Canon EOS Digital Rebel

Canon has had a phenomenal success with their well-known series of Rebel film SLR cameras. They have been inexpensive, easy to use, well made, and produce excellent photos. Now Canon has moved the Rebel series a step forward with the EOS Digital Rebel. The digital camera sells for under $1,000 complete with a newly designed 18 to 55mm Canon zoom lens. It is also available as body only for those who already have Canon lenses.

But this remarkably low price for a digital SLR doesn't buy you a bare bones, do nothing camera. The Digital Rebel uses a 6.3 megapixel CMOS image sensor, the same size as in Canon's more professional EOS 10D camera. Images from the sensor are quickly processed by Canon's DIGIC integrated digital image processor and quickly stored in JPEG format. The camera also offers advanced autofocus operation using the same 7-point system as the EOS 10D, auto exposure with a variety of modes as well as manual exposure, and auto white balance. The camera can make sequences of photos as fast as 2.5 frames per second in bursts of up to four frames. Shutter speeds range from 1/4,000 second down to 30 seconds, as well as a time exposure mode. The sophisticated 35-zone Evaluative metering system should handle just about any sort of lighting.

The Digital Rebel retains the same appearance and ergonomics as the Rebel Ti film SLR, and is the smallest digital SLR in Canon's line. It weighs just 19.7 ounces and measures 5.6 X 3.9 X 2.9 inches. This camera has the potential to become a "category killer" and greatly widen the appeal of digital photography with this 6.3 megapixel SLR digital camera, with a Canon zoom lens, all priced at less than $1,000. www.usa.canon.com