital camera and the more advanced EOS 20D. While the 20D SLR includes performance features such as faster continuous shooting speed (5 frames per second [fps] vs. 3 fps) with larger burst capability (23 frames vs. 14 frames) and custom function settings (18 vs. 9) that more than justify its heftier price tag, this new Rebel XT model was created for those dedicated SLR users who are migrating to digital for the first time and don’t wish to give up the flexibility an SLR system offers.

Choose a single point of focus or predictive autofocus, or direct the camera to make the determination using its 7-point AF system.

Autofocus Made Easy

Utilizing the same 7-point autofocus system as the EOS Digital Rebel camera, the new EOS Digital Rebel XT SLR is capable of analyzing where a subject is–even when it is off center–and almost immediately bringing it into focus. It can also analyze subject movement and automatically select locking or tracking AF modes as needed. These features simplify the camera’s operation and optimize its performance. The Digital Rebel XT allows users to select locking or tacking AF modes independently, adding a new dimension of creative control.

Finer Photos Faster

The new EOS Digital Rebel XT digital camera can shoot up to 14 consecutive large/fine (8.0-megapixel) JPEGs, five RAW files, or four RAW + large/fine JPEGs at a rate of up to 3 fps. The EOS Digital Rebel camera’s smaller buffer permits bursts of only four large/fine (6.3-megapixel) JPEG or RAW frames at a rate of up to 2.5 fps.

While reprising the Digital Rebel SLR’s ISO range of 100, 200, 400, 800, and 1600, Canon raised the Auto ISO setting on the Digital Rebel XT model to 400 help improve image quality, reduce camera shake, and brighten the scene behind the subject when taking a flash photo. The new Digital Rebel XT camera also offers 12 exposure modes that are user selectable at the turn of a conveniently placed dial. The exposure modes–Full Auto, Portrait, Landscape, Close-up, Sports, Night Portrait, Flash Off, Program AE, Shutter Speed-Priority AE, Aperture-Priority AE, Manual, and Auto Depth-of-Field AE–take into account virtually all shooting conditions and preferences.

In addition to its lossless compression 8.0-megapixel RAW image file option, the Rebel XT Digital SLR offers users the option of shooting in a range of sizes and quality JPEG settings from large (8.0-megapixel) and medium (4.15-megapixel) to small (2.0-megapixel). Within each resolution option, the user may also select quality settings: large/fine, large/normal, medium/fine, medium/normal, small/fine, and small/normal.

RAW Power

What’s more, while the original Digital Rebel camera required dedicated software to extract embedded medium/fine resolution JPEGs from the larger, uncompressed RAW image file, the new Rebel XT model saves RAW and large/fine resolution images as separate files on the CompactFlash card. The user also has the option of selecting RAW (8.0-megapixel) files only, saving valuable space on the CF card. As with the EOS 20D, the Digital Rebel XT camera’s RAW files are denoted by the CR2 extension.

Creative Control

Among the new features found on the EOS Digital Rebel XT camera are user-selectable metering and AF modes, flash exposure compensation control, improved E-TTL II evaluative flash metering, and, for the first time in this product category, custom function control. The Digital Rebel XT SLR even offers a monochrome mode for consumers who enjoy the subtleties and shadings that only black-and-white images offer.

The Rebel XT camera incorporates nine of the Custom Functions previously found on the EOS 20D model. Designed to fine-tune camera operation according to personal preferences, the custom functions offer users a set of programming options for the SET button/cross keys, as well as control over long exposure noise reduction, flash sync speed in AV mode, AF start from the shutter button or AE lock button, AF assist beam, mirror lockup, E-TTL II metering patterns, and shutter curtain sync.

All This and DIGIC II

Canon’s newest and most powerful SLR imaging engine, DIGIC II, provides high precision and high speed, natural color reproduction including high saturation, bright subjects, improved auto white balance, and increased white balance correction control and white balance bracketing over the original Digital Rebel camera.

The white balance correction control is a digital color filter that works like a light-balancing filter or a color-compensating filter. Both the blue/amber bias and the magenta/green bias can be adjusted to +/- 9 levels. While the blue/amber bias adjustment is standard on the original Digital Rebel model, the Rebel XT camera’s additional magenta/green bias adjustment provides increased color compensation from the earlier model.

