Canon XS: 10.1 Megapixels, Live View, and a Lower Price
by Wesley Fink on July 8, 2008 5:00 PM EST- Posted in
- Digital Camera
Canon Press Announcement
LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., July 8, 2008 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging, today announced the introduction of the EOS Rebel XS, a new entry-level digital camera that affordably puts Canon SLR technology such as an Optical Imaged Stabilized lens and easy-to-use professional features into the hands of emerging photographers. Consumers looking to take their photography a step further and begin shooting with an SLR will find the transition easier than ever with Canon’s new Rebel XS digital SLR camera. From the parent photographing a little league game, to the tourist shooting a wondrous new city, the Canon Rebel XS camera makes photography easy for everyone. Canon has also introduced the latest model in the EX series of Speedlite flashes: the Canon Speedlite 430EX II.
Ideal for a wide range of photographers from first-time digital SLR users to veteran photo enthusiasts, the new Canon EOS Rebel XS camera was designed to embody what customers have come to expect from the EOS Rebel series — a fast, non-intimidating, lightweight, easy-to-use camera that produces excellent images and starts emerging photographers off on the right foot. Immediately, photographers will take notice of the camera’s Optical Image Stabilized kit lens for crisp focus, compensating for camera shake from unsteady hands or a moving vehicle. The new Rebel model also incorporates Canon’s DIGIC III image processor, 10.1 megapixel CMOS sensor, Live View, Auto Lighting Optimizer, 7-point wide-area autofocus (AF) sensor and 3.0 frames per second continuous JPEG burst rate where the number of consecutive shots in a burst is only limited by the capacity of the flash memory card in the camera.
“We are proud to introduce the new EOS Rebel XS camera at a very exciting time in digital imaging. As consumers have fully embraced digital photography, with many consumers purchasing their second or third digital camera models, we see the Rebel XS as the bridge to help photographers cross over from the world of point-and-shoot cameras to digital SLR technology,” said Yuichi Ishizuka, senior vice president and general manager, Consumer Imaging Group, Canon U.S.A.
A first in Canon’s EOS line-up, the Rebel XS camera’s continuous JPEG burst rate allows users to continuously shoot a scene until the memory card is at capacity. This will be particularly helpful for new photographers looking to capture that perfect image of a moving subject.
The Live View function allows users to frame and shoot images in real time via the camera’s 2.5 inch LCD screen, a great feature for users accustomed to framing shots via LCD monitors on point-and-shoot digital cameras. The Camera’s Auto Lighting Optimizer detects dark areas of an image and automatically adjusts brightness and contrast to ensure optimal image results. The Canon Rebel XS allows greater ease of use through large control buttons and easy-to-see operating panel indications such as ISO settings visible through the viewfinder and Canon Speedlite controls through the camera LCD menu.
The Rebel XS incorporates an APS-C size (22.2 x 14.8 mm) CMOS sensor with 10.1 million pixel images and Canon’s exclusive high-performance DIGIC III image processor to help deliver high levels of imaging performance and responsiveness. It also has Canon’s exclusive EOS Integrated Cleaning System, which features both hardware and software-based dust removal technology. Additionally, weighing less than 1 lb./450 grams, this camera is the lightest body in the EOS digital series camera lineup.
The EOS Rebel XS camera is compatible with Canon’s extensive lineup of more than 60 EF and EF-S lenses, including the Image Stabilizer-equipped EF-S18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 IS, which is included in the camera’s standard zoom lens kit package. The Canon Rebel XS will be available in black or silver colored body variations.
Canon Speedlite 430EX II
The new Canon Speedlite 430EX II, which succeeds the 430EX, realizes an approximately 20 percent reduction in recycling time compared with its predecessor. Like the 580EX II, the 430EX II allows users to control flash functions and input settings using the camera’s LCD monitor[ii], and also offers a quick-lock attachment system and a metal mounting foot for improved contact reliability and durability. The new Canon Speedlite 430EX II will carry an estimated retail price of $329.99.
In the Box
Expected to ship in August 2008 the Canon Rebel XS camera is available in a zoom lens kit version, which includes the EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS zoom lens, a rechargeable battery pack and charger, USB and video cables, a neckstrap, an EOS Solutions Disk CD, and a 1-year Canon U.S.A., Inc. limited warranty. The new camera’s estimated retail price is $699.99.
