Canon SLR Camera

Should you upgrade from a compact digital camera to a single-lens reflex (SLR) camera? The decision used to be a difficult one as there was a big difference in price between these 2 types of camera. Then there was also the fear of handling a more “complex” equipment, not to mention they are also much heavier and bulkier than the point-and-shoot compacts.

However, over the years the gap between the price, size, and ease-of-use has narrowed to such an extent that SLR cameras now are looking very attractive.

In 2003, Canon led the trend and launched the EOS 300D, offering the first SLR camera that was below US$1,000.

With advances in technology, entry-level digital SLR cameras have better features and lower prices, making the affordability and complexity arguments redundant.

With the launch of EOS 1000D, Canon has gone one up again with a 10.1 megapixel beauty that weighs only 450g without a lens. All the usual features of a digital SLR camera are there, including full manual control and compatibility with more than 60 Canon Lenses.

You can take JPEG and RAW images simultaneously. If you are a compact digital camera user, you will find the “live view” feature very useful. Like your compact, it allows you to shoot while viewing the scene on the rear LCD panel. Neat.

There is also a sensor cleaning system which Canon has been putting into its newer models.

The EOS 1000D can be set to adjust its sensor automatically to varying light conditions - from between ISO 100 and ISO 800. It also comes with an optically stabilized 18-55mm kit lens which, together with the auto-ISO, makes over-exposure and blurring of image a thing of the past.

The Canon EOS 1000D is truly a digital compact camera in an SLR body, without compromising all the great qualities of a digital SLR camera.

Canon has a knack for optimizing space, and it shows in the EOS 1000D, with buttons to give direct access to settings such as ISO, shooting mode, exposure and other features at the top and back of the camera.

The Canon EOS 1000D is really flexible in that it can be a fully automatic point-and-shoot digital camera one moment and a semi-automatic or a fully manual one the next.

At 3 frames per second it is by no means the fastest, but it makes up for it by giving you quality images that are not much different from those taken with a more expensive digital SLR camera.

And the secret to this quality is the sensor and image processor in the Canon EOS 1000D, the same one that is used in the higher-end Canon models.

Product description from Canon at http://www.usa.canon.com:

The Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi offers an unbeatable combination of performance, ease-of-use and value. It has a newly designed 10.1 MP Canon CMOS sensor plus a host of new features including a 2.5-inch LCD monitor, the exclusive EOS Integrated Cleaning System featuring a Self Cleaning Sensor and Canon’s Picture Style technology, all in a lightweight, ergonomic body. The Canon Digital Rebel XTi is proof positive that Canon continues to lead the way with their phenomenal digital SLRs.

10.1 Megapixel APS-C Size CMOS Sensor
Canon’s large-area CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) sensor captures images with exceptional clarity and tonal range, and offers the most pixels in its class. This APS-C size sensor (22.2 x 14.8mm) has the same 3:2 ratio as film cameras, enabling an effective angle of view that is 1.6x the normal EF Lens focal length. With an effective pixel resolution of 3,904 x 2,598, the Canon Digital Rebel XTi offers superb detail and clarity, even in large prints, and generates finished files that open at approximately 30MB in your image-editing software. On Canon’s CMOS sensor, each pixel is captured with fine detail to create images of tremendous depth and resolution, ensuring enough information for even poster-sized prints.

DIGIC II Image Processor
The Canon Digital Rebel XTi is the product of Canon’s extensive in-house development: The DIGIC II Image Processor was designed specifically for Canon digital SLR cameras and enhances every aspect of image capture. Information captured by the CMOS sensor is processed and assembled into images of exceptional quality. With the DIGIC II Image Processor on board, photographers can expect natural color reproduction, precise white balance in any number of lighting situations and unparalleled clarity. The DIGIC II Image Processor employs sophisticated signal processing algorithms and works at greater speeds, all while consuming less energy.

