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Sunday, November 30, 2008

Canon EOS 450D / Digital Rebel XSi

http://kwc.org/blog/resources/2008/canon-rebel-xsi.jpg

Canon has today announced a new compact digital SLR, the twelve megapixel EOS 450D (Digital Rebel XSi). On the surface a very similar camera to the EOS 400D, however there are a range of significant improvements; twelve megapixel CMOS sensor, 3.0" LCD monitor, Live View with both AF modes (contrast-detect and passive), 14-bit processing and RAW, spot metering, improved AF, 3.5 fps continuous shooting, a larger viewfinder, SD/SDHC storage and a new higher capacity battery. All in all a fairly impressive range of usage oriented improvements and refinements.

Canon today launches its latest D-SLR, the EOS 450D. Featuring a 12.2 Megapixel CMOS sensor, EOS Integrated Cleaning System, 3.0” LCD with Live View mode and a new 9-point AF system, the model presents consumers with an unprecedented level of image quality and versatility at this end of the market.

The EOS 450D employs features already proven in Canon’s professional EOS-1 series cameras, including the DIGIC III image processor and a redesigned menu system that enables features such as direct control of Speedlite flash units from the camera LCD. A choice of 13 custom functions allows the photographer to customise the camera to their shooting style.

“The EOS 450D bears the fruits of more than 20 years of ongoing investment into EOS,” said Mogens Jensen, Head of Canon Consumer Imaging, Europe. “This camera continues Canon’s policy of taking technologies proven in the professional arena and putting them within reach of a wider market of amateur photographers.”

The EOS 450D features:

* 12.2 Megapixel CMOS sensor
* Canon’s EOS Integrated Cleaning System
* 3.5 frames per second
* 3.0” LCD with Live View shooting
* 9-point wide-area AF system with f/2.8 cross-type centre point
* Picture Style image processing parameters
* DIGIC III image processor
* Digital Photo Professional RAW processing software1
* Compact and Lightweight body
* Fully compatible with all Canon EF and EF-S lenses and EX-series Speedlites

The EOS quality advantage

With all key components developed and manufactured in-house, EOS offers photographers a unique quality advantage. The EOS 450D’s specially designed 12.2 Megapixel sensor employs Canon’s high-sensitivity, low-noise CMOS technology to produce richly detailed images with minimal grain. The DIGIC III processor ensures superior image rendering and rapid response times, with an almost instant 0.1 start up. Image data is processed at 14 bits for Delivering a burst rate of 3.5 frames per second, the DIGIC III processor works with the image buffer to handle up to 53 JPEGs (6 in RAW) without interruption.

Built for better photos

The EOS 450D is designed to make photography a fluid experience for photographers of all levels and experience. Housed in a compact body that weighs less than 475 grams, the camera features an improved grip design that provides a natural, ergonomic fit with the user’s hands. A large, bright viewfinder makes image composition clearer and more comfortable. The menu system inherited from professional EOS cameras uses a simplified tab structure that does away with scrolling. It includes a user-defined My Menu tab for instant access to frequently used settings.

Several custom functions are available to optimise the quality of photos captured in a range of situations. Highlight Tone Priority boosts the dynamic range at the highlight end, providing better tonal detail from wedding dresses, cloudy skies and other bright objects. The new Auto Lighting Optimiser corrects brightness and contrast during image processing, while improving skin tones in portraits by ensuring correct exposure for faces. Photographers can also enable additional noise reduction for shots captured at high ISO speeds.

Live View

Available for the first time on a Canon consumer D-SLR, Live View mode makes it easier to shoot from awkward angles, such as ground-level macro shots or when shooting from a tripod. The image from the Live View mode is displayed as a smooth, 30fps video feed on the 3.0” LCD, which is 50% brighter than the screen of the EOS 400D. A grid line display and live histogram can be selected to help with shot composition and exposure. While focusing, the photographer can zoom in on specific details with up to 10x magnification of the image displayed on the LCD screen. Two types of auto focus are available: Quick AF flips the camera mirror momentarily to engage the AF sensor; Live AF uses the image contrast data to focus - a method familiar to anyone upgrading from a compact digital camera.

For studio environments, remote Live View lets the photographer compose, adjust settings and capture the shot from a PC using the supplied EOS utility software.

