Canon EOS Rebel XS Digital Camera Review

Canon EOS Rebel XS

Digital Camera Review

3.4 The EOS Rebel XS (1000D in other territories) is Canon’s newest entry level SLR. Physically similar to the Rebel XSi, it offers 10-megapixel resolution, a 2.5” LCD and Live View mode. Priced at $699 with a bundled 18-55mm lens, the XSt impressed us with good performance in low light, and with a high dynamic range. How did it compare to its bigger brother, the XSi, and the slew of other entry level SLRs on the market right now? The answers lie in the full review that follows.
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Dev Hardware
Canon EOS Rebel XS

Connectivity
Software (6.00)
The Rebel XS comes bundled with Canon’s EOS Digital Solution version 18.1, which offers software for both Windows and Mac. There are image browsers, editors and a photo stitcher for creating panoramas from multiple images. The applications are adequate, if not fantastic, for most functions. However, they’re no replacement for more advanced editing software.

Jacks, ports, plugs (3.00)
The XS has three ports on the left side of the body, tucked under a protective rubber cap. There’s video output, a remote control socket and a USB port, all of which feel well guarded by the robust rubber plug.

The only video output is composite, which is low resolution, and won’t look particularly good on a high-definition screen. However, it’s perfectly acceptable on a standard-def set.

It is good that Canon has decided to stick with industry standard cables, rather than using proprietary formats that other companies, such as Olympus, have adopted. It means that the cables are cheap, and easy to find if you should ever lose one.

Direct Print Options (5.00)
The Rebel XS can use both of the standard direct print technologies: PictBridge and DPOF. The former allows you to connect the camera directly to compatible printers via USB, do some minor edits, and then print, without using a computer. The other option is Digital Print Order Form (DPOF), which lets you to set the number of prints you want of each image and whether you want an index print, and then hand your memory card directly to a printing professional who will output them according to those settings. DPOF also supports print size control, but the Canon XS doesn’t implement this feature.

Battery (7.00)
The XS uses a 7.4V, 1080 mAh lithium ion battery that impressed us with its longevity. It lasted through our full gamut of testing with only a single recharge. Shooting in Live View mode will drain the batter considerably faster.
 
Memory (4.00)
Canon has adopted SD cards over the CompactFlash of earlier-generation SLRs. The XS takes both SD and the newer, higher-capacity SDHC cards. SDHC is currently available at up to 32GB, and even larger sizes are possible.


The XS shoots using SD and SDHC cards, a departure from CompactFlash, which
was used in some older Canons

Other features (2.00)
Dust Reduction: The XS has an ultrasonic dust reduction system designed to shake loose any particles adhering to the image sensor. In addition, the XS offers a Dust Delete Data feature, which notes where any lingering dust is positioned, and can delete it from the final image using Canon’s ImageBrowser software.

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