Canon Cameras

There's a wide variety of Canon cameras, ranging from the tiny point-and-shoot models to their newly released EOS 20D digital SLR. Canon were the first company to release an affordable consumer-level digital SLR (dSLR) camera - the Digital Rebel/EOS 300D. Canon digital cameras receive consistently high ratings from consumers who are impressed by their solid construction and high-quality images. On this page you'll find their cameras listed in order of suitability for landscape photography (which also appears to be in order of decreasing expense!). However, the Digital Rebel/EOS 300D is a good place to start for digital imaging (I use one myself). While I like the camera, it's case is made of plastic rather than metal; this means its light and, in comparison, my Nikon F-601 film camera weighs a ton in comparison. But, being plastic, the Digital Rebel's case is easily scratched. The in-built flash also tends to rattle a bit. That aside, images from it are superb.

Canon EOS 20D

Canon EOS 20D: The latest Canon digital camera sets a new standard in the consumer market. An 8 mega-pixel sensor grabs the headlines but the rest of the camera is equally impressive, with autofocus and exposure systems that are as good as you can get on an amateur model. A 5 frames-per-second motordrive, RAW or JPG file choices and great handling are just a few of the many features in this camera's arsenal. Add to this the wide lens and accessory choice and you can see why it's proving so popular.

Specs: 8.2 Megapixels; Canon EF (EF-S compatible) lens mount; uses Compact Flash type I or II and Microdrives; JPG and RAW image formats; increase to focal length: 1.6x; Metering: multi-zone, partial and center-weighted average; Exposure modes: Program (also has has subject-based modes), Aperture-Priority, Shutter Priority and Manual; Shutter speeds: 30 sec - 1/8000 sec + Bulb; ISO Speeds: 100 - 3200; Exposure compensation; integral flash with 1/250 sec sync speed; depth of field preview; Can shoot 5 frames per second.

Rating: 91/100
RRP: $1699/€1450/£999

Canon EOS 350D/Digital rebel XT

Canon EOS 350D/Digital Rebel XT: The replacement for the Digital Rebel/300D has a tougher shell and this time it's black. It also sports an 8 mega-pixel sensor, more processing power and is a physically smaller camera than the 300D. This camera targets the new emerging digital SLR audience. The camera's menu system has been changed so if you're used to a 300D, you'll need to re-educate yourself. The LCD screen on the back of the camera is a little small at 1.8", and seems dim on a bright day. The XT/350D uses the same processing power found on its big brother, the EOS 20D. Large JPGs are output in just 1 sec., and RAW files in 2 secs, significantly faster than on the 300D and still almost twice the speed of the Nikon D70 even though the XT/350D files are larger. Startup time is almost instantaneous, though. The camera offers Spot, center-weighted and evaluative metering modes. Image quality is excellent.

So, is it worth upgrading if you already own a 300D/Digital Rebel? The main factors that make this camera a winner are the speed of processing, the extra metering modes and increased resolution. It also has a USB2.0 port (the 300D only had USB1.1).

Specs: 8.0 Megapixels; Canon EF (EF-S compatible) lens mount; uses Compact Flash type I or II; JPG and RAW image formats; increase to focal length: 1.6x; Metering: spot, multi-zone, partial and center-weighted average; Exposure modes: Program (also has has subject-based modes), Aperture-Priority, Shutter Priority and Manual; Shutter speeds: 30 sec - 1/4000 sec + Bulb; ISO Speeds: 100 - 1600; Exposure compensation; integral flash with 1/200 sec sync speed; depth of field preview; Can shoot 3 frames per second. Replacement for the EOS 300D.

Rating: 95/100
RRP: $1000/€999/£695

Canon EOS 300D/Digital Rebel

Canon EOS 300D/Digital Rebel: Similar in appearance to the popular EOS 300V, the 6 mega-pixel EOS 300D/Digital Rebel boasts many of the features that you'll find on a more expensive model, at almost half the price. In fact, most of the Digital Rebel's technology comes from the EOS 10D, albeit in a somewhat trimmed down form. Canon has reduced the weight and cost of the camera by using a pentamirror construction instead of a penatprism and building the 300D from plastic instead of metal. It's a camera that produces fantastic images time after time.

JPGs are written in just 3 seconds but RAW files take 7 seconds. Camera startup time is slow at around 3 seconds. Overall, this is a great entry-level digital SLR but it's starting to show its age. Canon have released the Digital Rebel XT model as a replacement (see above) and it also faces stiff competition from the Nikon D70. But now that it's an older model, prices are dropping and it can be picked up for about $750, with an 18-55mm zoom lens.

Specs: 6.3 Megapixels; Canon EF (EF-S compatible) lens mount; uses Compact Flash type I or II; JPG and RAW image formats; increase to focal length: 1.6x; Metering: multi-zone, partial and center-weighted average; Exposure modes: Program (also has has subject-based modes), Aperture-Priority, Shutter Priority and Manual; Shutter speeds: 30 sec - 1/4000 sec + Bulb; ISO Speeds: 100 - 1600; Exposure compensation; integral flash with 1/200 sec sync speed; depth of field preview; Can shoot 2.5 frames per second. Price reduced due to introduction of Canon EOS 350D/Digital Rebel XT.

Rating: 9/10
RRP: $799/€860/£599

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Canon EOS 30/Elan 7

Canon EOS Elan 7: The body is a wonderfully light, wonderfully natural tool. It has powerful autofocus (7 sensors) and matrix metering (35 sensors) systems that one would expect from a modern SLR. The 7e model includes an eye-tracking system that sets the autofocus sensor depending on where the photographer is looking. Avoid the "QD" version of this camera with a built-in date back. The fact that all of your images are being despoiled with an in-frame set of numbers is indicated only by a small bar on a rear LCD. You'll always be anxious about whether or not the date function is set to imprint. The camera offers true mirror lock-up and can run on ordinary AA batteries, assuming you've got the vertical grip. One problem with program AE is that it doesn't work very well with fast lenses.

Specs: Film camera; Canon EF (EF-S compatible) lens mount; Metering: multi-zone, partial and center-weighted average; Exposure modes: Intelligent Program AE, Program (also has has subject-based modes), Aperture-Priority AE, Shutter Priority AE, Depth of Field AE and Manual; Shutter speeds: 30 sec - 1/4000 sec + Bulb; Exposure compensation; integral flash with 1/125 sec sync speed; Can shoot 4 frames per second.

Rating: 85/100
RRP: $399

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