When I first looked at getting a digital camera I considered myself an amateur photographer. I knew how to point the camera at something and click the button. Every once in a while I would get a photo that made someone go wow, but I felt that it was just luck. There was absolutely no skill involved. After I purchased my digital camera I feel that I am now an intermediate photographer. I still have a lot to learn; however this camera has taught that there is more to photography than just pointing and clicking.

General Information

Type of Camera: Digital, single-lens reflex, AF/AE camera with built-in flash
Interchangeable lens
Imaging Element: Type - High-sensitivity, high-resolution, large single-plate CMOS sensor
Effective Pixels: Approx. 10.1 megapixels
Color Filter System: RGB primary color filter
Dust Deletion Feature: Sensor cleaning- auto or manual, dust delete data appended to image data
Image Type: JPEG or RAW
Picture Style: Standard, portrait, landscape, neutral, faithful, or monochrome
Adjustable White Balance
Easily adjusts from auto focus to manual focus with button on the lens
Built in Flash
Single, continuous, or self-timer drive modes
2.5 inch LCD monitor
Has multiple display formats
Power saver: turns camera off automatically with adjustable times
Rechargeable lithium ion battery
Battery fully charges in approximately 90 minutes

Size of Camera

After comparing camera after camera I decided to purchase the Canon EOS 400D / Rebel Xti / Digital Camera with the 18-55 mm lens. The canon felt like a solid camera, it weights in at 1.12 lbs., width is 4.98 in., depth is 2.56 in., and height is 3.71 in. I carry my camera around with me almost every where I go. I have never felt like it was to heavy or bulky. Most of the time I do not even realize that I am carrying it around with me. I do a lot of photography off of a four-wheeler or while hiking. I have never worried about it getting broke, it does not only feel solid it has proven to be a solid camera. My canon has been out in the dust and rain and it has never given me a bit of trouble. Of course when I get back home the first thing I do is clean the camera. Some of the other cameras I compared it to felt lighter, but at the same time they did not feel as solid. If I would have purchased something else I don't think it would have been able to stand up to the abuse that the canon has. They also felt smaller and not as easy to hold. Especially for people with big hands.

Resolution

Another great thing about this camera is the resolution. The camera resolution has 10.1 megapixels. The clarity of the pictures are unbelievable. Many of the pictures I have shot look like you are right there and not looking at a picture. In comparing the resolution to other cameras in the same price range, I found this canon to have the highest resolution. Not only is the picture clear the color of the picture is also unbelievable. I have taken pictures that show more color than I can see with my naked eye. This is also all adjustable. I can adjust the color on the camera or the computer after the picture is taken. When taking pictures of the sunset this is a great place to be able to adjust the color. I can adjust the RGB to pick up more red or orange which makes the picture even better than in real life. The color is on the whole picture. The edges don't look like edges where the picture fades off, unless I choose to make it like that on the computer. The whole image is clear.

Memory Card

I am using a SanDisk Ultra II 2.0GB memory card. I take most of my pictures on a RAW file. This takes approximately 9.8MB per picture. The image resolution is the maximum of 3888 x 2592 pixels. Not only are my pictures clear and easily enlarged, I can store over 400 pictures on the memory card. If I change the image resolution to a smaller file I can fit somewhere around 1,000 pictures on the memory card.

Image-Recording Quality

With being able to take less pictures on a RAW file some would ask why I would choose to use a RAW file over a jpg file which has the same quality, but is able to store more photos. The reason I choose to use the RAW file is because I use my computer to edit all my photos. Most of the photos I take with this camera does not require it to be edited; however, I scrapbook all my photos so I can directly download them to my computer and make all the adjustments I want from different colors to sizes. A RAW file requires computer software to be displayed on the computer. I use Digital Photo Professional which came with the camera. When I download my pictures I can make adjustments to the picture style (ex. Monochrome, sepia, or black and white). I can adjust the white balance or any of the colors as well. The downfall to using a RAW file is that you cannot use direct printing, you have to use the computer.

Frames per Second

If I put the camera on continues shooting it will shoot three frames per second. If I run into an animal this is a great option. If the animal is running and only in my view for 15 seconds I can get 45 pictures of that animal. Out of those 45 pictures I am going to get some that are worthy of a postcard and that is taking pictures of an animal running without thinking just shooting. Another time this comes in handy is when taking pictures of little kids. How often do they want to sit still and have there picture taken. I can put it on continues shooting and shot away at a bouncing kid and still come up with perfect pictures. If I am in the single shooting mode I can take pictures as fast as I can push the button. I do not feel like there is any delay, unless I am using a flash. When using a flash all the numbers to vary, including the continues shooting. (see "Downfalls" below).

Instruction Manual

There are many other great options that this camera offers. There are many different setting. Even after owning my camera for over two years I am still learning about different options it offers. I recommend that if you are new to a digital camera or new to the canon, you read the instruction manual while having your camera out in front of you and practice as you go. I also recommend that the manual stays with the camera at all times. This is what has helped me go from an amateur photographer to an intermediate photographer. I still refer to the manual all the time. It is convenient to find what you are looking for and it is easy to read.

Battery and Power Saver

Another benefit to this camera is the battery. Although the battery has proven to me to have a long life, I still recommend always carrying an extra charged battery. There is nothing worst than having the perfect picture in front of you and the camera beeps telling you to change your battery, but not having an extra battery. The battery states that if you use a flash half of the time you can take 360 pictures an a fully charged battery. I have never really paid attention to how many pictures I have taken, but I know that I have left the camera on while taking pictures through out the day. I forgot to turn it off that night and came back a few days later to transfer the pictures over to my computer and I was still able to use the same battery. The camera is equipped with a power saver that is adjustable to come on after 30 sec., 1, 2, 4, 8, or 15 min. I have mine set at 30 sec. It only takes a second for the camera to turn back on and you never have to miss a shot, all while your battery is not running dead.

Low-light Performance

I do not take a lot of pictures where I have to use the flash so I have not learned a lot about flash photography. The flash range varies depending on the ISO speed as well as the lens you are using. I do know that when I do take pictures indoors or I am taking them of the sunset I use a higher ISO speed. I usually set it at 800. If the ISO speed is set at 1600 and the lens is at 18mm (this the best flash range) the flash can effectively reach approximately 50 feet.

Down Falls

I have found two down falls to this camera. One is the flash, I have not been to impressed when I am taking a picture with the flash on. It takes a long time for the flash to warm up and go off. I get ready to take the picture and it is telling me "busy". I wait until the words are gone and I click the button and it tells me "busy" again. So I wait again and finally it will take the picture. Sometimes I have to go through it all again before I can take another picture. The reason for this is to protect the flash unit which is good; however, I just don't like how slow it is. The other down fall is the larger LCD screen. I mostly use the camera outside and the screen has been scratched up pretty bad. However this does not effect anything on the camera except for the way it looks.

Conclusion

Overall this is a great camera, I would recommend it to anyone that wants to be able to go out and take a professional looking picture without any experience. When purchasing this product for best results read the instruction manual and get to know your camera.

For More Information

Visit Canon's website at: http://www.usa.canon.com/