Comparing the Menu Layouts of the Canon EOS 7D and Canon EOS 30D. Twitter: twitter.com Flickr: www.flickr.com Personally I would love to be able to switch the menu system between both set ups so I could have the best of both worlds. I do accept that a long single list may not work on the Canon 7D due to the number of options. Any thoughts are of course welcome!
Video Rating: 5 / 5
Canon EOS 30D 8.2MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)
- 8.2-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 16 x 22-inch prints
- Large 2.5-inch LCD monitor that can be viewed at extreme angles up to 170 degrees
- High- and low-speed consecutive shooting (5 frames and 3 frames per second, respectively)
- Fully compatible with all EF and EF-S Lenses and a wide range of EOS system accessories (no lenses included)
- Powered by a lithium-ion battery pack; stores images on CF cards
List Price: $ 2,100.00
Price: $ 1,299.99
CANON EOS REBEL XTI: A COMPELLING DIGITAL CAMERA FOR CASUAL AND PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS ALIKE
Article by Chris Cordoba
OVERVIEW
The Canon EOS Rebel XTi is the best digital SLR camera for amateurs or casual photographers on a budget and it makes a good backup body for professionals, a testament to its high quality. As you’ll see, the Canon Rebel XTi is a great value and, if coupled with a high quality lens, produces outstanding pictures that are acceptable for nearly any purpose.
The Canon Rebel XTi is an improvement of an already superb camera — the Rebel XT — with Canon’s latest and greatest innovations to make digital SLR photography more like you remember from the film days and with more versatility as well. Very simply, the Rebel XTi is compact, lightweight, rugged, inexpensive, responsive, and compatible with dozens of the world’s best lenses.
OUTSTANDING FEATURES
There are a lot of reasons why the Canon Rebel XTi has become the world’s most popular digital single-lens reflex camera. Let’s have a look at its “feature set” to see which most important attributes have propelled this digital camera to the top.
The Canon Rebel XTi, a major advancement over its successful Rebel XT predecessor, is a sophisticated 10 Megapixel Digital SLR that gives plenty of photo prowess for your money. More pixels, a bigger LCD, and dust reduction are all welcome.
AUTO FOCUS: FAST, ACCURATE, AND LOW-LIGHT CAPABLE
However, faster Auto Focus (borrowed from Canon’s professional 30D model) is probably the most celebrated Rebel XTi feature.
This translates into a great benefit because now you’re able to get shots that you couldn’t begin to imagine with the XT. The focusing of the Canon Rebel XTi is instantaneous and very accurate. The Rebel XTi capitalizes on a refined 9-area autofocus system that produces its speed, precision, broad frame coverage, and class-leading low-light detection. All of this makes it easy to take great pictures in low light situations. (Think candle-light!) The center Auto Focus point of the Rebel XTi is the best setting in low light.
With pixel resolution of 3,904 x 2,598, the Digital Rebel XTi not only offers the most pixels in its class, but, surprisingly, bests many professional-level cameras in this regard. And the Digital Rebel XTi’s shutter can record images as fast as 1/4000 of a second and as long as 30 seconds, plus bulb, and bursts at up to 3 frames per second (fps) for 27 consecutive shots. So, whether you’re taking fast-moving sports shots in bright sun or delayed-shutter night shots of city lights and fireworks, you’re assured the Rebel XTi delivers beautifully.
The Canon Rebel XTi is available as a “body only” or in a standard kit form, which includes the excellent Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3 zoom lense. The XTi is compatible with all Canon lenses in the EF lineup, ranging from ultra-wide angle to super telephoto lenses, and including Canon’s EF-S series lenses, manufactured specifically for Canon’s APS-C sized digital sensor. In addition to Canon’s EF lenses and Speedlite flashes, many other accessories are designed by Canon to work perfectly with the EOS Digital Rebel XTi.
DUST-CLEANING IMAGE SENSOR
Another Canon innovation found in the Rebel XTi (and not found on the 30D) is the Self-Cleaning Sensor Unit. To combat stray dust that enters the camera and adheres to the image sensor during a lens change, the Digital Rebel XTi features an all new, Canon-designed, Self Cleaning Sensor Unit. Call it a “Dust Delete” feature! It’s worthwhile noting that the Digital Rebel XTi is the first digital EOS SLR camera to feature this important technology. This insures that the sensor is free of dust and debris so that the camera produces clear, clean images all the time.
PRO-FEATURES WITHOUT THE PRO-PRICE
The XTi offers an expanded feature set that matches or exceeds the capabilities of the Canon professional 30D. For instance, the Rebel XTi inherits the 30D’s extensive image adjustments, notably the Picture Styles menu that allows selection of profiles governing sharpness, color saturation, and contrast.