Product Features of Canon Digital Rebel XTi:

• 10.1-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 18 x 24-inch prints
• Large 2.5-inch LCD display; includes Canon’s EF-S 18-55mm, f3.5-5.6 zoom lens
• New self-cleaning dust function, plus Dust Delete Data Detection in included software
• DIGIC II Image Processor provides fast, accurate image processing; Picture Style settings for added creative control
• Stores images on Compact Flash (CF) memory cards; powered by battery pack NB-2LH

Technical Details of Canon Digital Rebel XTi:

• Type: Digital AF/AE SLR with built-in flash
• Recording medium: CompactFlash (CF) Card Type I and II
• Image format: 0.87 x 0.58 inches/22.2 x 14.8 millimeters (APS-C size sensor)
• Compatible lenses: Canon EF and EF-S lenses
• Lens mount: Canon EF mount
• Lens focal length conversion factor: 1.6x
• Image sensor type: High-sensitivity, high-resolution, single-plate, CMOS sensor
• Pixels: Approximately 10.1 megapixels
• Total pixels: Approximately 10.5 megapixels
• Aspect ratio: 3:2 (horizontal : vertical)
• Color filter system: RGB primary color filters
• Low-pass filter: Fixed position in front of the CMOS sensor
• Recording format: JPEG, RAW, and RAW+JPEG simultaneous recording provided. The RAW and JPEG images are saved as separate files in the CF card.
• Image format: JPEG, RAW (Canon .CR2)
• File size: Large/Fine: approximately 3.8MB (3,888 x 2,592); Large/Normal: approximately 2.0MB (3,888 x 2,592); Medium/Fine: approximately 2.3MB (2,816 x 1,880); Medium/Normal: approximately 1.2MB (2,816 x 1,880); Small/Fine: approximately 1.3MB (1,936 x 1,288); Small/Normal: Approximately 0.7MB (1,936 x 1,288); RAW: approximately 9.8MB (3,888 x 2,592)
• Folders: Automatic folder creation; up to 9,999 images per folder (new folder created when the file number reaches 9999)
• File numbering: Continuous numbering, auto reset, manual reset (the image numbering is reset to 0001, a new folder is created where subsequent images are saved)
• Color Space: Selectable between sRGB and Adobe RGB
• Interface: USB 2.0 Hi-Speed, mini-B port. NTSC/PAL for video output
• White Balance settings: Auto, Preset (Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten Light, White Fluorescent Light, Flash), Manual (Custom or user-set Color Temperature)
• Auto White Balance: Auto white balance with the image sensor inches
• Color temperature compensation: White balance bracketing: +/- stops in 1-stop increments; white balance correction: blue/amber bias +/- 9 levels, magenta/green bias +/- 9 levels inches
• Viewfinder type: Eye-level SLR with pentamirror inches
• Coverage: Approximately 95% horizontally and vertically pounds
• Magnification: 0.8x (-1 dpt with 50mm lens at infinity)
• Eyepoint: Approximately 21mm
• Dioptric adjustment correction: -3.0 to +1.0 diopter
• Mirror: Quick-return half mirror (transmission: reflection ratio of 40:60)
• Viewfinder information: AF (AF points, focus confirmation light), exposure (shutter speed, aperture, exposure level, AE lock, exposure compensation, AEB level, bulb), flash (flash ready, red-eye reduction lamp on, high-speed sync, FE lock, FEB shooting, flash exposure compensation, insufficient flash warning during FE lock), white balance correction, maximum burst, CF card full warning, CF card error warning, no CF card warning
• Depth-of-field preview: Enabled with depth-of-field preview button (with Speedlite 580EX, 430EX, MR-14EX or MT-24EX; pressing the depth-of-field preview button fires a modeling flash)
• Eyepiece shutter: None (eyepiece cover provided on strap)
• Autofocus type: TTL-CT-SIR with CMOS sensor
• AF points: 9 AF points
• AF working range: EV -0.5 to 18 (ISO 100 at 73 degrees F/23 degrees C)
• Focusing modes: Autofocus: One-Shot AF, Predictive AI Servo AF, AI Focus AF (automatic switching between One-Shot/Predictive AI Servo AF); Manual Focus (MF)
• AF point selection: Automatic selection, Manual AF point selection
• Selected AF point display: Superimposed on viewfinder and LCD monitor
• AF-assist beam: Intermittent firing of built-in flash (emitted automatically when necessary under low light, and linked to all 9 AF points; not emitted in the Landscape, Sports, and Flash OFF modes)
• Metering modes: Maximum aperture TTL metering with 35-zone SPC; evaluative metering (linked to all AF points), partial metering (approximately 9% at center of viewfinder), center-weighted average metering
• Metering range: EV 1-20 (ISO 100 at 73 degrees F/23 degrees C with EF 50mm f1.4 USM lens)
• Exposure control systems: Program AE (shiftable), Shutter-priority AE, Aperture-priority AE, Auto Depth-of-field AE (non-shiftable), Full auto (Program AE, non-shiftable), Programmed image control modes, Manual exposure (including bulb), E-TTL II autoflash program AE
