Canon EOS 400D

Over the past six months I’ve reviewed nearly all of the current range of entry and mid-level digital SLRs, including the Sony Alpha A100, Canon EOS 30D, Nikon D200, Pentax *ist DL2, Nikon D80, Olympus E-400, Samsung GX 1L and Pentax K100D. This week it’s the long-awaited turn of the Canon EOS 400D (Digital Rebel XTi in the USA). The camera was launched in August last year, and I’m somewhat disappointed that it’s taken this long for Canon to make a review sample available to me, so my apologies to the many readers who have been asking for this review for several months. I hope it’s been worth the wait.
The EOS 400D is up against some very accomplished competition, but it gets off to a running start by being a third-generation product, with a design that has evolved over several years. Physically it is very similar to the 350D, with a lightweight and compact body made of tough polycarbonate plastic over a stainless steel chassis, although it is in fact a completely new body. Build quality is very good, with none of the cheap and flimsy feeling of the 300D. The battery and card hatches have metal hinges, and although the port cover is a rubber plug it fits well and will keep dust at bay.