Other improvements

The EOS 450D complements its headline features with a host of smaller improvements that enhance the photographic experience. The viewfinder now displays all key exposure information including ISO speed. The addition of spot metering (4% of viewfinder) allows for greater control over exposure in tricky lighting conditions. PictBridge functionality has been expanded so that photographers can correct horizons and add picture effects before printing. A new high capacity battery extends shooting time on a single charge to a maximum of 500 shots.

Software

The EOS 450D is supplied with a comprehensive software suite that provides everything the photograph needs to manage and process images. This includes Digital Photo Professional (DPP), a powerful RAW converter that provides complete RAW image processing control. DPP also integrates with camera features such as Dust Delete Data and Picture Styles. The supplied Picture Style Editor software can be used to create custom Picture Styles for fine control over colour display. The camera also comes with EOS Utility, Image/Zoom Browser and Photostitch.

List price (US)

• Body only: $799
• Kit: $899 (with 18-55 mm IS lens)

List price (EU)

• Body only: €749
• Kit: €849 (with 18-55 mm IS lens)

International naming • US: Canon Rebel Digital XSi
• Japan: Canon EOS Kiss Digital x2
• Elsewhere: Canon EOS 450D
Body material Plastic (Stainless Steel chassis)
Sensor
• 12.2 million effective pixels
• 12.4 million total pixels
• 22.2 x 14.8 mm CMOS sensor
• RGB Color Filter Array
• Built-in low-pass filter with self cleaning unit
• 3:2 aspect ratio
Dust reduction • Low-pass filter vibration at power-on (can be interrupted)
• Anti-static coating on sensor surfaces
• Software based dust-removal (camera maps dust, removed later)
Image sizes
• 4272 x 2848 (L)
• 3088 x 2056 (M)
• 2256 x 1504 (S)
Output formats • RAW (.CR2 14-bit *)
• RAW (.CR2 14-bit *) + JPEG Large/Fine
• JPEG (EXIF 2.21) - Fine, Normal
Image processor
DIGIC III
Lenses • Canon EF / EF-S lens mount
• 1.6x field of view crop
Focus modes • Auto Focus
• Manual Focus (switch on lens)
Auto Focus • 9-point CMOS sensor
• Cross-type F2.8 at center
• AF working range: -0.5 to 18 EV (at 23°C, ISO 100)
AF modes • AI Focus
• One shot
• AI Servo
AF point selection • Auto
• Manual
AF assist Flash strobe
Shooting modes • Auto
• Program AE (P)
• Shutter priority AE (Tv)
• Aperture priority AE (Av)
• Manual (M)
• Auto depth-of-field
• Portrait
• Landscape
• Close-up
• Sports
• Night portrait
• Flash off
Metering • TTL 35-zone SPC
• Metering range: EV 1.0 - 20 EV (at 23°C, ISO 100, 50 mm F1.4)
Metering modes • Evaluative 35-zone
• Partial 9% at center
• Spot 4% at center
• Center-weighted average
AE Lock AE lock button
AE Bracketing • +/- 3.0 EV
• 0.5 or 0.3 EV increments
Exposure compen.

• +/- 2.0 EV
• 0.5 or 0.3 EV increments

Sensitivity

• Auto (100 - 400)
• ISO 100
• ISO 200
• ISO 400
• ISO 800
• ISO 1600
• Highlight tone priority (ISO 200 - 1600)