• ISO speed range: Basic Zone: automatically set by the camera; Creative Zone: equivalent to ISO 100-1,600
• Exposure compensation: User-set with multi-controller, AEB (Auto Exposure Bracketing); bracketing range: +/- 2 stops in 1/3- or 1/2-stop increments
• AE lock: Auto: applied in One-Shot AF mode with evaluative metering when focus is achieved; user-set: applied with AE lock button
• Shutter type: Vertical-travel, mechanical, focal-plane shutter with all speeds electronically controlled
• Shutter speeds: 1/4000 second to 30 seconds (1/3- and 1/2-stop increments), X-sync at 1/200 second; shutter durability: approximately 100,000 exposures
• Shutter release: Soft-touch electomangetic release; shutter “lag time” approximately 100 microseconds inches
• Self-timer: 10 seconds delay, 2 seconds delay with C.Fn-7-1 (mirror lockup) inches
• Remote control: Remote control with Remote Switch RS-60E3 or Wireless Remote Controllers RC-1/RC-5 inches
• Built-in flash type: Auto pop-up, retractable, built-in flash in the pentaprism pounds
• Guide number: 43 feet/13 meters (ISO 100)
• Recycling time: Approximately 3 seconds
• Flash-ready indicator: Flash-ready indicator lights in viewfinder
• Flash coverage: 17mm lens focal length (equivalent to 27mm in 135 format)
• Flash metering system: E-TTL II autoflash
• Flash exposure compensation: +/-2 stops in 1/3- and 1/2-stop increments
• External Speedlite: EOS external flash or dedicated Speedlites, E-TTL II autoflash with EX-Series Speedlites
• PC terminal: Provided; not sensitive to flash polarity
• Drive modes: Single, Continuous, Self-timer/Remote control
• Continuous shooting speed: Approximately 3 frames per second (fps) (at shutter speed of 1/250 seconds or faster)
• Maximum burst during continuous shooting: JPEG: approximately 27 frames (Large/Fine); RAW: approximately 10 frames; RAW+JPEG: approximately 8 frames (Large/Fine)
• LCD monitor type: TFT color, liquid-crystal monitor
• Monitor size: 2.5-inch diagonal with a viewing angle of approximately 160 degrees vertically and horizontally
• Pixels: Approximately 230,000 pixels
• Coverage: Approximately 100%
• Brightness control: 7 levels provided
• Image display format: Single image, 9-image index, magnified zoom (approximately 1.5x to 10x), auto play, auto review right after shooting, histogram, rotate, jump
• Highlight alert: In the single image (INFO) display mode, the highlight portions containing no image information will blink
• Image protection and erase protection: A single image can be protected or unprotected
• Erase: A single image or all images stored in a CF card can be erased if they are unprotected
• Direct printing from the camera: Enabled with the Print/Share button
• Compatible printers: CP and Selphy Compact Photo Printers, Pixma Photo Printers, and PictBridge compatible printers (via USB Interface Cable IFC-400PCU) inches
• Settings: Print quantity, style (image, paper size, borders, date), trimming inches
• New features: Dust Delete Feature: Auto Sensor Cleaning, Dust Delete Data, Manual Sensor Cleaning inches
• Picture Style: Six preset Picture Style settings plus three user-defined custom Picture style settings with individual adjustments for sharpness, contrast, color saturation, 2nd color tone; filter effect, toning effect for black and white images pounds
• Menu categories: Shooting menu: red; playback menu: blue; setup menu: yellow
• LCD monitor language: 15 languages provided (English, German, French, Dutch, Danish, Finnish, Italian, Norwegian, Swedish, Spanish, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean, Japanese)
• Firmware update: Enabled by the user
• Power source: One Battery Pack NB-2LH
• Number of shots: Approximately 500 (73 degrees F/23 degrees C, flash off), approximately 370 (32 degrees F/0 degrees C, flash off) (CIPA testing standards)
• Battery check: Automatic
• Power saving: provided; power turns off after set time of 30 seconds, 1, 2, 4, 8, 15 minutes or off
• Back-up battery: One CR2016 Lithium Battery
• Dimensions (W x H x D): 4.98 x 3.71 x 2.56 inches/126.5 x 94.2 x 65 millimeters
• Weight: 18 ounces/510 grams (body only)
• Operating temperature range: 32-104 degrees F/0-40 degrees C
• Operating humidity range: 85% or less
• Lens focal length and maximum aperture: 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6
• Lens construction: 11 elements in 9 groups
• Lens diagonal angle of view: 75 degrees 20 minutes to 27 degrees 50 minutes
• Lens focus adjustment: Inner focusing system with Micro USM
• Closest focusing distance (included 18-55mm lens): 0.28 meters / 0.92 feet to infinity
• Lens zoom system: Rotating type
• Lens filter size: 58mm
• Maximum diameter x length: 2.7 x 2.6 inches / 69 x 66.2 millimeters
• Lens weight: 6.07 ounces, 190 grams

