Canon EOS Rebel XS

Front (6.65)
As with most SLR cameras, the lens mount dominates the front of the Rebel XS. It sits on a raised platform about half an inch above most of the body. The platform arches above the lens to form the flash housing, and is marked with the white Canon logo. The raised platform meets the body at a sharp edge along its left side, but on the right it gently curves away. Directly to the right of the lens is the lens release button, and slightly further around the curve is the depth of field preview button. Up the wall of the raised area, between the lens and the flash is the flash control.

The labeling on the front of the camera is minimal; the aforementioned Canon logo under the flash, and the EOS label near the top right corner, written in silver. The Rebel XS logo is in the bottom right in a small recessed patch with the first word written in red, the second in silver.

The other major feature on the front of the XS is the grip on the left side. In a departure from previous models, it’s roughened plastic rather than the usual rubber material. There’s also no infrared receiver, as there is on the XSi. The grip itself is the same size as that of the XSi, which is smaller than many other SLRs. Above the handhold is the always important shutter control, usefully set in a fingertip-shaped clearing, and further up still is the control wheel. Between the grip and the lens mount is a small light, which is used as an indicator for the self-timer, and for Red Eye Reduction.  

The XS retains a similar style to its predecessor, the XSi

Back (6.4)
The back of the Rebel XS is the area most noticeably different from that of the XSi. The LCD screen has lost half an inch of real estate, now down to 2.5" (63.5mm) and 230,000 pixels. This has increased the space on the back of the camera, which allows larger buttons with more space between them, as well as larger labels. The other major change from the more expensive XSi is the removal of the rubberized thumb pad from the right side. Also noticeably absent is the detector just beneath the viewfinder used on the XSi to turn off the LCD when you raise the camera to your eye.

The Canon label is directly below the LCD screen, and at the top left of the screen are the large buttons for Menu and Display.  Along the right side of the screen are three buttons, all of which have likewise been increased slightly in size, as have the icons describing their function. At the top sits the AV/Exposure Compensation button, then below that is White Balance/Print and finally, right near the bottom corner of the LCD is Playback. Continuing along the bottom of the camera, there is the Delete button. This can be differentiated by touch from the others, as it’s concave with a small nub in the center, rather than convex.

Controlling menus is done by using the 4-way navigation pad, which has a Set button directly in the middle. When shooting, each of the four curved buttons controls a different setting. The top button is metering, the right is auto focus, the bottom is picture style and the left is drive mode and selftimer. All the labels are large and easy to read.

The last two buttons are on the very top right of the body’s back, and sit in a small indentation. The left button locks the Flash Exposure while shooting ,and zooms out in playback, and the right is auto focus point selection while shooting and zoom in during playback.

The viewfinder is prominent above the LCD screen, and has a rubber edge for comfort. The diopter adjustment is to the top right of the viewfinder, and surprisingly easy to turn. This can cause problems, as it may accidentally be moved, making it hard to see through the viewfinder.

The left side has textured black plastic to provide extra grip

Right Side (6.75)
The front half of the right side is devoted to textured material and the grip, and the back holds the card slot, which is protected by a solid-feeling latch. The XS can take SD and SDHC cards, a change from the CompactFlash format used by older Canons. The second neck strap loop is situated at the very top of the right side.

The industry standard hot shoe offers extra functionality
with Canon's EX-series Speedlites

Bottom (5.75)
The tripod mount of the Canon Rebel XS is made of metal and lines up with the lens. It has minor indentations on either side to provide grip on the tripod. On the right side of the base is the battery slot cover, which feels a little flimsy. The battery is held in place by a white plastic tab, and can be replaced by a special AC adapter, which is of identical size. Just to the right of the battery latch is a small rubber tab where the AC adapter’s power chord snakes out. On the far left of the camera’s bottom is a small area of grip plastic that continues up the left side of the body.

The battery is located beneath