[ Japan : EOS Kiss Digital X, Americas : EOS DIGITAL REBEL XTi, Europe/Asia/Oceania : EOS 400D DIGITAL ]
This month's Technical Report introduces the EOS Kiss Digital X, a new entry-level digital SLR camera, with a 10.1-megapixel CMOS sensor, EOS Integrated Cleaning System, Picture Style and a large high-definition 2.5'' LCD monitor.
Concept of development
The EOS Kiss Digital X (Photo 1) is a state-of-the-art digital SLR designed and developed as a significantly upgraded successor to the EOS Kiss Digital N standard entry-level digital AF SLR. . Details of the development concept are as follows:
Precise, high image quality
• 10.1-megapixel CMOS sensor
• DIGIC II digital imaging engine for precise natural color reproduction
Supports EOS Integrated Cleaning System
• Self Cleaning Sensor Unit
• Dust Delete Data Detection and Appending
Enhanced functions and reflection of market needs
• 3 fps continuous shooting and maximum burst of 27 shots (Large/Fine)
• Wide-area, high-speed, precise 9-point AF
• Picture Style
• 2.5'' high-definition LCD monitor with approx. 230,000 pixels and wide viewing angle
• USB 2.0 Hi-Speed supported
Simple and easy operation with the series' excellent standard features
• Retains the basic operability of the EOS Kiss Digital
• A display panel style is used to show the camera settings on the LCD monitor
• Equipped with Print/Share function (printing and image transfer)
Compact, lightweight body with luxurious design
• 126.5 x 94.2 x 65mm/510g
• Stylish design giving a sense of reliability and sophistication
Now we will look at an overview from the perspective of how the EOS Kiss Digital X evolved from the EOS Kiss Digital N.
Evolution of digital features for precise and high-quality image
(1) Canon's proprietary 10.1 megapixel CMOS sensor
The EOS Kiss Digital X is equipped with Canon's new proprietary CMOS sensor that has about 10.1 effective megapixels* and an effective sensor size of 22.2 x 14.8mm (Photo 2). Thorough noise reduction is achieved with its second-generation on-chip noise reduction circuitry, as well as high precision and image quality with its RGB primary color filter and high-performance three-piece hybrid low-pass/infrared cut filter.
*About 10.5 megapixels total
(2) The Picture Style function provides optimal images for the photographer's needs and desired effects
• Six Picture Style settings
Picture Style is a function that provides optimal parameters for the image at the moment of exposure, rather than using post-exposure software manipulation, much like film was chosen in the past for the desired effect and the subject. Like the EOS 5D, the EOS-1D Mark II N and the EOS 30D, the function has preset settings for Standard, Portrait, Landscape, Neutral, Faithful and Monochrome. The Picture Style Selection screen (Fig. 1) is immediately displayed by pressing the SET button in the Creative Zone mode, and the style can be quickly selected by using the main dial or the cross keys.
• Three user-defined Picture Style settings
The EOS Kiss Digital X can also store up to three user-defined Picture Style settings. Adjustable parameters are sharpness, contrast, saturation and color tone. The adjustment range of each parameter is same as that of the EOS 30D.
(3) 230,000-pixel high-definition 2.5'' LCD monitor
The EOS Kiss Digital X employs a large high-definition 2.5'' LCD monitor with a wide viewing angle without sacrificing operability (Photo 3). The area is approximately double that of the EOS Kiss Digital N, making the menu display large and easy to read as well. Brightness has also been improved in an effort to improve visibility in sunlight.
(4) Additional and improved functions more finely tuned to reflect the needs of users
• Automatic noise reduction with long exposure time
In the EOS Kiss Digital N noise reduction can be turned on and off for exposure times of one second or longer with the custom function (Table 1). In the EOS Kiss Digital X an ''Auto'' option has been added to the custom function to automatically reduce noise peculiar to long exposure times if detected.
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• 9,999 images per folder
• Manual reset of file numbering
In response to the ability to save up to 9,999 images per folder, a ''Manual Reset'' function has been added to the file numbering. When manual reset is used, a new folder is created and numbering starts from 0001.
Overall evolution of dust prevention/Development of the EOS Integrated Cleaning System
The resolution of the dust problem so eagerly sought by many users has been achieved in the EOS Kiss Digital X through the completion of the EOS Integrated Cleaning System. This system was developed based on the concept of ''not creating, not attaching and not leaving'' dust.
(1) Minimizing the occurrence of dust
Focus was also placed on the occurrence of dust during mirror and shutter operation inside the camera. The structure and materials have been revised to minimize the amount of dust created by the camera itself.
