Canon has today announced the EOS Digital Rebel (US name) / EOS-300D (Rest of world) / Kiss Digital (Japan name). This six megapixel digital SLR is essentially a feature reduced EOS-10D in the EOS-300's silver body (plastic). It will have a body only priced of $900 in the US, €1,100 in Europe and 120,000 YEN (US$1,013 / €911) in Japan. This camera will be available as a "body only kit" or a "with lens kit", the latter will include a new 18 - 55 mm EF-S lens which has been "optimized" for the size of the D-SLR sensor (sounds familiar).
Although rumours have been floating around in the public domain for the last few days, Canon chose to take the unusual step of not pre-disclosing any information to us or any of the major publications prior to announcement. This despite our never breaking an embargo or NDA made with them or any other manufacturer. Hence we have not had the usual preparation time in which to produce our detailed analysis of this camera. Canon has not yet supplied sample cameras, so no previews are available.
Press Release (Canon Europe):
Canon EOS 300D - 6 Megapixel digital SLR for the consumer now a reality
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Amstelveen, The Netherlands, August 20, 2003 - Canon, a leader in photographic
and imaging technology, today launches the EOS 300D 6.3 Megapixel digital
SLR. The lightest and most compact digital EOS camera ever is expected
to ship with a price of approximately 1,200 EURO.
"Canon expects 400-500% growth in the digital SLR segment from 2002
to 2003 in terms of shipping volume2," says Hiroshi Komatsuzaki,
Head of Canon Consumer Imaging Europe. "The EOS 300D will play a
key strategic role in this growth. By dropping the price so significantly,
Canon is very deliberately putting high performance EOS digital technology
into the hands of the consumer at a time of accelerating demand for high
performance digital cameras".
The EOS 300D bundles proven high performance technologies (such as seven-point, high-speed predictive auto focus, 2.5 frame per second burst rate, 35-zone metering and DIGIC image processor) into a camera affordable to everybody.
Canon has declared the EOS 300D to be the single most important consumer SLR since the AE1 in 1976. Just as the AE1 triggered an SLR revolution by being the world's first camera with an embedded microcomputer, Canon believes the EOS 300D will be seen as the point in history when the SLR market shifted irrevocably to digital.
Precision optics, unrivalled sensor quality
At the front end of the EOS 300D is the lens system and digital sensor. Film EOS users considering the move to digital will be pleased to learn the EOS 300D works seamlessly with any of Canon's renowned EF lenses, of which there are currently more than 60.
An APS-C sized sensor gives the camera a 1.6x magnification over 35mm film format. In order to furnish EOS 300D customers with the equivalent 28 90mm zoom range so popular with 35mm film EOS users, a new EF S 18 55 f/3.5 5.6 lens32 has been specially developed. This lens takes advantage of the compact sensor size, employing a 'short back focus system' which mounts the lens closer to the sensor than previous models. This provides high-quality images in a remarkably low-weight, short-length lens.
The 6.3 Megapixel CMOS sensor is almost identical to that found in the EISA award-winning EOS 10D which remains the benchmark for image quality. ISO speeds of 100, 200, 400, 800 and 1600 are selectable, giving film users a film speed range with which they will be comfortable.
Print straight from the camera
The EOS 300D is the first digital EOS camera to support the vendor-independant PictBridge print standard from launch date. Lab-quality prints can now be produced without the need for a computer by directly connecting the EOS 300D to compatible photo printers via standard USB cable. A large 1.8" LCD is used to select and review photographs to be printed and set print variables.
Fast image processing with superb results
Underpinning the camera's technical superiority is Canon's high-speed DIGIC (Digital Image Core) processor. In the days of film, image processing was the role of film companies and mini-labs. With digital, the critical role of image processing must be handled by the camera. Complex algorithms required to accurately process functions such as white balance and color rendition are integrated into the DIGIC processor, resulting in high quality images with no trade-off in camera responsiveness. "A great digital image requires both quality raw ingredients and quality processing" says Komatsuzaki. "Superior lens and sensor technologies ensure the best raw ingredients. It is what DIGIC does with these that gives the EOS 300D the edge".
