Canon’s next generation D-SLR, the EOS 400D (Digital Rebel XTi in the US), is the company’s latest evolution in its ‘affordable’ digital SLR series. The 10-Megapixel (capable of producing A3-sized prints) EOS 400D offers up to ISO 1600 shooting, a new dust reduction system, nine area auto focus, Picture Styles, 2.5-inch LCD monitor which now also provides shooting information (the second control panel LCD is gone) and better continuous shooting buffering. Overall, it’s a very sweet offering which gives Nikon’s D80 and Sony’s Alpha A100 and Nikon D80 a good run for their money.
Positioned above the
EOS 350D (Best Current Price:
£442), currently the fastest selling SLR camera of all time according to Canon, the EOS 400D (Best Current Price:
£475/
$768) is the first camera to incorporate the EOS Integrated Cleaning System. Based on significant research into the causes of dust in D-SLR cameras, the system combats dust in three important ways: Reduce, Repel and Remove.
Canon has also developed an internal Dust Delete Data system, which can map the position of any visible dust on the sensor. This can then be deleted automatically after the shoot with the bundled Digital Photo Professional software. The EOS 400D (127x94x65mm, 510g) inherits a number of advanced features proven in higher-end EOS models, such as the EOS 30D and 5D. These include its 9-point AF system, Picture Style, 9999 image capacity folders and expanded Pictbridge functionality.
As well as the EOS Integrated Cleaning System, the EOS 400D incorporates a number of developments over the EOS 350D. Resolution has also been bumped from 8- to 10.1-Megapixels, using the new hi-sensitivity, hi-speed, low-noise CMOS technology now found in all six EOS Digital models. At nearly twice the size of the EOS 350D display, the 2.5-inch LCD is the brightest in the EOS range and now displays all of key shooting and interface information along with image playback. The AF system expands from 7 to 9-point, with a highly sensitive f/2.8 centre point for solid performance in low light. Even with the image resolution increase, maximum frame burst almost doubles from 14 to 27 large JPEGs and from 5 to 10 RAW.
The EOS 400D also incorporates the same DIGIC II processor found across the EOS range right through to EOS 1 professional models. As well as top-notch image quality through advanced rendering algorithms and almost instant 0.2 second start up time, DIGIC II’s accelerated processing prioritises your ability to keep shooting by clearing the buffer quickly between frame bursts.
Thankfully, the upgrade path to the EOS 400D from earlier EOS models is made easy by maintaining the same intuitive user interface and basic layout of key features and functions. Photographers are also able to use the same battery and Battery Grip BG-E3 as used on the EOS 350D, as well as continued support for all EF and
EF-S lenses, EX Speedlites and EOS accessories. Canon is the only D-SLR brand to own and manufacture the sensor, processor and lenses in house. In other words, EOS photographers benefit from 20 years of ongoing research investment into EOS and have the great advantage of owning a system camera in which every element is designed at a very fundamental level to work as a balanced, integrated whole. With EOS, Canon aims to provide the widest and most expandable camera system available, including over 60 EF lenses and Speedlite flash units.
At first glance the Canon EOS 400D looks no different from its predecessor. Aside from the new display on the back, it shares essentially the same shape, control layout and build quality. Available in black or silver, the basic package also includes an 18- to 55mm lens, but if you want anti-shake, you need to spend around £400 more for a compatible lens. Similar to the EOS 350D, the main command dial is split between traditional creative modes and automatic presets. On the creative side there’s the usual Program, Manual, Shutter and Aperture Priority, along with Auto Depth-of-field.
Shutter speeds range from 1/4000 to 30 seconds plus Bulb in third-stop increments; it’s possible switch these to half-stop increments in a custom menu. Metering options remain the same Evaluative, Partial and Centre-weighted. Unlike the EOS 30D, there’s no spot metering. The automatic preset modes consist of Portrait, Landscape, Close-up, Sports, Night portrait, Flash-off and the fully automatic Canon green rectangle. New to the EOS 400D is a small green LED to the top right of the command dial which indicates the camera’s powered-up and ready for action even if the main display is off. The popup flash has a coverage of 17mm (27mm equivalent).
Similar to the EOS 350D, the backside of the camera is littered with buttons. Four buttons in a jog-dial layout allow access to ISO, AF, White Balance and Metering options, all of which can be adjusted using the finger wheel or the four buttons themselves. The Set button in the middle also gives direct access to Picture Styles. Above these are drive mode and exposure compensation buttons, along with a direct print button and control AF-point selection and Exposure Lock, which double up as zoom controls during playback. Five buttons running vertically down the left side let you Trash and Play images, as well as Jump menu options. The EOS 350D’s Info button is now the main Menu button, while the old Menu button has been swapped for one which can switch off the main display, or show the same Info details as before.
Juice comes in the way of a NB-2LH (720mAh) Lithium-Ion battery, which should be good for around 360 shots with a full charge. This is down from the 400 shots of the EOS 350D due to the sensor cleaning unit and larger screen. Images are stored onto Type I//II Compact Flash cards. Consistent with the entire EOS Digital range, the EOS 400D is supplied with a comprehensive software suite to help the workflow. This includes Digital Photo Professional (DPP), a RAW converter that provides complete RAW image processing control. DPP also integrates with camera features such as the Dust Delete Data and Picture Style. The camera also comes with EOS Capture, Image/Zoom Browser and Photostitch, plus 100MB of personal online space on Canon’s iMAGE GATEWAY, Canon’s online photo sharing service.
The EOS 400D is much more than a general upgrade to the EOS 350D. Not only do you get a bigger screen and Picture Styles, but there’s also the higher resolution sensor and new active dust removal system. While noise levels and image preview times are fractionally impacted by the higher resolution sensor, but the camera still delivers smooth images at its highest sensitivities. The inclusion of the EOS 30D’s nine-point AF system is also a welcome addition, although it’s disappointing that there’s no spot-metering. And if you want Image Stabilisation, you’ll need to spend more on a better lens. Overall the EOS 400D is a very good entry-level digital SLR which improves on its predecessor in many respects.
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