Canon Digital Rebel XTi

Reviewed January 2007

Introduction

The Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi or EOS 400D in Europe is the newest version of the Rebel XT/350D. This new version offers a 10-megapixel resolution, the same AF system as is used on the EOS 30D and a 2.5-inch LCD monitor. In addition, it is equipped with a sensor cleaning system, the first for a Canon DSLR.

The organization of controls on the top right side of the XTi (400D) is unchanged from the XT (350D). The grip is topped by the 2-stage shutter release positioned in a small dimple that is designed to fit the index finger, while the top front of the grip supports the infrared receiver window for the optional remote control.

The Mode Dial — mounted on top of the Power Switch, which has a small LED that lights green when the camera is On — offers a total of 12 modes.

As always with a Canon camera, the programs are divided into two groups, separated by the simplest shooting mode:

The Auto mode handles everything, including deciding if the flash should be opened or not. The user is limited to JPEG format images, but can select the image size and quality.

Turning the dial towards the left leads into the Creative Zone programs:

	Program automatically chooses the most appropriate combination of shutter speed and aperture, and displays it in the viewfinder's display. If desired, using the Main Dial, the selected combination of aperture and shutter speed can be changed (Program Shift) making it possible to place emphasis on the shutter speed and how movement is captured, or give preference to the aperture, and in turn the depth of field captured in the image. With this mode, all other camera settings are available.
	Tv (Time value) is referred to as Shutter Priority mode. The mode allows setting the shutter speed, using the Main Dial, from 1/4000 second down to 30 seconds while the camera matches it to an appropriate aperture according to the lens in use.
	Av (Aperture value) is Aperture Priority mode. It allows selecting the aperture, using the Main Dial, depending on the lens in use, while the camera adjusts the shutter speed.
	Manual mode provides complete control over the camera. Shutter speeds are selected directly with the Main Dial, while aperture selection requires that the button be held in while the Main Dial is turned.
	Automatic Depth of Field AE works to achieve the greatest depth of field by measuring focus at all focus points available to the camera, and selecting aperture and shutter speed settings that will capture a sharp image for both the nearest and farthest selected points measured in the frame.

Turning the Mode Dial to the right leads to the six scene modes that make up the Image Zone. These modes adjust most camera settings according to the subject about to be photographed:

	Portrait mode selects a wide aperture to blur the background of the subject. The pop-up flash is automatically controlled. Sensitivity is automatically set by the camera from a range of 100 through 400 ISO.
	Landscape mode selects small apertures to maximize depth of field. This mode prevents the release of the flash. Sensitivity is automatically set by the camera from a range of 100 through 400 ISO.
	Close-up mode works to balance the depth of field and the shutter speed, but with an overall preference for depth of field. This mode also controls the release of the pop-up flash. Sensitivity is automatically set by the camera from a range of 100 through 400 ISO.
	Sports mode tries to optimize for the fastest shutter speed possible to freeze action. The pop-up flash cannot be released, and the continuous shooting mode is activated, tracking the subject. Sensitivity is automatically set by the camera from a range of 100 through 400 ISO.
	Night Scene mode uses a longer exposure and flash to capture a well-lit foreground and a visible background. The flash is automatically opened and only the Single or Self-timer/Remote control drive modes are available. Sensitivity is automatically set by the camera from a range of 100 through 400 ISO.
	Flash Off mode prevents the flash from being opened automatically and can be used for interior shots, or long exposures (15 second maximum exposure time, controlled by the camera). Sensitivity is automatically set by the camera from a range of 100 through 400 ISO.

The TTL Viewfinder of the Rebel XTi, composed of a set of five mirrors that are lighter and more economical than a solid glass pentaprism, provide a crisp and bright image and has an eyepoint that allows seeing clearly the data area beneath the image even when using eyeglasses. The nine AF areas are superimposed on the image, and those that are active light up in red.

The data area below the image presents the most important capture parameters:

• Auto Exposure Lock, Auto Exposure Bracketing In-progress.
• Flash ready, Improper Flash Exposure Lock Warning.
• Flash Exposure Lock, Flash Exposure Bracketing In-progress.
• High Speed Flash Synch.
• Flash Exposure Compensation.
• Shutter Speed.
• Aperture.
• Exposure Level Indicator.
• Exposure Compensation Amount.
• Exposure Bracketing Range.
• Red-eye Reduction Lamp-on Indicator.
• White Balance Correction Indicator.
• Maximum number of shots available in Burst Mode.
• Focus Confirmation.

The viewfinder's exit pupil is equipped with a rubber eyepiece that can be removed so that an eyepiece cover can be mounted during long exposures, preventing stray light from entering the camera. A diopter correction is available — the dial on the upper right side of the exit pupil — providing a -3 to +1 diopter range.