The XT’s DIGIC II image processor ensures natural colors, accurate white balance, and speedy write times.
The Rebel XT SLR’s white balance bracketing mode enables the camera to automatically take three images for every shot snapped, each with a different bias setting. The user can then select the best shot and discard the other two. White balance bracketing can also be used in combination with white balance correction. The benefit of all this white balance wizardry can be found in the photographs with colors captured accurately and precisely under a wide range of conditions.

In addition to the legion of image-quality improvements, DIGIC II speeds up the camera’s performance from startup, which is 10 times faster on the EOS Digital Rebel XT model (0.2 seconds) than it is on the EOS Digital Rebel with the original iteration of DIGIC (2 seconds).

Another feature improved by the presence of DIGIC II is the speed of the direct printing function, which is PictBridge compatible. DIGIC II also produces faster startup times, faster CompactFlash card writing speed, and approximately 10x faster data transfer speeds thanks to the processor’s new USB 2.0 high-speed interface. As an added bonus, the DIGIC II chip is so efficient, it actually reduces the EOS Digital Rebel XT camera’s power consumption (and extends battery life) by approximately 35 percent. Indeed, this new Rebel XT camera is so energy efficient, it is powered by the same lighter-weight NB-2LH battery pack used by the PowerShot S60 (as opposed to the larger BP-511A battery pack used by the original Digital Rebel model).

E-TTL II: Exposure Control in a Flash

The new Rebel XT camera also features the next step in the evolution of evaluative, through-the-lens exposure control, E-TTL II. Though compatible with all Canon EX-series Speedlites, this smarter new E-TTL II system helps ensure that, even in situations with highly reflective subjects or backgrounds or when shooting in most other similarly difficult lighting situations, the image will be optimally exposed.

The E-TTL II system compares the ambient light with the reflected pre-flash off the subject reported in all 35 metering zones and selects the areas with a small difference to be weighted for flash exposure calculation. This system also helps eliminate or underweight areas with large differences, recognizing them as an extremely reflective object in the background or a highly reflective subject.

Bundled Software

Both the Rebel XT Camera and lens kit and the body-only kit are shipped with three software discs, including EOS Digital Solutions Disc 10 featuring ZoomBrowser EX, ImageBrowser, and ArcSoft PhotoStudio together with other utilities; another disc containing Digital Photo Professional 1.6 for RAW file conversions; and a third disc containing PDF versions of the instruction manuals for each application.

>> Available from Amazon.com

Reviews

Another stunning winner from the bright minds at Canon
Reviewer: Gadgester (New York)

I spent three hours yesterday playing with the brand-new Canon Digital Rebel XT digital SLR camera, and man, was I impressed.

I hadn’t been too impressed with the original Digital Rebel, except for its revolutionarily low price (for a d-SLR), because it was slow and felt slimsy. The new DR XT is quite different. Even though it’s 3 ounces lighter than the original DR — mostly due to the use of a smaller battery; see below — its smaller form factor actually makes it feel more solid and “real”. In other word, unlike the original DR, this one feels professional, not toy-like at all.

By now you probably already know Canon makes some of the best digital cameras in the world. Even though I’m a Nikon shooter when it comes to d-SLR (sorry, loyal Canon shooters!), I own a couple Canon compact digital cameras and love them, too. The DR XT’s image quality is once again excellent. I took a few indoor shots with the camera, both with and without flash, and then the store clerk let me download them to their PC. The JPEG pictures (I didn’t try RAW) looked excellent on the Sony LCD screen, on par with the more expensive EOS 20D d-SLR. Color tones were accurate and the resolution was really good. The improvement picture quality over the original DR (”DR Classic”? BTW it’s now $200 cheaper) comes from both the 2 extra megapixels and the better color accuracy. BTW, the DR XT reportedly uses a tecchnically different CMOS sensor than the original DR, although I haven’t been able to find out exactly how this one is better in technical terms than the old one (other than the two extra megapixels). No matter, my limited true-world testing showed the image quality is indeed better than the already-excellent image quality of the original DR. And, as in the past, Canon does a wonderful job at keeping noise low — I considered noise acceptable up until ISO 800.

