Canon Digital Rebel XT: Hardly an Entry-Level DSLR

General Image Quality

For these pictures, the camera was reset to its factory default setting. Then, it was set to its highest quality recording setting. The pictures were then taken in Aperture-priority mode with Auto WB unless stated otherwise. Portrait-style images have been rotated automatically with the "Auto rotate" feature on the 350D. Click on a thumbnail to view the full-size image. All images were shot with Aperture-priority mode, Parameter 2, and sRGB.

16-35mm ISO 100, 1/250th, f/4.0 Click to enlarge.	50mm Macro ISO 100, 1/800th, f/5 Click to enlarge.	28-135mm IS ISO 200, 1/320th, f/8 Click to enlarge.

28-135mm IS ISO 100, 1/250th, f/4.5 Click to enlarge.	16-35mm ISO 800, 1/200th, f/2.8 (Fluorescent WB) Click to enlarge.	16-35mm ISO 1600, 1/100th, f/5.0 Click to enlarge.

In the first sample image, we found the 350D capable of reproducing very impressive details when matched with a top quality lens. The image has a cool color cast, which resulted from the Auto WB setting. Had we selected the Shade or Cloudy setting, the colors would have been much more accurate. In samples 2 and 3, we want to point out that images right out of the camera will most likely be on the soft side with relatively low saturation. If a "punchier" image is desired right out of the camera, you will have better luck selecting a custom parameter in order to tweak the sharpness, contrast, etc.

In the fourth sample, we wanted to take a look at the 350D's dynamic range. Although this is a rather extreme example, the 350D has clearly overexposed the information in our crop. Avoiding overexposed subjects is an ongoing struggle with digital cameras and one way to deal with this is to shoot in RAW mode. More than likely, if this image had been taken as a RAW file, the highlight detail could have been saved. Sample 5 is another reason to shoot in RAW mode. Although we were satisfied with the detail and image quality, the colors aren't quite right. We set the camera to Fluorescent WB, but really, there was a mixture of fluorescent, tungsten, and indirect sunlight. In tough situations like this, it is best to shoot in RAW mode because you can easily adjust the WB later. Finally, in the last sample image, the 350D proves that it can take very detailed images even at ISO 1600. It is in shots like this that the 350D really benefits from the low-noise DIGIC II image processor. Overall, we are extremely impressed with the image quality of the 350D. Having shot with both the 20D and the 350D, we don't feel that there is any noticeable difference with regard to image quality other than the extra ISO option on the 20D (ISO 3200).

Long Exposure

16-35mm ISO 100, 20 sec., f/7.1 Noise Reduction Off Click on images to download.	16-35mm ISO 100, 20 sec., f/7.1 Noise Reduction On Click on images to download.
Hold mouse over image.

In comparing the two 20 sec. exposures above with and without noise reduction, we saw virtually no difference in the level of noise. We were extremely impressed with the image quality and couldn't find any stuck pixels throughout either image. The only difference between the two images that we could observe was an incredibly small difference in sharpness. The image taken without noise reduction appeared to be a tiny bit sharper than the image taken with noise reduction. You'll have to forgive the lopsided-ness of our night samples. We drove 110 miles to Greenville only to realize that we left our tripod at home.