I have owned a Digital Rebel 300 for a year and just got the XT for the improvements. I have been able to compare the cameras side by side. I am impressed by these features on the XT:
1. Significantly smaller than the 300. The handgrip had to be made smaller to suit the overall reduction in size and that may be a drawback for those people with larger hands. The smaller size of the camera is, for me, a more important factor. Much easier to carry around.
2. Virtually instant startup time.
3 Very fast write times, even with a "slow" CF card. I can also fire off 9 shots before a delay to write the files to the card. (Canon specs say 14 shots and that may be true if you have a "fast" card).
4. The XT comes with a battery with about 60 percent the capacity of the 300's battery. This does not seem to be a problem however because the energy consumption of the XT for each picture taken seems to be much less. The new battery is of course lighter.
5. The tactile feel of the black plastic case is new to me - I am getting used to it and starting to like it. By the way, a plastic case is absolutely NOT a drawback for me. Modern plastics are incredibly durable and lighter. I now prefer it to metal cases because of the weight factor.
6. Layout of the controls is very good - similar to the 300 and just as intuitive. Only complaint (and it is a minor one) - you have to press the "SET" button each time you change something like ISO setting. An extra step that is unnecessary and didn't exist on the 300.
Problems:
Problems:
1. Removing the CF card is a pain! The card does not pop up high enough and it is very difficult to grasp the card and remove. This is a change from the model 300.
2. There is the same amount of noise at ISO 400, 800 and 1600 on the XT as compared with the 300. No improvements here.
3. Image resolution with the standard 18-55 lens is virtually identical for both camera models, in spite of the larger 8 mp versus 6 mp. No improvements here.
4. I like to use a camera case. Canon offered one for the 300 but has not yet come out with one for the XT. Why not?
Overall - a very very fine camera for the money.
1. Significantly smaller than the 300. The handgrip had to be made smaller to suit the overall reduction in size and that may be a drawback for those people with larger hands. The smaller size of the camera is, for me, a more important factor. Much easier to carry around.
2. Virtually instant startup time.
3 Very fast write times, even with a "slow" CF card. I can also fire off 9 shots before a delay to write the files to the card. (Canon specs say 14 shots and that may be true if you have a "fast" card).
4. The XT comes with a battery with about 60 percent the capacity of the 300's battery. This does not seem to be a problem however because the energy consumption of the XT for each picture taken seems to be much less. The new battery is of course lighter.
5. The tactile feel of the black plastic case is new to me - I am getting used to it and starting to like it. By the way, a plastic case is absolutely NOT a drawback for me. Modern plastics are incredibly durable and lighter. I now prefer it to metal cases because of the weight factor.
6. Layout of the controls is very good - similar to the 300 and just as intuitive. Only complaint (and it is a minor one) - you have to press the "SET" button each time you change something like ISO setting. An extra step that is unnecessary and didn't exist on the 300.
Problems:
Problems:
1. Removing the CF card is a pain! The card does not pop up high enough and it is very difficult to grasp the card and remove. This is a change from the model 300.
2. There is the same amount of noise at ISO 400, 800 and 1600 on the XT as compared with the 300. No improvements here.
3. Image resolution with the standard 18-55 lens is virtually identical for both camera models, in spite of the larger 8 mp versus 6 mp. No improvements here.
4. I like to use a camera case. Canon offered one for the 300 but has not yet come out with one for the XT. Why not?
Overall - a very very fine camera for the money.