And here’s where the value component really shines for the Rebel XTi. Compare three categories for the Canon 30D professional camera that eclipse those of the XTi: The 30D excels with a more robust build quality (magnesium-alloy versus polycarbonate), spot metering, and longer estimated shutter life. In the real world, they’re not enough to convince most non-professional photographers that the 30D is worth 0-0 more than the XTi, especially since the XTi wins or ties in most other categories. So why pay more?
TWO REBEL XTI COMPLAINTS NOT REALLY A PROBLEM:
1) The most common complaint deals with XTi’s flash exposure issues. Most pros already know you have to calibrate your camera. This is true with film, and it’s even more important with digital cameras. So, any flash exposure issues are totally correctable in just a few minutes from the camera setup menus.
2) The included rechargeable Lith-Ion battery is sufficient for a day of active photography, somewhere between 300 and 500 photos plus the reviewing you do. (Please note: The Canon Rebel XTi will not run on disposable AA batteries.) In order to recharge the battery, you must use the travel charger (which is a bit bulky if you have to carry it around on your person) that simply plugs directly into a wall socket. If you are a serious photographer, you should probably purchase and carry a backup NB-2LH battery for convenience.
TWEAKING YOUR PHOTOS
For the more advanced user, shooting can be done in RAW format, which provides greater flexibility with image editing. If and when you reach the point where you want to really fine-tune images, you can learn to work with RAW files. In fact the Rebel XTi makes this very easy in two ways: You can record RAW files simultaneously with highest-quality JPEGs. Or record in RAW alone. The Canon RAW converter/editing software included with the camera (Digital Photo Professional 2.2) is fairly easy to learn and use.
Whether you use other imaging software, such as Photoshop, or Canon’s, you won’t have to spend too much time post-processing, with such conveniences as the Rebel XTi’s inclusion of an “auto rotate” feature (enabled from the first tools menu). The DIGIC II Image Processor, the brains of the Rebel XTi, is the result of Canon’s extensive in-house development. The DIGIC II Image Processor has been designed specifically for Canon digital SLR cameras, and it enhances every aspect of image capture, eliminating the need for most post-processing.
CONCLUSION
Overall, the compact, lightweight, easy-to-use EOS Rebel XTi is the ideal digital SLR choice for both the serious photographer who demands the ultimate in high-quality features, as well as for the weekend picture taker who demands the ultimate in affordability and convenience. The Rebel XTi is a generational update that brings much of Canon’s experience and technology into play.
Getting to 10 megapixels, while maintaining industry-leading image quality as well as offering speedy, accurate focusing in any situation, is quite an achievement. It’s the factor that keeps the Rebel XTi worthy of the word “compelling”. Maybe that’s why PCMagazine, after their in-depth review, stated “Overall, the Canon Rebel XTi is an all-around excellent performer”, and gave it their undeniable Editor’s Choice Award in the Digital SLR category.
To see a user rating comparison of the three top-selling digital SLR cameras, illustrating eight quality categories side-by-side, go to http://digitalcamera.leveragenow.com. ChrisCordoba@infoworldhelp.com.(c) 2007 Chris Cordoba
About the Author
International Photographer, Photo-Technophobe, and Consumer Advocate
I feel like an idiot! Thank you for the tip! You were 100% dead on.
Hi….
It’s because you’ve got the selection wheel on top on the GREEN auto mode or one of the other presets.
Get it off the auto modes and never use them again (except in an emergency)!!!!!
Cheers
Andy
I have a question. Does the 30d menu expand or contract? The reason is that i don’t have choices in my 30d menu that I once had or that i see in your video above. For example, in the red section after “shoot with card”, I don’t have the AEB option and the ones below it. Its like in each color, I only have some of the options that you show in the menu above. Have I done something to shorten my menu view? I really need to expand it so I can use all my features. Thanks!!!
Maybe your right, but I will always stick up for the 30D menu, I love it!. Maybe Canon will provide a tab section with all commonly used functions which becomes a scroll list one day (if you wish)? That would be ideal for me!!
Thanks!
I think… 7D has wayyyy more options, thus need tabs to contain so that things won’t get messy.. as for 30D… ain’t much comparing to 7D?
I think it depends on waht you are used to. Going from a Canon to a Nikon would be a shock however. I am loving my new 7D. I LOVE the menu system. Yoiu can also scroll through the top tabs with the top dial. It’s easier than the “joystick”
Is the switch worth it?,
There are probably many people out there who are thinking about buying this camera to upgrade. If you own a 10D then the choice is pretty easy, as you get extra MP plus new features. However, what if you own the XT, is this a worthwhile upgrade? The answer is that it depends if you need the new features. Based on my personal experience, however, the answer is a resonating yes!
Also, if you are trying to decide between buying the XT or the 20D, take a look at the 30D. The 30D offers a great combination of features that you won’t find in those two cameras.
