Digital Trends

In 2003, Canon opened the floodgates for affordable digital single lens reflex (D-SLR) cameras with the 6-megapixel Digital Rebel, the first digital camera with an interchangeable lens for under $1,000 dollars.  Now, the company has blown away the competition with the introduction of the new 8 MP Digital Rebel XT.  I know Nikon fans will groan but this fact is hard to deny, even with the introduction of the slightly enhanced 6 MP Nikon 70s.  Although you can still purchase the Rebel for $799 with a lens, we strongly urge you to spend the extra money for the XT ($999 with the lens).  Not only is picture quality improved, thanks to new circuitry dubbed DIGIC II by Canon, but the D-SLR operates much faster and the battery lasts longer.  Response time is almost instantaneous from the time you focus to saving the image to the card.  It's very close to the more expensive and highly rated Canon EOS 20D, which costs hundreds more.  The new camera is not only more potent, it weighs slightly less than the Digital Rebel (17.1 ounces versus 19.7).  In case you couldn't tell, we really loved this camera.  For the record, the new 6MP Pentax *ist DL is the lightest D-SLR at 16.6 ounces and it's due in July.  For an extra half-ounce, we'll definitely choose the XT.