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nigham - Thursday, July 10, 2008 - link
I tend to compare only Canon and Nikon, like many people I know.The Nikon D60 has autofocus only for AF-S and AF-I lenses -- so anyone who thinks long term (and would like to have the option to buy, say, a 50mm f/1.8 prime lens) will simply have to go for the XS.
twistedlogic - Friday, July 11, 2008 - link
Sigma makes a 50mm f/1.4 as well as a 30mm f/1.4 with HSM.ivan2 - Thursday, July 10, 2008 - link
I don't know why anyone will choose these (XS) considering a near new 30D body can be have for less than 600 (with MS live rebate, 480ish) on ebay and various forums.That 7 point AF is just not good enough, it's the main reason I jumped from XT to 30D (and probably 40D later).
For the XSi, I can understand if someone want a light package with the performance of the 30D (they have the same kind of AF, 9 point with a cross type in the middle).
slashbinslashbash - Thursday, July 10, 2008 - link
I am glad that Canon was competitively forced into creating an IS version of the 18-55 kit lens, with better optics to boot. It is a huge upgrade over the original kit lens and good enough to make me swear off purchasing the 17-55 f/2.8 IS. Now Canon needs to get on the ball with other lens upgrades:- Update all Prime lenses > $200 to use Ring USM (*cough* 50mm f/1.4 *cough*)
- Update all L Zoom lenses to have IS, at least as an option like with the 70-200 f/4L and f/2.8L zooms (*cough* 17-40 f/4L *cough*)
- Update all existing IS lenses to use the latest-generation "three or four stop" IS technology (*cough* 28-135 IS USM, 70-200 f/4L and f/2.8L *cough*)
The next version of the high-end Rebel and maybe the prosumer model (40D successor, although the 40D will be around for a while) needs to have a swing-out LCD. The Digic III processor is a champ at high speed image processing; Digic IV will feel like overkill with anything less than 15MP images. They are making progress in the higher ISO numbers; thank God for Nikon forcing their hand in this arena. Sony and others with in-body IS are forcing Canon to put IS into more of the low-end lenses. Now they just need to start putting it into the more expensive lenses with the same sense of urgency.
shinpickle - Wednesday, July 9, 2008 - link
the pitiful camera coverage here is a disgrace to Anand name. why do you put amateur-hour camera reviews/previews/whatever along side in-depth technical IT hardware analysis, bumping down the articles done by skilled, experienced reviewers who do actual benchmarks & analysis. the bar is very high with dpreview, etc.. what on earth are you guys thinking.Dennis Travis - Wednesday, July 9, 2008 - link
This is a preview and not a review. The camera is not even on the market as yet.melgross - Wednesday, July 9, 2008 - link
Are you sure Sony is producing the D3/D700 sensor? That's a question that is being asked around the industry.Wesley Fink - Wednesday, July 9, 2008 - link
We are not 100% certain that Sony manufactures the D3/D700 sensor, but several respected experts have claimed this. Sony is also the most likely partner, since Sony and Nikon do have development agreements with Nikon exclusive marketing rights in place.Samsung and Sony hold joint patents on much of the technology on recent advancements on CMOS manufacturing, and Samsung is supposedly close to producing their first full-frame sensor, according to recent leaks in their R&D. This leak more or less confirms Samsung is not the manufacturer for Nikon, although it is an outside possibility.
Panasonic/Leica would undoubtedly use any full-frame Panasonic manufactured in new Leica models, and Canon certainly didn't produce the sensor for Nikon. That leaves Sony and Kodak as the likely partners, and the long-term relationships and exclusive marketing agreements on joint development point toward Sony being the more likely.
Wesley Fink - Wednesday, July 9, 2008 - link
We are not 100% certain that Sony manufactures the D3/D700 sensor, but several respected experts have claimed this. Sony is also the most likely partner, since Sony and Nikon do have development agreements with Nikon exclusive marketing rights in place.Samsung and Sony hold joint patents on much of the technology on recent advancements on CMOS manufacturing, and Samsung is supposedly close to producing their first full-frame sensor, according to recent leaks in their R&D. This leak more or less confirms Samsung is not the manufacturer for Nikon, although it is an outside possibility.
Panasonic/Leica would undoubtedly use any full-frame Panasonic manufactured in new Leica models, and Canon certainly didn't produce the sensor for Nikon. That leaves Sony and Kodak as the likely partners, and the long-term relationships and exclusive marketing agreements on joint development point toward Sony being the more likely.
yyrkoon - Tuesday, July 8, 2008 - link
Does not look like a bad camera for the price point, but if IQ is not as good as the competition we all would probably be better off with a $300 P&SNow where is the rest of the review ?