ProductCritic: Canon Digital Rebel XT/EOS 350D Reviews

T3 (100)

The combination of an eight-megapixel sensor and the same processor – as used in Canon’s pro cameras – delivers images that are detailed, silky-smooth and natural looking.

PC Mag (100)

This versatile, user-friendly camera is a pleasure to use, and will reward those who want to explore more creative avenues without breaking the bank. It shares our Editors’ Choice distinction with its big brother, the Canon EOS 20D.

Digital Camera Magazine (100)

With its class-leading, eight-megapixel resolution, large continuous-shooting buffer, excellent auto-focus, superb feature set and accessible metering modes, the Canon 350D is a brilliant camera The handling could be better – some of the controls are awkwardly placed – and image quality is just a tad less than exceptional.

ITP Technology (100)

If you’ve got photography coursing through your veins, Canon’s EOS 350D is well worth your time. At $1,085 – lens included – it also offers excellent value for money.

Think Camera (100)

Pound for pound the Canon 350D is light in body but heavy in features, it’s the perfect first entry point into the wonderful world of Digital SLRs. For amateurs and semi-pros who want fast results but plenty of room to learn and improve, this is a great choice, plus it’s compact enough to become a seasoned travelling companion.

The Digital Picture.com (94)

I think the Canon EOS 350D Digital Rebel XT is an excellent value. It will be the right camera for many people. And it may be the camera to meet Canon’s high Digital SLR sales projection.

Megapixel.net (92)

Considerably smaller than the original digital Rebel/EOS 300 D, the Rebel XT/EOS 350D should be very attractive to those tempted by the image quality and lens interchangeability of a digital SLR, but who find most of these cameras too bulky. The new Rebel XT, building on the excellent reputation of the first digital Rebel, could well become the new yardstick for non-professional digital SLR’s.

Bob Atkins Photography (92)

The Digital Rebel XT is a very capable camera indeed. The image quality equals that of the EOS 20D. It does have a few less bells and whistles than the 20D, but you save a signifcant amount of money and many photographers may not need the added features of the 20D. The XT has pretty much everything the average amateur photographer could want and I can certainly recommend it to the photographer on a budget.

AnandTech (92)

There is no doubt about it. The Canon EOS 350D is incredibly impressive for an entry-level digital SLR. In virtually all of our tests, it performed on par with its older and more expensive prosumer brother – the Canon EOS 20D.

Digital Trends (90)

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.

Pocket-lint (90)

The camera is easy to use and offers the SLR enthusiast the chance to take plenty of pictures knowing that they can not only edit them when they get home, but also won’t be faced with a hefty processing bill for pictures that perhaps haven’t worked.

Good Gear Guide (90)

Canon proved a digital SLR could be affordable and now it’s shown a budget model needn’t be compromised in terms of performance. The 350D is by far the best Digital SLR at the price and comes highly recommended to both SLR beginners and experienced photographers.

DP Expert (90)

For anyone with a collection of Canon lenses the issue is pretty clear cut—this is a perfect reason to cross from film to digital.

Imaging Resource (90)

All in all, the Canon Digital Rebel XT is a technological tour de force, delivered in a tiny, attractive package, and with a set of user controls that are equally approachable by novices and professional shooters. Highly recommended.

PC Plus (90)

It’s a superb buy, although we urge you not to get the kit version with the 18-55mm EF-S lens; it’s just not a very good optic for a camera of this quality.

Digital Camera Resource Page (90)

All things considered I’d say that the Canon Digital Rebel XT is the entry-level digital SLR to beat at this point in time. It offers nearly all of the features of the more expensive EOS-20D but for hundreds less. Overall I give the Rebel XT the thumbs up—it’s a great choice for those ready to move up to a digital SLR. Just be sure to buy a decent lens for it!

Steve's Digicams (90)

Just as the original Digital Rebel set a new price/performance standard for consumer dSLR’s, the Digital Rebel XT has set a new value benchmark for this class of camera, and competes well with many prosumer dSLR’s offered by its competitors.

Macworld (90)

Canon defined this market with the original Digital Rebel, and the company keeps its lead with the EOS Digital Rebel XT. Although the lack of control interlocks is a ridiculous oversight, the camera’s feature set, image quality and price, combined with the vast assortment of available Canon mount lenses, make the Rebel XT the best choice so far in the sub-$1,000 digital-SLR market.

