Canon Rebel XTi is an upgrade of the Canon Rebel XT, which has won a great popularity. Just like its predecessor the Rebel XTi is a digital SLR camera of an entry level, which does not at all imply a simplified version. The Rebel XTi has almost the same functions, as more expensive cameras do. In Europe Canon Rebel XTi is sold under the name of Canon 400D, in Japan – Canon Kiss X.
Here is a short list of differences between the Rebel XTi and the Rebel XT: the Rebel XTi features a new 10.1 megapixel CMOS sensor (against 8.0 megapixels on the Rebel XT), a new anti-dust system, a large 64-mm LCD display (compared to 46-mm for the XT), lack of a separate information screen, 9-point AF system (instead of 7-point one), possibility to take a longer series of shots (27 JPEGs instead of 14, and 10 RAWs instead of 6), a new Picture Styles option (which first appeared on the EOS-5D and EOS 30D), battery life is 10% lower than the Rebel XT has. Almost all the rest has not been changed. You get a very compact body (for SLR), all the needed manual settings, Canon EF and EF-S lenses support.
Similar to its predecessor the Rebel XTi is powered by the same lithium-ion battery NB-2LH. But the possibility for shooting is 10% worse, probably because of the increased LCD energy consumption (larger in size).
Externally almost from all sides the Rebel XTi is similar to its predecessor. But the rear panel is obviously different: instead of two displays there is one large LCD. The Rebel XTi seems slightly bigger than the Rebel XT, but it's still one of the smallest modern DSLR cameras. It should be noted: before buying a camera better to hold it in your hands, because not everyone likes such dimensions.
The Rebel XTi starts slower than its predecessor, which can be accounted for the work of the dust cleaning system. Usually the XTi prepares for shooting for about 1.5 seconds, but if you do not want to wait, you can interrupt the cleaning procedure by pressing any button on the camera. AF speed is different for different lenses, but usually the XTi focuses pretty quickly. For this purpose, the camera requires 0.1 - 0.3 seconds, but in difficult conditions this time may be increased. As befits for the DSLR cameras, the delay of the shutter activation is minimal, as well as the pause before the next shooting. Take a shot, direct the camera at the next object, and you will see that the camera is waiting for the next shot to be taken.
The XTi features the same bracketing and white balance shift like the Rebel XT. The white balance bracketing option allows taking 3 frames in succession with different white balance settings.
The problem of dust cleaning for the Rebel XTi matrix is solved in three variants. Firstly, the antistatic coating prevents dust adhesion; secondly, a piezoelectric element on the filter vibrates when you turn on or off the camera and shakes off the dust particles that have managed to stick; but if this does not work, then thirdly, in a dedicated mode you can take a "reference picture", that is a picture of a blank sheet. The camera will determine the location of the dust particles and will continue to process images with this in mind.
Despite the fact that the Canon Rebel XTi camera is quite small and is not very comfortable to handle, together with its feeling as more "plastic" than other DSLRs, it still can be considered as one of the most impressive digital SLR cameras of an entry level, offering excellent quality photos and high performance, a variety of functions (notably the dust extraction system), a large LCD display, and a big number of accessories.
Photo quality is excellent. The Rebel XTi takes colorful detailed pictures with very low noise, even within ISO 800. Like in all Canon DSLRs, pictures directly from the camera are not sharp enough, but if you do not like it, you can increase the sharpness of images in the camera with settings using the Picture Styles function.
Perhaps, some can say that the Rebel XTi cannot boast of any exclusive parameters, but the main thing is it works fine in any applicable cases.