Wide area, high speed focusing
7 selectable focusing points give an ultra wide AF area generally only found in advanced SLRs. Focusing modes include One-Shot AF (for fast, accurate single-shot focusing), and AI AF which can automatically switch to AI servo AF for continuous tracking of subject movement - well suited to sports photography. A Manual Focus override is selectable from the lens.
High-end exposure control
The EOS 300D boasts 35 zone TTL metering, essentially covering the full frame. Three metering modes (evaluative, partial, and centre weighted average) assure balanced exposures in every situation. Along with the full range of automated and manual shooting modes expected in a high-end SLR, the EOS 300D features Programmed Image Control modes such as Night Portrait, Sports, Close-up, Landscape, Portrait and Flash OFF. A built-in automatic flash pops up nearly 90mm above the optical axis to lessen the chance of red-eye for better flash photos.
Shooting adaptability
The EOS 300D is superbly specified to deliver outstanding results in virtually any shooting situation. The camera has a shutter speed range of 1/4000 - 30 seconds, bulb and high speed x-sync at 1/200s. Simultaneous recording to both RAW and JPEG (middle/fine) formats is possible, while 2GB and higher CompactFlash cards, Types I and II, are supported. Optional wired or infra red wireless remote control is available. Adobe RGB has been added to the standard sRGB colour space. There are seven Auto White Balance settings (such as cloudy, tungsten, fluorescent, etc.) plus custom White Balance and +/- 3 stop White Balance Bracketing (WB-BKT).
Comprehensive accessories, software and online access
The EOS 300D comes complete with battery pack, charger, USB cable, video cable, wide embroidered anti-slip neck strap. Purchase of the EOS 300D entitles customers to membership of the CANON iMAGE GATEWAY web portal for a 100 MB online photo album for image uploads. A full software suite is included for handling image file transfers between camera and computer, managing and printing files, and preview and conversion of RAW image files. PhotoStitch is included for seamless merging of panorama shots.
Canon EOS-300D Specifications
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| List price (Body only) |
• US: $899 (Canon Rebel Digital) • EU: €1,099 (Canon EOS-300D) • UK: £899(Canon EOS-300D) • JP: 120,000 YEN (Canon Kiss Digital) |
| List price (Lens kit: Body & 18-55 mm lens) |
• US: $999 • EU: €1,199 • UK: £999 |
| Body material | Plastic |
| Sensor | • 22.7 x 15.1 mm CMOS sensor • RGB Color Filter Array • Built-in fixed low-pass filter • 6.5 million total pixels (3152 x 2068) • 6.3 million effective pixels (3072 x 2048) • 3:2 aspect ratio |
| Image Processor | DiGiC |
| Image sizes | • 3072 x 2048 • 2048 x 1360 • 1536 x 1024 |
| File formats | • RAW • RAW + JPEG • JPEG (EXIF 2.2) |
| File sizes (approx.) | • 3072 x 2048 JPEG Fine: 3.1
MB • 3072 x 2048 JPEG Normal: 1.8 MB • 2048 x 1360 JPEG Fine: 1.8 MB • 2048 x 1360 JPEG Normal: 1.2 MB • 1536 x 1024 JPEG Fine: 1.4 MB • 1536 x 1024 JPEG Normal: 0.9 MB |
| Color space | • sRGB • Adobe RGB (no parameter adjustment available) |
| Lenses | • Canon EF / EF-S lens mount • 1.6x field of view crop |
| Focusing | • 7-point TTL • CMOS sensor • AF working range: 0.5 - 18 EV (at 20°C, ISO 100) |
| Focus modes | No selection available, depends