SIZE MATTERS: yes my hands are big and I don’t like holding the XT. In fact, that’s what made the 20D appealing back when I was shopping for my first digital SLR, but it didn’t offer much more than that. On the other hand, the 30D size is perfect with a much solid feel than my XT and I get more features with the 30D.
BIGGER LCD: The new 2.5 inch LCD screen (up from 1.8) is so much better than the one on the XT. Now I can look at the picture I have taken and actually see some details. That’s very important because it cuts down on nasty surprises that I couldn’t otherwise spot while shooting with the XT.
IMAGE PARAMETER: is awesome! I know how to set parameters on my XT to suit the shooting situation (portrait vs. nature for example). However, many of my friends who own the XT don’t bother to make any changes. With the 30D, however, changing the parameters is as easy as dialing in what you are shooting. You set it on portrait and no more over saturated pictures of your friends! This new feature makes the professional level 30D extra friendly for amateurs.
1/3 ISO STOPS: That new feature makes taking test shots with the 30D much more enjoyable than with the XT. Hence, no more soft images with low shutter speed or too much depth of field with high aperture. Instead you can sacrifice an extra 1/3 stop of ISO and achieve correct exposure!
Aside from those four great improvements there are few nice features here and there. As for all other aspects of photography, like auto focus and light metering for example, this camera will not disappoint you. It beat my XT in every aspect, except price! Therefore, if you are comfortable making the investment get this camera, it rocks!
PS. ABOUT THE KIT LENS: I personally don’t like the kit lens because it focuses slowly, renders colors poorly, and produces marginally sharp pictures. I say marginaly because it’s a shame to couple the awesome 30D with such a low performance lens. Instead I would buy the body only and invest few hundred dollars in an excellent prime or a decent zoom. If you are new to photography, however, and not sure what to buy instead of the kit lens consider buying the 50 1.8 Canon lens along with the kit lens. That lens will serve as a good reference point for what you are missing by using the kit lens. Furthermore, the 50 mm lens goes for only $70 new. Use both lenses, learn the difference, and from there decide if it’s worth it for you to buy different lenses. Good luck either way.
UPDATE APRIL 6: The 30D auto focus is superior to the Rebel XT. Generally speaking when I am out shooting in the forest preserve I make sure I take few exposures of the same scene without changing the composition. I do that because very often the camera would focus on the wrong object and render my pictures useless. The 30D on the other hand is better it focuses on the right object more often. It’s just “smarter” in focusing, which mean that now I can take pictures of more scenes with my 512MB memory card. Prior to that, I had to fill up the card with multiple pictures of the same scenes.
UPDATE APRIL 30: Three new features have come in handy so far. Those are spot metering, controls layout, and ISO display in the viewfinder.
SPOT METERING: can be very useful in taking landscape images. From my experience, the evaluative metering found on the XT and 20D (more so in the XT) tends to create over exposed pictures in tricky situations. I usually take few exposures that are underexposed to combat this. Now with this new feature I can point at the object of interest, obtain an exposure reading, and then recompose and take my picture based on that reading. Thanks to spot metering this new approach provide accurate results and is much more convenient than filling up the memory card with several exposures of the same scene.
CONTROLS LAYOUT & ISO DISPLAY: Those two new features go hand in hand, as it’s very easy to use the two wheels on the back and on the top of the camera to change settings that most important of which is (yup you guessed it) ISO speed. Once you change the ISO speed you will see the speed value being illuminated in the viewfinder, truly a piece of mind!
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|IMO, STILL the best buy for the money!,
This camera offers a few well considered improvements over the 20D it replaces. The sensor and processor are the same so the image quality will not differ one iota, BUT an enlarged LCD monitor, spot metering, vastly improved shutter life and ISO displayed on the viewfinder are worthy improvements easily justifying the upgrade from the 20D. If one is considering an upgrade from the 10D my advice would be to definitely go for it. The 20D and 30D both have the “instant on” feature and this represents a vast improvement over the 10D. The 10D was felt by many to have focusing issues and though I did not have any significant problem with my 10D in that regard the 30D represents a substantial improvement in this area. Canon still is not offering (in this price range) a camera with eye control or 45 focusing points, BUT the nine focusing points that ARE offered are well placed and the camera focuses quickly and surely resulting in tack sharp photos.
The pictures this camera takes are simply beyond belief. Beautifully saturated, tack sharp, NO, and I mean NO noise at 400 or below and barely discernible noise all the way up to 1600 ISO. For all practical purposes 1600 ISO is an entirely usable speed resulting in fantastic pictures. What Canon has accomplished in reducing noise and increasing pixel density proves that they are, for now, the technology leader. Canon for now is doing a better job at controlling noise than Nikon though Nikon with the D200 comes pretty darn close except at 800 ISO and above.