Although this site is about Canon SLR camera, I believe a brief explanation of what a single lens reflex (SLR) camera is is in order.

An SLR camera uses an automatic moving mirror system so that what you see in the viewfinder is exactly what will be captured by the film or digital imaging system. In other words, what you see is what you get. In addition, the SLR camera design allows one camera to accommodate a wide range of interchangeable lens to suit certain shots, such as landscape, portrait, micro or macro shots.

Advantages of SLR cameras:

• No parallax error.
• Easy to upgrade. You can still use all you old lenses if you decide to replace your old camera body with a new one.
• Exact focusing. If you are into tiny insects, getting a macro lens will allow you to indulge in your hobby.
• Wide range of interchangeable lenses and accessories.

Disadvantages of SLR cameras:

• SLR cameras are heavier and bulkier than the point-and-shoots.
• They are more costly.
• An SLR camera takes time to learn, unlike a point-and-shoot where a beginner can just start taking photos in a flash.

Canon offers a range of digital and 35mm SLR cameras, as well as EF Lenses.

Canon SLR Camera (35mm)

• Canon EOS-1v
• Canon EOS ELAN 7NE
• Canon Rebel T2
• Canon EOS Rebel K2

Canon SLR Camera (Digital)

• Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III
• Canon EOS-1D Mark III
• Canon EOS 5D Digital
• Canon EOS 40D Digital
• Canon EOS 30D Digital
• Canon EOS Rebel XSi
• Canon EOS Rebel XS
• Canon Digital Rebel XT
• Canon Digital Rebel XTi

Both the 35mm Canon SLR camera and the digital SLR camera offer amazing image quality and outstanding performance. Their advanced features offer enthusiasts a state of the art SLR camera that makes every photo taking experience a truly memorable one.