Digital Photography Review (90)

So it’s clear, the EOS 350D is a great successor to the EOS 300D, it puts right many user complaints, it delivers a smaller and lighter camera which feels better put together and delivers an increase in resolution.

Digital Camera Info (90)

Offering strong image quality, rapid shooting and processing speeds, and the ability to apply a range of Canon and independent lenses in a compressed package, the XT should have a wide appeal. Although meager to some, the compact frame will unquestionably be an asset to other users, as the 17.1 oz. Rebel XT, currently the lightest digital SLR on the market, offers the portability of a compact camera, with the performance and flexibility provided by a prosumer grade model.

BIOS Magazine (90)

Canon’s EOS 350D Digital (Digital Rebel XT in the US) combines ease of use, a robust design, and many of the same compelling technologies found in Canon’s professional series EOS cameras, making it an excellent camera for the money.

The Luminous Landscape (90)

This is a sweet little camera that could well be the best DSLR camera value on the market today (March, 2005). Newcomers will find the price to be right and the camera to be feature rich. Experienced photographers will be frustrated by some of the interface problems, but none of these are really show-stoppers.

Globe & Mail (89)

The Rebel XT is an excellent digital SLR, even if it falls a bit short in a few areas. The level of control you have is impressive, and would be a good starting point for serious beginners or amateurs.

PhotographyReview.com (88)

The Rebel XT is a solid performer at a bargain price (for digital photography). Matched with quality EF-S lenses, such as the 17-85mm or the 10-22mm, the XT covers the focal-length gamut and brings true wide angle back within the financial reach of most photographers.

Den Guru (88)

The 350D is truly a major step forward compared to the 300D, which was unnecessarily limited.

PopPhoto.com (88)

Considering its features, price, and potential image quality, it’s a no-brainer to predict the success of the Rebel XT.

PC World (85)

Fast action, compact size, and great imaging makes the Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT a top pick among inexpensive digital SLRs.

PC Photo (85)

The EOS Digital Rebel XT is a significant upgrade from the original Digital Rebel.

ePhotozine (84)

The Canon EOS 350D is a very capable camera providing all the common features needed to get started photographing with a digital SLR. The 18-55mm EF-S lens bundled with it is the biggest disappointment, a better lens is needed to really get the most out of this camera. Images taken at high ISO sensitivities display low amounts of noise, and the autofocus is quick, accurate and easy to use.

Shutterbug (84)

The XT’s success is hard to argue with, as it delivers very good quality images and enough imaging options to keep even the most control-oriented photographer busy.

Let's Go Digital (83)

Anyhow, if you purchase the Canon EOS 350D you will be the proud owner of a top product. A camera to enjoy to the fullest. The camera is easy to carry around, works incredibly speedy and produces marvellous images. And all of this for less money than its predecessor.

Computer Buyer (80)

The Canon EOS 350D is an excellent SLR, but it isn’t quite the best in this price range.

Mac HOME (80)

This is an excellent camera with image quality and performance rivaling more expensive models. If only Canon would transfer the camera’s image quality, performance and feature set into a sturdier body at the same price, this camera might well deserve our highest recommendation.

Mac Addict (80)

The Rebel XT is a compelling reason to switch to a digital SLR camera; if you’re an experienced photographer, it’s a tempting secondary SLR.

Camera Labs (80)

When launched back in February the 350D / Rebel XT easily took the lead from its rivals, and even now against the latest competition still holds it’s own. Some may prefer the handling and build quality of the Nikon D50, the large detailed screen of the Pentax *istDL, or the built-in anti-shake of the Konica Minolta 5D, but overall the 350D / Rebel XT remains a tough camera to beat and the leader in the budget digital SLR market.

CNET (80)

The Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT (known as the EOS 350D outside the United States) represents a leap forward from its predecessor, the original Digital Rebel, offering more than one might expect from the addition of a couple consonants to the name. While the Rebel XT lacks some features found on the more solid and slightly pricier Nikon D70, the XT is the clear winner when it comes to resolution and dynamic range.

Vunet.com (60)

It costs a lot but but for keen photographers it’s well worth the money.