The Canon Digital Rebel XTi (400D) is the second last in the line of Canon digital SLR aimed at the enthusiast market segment. The successor to the Digital Rebel XT (350D) and the original Digital Rebel (300D) camera indeed marked a turning point in the market for digital SLR.

It was launched in October 2006, exactly 3 years after the first of the series (Canon Digital Rebel), with features that eluded many professional cameras. Interesting digital features such as a sensor cleaning system (EOS Integrated Cleaning System), the possibility of picture styles, auto focus sensor, 9-point support, F2.8 maximum aperture and a super bright display of 2.5 inches.

Digital SLR cameras are meant to be explored and used in different settings and speed. If you want to maximize the use of your expensive dSLR, I suggest you get interchangeable lens and go for models that have a dynamic range.

While it is a product for the amateur photographer, it does not offer all the features of the Canon EOS 30D or the Nikon D200. Its picture quality falls just short of those cameras. Obviously its top shutter speed of 1/4000s and burst of speed of 3 frames per second (fps) does not match the specifications of the professional cameras but meet the needs of most advanced amateur photographers (prosumers).

SSWF. While other brands have problems in this department, the dust buster works well. Even though I change lenses quite a bit, I didn’t see any dust.

The weight, size and ergonomics. The lenses that come with the camera will cover the 28-300mm range, something that doesn’t happen with any other camera.

I like that I can get come up with sharp shots with stabilized lenses and at 1/30 when I use focals of 300mm in 35mm equivalent. The Evolt E510′s high ISO, up to 800, is totally usable though it has little noise reduction. You can also try ISO 1600 if you want to get better image results. Another wonderful thing about the camera is that even with the noise filter turned off, the images come out with excellent color and sharpness.

Using lenses with manual focus for confirmation of the focus. It’s something that I wished it had, since other cameras from Pentax and Panasonic have it. Since it should be fixable through the software, they could probably do that through a firmware.

Other reviews I’ve read, made negative comments about the battery life (Canon NB-2LH Rechargeable Battery) that comes with the camera (720 mAh). Especially, when the competition offers batteries around 1500 mAh. Another good reason, to opt for the extra battery grip (Canon BG-E3 Battery Grip).