Canon has released a firmware update version 1.1.0 for the EOS Digital Rebel XTi known as EOS 400D, which is the Tokyo-based company’s well-known DSLR. This is the second firmware update issued by Canon for its XTi.

The latest Canon firmware update includes extra support for the Media Transfer Protocol (MTP), which according to Canon has greater expandability than the Picture Transfer Protocol (PTP) used for communication between the camera and computer up to now. Furthermore, the update rectifies errors in the Simplified Chinese menu screens.

The Version 1.1.0 firmware, which has been released this time, is for cameras with firmware up to Version 1.0.5. However, if your camera’s firmware is already Version 1.1.0, then you really do not need to update the firmware.

The first Canon camera firmware update issued by Canon for its XTi had some major enhancements. It firstly could fix the printing of lens names when using PictBridge and correct the printing of the lens name for shots taken with the EF 50mm f/2.5 Compact Macro lens and Life-Size Converter EF. Furthermore, it enabled the selection of Redeye 1, when connecting with specific printers such as iP6310D / iP6320D / iP6700D Photo Inkjet Printer. And lastly it improved the reliability of communication with the Speedlite 380EX.

Website : Canon Digital Rebel XTi Camera Firmware Update Version 1.1.0

Nikon took the D40 which is a very successful beginners DSLR and equipped it with a sensor to compete against the Canon 400D / XTi. But the D40x also inherits several weaker aspects of the D40 which stand out now it’s virtually the same price as the Canon. Here’s the conclusion from the review:

“The D40x may have a better kit lens, but the Canon 400D / XTi has far superior auto focus, anti-dust features, depth-of-field previews, greater support for older lenses and comes with RAW processing software not to mention a TV cable. Then there’s the Sony A100 which again costs roughly the same and features built-in anti-shake facilities. Both it and the Canon are technically superior and better-featured cameras.

…So ultimately if you’re a beginner who loved the D40 but wished it had higher resolution, then go for the D40x. If however you want a technically more sophisticated DSLR for roughly the same money, then the Canon 400D / XTi and Sony A100 have more going for them, although if you can stretch a little further, Nikon’s own D80 offers even more still. Indeed the D40x does a great job of up-selling potential buyers to Nikon’s higher-end model.”

Website : Nikon D40x Review by CameraLabs

PopPhoto did a comparison of Nikon D40x, Canon XTi and Sony A100. Here’s the conclusion:

Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi: With 18-55mm f/3.6-5.6 Canon EF-S lens ($770, street):

The Nikon D40x produces Image Quality a bit higher than Canon’s mighty lightweight, notably in better noise control throughout the ISO range, and it has an ISO 3200 setting, which the XTi lacks. But the XTi remains a potent competitor, with faster and more sensitive AF using a sophisticated nine-point AF array that can track across the frame. The Canon takes a RAW file simultaneously with a highest-quality JPEG, not lowest. While we’d rate the build quality about equal, we’d trust the Canon more in dusty conditions, as it has both self-cleaning sensor and software dust deletion (the D40x, just the latter). And the Canon has no AF lens limitations — all EF and EF-S lenses have built-in focusing motors.

Sony Alpha 100: With 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Sony Zoom DT lens ($710, street):

The Sony’s singular advantage over both the Canon and Nikon models is its sensor-based Super Steady Shot system, which provides image stabilization across both the Sony and the discontinued Konica Minolta Maxxum lens lines. Canon and Nikon make you pay for stabilization with every lens. The Sony has faster and better-tracking AF than the Nikon D40x, a self-cleaning sensor, and innovative dynamic-range controls. We also think it’s a better-built camera than the D40x. The Nikon wins on Image Quality, with somewhat higher resolution but, more important, clearly superior noise control. The Sony lens line is smaller than Nikon’s AF-S lens catalog, but not by much.

Website : Nikon D40x Compared with Canon XTi and Sony A100

Macworld has posted a great six-page article entitled “How to buy: DSLR cameras” written by Ben Long, author of “Complete Digital Photography” that gives a fantastic overview on what to look for and how to buy a digital SLR. Here’s a summary of the article:

“Camera manufacturers now recognize that hobbyists and other nonprofessional shooters have become more serious—and more skilled—at producing a wide variety of photographic images and are demanding more-affordable DSLRs to help them do it. While the $1,000 DSLR price barrier was broken several years ago, lower-priced cameras with more-extensive features have been released in the past year. If you’ve thought of switching to a DSLR, considered upgrading from the one you already have, or wondered what all the DSLR hoopla is about, read on to learn the differences between SLR and point-and-shoot cameras and to check out our reviews of five of the newest DSLR models:

• Canon Digital Rebel XTi; ; (Best Current Price: $649.00)
• Nikon D40; ; (Best Current Price: $519.95)
• Nikon D80; ; (Best Current Price: $909.99)
• Pentax K100D; ;(Best Current Price: $535.00)
• Sony Alpha DSLR-A100K; ; (Best Current Price: $641.00)

Macworld’s buying advice

Both the Nikon D40 and the Pentax have excellent lens selections, and both are fun and comfortable to use. The D40 wins the contest because of its many fine features and strong battery life.

Should I keep my point-and-shoot?