Two small windows under the exit pupil of the viewfinder cover a new feature, a proximity sensor that automatically turns off the monitor when the camera's viewfinder is brought up to the eye, a function that can be turned off in the Setup section of the menu (see the Interface and Software section of the review).

A Flash Hotshoe is positioned directly above the viewfinder, equipped with contacts that are compatible with all Canon EX-series Speedlites, and in turn to E-TTL II flash metering which takes into account the distance to the subject.

In comparison to the Rebel XT, the XTi's most noticeable differences are on the back. The data display above the LCD monitor of the XT is replaced by a larger 2.5-inch screen composed of 230,000 pixels. To the left of the monitor, a group of five buttons starting with one that is positioned at the top left corner of the monitor:

	As with all recent Canon cameras, the Rebel XTi has a Print/Share button that lights up blue when active. With the camera connected via USB to a PictBridge, Canon CP Direct, or Bubble Jet Direct compatible printer, the button serves to start the printing process or, when connected to a computer running the software Canon supplies with the camera, to transfer images to the computer.
	When the camera is set to a capture mode the button displays a screen that shows all current camera settings, replacing the XT's display panel. With the XTi set to one of the Creative Zone programs, the information shown is extensive, while when the XTi is set to one of the Image Zone programs it is more limited.

On the right side of the camera's back, at the upper right, two buttons control functions both in capture and playback mode. In the capture mode, the buttons serve to:

	The button on the left is the Auto Exposure Lock (AE-L) or the Flash Exposure Lock (FE-L).
	In Playback, the right side button serves to display thumbnails of the images (9 per screen), or zoom out of a photo that has been magnified for a closer look.

Another group of buttons is positioned on the right side of the monitor, starting with two round buttons at the top:

Serves to adjust the aperture when the Rebel XTi is set to the Manual shooting mode, by pressing the button while rotating the Main dial. In all other modes, P, Tv, Av and A-DEP, the button allows adjusting the Exposure Compensation over a range of ±2 EV in increments of 1/3 or 1/2 EV.

The Cross Keys, composed of 4 curved buttons with arrows that ring a small centre button, occupy the remaining space on the back of the XTi. While the four Cross keys (arrow buttons) serve primarily to navigate the menu of the XTi, the centre button, SET , serves to confirm selections made in the menu.

In addition, by default, it serves to select a Picture Style. Nine Picture Styles are offered on the XTi:

The first five Picture Styles offer different levels of colour accentuation, sharpness, contrasts and tone variations, while the sixth simply captures black and white images. The last three options are designed for use with other Picture Styles that can be uploaded to the camera using the bundled software, or to store user-defined Picture Styles based on variations of the existing Picture Styles.

Moreover, the SET button's function can be changed is desired through an option of the Custom Functions (see the Characteristics section of the review).

In addition, each of the 4 directions of the Cross Keys serves to adjust a specific setting when the camera is in a capture mode, presenting the options for the setting on the monitor:

The up arrow serves to select the ISO Sensitivity when the camera is used in the P, Tv, Av, M or A-DEP modes:

The right arrow controls the AF modes:

• One Shot: auto focus starts when the shutter release is pressed to the halfway point, and locks when the shutter release is held there.
• AI Servo: continues auto focusing even when the shutter release is maintained at the halfway point, making it possible to track a moving subject.
• AI Focus: allows the camera to automatically select the focus mode.

The left arrow serves to select the Metering mode:

• Evaluative: meters the image in segments to arrive at a reading that takes all parts of the frame into account.
• Partial Metering: meters the centre portion of the frame.
• Centre-Weighted: meters the entire frame, but gives greater importance to the reading obtained at the centre than the rest of the frame.

Below the Cross Keys, an LED labelled with lights up red to indicated memory card activity.

At the top is the Flash Release button, used when the camera is set to one of the Creative Zone programs to open the flash, as its opening is automatic with the other modes. The built-in flash of the Rebel XTi has a Guide Number of 13 (meters at 100 ISO) and a synchronization of 1/200 second maximum.

Beneath it is the lens release.

Finally, at the bottom is the Depth of Field Preview, which closes down the lens to the selected aperture, making it possible to look through the viewfinder and see the parts of the image that will be in focus.

The ergonomic design of the Rebel XTi remains very close to that of the XT. Size, weight, and feel are generally identical with the small improvement of a slightly better grip on the back of the camera because of the addition a rubberized surface for the thumb. Still, the replacement of the XT's display panel by a larger monitor is not as practical as it may seem at first. The display screen was, in our opinion, faster to check than the information screen of the larger monitor, and had the advantage of using less power.