Canon EOS Rebel XTi

Connectivity
Software (8.5)
Canon's EOS Digital Solutions software allows a wide range of organizing, editing and printing options, including RAW conversion and dust removal for images that have dust removal data included. The dust removal data function has to be set up before the images are shot. The software can then use the data as a sort of "map" to remove the unwanted dust.

Jacks, Ports, Plugs (7.5)
The Rebel XTi has a USB 2.0 port for printing and data transfer. It has an analog video out port for connection to either PAL or NTSC video devices. It accepts an optional external DC power source. There is a jack for an optional corded remote control and an infrared cordless remote control – though Canon cautions that some fluorescent lights can interfere with the cordless units. The Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi also accepts Canon's E-TTL flashes on its hot shoe. Other hot shoe flashes can sync through the shoe, without dedicated exposure. Among the XTi's connectivity options, its capacity to interoperate with E-TTL flashes is the most distinctive advantage.

Direct Print Options (9.0)
The XTi can create DPOF print orders for printing at commercial kiosks or photo labs. It can also print directly to PictBridge inkjet printers, or Canon's CP Direct or Bubble Jet printers.

DPOF orders can specify printing index sheets, date and file number imprinting, as well as printing multiple copies of images, and combinations of index prints and single images.

The Canon Digital Rebel XTi is designed to enable users to avoid post-processing for printing directly to PictBridge compatible printers when desired. The camera has all kinds of effects and editing features that make it easier for users to bypass the computer. Canon’s Bubble Jet and CP printers also add some incentive to print directly. They allow specifying index prints with or without shooting data, bordered or borderless prints, date and filename imprinting, printing multiple copies of an image on a single sheet, cropping, paper size, paper type, and a range of printer effects. The printer effects include Vivid for increased saturation, black and white, cool- or warm-tone black and white, neutral and neutral with modifications. Modifications include brightness, contrast, saturation, color tone and color balance. The Rebel XTi can also be set to brighten faces in printing and to correct red-eye.

Battery (7.0)
Canon's NB-2LH battery powers the Rebel XTi. The lithium ion battery lasted a long time in our testing. At 1.3 x 0.6 x 1.8 inches and 1.5 ounces, it's smaller and lighter than the quartet of AA cells that power comparable cameras. The XTi also has a CR2016 button battery, probably to maintain settings in memory when the main battery is out of the camera and in the charger.

Memory (3.0)
The Rebel XTi takes CompactFlash memory, the most common media for DSLRs. CompactFlash is available in a range of sizes, and has one of the lower per-megabyte costs among memory formats. Other Canon DSLRs accept CompactFlash, so users who add another camera body will be able to interchange memory between their cameras. The XTi has no built-in memory for image storage.

Other Features (7.5)
Auto Dust Reduction - The Rebel XTi has a vibrating dust removal system that is supposed to shake dust off a filter covering the sensor. We didn't test the system too strenuously – such as changing lenses in a henhouse – so we don't have definite performance data. The system seems similar to Olympus' with the significant advantage that the user can choose when the system operates, so that it doesn't have to delay starting up the camera.

Dust Delete Data - The Rebel XTi can create a record of dust stuck to the sensor, and append it to image files so that the dust can be removed digitally in post-production software. The data is attached to both JPEGs and RAW files.

Pilot Light - A bright green LCD glows next to the power switch while the Rebel XTi is on and active. It winks out when the camera goes to sleep, so it essentially is on when the LCD is on, and off when the LCD is off. It's redundant, and in low light, distracting.