The kit, which I recommend, comes with the same flimsy 3x EF-S lens (which won’t work on regular film SLRs) as the original DR. You should most definitely get a better lens, although the kit lens works well as a “street zoom.” I didn’t get a chance to test the lens outdoors as the store wouldn’t let me take it outside, but I have no doubt that this new model can only be better than the original DR, which was already very good even before you considered its low price.

The DR XT is fast: at last, you can turn it on and start shooting without waiting several seconds like you had to with the original DR. The only downside compared to the original DR is the smaller, lighter battery in the DR XT also means shorter battery life. I highly recommend you get an extra battery or two. You won’t be able to go through a full day of shooting on just one battery, even if you don’t use flash much. (But all pros and pro-wannabes use fill-in flash, don’t we?) I also recommend a good camera bag; I personally like Tamrac for that. In addition to the spare battery (batteries), bag and a better lens or two, also consider getting a tripod (Sunpak ones are cheap but ok quality), an external flash as well as filters — esp. a high-qual circular polarizing filter.

In summary, the Canon Digital Rebel XT is another stunning winner from Canon. It features faster speeds (start-up and shot-to-shot), excellent image quality, and terrific look-and-feel. Despite my personal preference for Nikon pro-level gear, I can recommend this Canon d-SLR to my friends without reservation.

The best thing I’ve ever bought
Reviewer: L. Wimberley “photography student” (Berea, OH USA)

The XT is amazing. The battery comes partly charged so you can immedietly start using the camera (thank you Canon!) I’ve already shot about 200 pictures with it and the battery hasn’t died yet.

I can’t give you a comparison between the XT and the 20D as I haven’t owned a 20D, I can tell you a few things you may wish to know before buying.

This camera, is TINY. Extremely tiny. I’m a woman in my early twenties and I have small hands. The camera fits just right in my hands, but honestly, I don’t see how someone with bigger hands would be 100% comfortable holding this. If my hands were any larger, they would be slipping off the bottom.

I had tried holding a 20D at a camera shop once and it felt too large in my hands to grip. The camera size is perfect for me, but just beware if you have larger hands. You may want to look into the battery grip, or test out holding the camera at a store before you order it. See the picture I uploaded above to get a size relation and how the camera fits in my hands.

For anyone who is migrating to this camera from a standard point and shoot digital camera, you cannot frame the image you are about to take using the LCD screen on the back. You must look through the viewfinder. The LCD screen is soley for menu use and preview mode after the picture has been taken, nothing more.

Something I’ve noticed is the camera makes a ratteling sound when moved around. I couldn’t figure out what the heck it was, and then I finally reazlized it’s the hinges from the pop-up flash. It sounds like they are loose when the flash is closed. I went to Best Buy and looked at their display model, and yep, it has the same problem. Well, it’s not really a *problem* but frankly something ratteling around like that sounds cheaply made to me. My Canon film SLR doesn’t make that sound.

I use a 420EX Speedlite flash with my SLRs so the popup flash doesn’t concern me, but it was something I noticed and thought I would share.

I love that Canon gave the option to have a black finish over a silver one.

The startup time is instantaneous which is absolutely wonderful.

The burst mode is excellent with 3 fps.

It’s extremely quiet.

The image quality is excellent. You can get photo quality prints at 20×30, and even then I bet you could push it further.

I really can’t elaborate more then what other reviews have said. If you are looking for a step into the digital SLR world, this is the ticket. Or you can even check out the newly reduced original Digital Rebel, but for the extra hundred bucks or so, I would just get the XT. You will not be sorry.

Two upgrades I would make right away: Get a Speedlite flash and the Canon 28-135mm lens.

Also, I don’t know why people are submitting bad reviews grading Amazon on shipping for the Rebel XT. When I preordered the XT from Amazon (not from another 3rd party), it said it would be released March 20th. I got my Rebel XT in the mail yesterday (the 22nd) which if you ask me, is pretty darn good. Want something right away? Then walk into a store and buy it instead of ordering from the internet.

Add comment December 19th, 2006