If you already have a point-and-shoot camera and are planning to buy a DSLR, you may be considering selling your current camera to help finance your new purchase. A better option, though, is to keep it. Point-and-shoots are smaller and easier to carry, so they’re ideal for situations in which carrying a DSLR is not possible or necessary.

Also, almost all point-and-shoot cameras provide excellent macro features for extreme close-ups. If you’re interested in macro photography, you’ll find that working with a point-and-shoot is usually easier and cheaper than investing in a DSLR macro lens. Finally, many point-and-shoots now include excellent movie modes, which make them a great resource for taking short video clips, something you can’t do with a DSLR.”

Website : MacWorld - How to buy DSLR cameras

In 2006, five 10MP cameras hit the U.S. market, all packed with high-end features and priced at $1,000 or less (street) — including, in four cases, a kit lens: Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi 10.1MP, Nikon D80 10.2MP, Pentax K10D 10.2MP, Samsung GX-10 10.2MP, and Sony Alpha 100 10.2MP. PopPhoto compared the models head-to-head on performance and features and the conclusion is:

1. Nikon D80
2. Canon EOS Rebel Xti
3. Pentax K10D (tie)
3. Samsung GX-10 (tie)
5. Sony Alpha 100

There has to be a winner, and, given its image quality and near-pro-level feature set, the Nikon D80 was hardly a surprise. We’re more than happy, though, to use any of these superb cameras.

Website : Comparing 10MP DSLR Camera from PopPhoto

Here’s the MacWorld Buying Advice on Canon Digital Rebel XTi (or 400D): “You need to get your hands on the Digital Rebel XTi before you can make an evaluation as to whether it’s right for you. If you like its size and feel, then you’ll find it to be a full-featured camera that yields excellent image quality at a very reasonable price.

The vibrating cleaning cycle occurs both when you power on and off, but Canon has wisely made the power-on cleaning cycle interruptible. A half-press of the shutter stops the cleaning cycle so you can shoot immediately. Dust is a problem for any SLR, so these changes are valuable.

…The XTi yields excellent image quality, with very little noise up through ISO 400, and minimal noise at ISO 800 through 1,600, the maximum speed available. An increase in resolution can sometimes result in noisy photos, but Canon has managed to increase the resolution on the XTi’s sensor without increasing the noise. As such, the extra two megapixels are welcome, and provide much more output and cropping flexibility.“

Here’s the conclusion from the article from Gizmodo…“Not everyone wants to purchase an expensive DSLR camera just to take pictures of our friends’ weddings and vacations to Reno—but some still want the option of tinkering around with DSLR functionality on occasion. Here are three sub-$1000 cameras: the Sony Alpha A100, Canon Rebel XTi and the Nikon D80. Which one’s the best for you? It depends what you want.

If you’re looking for better image quality, the Canon is the winner. If you’re looking for quicker shot to shot speed or startup to shot speed, it’s the Nikon. The Canon also had less noise and more dynamic range, but the Nikon performed better in low light. However if you’ve got troubles holding your camera still, the Sony is the winner in image stabilization. If you’re looking for which camera looks the best (subjective), they anoint the Nikon as the king.”

Website : Three Sub-$1000 DSLRs Compared

The new Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera has an effective resolution of over ten million pixels and costs $799 (body only), or $899 with a high-quality 18-55mm zoom lens. Pictures can be snapped at three frames per second at full resolution, up to 27 shots in burst mode, and viewed on the camera’s exceptionally bright built-in 2.5-inch LCD display. Nikon’s new 10.2-megapixel D80, with an 18-135mm zoom lens, costs $1,300. Here’s the conclusion from Fortune:

“Designed for serious amateur photographers but also friendly to the casual point-and-shooter, the Canon Rebel XTi also features a built-in cleaning system that reduces the chance that dust inside the camera will spoil a shot, a bugaboo that plagues most other cameras in its class. No matter how careful one is when changing lenses, dust can enter the camera body to ruin subsequent shots. The XTi literally shakes any dust off the sensor when the camera is turned on or off, using ultrasonic vibrations. The motes are then immobilized on a sticky trap. Also, the camera can “map” stubborn dust particles on the sensor and then erase them from images via software.

The Nikon D80, in turn, borrows several features from Nikon’s professional-level DSLR cameras, including the image processor from the $4,000 Nikon D2X and the automatic focusing system and 2.5-inch LCD of the upscale D200. One thing the D80 inherits from smaller and cheaper Nikons, however, is an SD (secure digital) memory-card system. Most DSLR cameras today use the larger CF (compact flash) cards, and a ten-megapixel camera demands a high-capacity storage system. (I tested the Canon with Kingston’s new eight-gigabyte 133X-speed Ultimate CF card, an excellent performer at $449.) SD cards have smaller capacities than CF (no 8GB SD cards are available today), but the D80 is also compatible with next-generation SDHC cards, which promise to raise capacity to 32 gigabytes someday.

Although both the Canon Rebel XTi (usa.canon.com) and the Nikon D80 (nikonusa.com) are superb cameras, I did have two quibbles. The Canon has a plastic body that feels less than rugged. While the D80 has Nikon’s typically solid fit and finish, the SD card system is, for now, constraining for a high-quality camera. Even so, both are excellent performers that will fill your photo albums with mountains of happy memories. “

Website : Comparing Canon Rebel XTi and the Nikon D80 from Fortune