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Digital Rebel XT vs. Modified Digital Rebel vs. Digital Rebel

Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT is the successor to the Canon EOS Digital Rebel. Without a doubt, Canon's newer digital cameras always met the predecessor's specifications and provided more features than its older digital cameras. The only exception was when Canon released the D60, which lacked the high ISO 1600 feature found on the D30. Digital Rebel XT is no exception. It met the original Digital Rebel's specification and more!

However, the water has recently been muddied with the awesome Wasia firmware hack for the original Digital Rebel. Now you have to wonder how good is the new Digital Rebel XT compared to the firmware hacked Digital Rebel. Will the Digital Rebel XT best the modified Digital Rebel? Or can you get all of the new Digital Rebel XT features for paying a lot less by hacking a Digital Rebel?

The answer is in the special specification sheet I generated below. The specification sheet includes comparison between a Digital Rebel XT, a modified Digital Rebel, and the original Digital Rebel. The white rows are specifications that differ from one model to another. The gray rows are specifications that are the same across the board.

In a high level overview, the modified Digital Rebel has a few features that are not found in the Digital Rebel XT. These features are significant enough that they can't be overlooked. On the other hand, the Digital Rebel XT beat the modified Digital Rebel in many other significant areas. I'll let you dig them out of the specification below.

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Specifications Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT (350D, Kiss Digital N) Canon EOS Digital Rebel (300D, Kiss Digital) with Wasia Firmware Hack Canon EOS Digital Rebel (300D, Kiss Digital)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS CMOS
Sensor Size 22.2 x 14.8mm 22.7 x 15.1mm 22.7 x 15.1mm
Effective Pixels Approx. 8.0M; 2nd-generation on-chip noise reduction technology Approx. 6.3M Approx. 6.3M
Total Pixels Approx. 8.2M Approx. 6.5M Approx. 6.5M
Processor DIGIC II DIGIC DIGIC
Start Up Speed 0.2 seconds 2 seconds 2 seconds
Shutter Release Time Lag 100 milliseconds 120 milliseconds 120 milliseconds
Aspect Ratio 3:2 3:2 3:2
Low-Pass Filter New high performance 3-layer optical low-pass filter built-in/ Fixed. Same construction as the EOS 20D�s filter. Built-in / Fixed Built-in / Fixed
Colour Filter Type Primary Colour Primary Colour Primary Colour
Lens Mount EF / EF-S EF / EF-S EF / EF-S
Focal Length ~1.6x Multiplication with EF / EF-S lens fitted 1.6x Multiplication with EF/ EF-S lens fitted 1.6x Multiplication with EF/ EF-S lens fitted
AF Working Range EV 0.5 - 18 (at 20�C ISO100) EV 0.5 - 18 (at 20�C ISO 100) EV 0.5 - 18 (at 20�C ISO 100)
AF Modes Automatic Selection. Manually Selectable: AI Focus, One Shot, AI Servo. Automatic Selection. Manually Selectable: AI Focus, One Shot, AI Servo. AI Servo mode does not allow shutter to be triggered consistently. Automatic Selection between AI Focus, One Shot, AI Servo.
AF Point Selection Automatic selection, Manual selection. Automatic selection, Manual selection Automatic selection, Manual selection
Selected AF Point Display Superimposed in viewfinder Superimposed in viewfinder and indicated on rear LCD panel Superimposed in viewfinder and indicated on rear LCD panel
Predictive AF Yes Yes Yes
AF Lock Locked when shutter button is pressed half way in One Shot AF mode. Locked when shutter button is pressed half way in One Shot AF mode. Locked when shutter button is pressed half way in One Shot AF mode.
AF Assist Yes (stroboscopic flashes) Yes (stroboscopic flashes) Yes (stroboscopic flashes)
Manual Focus Selected on lens Selected on lens Selected on lens
Metering Modes Manually Selectable: Evaluative 35-Zone, Partial Center 9%, Center-weighted average. Automatic Selection: Evaluative 35-Zone, Partial Center 9%, Center-weighted average. Automatic Selection: Evaluative 35-Zone, Partial Center 9%, Center-weighted average.
Metering Range EV 1-20 (at 20�C with 50mm f/1.4 lens ISO100) EV 1-20 (at 20�C with 50mm f1.4 lens ISO 100) EV 1-20 (at 20�C with 50mm f1.4 lens ISO 100)
