Canon's 300D (Digital Rebel) vs 10D: Battle of the DSLRs
by Stephen Caston on July 5, 2004 12:23 PM EST- Posted in
- Digital Camera
General Image Quality
All of these samples were taken using the same Canon 50mm f2.5 macro lens attached. Each camera was reset to the factory default settings. The Rebel and the 10D were set to Av Mode (apertures noted for each picture). The quality setting with the lowest compression (highest quality) was used (Large/Fine-3072x2048). To avoid focus differences, each camera was set to focus using the center focal point. The pictures were taken between 11 AM and 12 PM on a bright day on N.C. State University's campus with the use of a tripod. The pictures were not manipulated in any way. They are right out of the camera. Click any picture for the full-size version.| Canon Digital Rebel | Canon 10D |
 f5.6 |
 f5.6 |
|
|
 f7.1 |
 f7.1 |
| Canon Digital Rebel (100% crop) |
Canon 10D (100% crop) |
 f5.6 |
 f5.6 |
This first picture shows two substantial differences between the Rebel and the 10D. The Rebel's auto white balance resulted in a bluish look, while the 10D was more accurate at representing the actual colors. Also, the 10D appears to be significantly sharper than the Rebel. We were not expecting such a dramatic difference, especially considering the Rebel includes more in-camera sharpening (by default) than the 10D. Our guess is that the Rebel simply had trouble focusing on the proper plane. Below is a crop from the left portion of the picture, which was spatially farther back from the stool.
| Canon Digital Rebel (100% crop) |
Canon 10D (100% crop) |
 f5.6 |
 f5.6 |
This crop shows an improvement in sharpness from the stool crop. Here, the Rebel comes much closer to matching the sharpness of the 10D. The same was found for objects to the right of the stool. They get sharper as they move back away from the stool.
| Canon Digital Rebel (100% crop) |
Canon 10D (100% crop) |
 f5.6 |
 f5.6 |
Interestingly, on our next shot, we came upon these findings. The Rebel is noticably sharper than the 10D; however, it appears that the cement wall is sharper on the 10D. The focal point for this picture was a bit tricky. It was the text written on the metal in the center of the picture. Despite this slightly ambiguous focal point, we expected better clarity on the 10D. This strange finding, in addition to the focusing problem of the last picture, lead us to think that there may be the much-talked-about front/back-focusing issues on both cameras. However, they don't appear to be consistently focusing this way.
| Canon Digital Rebel (100% crop) |
Canon 10D (100% crop) |
 f5.6 |
 f5.6 |
Here, the 10D appears just a bit sharper than the Rebel. We can also see that the Rebel has a higher default saturation setting than the 10D.
| Canon Digital Rebel (100% crop) |
Canon 10D (100% crop) |
 f7.1 |
 f7.1 |
The difference between these two is more dramatic. The image shot with the Rebel is washed out (overexposed) on the window shade and the whole picture has a general lightness to it. The 10D, on the other hand, did a pretty good job of exposing the window shades and the bricks, while retaining some definition of the window. You can see that both cameras did a pretty good job in regards to sharpness on this picture.
The three major factors in overall image quality between the Rebel and the 10D were white balance, sharpness, and metering. The auto white balance isn't outstanding in either camera, but the 10D does a better job in our samples here. The inconsistent sharpness of these cameras is a big concern. They both appear to have front/back-focusing issues some of the time. On the pictures where there was a problem, we noticed that the cameras took a little longer to lock focus as they were having trouble determining where the focal point was. In general, the automatic metering of the Rebel doesn't seem to do as well as the evaluative metering of the 10D in producing an even exposure. The Rebel produced pictures that were either too dark or too bright (to the point of overexposing), while the 10D consistently produced even exposures.
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hixen - Thursday, September 23, 2004 - link
everyone looking for the "hack"http://satinfo.narod.ru/en/index.html
rapope - Thursday, September 9, 2004 - link
Hi,I don't agree. Why wouldn't someone start with a 10D? For example, let's say that someone has a sizable investment in Canon EF L lenses and wants to make the jump to digital? The 10D/20D would be a good choice for those who own a bunch of lenses and who don't want to break the bank on a digital SLR.
