Canon Strikes Back!

For those of you who follow digital SLRs, the big show in town has always been about Canon vs. Nikon. Both are great names in legacy SLRs, and both have extended their brandshares into DSLRs, although others are now in the mix as well.

Of course, DSLRs had always been über-expensive, and not the sort of thing that a young man could really afford if he had to pay for rent and a car note as well. But the ability to have such fine control over the subject was very appealing, so two and a half years ago I bought myself a Canon Powershot G2. Because it contained so many functions and was such a hoot to use, I've never felt the need to upgrade. (The desire, on the other hand ... )

Not long after that, Canon introduced an entry-level DSLR, the EOS 300D/Digital Rebel. It had 6 megapixels at a time when such a thing was considered well above average but not bleeding edge. It was very functional. And, more importantly, it was inexpensive! For $1000, you could get your hands on something that was basically a detuned EOS 10D!

Nikon joined in the fray last year, though, with the introduction of the very capable D70, which for the same price as the Digital Rebel gave a lot more performance. This move caught Canon off-guard, as it was whacking Nikon on the higher end with the EOS 20D. Several magazines proclaimed the D70 to be the "Digital Rebel Killer", giving Canon a backhanded compliment.

Now, Canon strikes back, with the introduction of the EOS 350D/Digital Rebel XT. This brand new member of the lineup has an 0.2-second startup time (about one-tenth of that of its predecessor), an 8 megapixel CMOS sensor (draining less battery power), the DIGIC II image processor found in the bleeding edge offerings, and the ability to shoot at 3 frames per second for 14 frames.

Since I didn't get anything for Christmas, New Year, or my birthday, maybe someone can pick me up one of these? Here's what you'll be looking for:

Then I'll have a 350Z and a 350D! :OD

[Cross-posted at Between Worlds]