AE Lock Auto: Operates in 1-shot AF mode with evaluative metering when focus is achieved. Manual: Works independently at all times, Works in creative zone modes. Auto: Operates in 1-shot AF mode with evaluative metering when focus is achieved. Manual: Works independently at all times, Works in creative zone modes. Auto: Operates in 1-shot AF mode with evaluative metering when focus is achieved. Manual: Works independently at all times, Works in creative zone modes.
Exposure Compensation +/- 2 EV, 1/2 or 1/3-stop increments +/- 2 EV, 1/2 or 1/3-stop increments +/- 2 EV, 1/3-stop increments
AEB +/- 2 EV, 1/2 or 1/3-stop increments +/- 2 EV, 1/2 or 1/3-stop increments +/- 2 EV, 1/3-stop increments
ISO Speed Equivalent Automatic: 400. Manually Selectable: 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600 Automatic: 100, 200, 400. Manually Selectable: 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200 Automatic: 100, 200, 400. Manually Selectable: 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600
Speed 30-1/4000 sec, Bulb 30 - 1/4000 sec, Bulb 30 - 1/4000 sec, Bulb
White Balance (WB) Settings AWB, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom. (Improved auto white balance at higher ISO ratings and in conjunction with flash color data transmission from the built-in flash or the accessory 580EX Speedlite) AWB, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Florescent, Flash, Custom AWB, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Florescent, Flash, Custom
WB Bracketing +/- 3 stops. Selectable Blue/Amber bias or Magenta/Green bias. Both the blue/amber and the magenta/green biases can be set up to +/- 9 levels. WB-BKT does not work during RAW and RAW + JPEG shooting. When the shutter is released, three images are captured, each with a different WB bias setting as selected. +/- 3 stops in full stop increments. Selectable Blue/Amber bias +/- 3 stops in full stop increments. Selectable Blue/Amber bias
Viewfinder Area (Vertical/Horizontal) Approx. 95% 95% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.8x 0.88 x 0.88 x
Viewfinder Eyepoint 21mm 21mm 21mm
Dioptre Correction : -3 to +1 dpt -3 to +1 dpt -3 to +1 dpt
Focusing Screen : Fixed Fixed Fixed
Depth of Field Preview Yes Yes Yes
Monitor 1.8" TFT, approx. 115,000 pixel 1.8", TFT, approx. 118,000 pixel 1.8", TFT, approx. 118,000 pixel
Coverage Approx. 100% (for JPEG images) Approx. 100% (for JPEG images) Approx. 100% (for JPEG images)
Brightness Adjustable to one of five levels Adjustable to one of five levels Adjustable to one of five levels
Flash Modes Auto, .Manual Flash On/Off, Red-Eye Reduction Auto, Manual Flash On/ Off, Red-Eye Reduction Auto, Manual Flash On/ Off, Red-Eye Reduction
HotShoe Yes Yes Yes
PC Terminal Yes No No
X-sync 1/200th sec 1/200th sec 1/200th sec
Flash Exposure Compensation Yes. +/- 2EV in 1/2 or 1/3 increments Yes. +/- 2EV in 1/2 or 1/3 increments No
Flash Exposure Bracketing Yes. +/- 2EV in 1/2 or 1/3 increments Yes. +/- 2EV in 1/2 or 1/3 increments No
Flash Exposure Lock Yes Yes Yes
Second Curtain Synchronization Yes No No
Built-in Flash Range Coverage up to 17mm focal length (27mm equivalent) Coverage up to 18mm focal length (28mm equivalent) Coverage up to 18mm focal length (28mm equivalent)
Guide Number (ISO 100, metres) 13 13 13
External Flash E-TTL II with EX series Speedlites, wireless multi-flash support with optional ST-E2 transmitter. E-TTL II does not assume that the AF point in use covers the main subject. Instead, when the shutter button is pressed completely, ambient light is measured just before a pre-flash fires. For each metering zone, the ambient reading and the pre-flash reading are compared E-TTL with EX series Speedlites, wireless multi-flash support with optional ST-E2 transmitter. E-TTL with EX series Speedlites, wireless multi-flash support with optional ST-E2 transmitter.
Photo Effects Monochrome mode (selected from the Shooting menu) with options for Filters and Toning Effects None None
Drive Modes Single/Continuous Single/Continuous Single/Continuous
Continuous Shooting 3 fps (speed maintained for up to 14 JPEG images) 2.5 fps (speed maintained for up to 4 images) 2.5 fps (speed maintained for up to 4 images)
Image Size (LF) 3456 x 2304 (LF) 3072 x 2048 (LF) 3072 x 2048
(LN) 3456 x 2304 (LN) 3072 x 2048 (LN) 3072 x 2048
(MF) 2496 x 1664 (MF) 2048 x 1360 (MF) 2048 x 1360
(MN) 2496 x 1664 (MN) 2048 x 1360 (MN) 2048 x 1360
(SF) 1728 x 1152 (SF) 1536 x 1024 (SF) 1536 x 1024
(SN) 1728 x 1152 (SN) 1536 x 1024 (SN) 1536 x 1024
(RAW) 3456 x 2304 RAW 3072 x 2048 RAW 3072 x 2048
   