I'm currently considering making such a move. The EOS 20D would be a fine addition to my EOS-1 and EOS-3. I could decide to get a digital made around the EOS-1 at a later time.
Whaddaya think??
RP
rapope - Thursday, September 9, 2004 - link
Nice review, very detailed, with lots of useful information. Will you be posting an update based on the newly-released 20D?Thanks!!
511PF - Friday, July 9, 2004 - link
I think you did an excellent job in your review. I especially enjoyed the side by side noise and color comparisons. I thought the topic was very relevant and direct comparisons between the 300D and 10D are not that common. I thought the hands-on battery review was excellent as well. Every review adds something new and different. Yours was no exception.I find it unfortunate that some of the people here have a need to tear other people's work down. I appreciate your work and I think you did a good job. Thanks!
Mday - Friday, July 9, 2004 - link
yeah, i totally agree. First, there's no way anyone would START with the 10D. the 300D, maybe, but the person needs to be seriously wanting to get into photography. Otherwise, if all you want is a simple camera, there's no need to go with the "DSLRs". For MOST PPL, a fixed lens solution works just fine. Personally, i have outgrown a fixed lens solution, but i dont have the $$$ to get a real camera simply because the cost of lenses are $$$$$ compared to the cost of the camera.Besides, no one cares about any battles between the 10D and 300D. The battles are between the other $1000 DSLRs. So far, Nikon is winning imo.
WooDaddy - Thursday, July 8, 2004 - link
I'd have to agree with the majority of comments here. I'm sure stephen meant well by the review but I don't feel that Anandtech is an appropiate forum to discuss digital cameras. Dpreview is hands-down the best place for camera reviews.. Mind you, it is so because of the more photographic related points made during the review. Additionally, they focus on photogs not gadget lovers. A gadget lover wouldn't even consider a 10D, though a Rebel would be in their alley. (Personally, I have a Nikon FE2 with a Acer ScanWit 2420 and Minolta G400).I have a feeling the MAIN reason why this whole review was posted and even considered was what was noted in the last paragraph... a hack. Hacks/overclocking/deals/best bang for you buck all are issues that Anandtech readers love, hence the weekly buyers guides, overclocking tests, etc. This would have been best located as a post in the forums somewhere. Once I read that single paragraph, the jig was up and I was even more disappointed.
Additional 2c:
Anyone getting started in photography shouldn't use a 10D quality camera. Grasshopper, you must first realize it is the photographer, not the camera that takes great pictures. AF, AE, etc. should be regarded as luxuries not as requirements. Once you learn how to use a manual camera (Zone method, etc), one can appreciate automatic features. Same idea with digital cameras. Start small (S410 or S50) then move up to the big boys.
... phew... </rant>
stephencaston - Wednesday, July 7, 2004 - link
kaltree,The resolution test was done in RAW mode for both cameras and then converted to JPG in PS CS with +1.0 EV applied.
The rest of the image quality tests (including white balance) were done with both cameras reset to factory default settings and using the lowest compression JPG mode (Large/Fine 3072x2048). This allowed us to compare how both cameras process images using their default settings.
kaltree - Wednesday, July 7, 2004 - link
Does anyone know if the image quality and white balance tests were shot in RAW or JPEG mode?Reason is the tests will be uneven. The 300D will sharpen the image slightly more causing a degradation in resolution. Also, the 300D does boost the saturation slightly. The shots need to be done in RAW only and those images need to be compared. If I missed the fine print, I apologize.
(Canon 300D owner since August 2003)
broken33 - Wednesday, July 7, 2004 - link
Dpreview does indeed offer a far more comprehensive and frankly, believable review of each of these cameras.
I agree that you should instead focus on the computer-related issues that are involved with these kinds of cameras. It would be *GREAT* if you would post a comprehensive review of the firmware hacks for the 300D that are out there or do an overview of the various storage options that are out now. Hell, you could do a comprehensive look at performance issues with new CF cards - which ones are really worth the money and with what cameras are they best suited.
JetJock - Wednesday, July 7, 2004 - link
The D-Rebel cannot compare to Nikon's D70. Check it out. It is just slightly more expensive than the D-Rebel ($100 or so) and has many more features and better design / build.