Digital Camera Review

Digital Camera Review

Jul 16, 2004 - By Elena Rue
The 300D Digital Rebel is the newest in a long line of Canon SLR cameras. As with their other models, the user can expect a quality product when they get a Canon. The major difference between the Digital Rebel and its predecessors (Canon’s 10D and D60) is the budget-saving effort to be the first digital SLR kit to fall below the $1000 mark. Canon certainly accomplished this goal. Even with the recent arrival of its biggest competitor, the Nikon D70, the Rebel is still the cheapest Digital SLR on the market today. The camera has received some criticism for appearing or feeling cheap, but in terms of quality it has kept up the reputation of the Canon name and has surprised many skeptics. The 6.3 megapixel CMOS sensor is identical to that of the 10D, producing quality results that have been tested and proven to do a first-rate job. The Canon 300D Rebel Kit comes with a specialized 18-35mm f/3.5-5.6 EF-S lens which is only compatible with this model. Although the Rebel will happily accept other Canon lenses, the focal and aperture ranges may vary.
Advertisement

Connectivity
Software (9.0)
The Canon EOS Digital Rebel comes with a software package almost identical to that of the Canon EOS 10D. The first CD included in the kit is Canon’s Digital Solution Version 6.0. This package is equipped with the tools to help you download your pictures, process RAW files, and manage your images. The other CD that comes in the bundle is Adobe Photoshop Elements. This version of Photoshop is slimmed down to be more accessible to a broad audience, but still has tons of editing options for your own little digital darkroom, by far one of the best software options available.

Jacks, ports, plugs (8.0)
There are three terminals housed along one side of the Canon EOS Digital Rebel. The DIGITAL terminal can be used to connect to a computer or directly to a printer using an IFC-300PCU Interface cable (included). The Video Out terminal is used to connect the Canon EOS Digital Rebel to a TV monitor using a VC-100 Video Cable (included). The Remote Control terminal hosts a Remote Switch RS-60E3 (sold separately) with a two-foot cord, allowing the user to take shots without experiencing camera shake in delicate shooting situations.

Direct Print Options (8.0)
To print images directly from the Canon EOS Digital Rebel, you must have access to a Canon Card photo printer or a Bubble Jet printer as well as the standard PictBridge printing system. When connected to a compatible printer, the Canon EOS Digital Rebel allows you to specify which image or images are to be printed, how many, the size of the images, printing style (with or without borders, date On/Off), and area, where you have the option of trimming or cropping the image.

Memory (3.0)
The Canon EOS Digital Rebel kit does not ship with a memory card, so consumers will have to build the additional purchase into the total cost. The camera accepts CompactFlash media, which is favorable to many DSLR users because it is large and sturdy, feeling far more substantial than SD or xD cards.  It’s also one of the more common cards out there, meaning you can use it with multiple digital cameras.

The Canon EOS Digital Rebel has four image quality settings: Raw and Small, Medium, and Large JPEG files. The different options are in the Menu under Quality. Within each of these settings, you can decide between a fine or normal compression rate. Lower compression rates give higher quality images, but the file sizes are larger. The user needs to decide which is more valuable: more space, or better images.

Other Features (8.0)
There are a host of accessories available for the Canon EOS Digital Rebel. As an alternative to the single BP-511 lithium-ion rechargeable battery, you can purchase a Battery Grip BG-E1 that accommodates 2 BP-511 or BP-512 batteries. A semi-hard Canon EH-16L case can be purchased to fit the Canon EOS Digital Rebel and its 18-35mm f/3.5-5.6 EF-S lens. If you plan to do macro shots, EX-series Macro Lites are designed to enhance your lighting effects. For situations in which you wish to avoid camera shake or would like to stand away from the camera to take a picture, you can purchase a RC-5 Remote Controller or a RS-60E3 Remote Switch.

Image Parameters Page 9 of 12 Overall Impressions
Canon EOS Digital Rebel Digital Camera Review Navigation
Advertisement