Compared to...

For our standard studio scene comparisons we have selected the camera the EOS 350D will eventually supercede (the EOS 300D), the bigger brother EOS 20D (eight megapixels) and the Olympus E-300 (the only other current eight megapixel 'affordable' digital SLR). Prices correct at time of publication.

Studio scene comparison (vs. Canon EOS 300D)

The observant among you will note that our studio test scene has changed, we've now moved to a new standardized test box where all the items are fixed as is the lighting, we're now using a single overhead daylight simulation lamp fitted inside a softbox.

This is our standard studio scene comparison shot taken from exactly the same tripod position within minutes of each other. Lighting: daylight simulation, >98% CRI. Crops are 100%. Ambient temperature was approximately 22°C (~72°F). Camera settings:

• Canon EOS 350D (Digital Rebel XT): Canon EF 50 mm F1.4, Aperture Priority (F9),
  ISO 100, JPEG Large/Fine, Manual WB, Default Parameters (Parameter 1), Self-Timer
   
• Canon EOS 300D (Digital Rebel): Canon EF 50 mm F1.4, Aperture Priority (F9),
  ISO 100, JPEG Large/Fine, Manual WB, Default Parameters (Parameter 1), Self-Timer

Canon EOS 350D	Canon EOS 300D
ISO 100, 1/40 sec, F9	ISO 100, 1/40 sec, F9
2,882 KB JPEG (3456 x 2304)	2,642 KB JPEG (3072 x 2048)

Not surprising but tonal response is identical and there's only a very subtle difference in color between these two cameras. As I noted in my EOS 20D review the 'step' from 6 to 8 megapixels is not a huge one, you can definitely see the EOS 350D's resolution advantage in some of the finer details of the image but it's doubtful that these differences would be readily obvious even in large prints.