Canon EOS 400D Review
(also called the Canon Digital Rebel XTi)
Date: December 4th 2006
Author: Michael Roscoe
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Image Quality
All of the sample images in this Review were taken using
the JPEG fine setting with the large (3888x2592/10M) image
size option producing a file that is between 3-6.5Mb.
Noise
The Canon EOS 400D only has five ISO settings which can be
altered in the 'creative zone' (manual and semi-manual modes)
via the ISO button on the back of the body. Here are some
100% crops that show the noise levels for each ISO setting.
The Canon EOS 400D performed remarkably well up to ISO 800
with hardly any signs of noise or purple fringing. Even at
ISO 1600 there was hardly any noticeable grain.
Sharpening
Here are two 100% crops which have been Saved as Web - Quality
50 in Photoshop. The right-hand image has had some sharpening
applied in Photoshop. The out-of-the camera images are slightly
soft at the default setting and ideally benefit from some
further sharpening in a program like Adobe Photoshop. You
can also change the in-camera sharpening level to suit your
tastes.
File Quality
The Canon EOS 400D has two different file quality settings
plus a RAW mode. Fine is the highest quality JPEG option and
RAW produces the largest file size. These 100% crops display
the quality of the different options, with the file size shown
in brackets.
RAW Format
The Canon EOS 400D enables users to capture both RAW and
JPEG image files.
Chromatic Aberrations
The Canon EOS 400D displays some evidence of purple fringing
but this is usually only evident in high-contrast light conditions.
Macro
Most Canon EOS 400D users will probably find that they want
to replace the bundled EF-S 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6 II lens after
a short while. It does not produce a good performance for
capturing most photographic subject matter and its macro capabilities
are limited to say the least. It is only able to focus on
a subject that is 12cm away, and that can only be described
as close up. The first image shows how close you can get to
the subject (in this case a compact flash card). The second
image is a 100% crop.
Flash
The pop-up flash on the 400D can be used automatically, with
the Night Portrait exposure option (slow sync), red-eye reduction
and there is a flash exposure comp option. These shots of
a white wall were taken at a distance of 1.5m. Below are also
some test shots in the different flash modes.
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Auto Flash - Telephoto (88mm) |
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And here are some self-portrait shots. Both the Flash On
and Red-Eye Reduction settings caused a tiny amount of red-eye.
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Flash On (100% Crop) |
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Flash - Red-Eye Reduction (100%
Crop) |
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Night Shot
The Canon EOS 400D maximum shutter speed is 30 seconds and
there is also a Bulb mode for longer exposures, which is great
for night photography. The shot below was taken using a shutter
speed of 1/50th second, f/5.6 at ISO 1600. I've included a
100% crop of the image to show what the quality is like.
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Night Shot (100% Crop) |
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Overall Image Quality
The quality of the final image is certainly helped by the
Canon 10.1 megapixel CMOS sensor and their in-camera processing
and bundled software solution. However, the use of the EF-S
18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6 II kit lens produces results that are less
satisfactory. This Canon EF-S lens offers users an aperture
range from f/3.5-f/22 at its widest 28mm setting, but it is
reduced by half a stop at its longest focal length, offering
a spectrum from f/5.6 to f/22. The wide-angle focal length
of this lens produced obvious barrel distortion, it is not
very resistant to flare and should only be used to get new
owners started. Serious enthusiasts will want to invest in
better glass and then they won't be disappointed with their
final images. The Canon EOS 400D performed remarkably well
up to ISO 800 with hardly any sign of noise or purple fringing.
Even at ISO 1600 there was hardly any noticeable grain and
little sign of any visible electronic interference in the
highlight or shadow areas. Once the camera was set to its
highest resolution JPEG setting, it was capable of being output
at 32.92 x 21.95cm (300ppi) and could handle being reproduced
at A3 size with few signs of any pixelation. Image fanatics
will concur that the 400D offers superb value for money and
its image quality is excellent with accurately reproduced
colours and tones, subtle saturation and little evidence of
chromatic aberrations or evidence of purple fringing.
 PhotographyBLOG
is a member of the DIWA
organisation. Our test results for the Canon EOS 400D have
been submitted to DIWA
for comparison with test results for different samples of
the same camera model supplied by other DIWA
member sites.
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