This
Canon EOS Digital Rebel Review is based on a production
model. All sample images are unretouched, except
where specified.
Stepping
Stones In The Sky:
18mm, A-DEP, Evaluative, Parameter 1
1/400 sec., F5.0 and ISO 100
Level and brightness adjusted in Photoshop Elements
Rotated 180 degrees
The
EOS Digital Rebel simply bests the best
of the prosumer digital cameras with its excellent
resolution, virtually noise-free images at high
ISOs, low-light capability, virtually no shutter
lag for fast response times, excellent AF, easy
to use dedicated buttons for less reliance on
the MENU, and an attractive and affordable price
point.
It should appeal to serious amateur photographers
who are willing to put forth the effort to learn
and master its capabilities, as well as to advanced
amateur photographers who appreciate its excellent
image quality and fast response times.
There
are two features that are a bit controversial
and that you have to evaluate the importance of
for your particular style of photography:
AI
Focus AF. Canon provides an excellent One Shot
AF system whereby you can specify one of seven
AF points as your default, or allow the camera
to select among all seven automatically. (I
personally like the fact that I do not need
to go into the MENU to switch AF point but can
do so quickly and easily by simply pressing
the dedicated AF button and rotating the Main
dial.) In addition, there is also AI Servo AF
where the camera will track a moving subject
up until exposure time; this is great for sports
and wildlife photography. The controversy arises
because the switch from One Shot AF to AI Servo
AF is automatic, Canon having decided not to
give you the option to enable or disable it.
Depending on your particular style of photography,
this automatic switch (which seems to only occur
under certain specific conditions: see the User's
Experience section) may or may not be an
issue.
Evaluative
metering is the default metering (Center-weighted
metering is default in Manual mode). Partial
metering ('Spot' at 9% of center area of screen)
is instantly available at the touch of the AE
Lock button. I personally like this arrangement
since I usually default to Evaluative anyway
and only switch to Partial for certain difficult
lighting situations. Again, a non-issue for
me, but you must evaluate your particular style
of photography and decide if this is or isn't
an issue for you.
If
you decide these two features are non-issues for
you, and you are looking to move into digital
SLR at an attractive and affordable price point,
then the EOS Digital Rebel currently stands unchallenged.
With
its large image sensor, the EOS Digital Rebel
is able to provide superb image quality resolution
that has up to now been reserved only for the
expensive professional dSLRs. You can use high
ISOs (up to ISO 400) with virtually no noise penalty.
Think low-light photography without flash; think
candid shots with virtually no shutter lag; think
fast and responsive auto focus; think usable precise
manual focus; think unlimited photographic horizon....
The
EOS Digital Rebel of course takes interchangeable
lenses (including Canon's famous IS -- Image Stabilized
-- zoom lenses), optionally provides 10 different
dioptric lenses for those who wear glasses, a
remote controller, an angle finder, a battery
grip, and a number of external flash speedlights
(including a macro ring light).
Initially
I set the EOS Digital Rebel in the Beginner Amateur
Photographer category. I have now revised and
set it in the Serious Amateur to Advanced Amateur
category. The EOS Digital Rebel is not for Point-and-Shoot
photographers or Beginner Amateur photographers
who are not willing to invest some time to learn
the camera and photography in general. But for
the serious amateur photographer desiring professional
image quality and willing to spend the time to
learn how to obtain it, the EOS Digital Rebel
is currently the camera to go for, no contest.
See
if you fit the Canon EOS Dgital Rebel User
Profile below:
Canon
EOS Digital Rebel
User Profile
•
Desire a quality 6+ MP
resolution digital SLR camera with superb
professional image resolution.
•
Want fast response times
with virtually no shutter lag.
•
Want low-light capability,
including usable and virtually noise-free
high ISOs, and fast and precise auto
focus.
•
Want interchangeable lenses.
•
Want the best value for
money in the dSLR category.