(2) Reduction of dust adherence to the digital imaging element
Antistatic measures have been used to significantly reduce the adhesion of dust.
(3) Dust removal by ultrasonic vibration
The EOS Kiss Digital X is equipped with a Self Cleaning Sensor Unit (Photo 4 and Fig. 2) integrated with part of the low-pass filter in front of the CMOS sensor, which removes dust using ultrasonic vibration. *The unit is automatically activated for one second when the camera is turned on or off (Fig. 3 for operation display).
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If the shutter button is pressed just after the camera is turned on, the vibration immediately stops to enable the shot to be taken. The Self Cleaning Sensor Unit can also be operated manually or disabled.
*The removed dust is held by an adhesive material (Photo 5) surrounding the low-pass filter.
(4) Dust Delete Data Detection and Appending function/automatic dust deletion using software
When dust spots such as those containing oil cannot be removed using the function in (3), the Dust Delete Data can be used. Data of the position of the dust is loaded and recorded by taking a blank white shot in advance. This data is appended to the image data when the shot is taken, enabling batch removal of dust artifacts with the dedicated software DPP (Digital Photo Professional/Ver.2.2).
Evolution of shooting features for speedy and comfortable operation
(1) Wide-area, high-speed, precise 9-point AF
The EOS Kiss Digital X employs the 9-point AF that was well received in the EOS 30D (Fig. 4). In a first for this class of camera, the center AF point is a high-precision cross-type sensor compatible with f/2.8 large aperture lenses (vertical line-sensitive at f/2.8, horizontal and vertical line-sensitive at f/5.6). The eight other AF points are sensitive to f/5.6 (horizontal line-sensitive at top and bottom focusing points, vertical line-sensitive at the other six points), which is standard sensitivity for the EOS series. The baselength of the center AF point sensor sensitive to f/2.8 is twice as long as f/5.6 compatible sensors, assuring more accurate AF when using large aperture lenses.
(2) Improved low light AF
The EOS Kiss Digital X AF low-light threshold has been improved to EV-0.5 from EV+0.5 for the EOS Kiss Digital N. This is a full stop improvement in the AF low-light threshold.
(3) Maximum 27-shot burst in JPEG Large/Fine format
The EOS Kiss Digital X gives high-speed continuous shooting up to a maximum burst of 27 shots with the highest image quality JPEG Large/Fine format, and 10 shots in RAW format (respectively double the EOS Kiss Digital N, Table 3). When the buffer memory (temporary recording memory) becomes full, it takes about 1.3 second in JPEG (Large/Fine), or about 5 seconds in RAW before the camera is ready for the next shot.
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Evolution of design and operability
(1) Improved handling comfort
While retaining the basic design concept of the EOS Kiss Digital N, the EOS Kiss Digital X comes with improvements including a refined matte exterior finish, adoption of a rubber thumb-stop, revision of the grip shape (1mm thicker) and the independent positioning of the Print/Share button.
(2) Compact, lightweight body
Despite having a larger LCD monitor than the EOS Kiss Digital N and addition of the Self Cleaning Sensor Unit, the height and width remain the same, and the depth and weight only increased by 1mm and 2.5g.
(3) Improved LCD monitor display functions
• Large display of function settings
Function settings are clearly displayed on the entire 2.5'' LCD monitor when the power is turned on (Fig.5). If the shutter button is pressed halfway while an image or a menu is displayed, the screen immediately switches to the function settings.
When looking into the viewfinder while the function settings are displayed, the display-off sensor below the eyepiece detects the proximity of the user's face and automatically turns off the screen to eliminate glare (this can also be disabled). It is also possible to leave the display off by default and turn it on whenever required by pressing the DISP button.
• Magnified view immediately after shooting
If ''1: Image review and playback'' is selected for C.Fn-10 ''Magnified view'', the magnified view can also be used to review images immediately after shooting.
• Rotation of vertical images
A setting has been added to enable vertical images to only be rotated on computer screens when using compatible applications and not on the camera's monitor.
• RGB histogram display
• Addition of error countermeasures display
In addition to the existing error code display, a message regarding countermeasures is shown on the LCD monitor.
(4) Print/Share printing with an independent button
An independent button enables the Print/Share printing and direct transfer of images to PCs. The PictBridge direct printing function has been substantially extended similarly to the EOS 30D (Please refer to the April 2006 Technical Report).
This issue of the Technical Report introduces the EOS Kiss Digital X.
Table 3 shows the major specifications comparison between the EOS Kiss Digital X and EOS Kiss Digital N.