Today, Canon announced a new 10.1-megapixel entry-level digital SLR in Europe and Japan. They haven't published any press releases in North America yet. But I expect it will be sold here as well.

Canon EOS Rebel XS / 1000D Digital SLR Announcement >> (http://reviews.photographyreview.com/blog/canon-eos-xs-1000d-digital-slr-announcement/)

I guess Canon had to come out with a reply to the Nikon D40/D40x/D60 (three generations already).

They seem to have used the 10.1Mpix sensor from the 40D rather than the 12MPix sensor from the 450D. Usually they use the same APS-C sensor across the line. If they keep the 10Mpix sensor going then this might mean that the 40D stays in production for a while rather than being replaced by a "50D" with the 12MPix sensor.

I guess Canon had to come out with a reply to the Nikon D40/D40x/D60 (three generations already).


I agree. I never thought the XTi or XSi cameras were good direct competitors for the entry-level Nikon bodies. They cost too much and they're a bit too powerful to really be entry-level cameras. But I think the price-point is the most important thing. We'll see how this new camera does. I'm interested in it just because it's small. I always like small cameras. But I'm weird like that :)

...I'm interested in it just because it's small. I always like small cameras. But I'm weird like that :)

I still have my D70. I like the D200 and the D300 which are not much bigger, but when I have to carry them around all day, I feel it. When I'm on holiday - rather than on a picture-taking excursion - I still pack the D70, even though it only has 6Mpix. It's enough.

I agree. I never thought the XTi or XSi cameras were good direct competitors for the entry-level Nikon bodies. They cost too much and they're a bit too powerful to really be entry-level cameras. But I think the price-point is the most important thing. We'll see how this new camera does. I'm interested in it just because it's small. I always like small cameras. But I'm weird like that :)

John,

I wondered if you might be considering a purchase here. I'm looking closely at it too. I can't believe I would consider a new camera and sell my XTi. However, for me personally, the smaller and lighter the better.

The price in Euro is listed as 549Euro - anyone know the conversion? I can't figure out how to do it and couldn't find it on google.

At any rate, I'm on a roll here. I just bought the Panasonic TZ5 and am selling the G9 because I like the size, WA and all the features. Yes, it's more automatic, but for a small vacation and carry-around-with-me camera, it works for me. I also just bought the Tokina 11-16.

Having said that, I might as well look at the XS!

John - what do you think about the features, etc. IOW - is there anything seriously changed (downgraded) from the XTi?

Liz

Liz-
I'm not considering buying it but it would be good to get one in for review. If I want a smaller DSLR, right now it would probably be the Olympus E-520. I haven't done a really close comparison between the XS and the XTi, yet. Comparing the XTi, XSi, and XS would make for a good article, though. Thanks for the idea! As far as price goes, my article has a guess on the price, based on the announced prices of the EOS 450D in Europe and XSi here in the US.

Live view on a cheap body? You said it's expected to be around $550 for just the body. This may be useful as a body to convert to IR. Nice price, able to see IR in live view, and hopefully it'll have the 5x and 10x zoom for perfect focusing.

John,

I wondered if you might be considering a purchase here. I'm looking closely at it too. I can't believe I would consider a new camera and sell my XTi. However, for me personally, the smaller and lighter the better.

The price in Euro is listed as 549Euro - anyone know the conversion? I can't figure out how to do it and couldn't find it on google.

At any rate, I'm on a roll here. I just bought the Panasonic TZ5 and am selling the G9 because I like the size, WA and all the features. Yes, it's more automatic, but for a small vacation and carry-around-with-me camera, it works for me. I also just bought the Tokina 11-16.

Having said that, I might as well look at the XS!

John - what do you think about the features, etc. IOW - is there anything seriously changed (downgraded) from the XTi?

Liz

7 points of focus (XS) vs 9 points (XTI)
I have an XT with 7, so I really don't know how much of a big deal that is.

I looked over the specs of it today... the impressive thing to me is that it's really not that stripped down! I mean there are a few points where Canon endeavored to make sure it wouldn't cut into anything else (like the RAW buffer), but all the stuff that really *makes* the image seems to still be there. Plus Live View? Wow. If they sell this in the US it will be nigh impossible to beat, if the price is right.

Liz - the Dollar to Euro conversion is about 1.6:1 right now (ha, same as Canon's crop), but you can't really make a direct conversion b/c if Canon kept the same price in Europe and here, it would either be super cheap over there or quite expensive over here. Prices are adjusted to the regional markets. That fact might have a lot to do with the Europe-only release right now, as they may still be able to make a profit over there, but maybe not here.

..The price in Euro is listed as 549Euro - anyone know the conversion? I can't figure out how to do it and couldn't find it on google..

Liz

Don't try to do the conversion. Taxes are different. The Dollar has been sinking. I used to figure that the price in the States in Dollars was about the same as the price in Euros but it's not quite true any more.

The new camera should be about the same price as the Nikon D60 to be competetive (the D60 is at about 520 Euros body only).

Thanks for the tips on conversion. Guess I'll wait like everyone else. :D At any rate, I hope it's not too long before it comes here. At least so we can get a closer look at the features to compare - and the price.

Liz