Still Image Write Speed to CF card 3.5 times faster than Digital Rebel    
Compression Fine, Normal, RAW Fine, Normal, RAW Fine, Normal, RAW
Still Image Type JPEG (Exif 2.21 [Exif Print] compliant) / Design rule for Camera File system, RAW JPEG simultaneous recording, Digital Print Order Format [DPOF] Version 1.1 compliant JPEG (Exif 2.2 [Exif Print] compliant) / Design rule for Camera File system, RAW JPEG simultaneous recording, Digital Print Order Format [DPOF] Version 1.1 compliant JPEG (Exif 2.2 [Exif Print] compliant) / Design rule for Camera File system, RAW JPEG simultaneous recording, Digital Print Order Format [DPOF] Version 1.1 compliant
RAW+JPEG Simultaneous Recording Yes. RAW + JPEG. Large/Fine JPEG only. Separate RAW and JPEG files are written. Yes. RAW + JPEG. JPEG size configurable. JPEG embedded in RAW file. Yes. RAW + JPEG. Large/Fine JPEG only. JPEG embedded in RAW file.
Processing Parameters Parameter Set 1 (contrast, sharpness and color saturation set to +1) is optimized for images upon which no retouching will be performed before direct printing. Parameter Set 2 (contrast, sharpness, color saturation and color tone set to 0, i.e., mid-scale), is optimized for images that will be retouched or adjusted. Parameter Sets 3, 4 and 5 can be customized by the user for contrast, sharpness, color saturation and color tone. There is also a monochrome Parameter set which incorporates five levels each of contrast and sharpness in addition to filter effects (none, yellow, orange, red and green) that are just like camera filter effects and toning effects (none, sepia, blue, purple, green) 2 Standard Parameters Plus up to three custom processing parameters can be set. No monochrome (B&W) Parameter set. 2 Standard Parameters Plus up to three custom processing parameters can be set. No monochrome (B&W) Parameter set.
Canon Printers Canon SELPHY Compact Photo Printers, Bubble Jet Printers with the direct print function and PIXMA Printers supporting PictBridge Canon Card Photo Printers and Bubble Jet Printers with the Direct Print Function Canon Card Photo Printers and Bubble Jet Printers with the Direct Print Function
PictBridge Yes Yes Yes
Custom Functions 01: SET button / cross keys function C.Fn 01: SET button func. when shooting .
  02: Long exposure noise reduction C.Fn 02: Shutter release w/o CF card  
  03: Flash sync. speed in Av mode C.Fn 03: Flash sync speed in Av mode  
  06: Exposure level increments C.Fn 06: Exposure level increments  
  07: Mirror lockup C.Fn 12: Mirror lockup  
  09: Shutter curtain sync. C.Fn 09: Bracket. sequence/Auto cancel.  
     
