Canon Digital Rebel XT: Hardly an Entry-Level DSLR
by Stephen Caston on May 3, 2005 12:05 AM EST- Posted in
- Digital Camera
Battery Performance
Our general method for battery testing is to reset the camera to its default settings and change the recording mode to the highest quality option (RAW). Then, we take 5 pictures without the flash and 2 pictures with the flash until the battery is dead. For more information on our battery test, please refer to our Testing Procedures page. For this test, we used the supplied rechargeable lithium-ion batteries for each camera. For the Canon 20D and 300D, this was a BP-511A 7.4V 1100 mAh. The Canon 350D uses an NB-2LH 7.4V 720 mAh. The batteries were fully drained before charging overnight for the test.| Number of shots taken in one battery charge | |
| Canon 20D | 4,353 |
| Canon 350D | 3,818 |
| Canon 300D | 1,630 |
Despite having a smaller battery with a smaller capacity, the 350D performed extremely well in our battery test. We were able to take 3,818 frames with the 350D compared to 4,353 with the 20D. As the table above demonstrates, the 350D is more comparable to the 20D than it is to the 300D. We should also mention that the new BG-E3 battery grip is available for the 350D, which runs approximately $150. The grip can hold either 2 NB-2LH batteries or 6 AA's. We have heard of some people buying the BG-E3 grip in order to compensate for the smaller main grip. This is something to keep in mind if you think your hand might be uncomfortable with the main grip. The only way to find out is to actually hold a 350D in your hands to get a feel for how well the main grip will work for you. Even without the extra battery potential of the BG-E3, we are extremely impressed with the 350D's performance in our battery test. Keep in mind that the actual number of frames that you will get out of the 350D will vary based on a number of factors such as image stabilization, periods of inactivity, temperature, etc. Our battery test represents more of an ideal number of shots that you could achieve if you shot continuously until the battery was empty.
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6000SUX - Sunday, May 8, 2005 - link
Thanks for a great review. Based on this one, I went to some other sites like dpreview.com, checked out lots of sample pictures etc. against competitors like the D70 and decided to take the plunge. All I can say is, this camera's fantastic. It's easy even for a relative newbie like me to get up to speed and take really great pictures.Now I have a great camera with which to take pictures of my first child. Thanks again.
stephencaston - Thursday, May 5, 2005 - link
#23, Unfortunately, since the digicam section is still relatively new, we don't have a lot of places to get products right now (lenses). We have been able to do Canon SLR reviews simply because we already have lenses. Don't worry, we are planning on covering the new Nikon DSLRs as soon as we can get them.Stephen
sgtroyer - Thursday, May 5, 2005 - link
I've got to add to the calls for a Nikon DSLR review. It's a pretty glaring omission given the reviews of the Canon 300D, 20D, and 350D, but no Nikon. The D70 is a fantastic camera, far better than the 300D for marginally more money. The D50 will provide even better value. Isn't reviewing only Canon DSLRs sort of like reviewing only Nvidia GPU's or Intel processors?stephencaston - Thursday, May 5, 2005 - link
Keep in mind that this isn't a "real world" battery test. We literally sat down with the camera and took 3,818 frames in one session.Ender78 - Thursday, May 5, 2005 - link
The battery life stated here seems to be a little off. I will have to test, but I dont believe my camera has anywhere close to the stated battery life.gplracer - Wednesday, May 4, 2005 - link
Nice review. I decided on the 20D over the 350 because of the size, feel, and the controls. The wheel in the back of the 20D is so much better than the controls on the 350. I am sure picture quality is close.brownba - Wednesday, May 4, 2005 - link
even my sd300 has this 'rattle.'i too assume it's for determining position.
that's the coolest thing - when you're in clock mode, if you swiftly move the camera, it will change the color of the clock.
shuttleboi - Tuesday, May 3, 2005 - link
From what I've read, the viewfinder on the XT is even smaller than the tiny one I have on my 300D. I also own a Canon film SLR, and the viewfinder in that is freaking huge compared to the one in my 300D. When you have a wide-aperture lens (larger than f2.8), then you will want a large viewfinder to see if you are focusing correctly, otherwise it is very easy to get the focus plane locked with the narrow depth of field.shuttleboi - Tuesday, May 3, 2005 - link
#13: if the XT is like my 300D, then that rattling sound is the part of the camera that determines if you are holding the camera vertically or horizontally. It is normal.STaSh - Tuesday, May 3, 2005 - link
No idea...I have a 20d.