I felt like I was going to break it!

[ryno4youth]

Well, I have been trying to pic either the XT or 20D to get as a new camera (I need a back up for weddings), so I figured I would got the Best Buy and play around with them. I found myself playing with only the 20D once I put the XT in my hands, because it was so small. I felt like I was holding my Kodak DX6490 agian. I would be affraid that I would drop the camera when I have a heavy lens on it. I al passing this one, because if you are lookin at get the XT, make sure that you have a touchy-feely test first. Good Shooting!

[ChrisKolb]

When the 300D came out I remember people complaining that it was too light and/or too small. I don't recall seeing anything about that recently, but I found that I liked mine just fine. Granted I don't have any nice (read: heavier) lenses yet.

A friend (who also has a 300D) went to Best Buy and was daring enough to pick up the XT and play with it. Instead of the camera lust that I expected to hit him, he had the same complaint -- too small.

[mr.photoguy]

I need to hold one soon, and let you guys know what I think. I really can't imagine dealing with a camera smaller than the 20D, or 300 for that matter.

[chris clements]

It always surprises me how many regular posters recommend heavy L glass to new 350XT owners. They are clearly ID/10/20 users who don't realise just how small and light the 350XT body is.

[mr.photoguy]

yeah but the glass makes the difference.
No matter what they do.. they will want good glass...
I learned that.

[pradeep1]

I got my first real usage of my 350D/XT this past weekend in DC. I carried it around with some heavy lenses and it was usable. At first I thought the camera was too small as well, but once I've gotten used to it, I don't notice it anymore. One thing I do notice is that with a heavy lens, the camera tends to flop around on you when you walk. I attached a Pedco Ultrapod-II on the bottom and used that to give it more support. It worked well. After spending 3 days in DC walking about 20 miles, I am glad that the 350D/XT is lightweight. On a few occassions, all I had was the camera with a 50 f/1.8 on it and it was like carrying a small and light camera. Wonderful feeling.

[Perfect_10]

yeah but the glass makes the difference.
No matter what they do.. they will want good glass...
I learned that.
oh yeah baby .. that's a fact.
There's nothing like carrying a large heavy lens with a small light body (as I do with my film body)

[Jackal]

Bleh.

What I love about it's lightness is that I can have that thing on my shoulder across my chest and keep it there and it wont bother me. I was carrying it for a good few hours none stop today and I didn't get one of those "big sigh of reliefs" when I took it off like I do with my Minolta film camera.

As for having a large lense on it...

I just hold most of the weight with my left hand anyways and gently carry the rest with my right hand which is incharge of changing settings and taking the pictures. =)

I dunno...Doesn't bother me.

[Rob612]

Well... sure enough the 350D is quite lighter and smaller but honestly I really prefer this new one against my older 300D. I have small hands and I like to have everything easily reachable. It just does not bother me. Thats why I've got the 350 instead of the 20. I like smaller cams. Once you put a heavier glass on it, those 100/200 grams less are a blessing :)

[BillH2]

Has anybody made a comparison of these two as to quality of picture and general use?

[Hellashot]

Well, I have been trying to pic either the XT or 20D to get as a new camera (I need a back up for weddings), so I figured I would got the Best Buy and play around with them. I found myself playing with only the 20D once I put the XT in my hands, because it was so small. I felt like I was holding my Kodak DX6490 agian. I would be affraid that I would drop the camera when I have a heavy lens on it. I al passing this one, because if you are lookin at get the XT, make sure that you have a touchy-feely test first. Good Shooting!

Well if something is heavier and you drop it, it's going to hit the ground with more force than something lighter. So if the XT is lighter it would hit with less force than a 20D. So if the chances of dropping your camera is important to you then you should get the XT lol!

[ScottE]

Well if something is heavier and you drop it, it's going to hit the ground with more force than something lighter. So if the XT is lighter it would hit with less force than a 20D. So if the chances of dropping your camera is important to you then you should get the XT lol!

I was thinking he should get a camera strap.

[Paul Engen]

Has anybody made a comparison of these two as to quality of picture and general use?

A good review is posted on the www.dpreview.com (http://www.dpreview.com), both for the 20D and the 350D/XT. If you read the 350D review, you will find comparative photographic tests between the two cameras.

Paul Engen

[m3elmo]

Has anybody made a comparison of these two as to quality of picture and general use?

as stated above, picture quality is pretty much exactly the same using the same sensor and same 8MP resolution.

General use, the 20D is easier to navigate the functions and I like having the LCD on top, vs. on the back. The 20D controls seem more naturally placed.

[BillH2]

Thanks, am having trouble deciding between the XT and the 20D, but am leaning now to 20D.

[Mycroft]

as stated above, picture quality is pretty much exactly the same using the same sensor and same 8MP resolution.

Actually, the 20D and RebelXT do not use identical CMOS censors. They are the same resolution, but that's where the similarities end. The 20D uses a better sensor, of course. Wouldn't you expect it in a body that's nearly twice the cost? ;)

However, the actual quality of the output files may be so slight as to not even be noticed... an interesting study for a blind comparison, I think. Photo A and photo B. Which was shot with the 20D, which was shot with the XT? Throw in a couple controls as well, where both images are from the same body... Anybody got an XT and a 20D willing to supply the photos? Don't forget to remove the EXIF info! :p

(p.s. Of course, this would necessitate the use of the same lens, same shot, same exposure/settings, same time of day, same color socks you wear, etc. for it to be scientifically accurate. The only variable should be the camera body) :cool:

[Bodog]

Haven't held one yet, but from what I have seen and read it appears the XT is about the same size as my old Rebel G. When I got the Drebel I was suprised that is was so much bigger than the film camera.

[prime80]

I have large hands, and my RebelXT works just fine. Don't let any of these "it's too freakin small" posts make your decision for you. Go pick them up and try them out yourself. Each person has different concepts of "too small". While the size is fine for me, someone with smaller hands might pick it up and think it's too small. Try it out for yourself, THEN make a decision.

[sirmiggs]

Just a thought. . .

I recently bought the Canon Rebel XT (though in Japan, it's called the Canon Kiss N and comes with the USM kit lens).

Being that it is my first SLR, ever, I am extremely happy with how small and compact it is. Yesterday I spent most of the day with the camera hanging around my neck, taking pictures with the kit lens, and not once did I feel like it was a burden or what-not.

So, my thinking is, the Rebel XT was designed for helping to persuade people to get into dSLR shooting. For most of us who are so accustomed to the light-weight portability of the compact cameras, the sheer size and weight of the Canon D20 and the Nikon D70 are intimidating.

I doubt many of us Rebel XT users will be getting gigantic lenses or super-huge flashes, because for us, we'll basically be using the small and light, but extremely powerful dSLR camera to take snapshots and look cool doing it.

And, hopefully in the future when our confidence builds, we will learn to appreciate the glories of the more advanced Canon bodies (and also build the endurance to carry those around all day!)

But, for the rest of you guys out there (especially in this forum), the Rebel XT would be a step back, both in function and in size dynamics, so I understand how so many of the posters are complaining about the size.

So, in short, I think Canon did an amazing job designing a small, light-weight dSLR that immediately convinced me to buy one once the price was right (the 300D was too "slow" for my tastes). And, I think many many many first-time SLR users will feel the same.

Thanks.

[sirmiggs]

Oh. And the reason why I decided to post was that there have been so many posts and "complaints" about the diminutive size of the Rebel XT that it seems to be scaring off a lot of first-time buyers from seeing it with fresh eyes.

OK. Cheers.