The new flash system, ETTL II, available first on the 20D is a vast improvement over previous systems. The in camera processing results in exceptional and pleasing pictures. This camera has a fixed continuous shooting rate which was not present on the 20D. The megapixels stay constant at 8.2 million pixels. Many may be disappointed that the MP count was not increased and feel that perhaps a nominal increase to 10MP would have better justified an upgrade. Canon obviously feels that noise and other features are more important at this point than raw MP’s and I would agree. The holy grail of digital photography is now dynamic range. And while this camera offers no improvement in dynamic range I think we can expect to see such improvements in future offerings from Canon and the other manufacturers.
One of the greatest things about digital photography is the ability to build a digital dark room for next to nothing. With the included Photoshop Elements you are well on your way to producing pictures that you could only have imagined in the pre-digital days. I am able to recoup pictures that I never would have considered salvageable before this camera. And while Elements is a great program and more than adequate for most needs I would recommend considering Photoshop CS2 for those who intend to plumb the depths of this hobby.
Another thing I like about Canon is the lens system which IMO is second to none. Also, Canon continues to innovate at a furious pace driving the price of these digital cameras relentlessly downward. This camera is being introduced at a lower price than either the 10D or the 20D. The 5D is plummeting in price and is approaching my “strike point” for purchase. I expect that we will see a sub $2000 10 MP camera with a full frame sensor in the next 18 months. Such are the economics of digital photography. It would seem that Moore’s law is driving the prices down inexorably.
So, I LOVE the 30D! LOVE Canon. And LOVE digital. All in all I’d say I’m a pretty happy camper!
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|Is the switch worth it?,
There are probably many people out there who are thinking about buying this camera to upgrade. If you own a 10D then the choice is pretty easy, as you get extra MP plus new features. However, what if you own the XT, is this a worthwhile upgrade? The answer is that it depends if you need the new features. Based on my personal experience, however, the answer is a resonating yes!
Also, if you are trying to decide between buying the XT or the 20D, take a look at the 30D. The 30D offers a great combination of features that you won’t find in those two cameras.
SIZE MATTERS: yes my hands are big and I don’t like holding the XT. In fact, that’s what made the 20D appealing back when I was shopping for my first digital SLR, but it didn’t offer much more than that. On the other hand, the 30D size is perfect with a much solid feel than my XT and I get more features with the 30D.
BIGGER LCD: The new 2.5 inch LCD screen (up from 1.8) is so much better than the one on the XT. Now I can look at the picture I have taken and actually see some details. That’s very important because it cuts down on nasty surprises that I couldn’t otherwise spot while shooting with the XT.
IMAGE PARAMETER: is awesome! I know how to set parameters on my XT to suit the shooting situation (portrait vs. nature for example). However, many of my friends who own the XT don’t bother to make any changes. With the 30D, however, changing the parameters is as easy as dialing in what you are shooting. You set it on portrait and no more over saturated pictures of your friends! This new feature makes the professional level 30D extra friendly for amateurs.
1/3 ISO STOPS: That new feature makes taking test shots with the 30D much more enjoyable than with the XT. Hence, no more soft images with low shutter speed or too much depth of field with high aperture. Instead you can sacrifice an extra 1/3 stop of ISO and achieve correct exposure!
Aside from those four great improvements there are few nice features here and there. As for all other aspects of photography, like auto focus and light metering for example, this camera will not disappoint you. It beat my XT in every aspect, except price! Therefore, if you are comfortable making the investment get this camera, it rocks!
UPDATE APRIL 6: The 30D auto focus is superior to the Rebel XT. Generally speaking when I am out shooting in the forest preserve I make sure I take few exposures of the same scene without changing the composition. I do that because very often the camera would focus on the wrong object and render my pictures useless. The 30D on the other hand is better it focuses on the right object more often. It’s just “smarter” in focusing, which mean that now I can take pictures of more scenes with my 512MB memory card. Prior to that, I had to fill up the card with multiple pictures of the same scenes.
UPDATE APRIL 30: Three new features have come in handy so far. Those are spot metering, controls layout, and ISO display in the viewfinder.
SPOT METERING: can be very useful in taking landscape images. From my experience, the evaluative metering found on the XT and 20D (more so in the XT) tends to create over exposed pictures in tricky situations. I usually take few exposures that are underexposed to combat this. Now with this new feature I can point at the object of interest, obtain an exposure reading, and then recompose and take my picture based on that reading. Thanks to spot metering this new approach provide accurate results and is much more convenient than filling up the memory card with several exposures of the same scene.
CONTROLS LAYOUT & ISO DISPLAY: Those two new features go hand in hand, as it’s very easy to use the two wheels on the back and on the top of the camera to change settings that most important of which is (yup you guessed it) ISO speed. Once you change the ISO speed you will see the speed value being illuminated in the viewfinder, truly a piece of mind!
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|