Comments on the design and photo quality of the Canon EOS Rebel XS
Lori Grunin
I've been reviewing hardware and software, devising testing methodology and handed out buying advice for what seems like forever; I'm currently absorbed by computers and gaming hardware, but previously spent many years concentrating on cameras. I've also volunteered with a cat rescue for over 15 years doing adoptions, designing marketing materials, managing volunteers and, of course, photographing cats.
The Rebel XS' control layout is almost identical to that of the XSi. The only differences: the LCD is smaller and there's no display-off sensor underneath the viewfinder. Like those of the XS, the buttons are shallow but responsive and easy to differentiate.
Like all the entry-level models, the XS provides a full-auto option and a handful of scene modes, in addition to dSLR-class manual and semimanual exposure modes.
As with the Rebel XSi, the XS has a very good noise profile, with no serious detail degradation at all. There's a bit of blurring at ISO 1600, but even that looks better than lower sensitivities on other cameras.
The XS generally delivers quite accurate color. Unfortunately, most of the colorful flora is dead in August in NYC, so these may not provide the best examples.
Because the XS ships with a relatively good kit lens, it gets high marks for sharpness compared with many other entry-level models. This was also shot at ISO 1600, showing how good Canon's noise reduction is as well. (Actual size)
These are crops from ISO 1600 shots on most of the bottom-tier dSLRs. Pentax actually performs better than the rest, but has serious white-balance issues, and Sony and Nikon use overly aggressive blurring in their noise-reduction algorithms. We think Canon delivers the best balance overall.