on exposure mode: • One shot AF (Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Night Scene, A-DEP) • AI Servo AF (Sports) • AI Focus AF (Auto, Flash Cancel, P, Tv, Av,M) |
| AF / MF | Switch on lens barrel |
| AF point selection | • Auto • Manual |
| AF assist | Yes |
| Metering | • TTL 35 zone SPC • Metering range: EV 1.0 - 20 EV (at 20°C, ISO 100, 50 mm F1.4) |
| Metering modes | No selection available, depends
on exposure mode: • Evaluative 35-zone (All modes except M) • Partial 9% at center (Also with AE-Lock in P, Tv, Av, M, A-Dep) • Center-weighted average (M only) |
| AE Lock | AE lock button |
| AE Bracketing | • +/- 2.0 EV • 0.3 or 0.5 EV increments |
| Exposure compen. | +/-2.0 EV in 0.3 EV steps |
| Sensitivity |
• Auto (100, 200 or 400) |
| Shutter | • Focal-plane shutter • 30 - 1/4000 sec (0.3 EV steps) • Flash X-Sync: 1/200 sec • Bulb |
| Aperture values | • F1.0 - F91 (0.3 or 0.5 EV
steps) • Actual aperture range depends on lens used |
| White balance | • Auto (3000 - 7000 K) • Daylight (5200 K) • Shade (7000 K) • Cloudy (6000 K) • Tungsten (3200 K) • Fluorescent (4000 K) • Flash (6000 K) • Custom (2000 - 10000 K) |
| WB Bracketing | +/-3 levels |
| Processing params | • Parameter 1 (sRGB) - Default • Parameter 2 (sRGB) • Standard (sRGB) • Adobe RGB • Set 1 (sRGB) • Set 2 (sRGB) • Set 3 (sRGB) |
| Custom params | • Contrast (+/-2) • Sharpness (+/-2) • Saturation (+/-2) • Color tone (+/-2) |
| Viewfinder | • Pentamirror • 95% frame coverage • Magnification: 0.88x (-1 diopter with 50 mm lens at infinity) • Eyepoint: 21 mm • Dioptric adjustment: -3.0 to +1.0 diopter • Fixed laser matte screen |
| Viewfinder info | • AF points • AF/FE lock • AEB • Shutter Speed • Aperture • Exposure Level / Compensation • Max. burst • AF/MF focus confirmation • CF warning |
| LCD monitor | • 1.8" TFT LCD • 118,000 pixels • 5 brightness levels • 10x zoom playback |
| Record review | • Off • On • On (Info, inc. histogram) • 2 / 4 / 8 sec / Hold |
| Flash | • Auto pop-up E-TTL auto flash • Guide number approx 13 • Modes: Auto, Manual Flash On/ Off, Red-Eye Reduction • X-Sync: 1/200 sec |
| External flash | • E-TTL auto flash with EX-series
Speedlites (No PC Sync terminal) |
| Shooting modes |
• Auto |
| Drive modes | • Single • Continuous: 2.5 fps up to 4 frames • Self-timer 10 secs |
| Direct printing | • Canon Card Photo Printers • Canon Bubble Jet Printers with direct print function • PictBridge |
| Other features | • Orientation sensor • Automatically writes FAT16/FAT32 depending on capacity • LCD panel illumination |
| Auto rotation | • On (playback uses orientation
data in file header) • Off |
| Playback mode | • Single image • Single image with info (inc. histogram) • Magnified view (1.5 - 10x in 15 steps, browsable) • 9 image index • Auto play • Image rotation • Jump |
| Custom functions | None |
| Menu languages | • English • French • German • Spanish • Italian • Dutch • Swedish • Norwegian • Danish • Finnish • Chinese • Japanese |
| Firmware | User upgradable |
| Connectivity | • USB 1.1 (inc PTP) • A/V out |
| Storage | • Compact Flash Type I or II • Microdrive supported • FAT 12/16 and FAT 32 support • No CF card supplied |
| Power | • Lithium-Ion BP-511/512 rechargeable
battery (supplied & charger) • CR2025 Lithium battery (date/time backup) • Optional AC adapter |
| Dimensions | 142 x 99 x 72 mm (5.6 x 3.9 x 2.8 in) |
| Weight (inc batt) | 645 g (1.4 lb) |
Canon EOS-300D More Pictures
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