  04: Shutter button / AE lock button C.Fn 17: Mirror lockup pause time  
  05: AF-assist beam  
  08: E-TTL II    
Custom Functions   C.Fn 04: Shutter button/AE lock button  
(Not Working)   C.Fn 05: AF-assist beam/Flash firing  
    C.Fn 07: AF point registration  
    C.Fn 10: Superimposed display  
    C.Fn 11: Menu button display position  
    C.Fn 13: Assist button function  
    C.Fn 14: Auto reduction of fill flash  
    C.Fn 15: Shutter curtain sync  
    C.Fn 16: Safety shift in Av or Tv  
LCD Panel (EL) Illumination Yes Yes Yes
Intelligent Orientation Sensor Yes Yes Yes
Histogram Yes Yes Yes
Playback Zoom 2x - 10x 2x - 10x 2x - 10x
Self Timer 10 seconds 10 seconds 10 seconds
Menu Languages English, German, French, Dutch, Danish, Finnish, Italian, Norwegian, Swedish, Spanish, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Tradional Chinese, Korean, Japanese English, German, French, Dutch, Danish, Finnish, Italian, Norwegian, Swedish, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese English, German, French, Dutch, Danish, Finnish, Italian, Norwegian, Swedish, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese
Computer USB 2.0 Hi-Speed (Mini-B) USB (PTP) USB (PTP)
Other Video output (PAL/ NTSC) Video output (PAL/ NTSC) Video output (PAL/ NTSC)
Batteries Rechargeable Li-ion Battery NB-2LH (NB-2LH battery supplied) Rechargeable Li-ion Battery BP-511 or BP-512 (BP-511 battery supplied) Rechargeable Li-ion Battery BP-511 or BP-512 (BP-511 battery supplied)
Battery Life Approx. 600 (at 20�C) Approx. 450 (at 0�C)� AE 100% approx. 600 shots, AE 50% FA 50% approx. 400 shots AE 100% approx. 600 shots, AE 50% FA 50% approx. 400 shots
Power Saving Power turns off after 1, 2, 4, 8, 15 or 30mins. Power turns off after 1, 2, 4, 8, 15 or 30mins. Power turns off after 1, 2, 4, 8, 15 or 30mins.
AC Power Supply Optional, AC Adapter Kit ACK-700 Optional AC-E2 Optional AC-E2
Case Semi-Hard Case EH18-L Semi-hard case EH-16L Semi-hard case EH-16L
Optional Battery Grip BG-E3. Can hold two NB-2LH batteries or 6 AA's. BG-E1. Can hold two BP-511 batteries. BG-E1. Can hold two BP-511 batteries.
Remote Remote Switch RS-60E3, Remote Controller RC-1 / RC-5 Remote Switch RS-60E3, Remote Controller RC-1 / RC-5 Remote Switch RS-60E3, Remote Controller RC-1 / RC-5
Operating Environment 0 � 40 �C, 85% or less humidity 0 � 40 �C, 85% or less humidity 0 � 40 �C, 85% or less humidity
Dimensions 126.5 x 94.2 x 64mm 142 x 99 x 72.4mm 142 x 99 x 72.4mm
Weight (body only) Approx. 485g Approx. 560g Approx. 560g

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