Canon EOS Rebel XTi

Viewfinder (7.5)
The Rebel XTi's optical viewfinder is small. It shows the whole image easily, even for glasses-wearers. The 9 autofocus sites are marked with rectangles surrounding dots. Each dot lights up momentarily when the Rebel XTi achieves focus on it. More than one spot will light up if they focus simultaneously. The spots look slightly smudged, and the light glows in an irregularly shaped halo. The effect is odd, but doesn't detract from the camera's functionality.

Beneath the image, the viewfinder shows text information, including exposure data, exposure compensation, flash ready, flash exposure compensation, bracketing for flash or ambient exposure, white balance compensation, focus confirmation, the maximum burst of images possible, and a variety of error messages. The data is readable, and the display brightness is well-matched with the image brightness.

LCD Screen (8.0)
The 2.5-inch, 230,000-pixel LCD screen on the Rebel XTi is a big improvement over the 1.8-inch display on the Rebel XT. The XTi's is sharp and has good color and brightness. It stays visible over a wide angle of view – our impression is that the angle isn't as good as the D-series Canon DSLRs, but still, a very good horizontal range, and a reasonable vertical range. The image dimmed when viewed off-axis, but we noticed relatively little solarization (reversal of light and dark), except when we viewed from off-axis diagonally – from below and to the right, for instance.

The LCD offers more shooting status data than the viewfinder, and shows it in large block text, with exposure data and ISO at the top of the screen and in the largest type. It also shows shooting mode, a plus/minus 2 EV exposure scale to indicate exposure error, exposure compensation or bracketing. There's an indicator for flash exposure compensation as well. Below that, it shows white balance, metering pattern, focus mode and burst mode. The next line shows custom function, white balance compensation, the autofocus point, monochrome shooting, whether the beeper is on, and red-eye reduction. The bottom row shows the size and quality setting, battery status and shots remaining. If the self-timer is running, the display shows a countdown.

Flash (7.0)
The Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi's flash reaches about 15 to 20 feet at ISO 400 with the kit lens – not as far at telephoto. The flash casts even light for a small unit. We noticed some uneven bands along the edges of the frame with the kit lens set to wide angle, but in most uses, they won't be noticeable. The Rebel XTi controls flash exposure with the E-TTL system, making the camera compatible with the full line of Canon EX flashes.

The Rebel XTi flash pops up automatically in full auto and in some scene modes. It's clearly spring-loaded, but a motor seems to be involved – it goes up with a loud sound somewhere between a zip and a whistle.

Lens and Lens Mount (8.5)
Many users defend the 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 EF-S lens that's provided in a host of Canon EOS kits, noting that it is sharp and covers a convenient range of focal lengths. Alas, we aren't persuaded. We noticed significant barrel distortion and color fringing at wide angle. We find f/5.6 a very limiting maximum aperture at telephoto. Worst of all, the mechanics of the lens are flimsy. By rocking the manual focus ring, it's possible to shift the image up and down or side to side. In fact, it's impossible to manually focus the lens without shifting the image – touching the ring will move the image. When the lens is shaken, it rattles. Canon adds $100 to the price of the Rebel XTi when the lens is included, and it's obvious that the company makes money on the deal – there's not a lot of value in the lens.  Those willing to shell out a lot more cash will find an extensive selection of EF and EF-S lenses available, but even for $100, the kit lens doesn't seem to be much of a bargain.