Shutter • Focal-plane shutter
• 30 - 1/4000 sec (0.5 or 0.3 EV steps)
• Flash X-Sync: 1/200 sec
• Bulb
Aperture values • F1.0 - F91 (0.3 EV steps)
• Actual aperture range depends on lens used
White balance • Auto
• Daylight
• Shade
• Cloudy
• Tungsten
• Fluorescent
• Flash
• Custom
WB Bracketing • +/-3 levels
• 3 images
• Selectable Blue/Amber or Magenta/Green bias
WB fine-tuning • Blue (-9) To Amber (+9)
• Magenta (-9) to Green (+9)
Color space • sRGB
• Adobe RGB
Picture style • Standard
• Portrait
• Landscape
• Neutral
• Faithful
• Monochrome
• User 1
• User 2
• User 3
Custom image parameters • Sharpness: 0 to 7
• Contrast: -4 to +4
• Saturation: -4 to +4
• Color tone: -4 to +4
• B&W filter: N, Ye, Or, R, G
• B&W tone: N, S, B, P, G
Drive modes • Single
• Continuous: 3.5 fps up to 53 JPEG / 6 RAW frames
• Self-timer 10 secs (2 sec with mirror lock-up)
• Self-timer continuous
Mirror lockup Yes (custom function)
Viewfinder • Pentamirror
• 95% frame coverage
• Magnification: 0.87x (-1 diopter with 50 mm lens at infinity)
• Eyepoint: 19 mm
• Dioptric adjustment: -3.0 to +1.0 diopter
• Fixed precision matte
• Proximity sensor disables LCD shooting mode information
Viewfinder info
• AF information (AF points focus confirmation light)
• Shutter speed
• Aperture value
• ISO speed (always displayed)
• AE lock
• Exposure level/compensation
• Spot metering circle
• Exposure warning
• AEB
• Flash ready
• High-speed sync
• FE lock
• Flash exposure compensation
• Red-eye reduction light
• White balance correction
• SD card information
• Monochrome shooting
• Maximum burst
DOF preview Yes, button
LCD monitor
• 3.0" TFT LCD
• 230,000 pixels
• Wide viewing angle (160° horizontal and vertical)
• 7 brightness levels
• Up to 10x zoom playback
LCD Live view

• Live TTL display of scene from CMOS image sensor
• 100% frame coverage
• Real-time evaluative metering using CMOS image sensor
• Best view or exposure simulation
• Grid optional (thirds)
• Magnify optional (5x or 10x at AF point)
• Optional Auto-focus with mirror-down / mirror-up sequence
• Two modes; normal and quieter
• Remote live view using EOS Utility 2.0 (via USB or WiFi/Ethernet using WFT)
• Manual focus only

Camera settings display • Shutter speed
• Aperture
• Sensitivity (ISO)
• Exposure mode
• Meter / Exposure compenation
• Bracketing
• Flash compensation
• White balance & fine tuning
• Metering mode
• Custom function set
• Auto focus mode
• Drive mode
• Auto focus areas
• Black & white mode
• Beep
• Red-eye reduction
• Image size / quality
• Battery status
• Frames remaining
Record review • Uses last play mode
• Magnification possible
• 2 / 4 / 8 sec / Hold
Flash • Auto pop-up E-TTL II auto flash
• Guide number approx 13
• Modes: Auto, Manual Flash On/ Off, Red-Eye Reduction
• X-Sync: 1/200 sec
• Flash exposure compensation: +/-2.0 EV (0.3 or 0.5 EV steps)
• Coverage up to 17 mm focal length (27 mm FOV equiv.)
External flash • E-TTL II auto flash with EX-series Speedlites
• Hot-shoe
Other features • Orientation sensor
• Automatically writes FAT16/FAT32 depending on capacity
Auto rotation • On (playback uses orientation data in file header)
• Off
Playback mode • Single image
• Single image with info (histogram brightness / RGB )
• Magnified view (1.5 - 10x in 15 steps, browsable)
• 4 and 9 image index
• Auto play
• Image rotation
• Jump (by 10, 100 or date)
Custom functions
13 custom functions with 34 settings
Menu languages

• English
• German
• French
• Dutch
• Danish
• Portuguese
• Finnish
• Italian
• Norwegian
• Swedish
• Spanish
• Greek
• Simplified Chinese
• Japanese
• Traditional Chinese
• Korean
• Russian
• Polish
• Hungarian
• Czech

Firmware User upgradable
Connectivity

• USB 2.0 (Hi-Speed) mini-B
• Video out (PAL / NTSC)
• E3 type wired remote control

Storage
• SD / SDHC card
Power
• Lithium-Ion LP-E5 rechargeable battery (7.4 V, 1050 mAh)
• CR2016 Lithium battery (date/time backup)
• Optional ACK-E5 AC adapter kit
Battery Grip Yes, BG-E5
Direct printing • Canon Selphy Printers
• Canon Bubble Jet Printers with direct print function
• Canon PIXMA Printers supporting PictBridge
• PictBridge
Dimensions
129 x 98 x 62 mm (5.1 x 3.9 x 2.4 in)
Weight (no battery)
475 g (1.0 lb)
Software

• Zoom Browser EX / ImageBrowser
• PhotoStitch
• EOS Utility (inc. Remote Capture; Windows & Mac except Mac Intel)
• Digital Photo Professional (Windows / Mac)




Source: DPreview

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