The Canon EOS Kiss Digital X, a Japanese domestic version of the EOS 400D (in Europe), and Digital Rebel XTi (in the US), is a notable digital SLR camera with an APS-C sensor introduced to the market in 2006, almost 20 years ago. The camera updates the Kiss Digital (EOS 350D / Digital Rebel XT), which was introduced earlier in 2005, and came fitted with a 10.1MP CMOS sensor, a new integrated dust-reduction system, a 2.5-inch LCD screen, improved buffer performance, together with a 9-point AF system inherited from the higher-end EOS 30D.
Though short on advanced features such as live view, video, and higher ISO performance, the Digital X / Digital Rebel XTi / EOS 400D is a solid base for beginner photographers and vintage enthusiasts seeking a low-cost platform to start with or venture forth, as the camera is robustly built and known for its solid image quality.
I acquired the camera to add to the collection of an EOS 300D and a Kiss X3, which I already had, with a strong belief that the Digital X, even with its reduced pixel count (compared to the X3), will perform just as well as the other two. One advantage I had was the EF lens-mount system used by the camera series, which has remained unchanged since the early days of the EOS system, making the cameras an open book for lens compatibility
While still on the merits of a low-cost platform to start with, it is worth the mention that the BG-E3 Battery Grip might also be a worthwhile addition to the setup, and the EF 35-70mm f/3.5-4.5 A, an earlier autofocus-only vintage launched as part of Canon's initial EF lens for EOS 35mm SLR film camera system in 1987, could very well be the icing on the cake.
The Kiss Digital X / Digital Rebel XTi / EOS 400D was succeeded by the 12.2MP CMOS sensor EOS Kiss X2 / Digital Rebel XSi / EOS 450D in 2008.
Basic Camera Features
The Canon EOS Kiss Digital X, reminiscent of the 35mm SLR film cameras it was inspired by, measures 126.5 mm (width) x 94.2 mm (height) x 65 mm (depth), weighs approximately 510 grams for the body only, and is powered by a NB-2LH rechargeable lithium battery pack.
The camera features a single Mode Dial on the top, positioned on the right side of the body, next to the Power On/Off switch. To its front right is the hand grip/battery chamber extrusion, with the Function Dial and Shutter Button located on its forward-slanted top. The smallish hand grip/battery chamber extrusion may be uncomfortable for users with larger hands.
The Mode Dial is divided into two zones. First, the Creative Zone with Exposure Mode settings for Program AE (P), Shutter-Priority AE (TV), Aperture-Priority AE (AV), Manual Exposure (M), and Automatic Depth-of-Field AE (A-DEP). The opposite zone, the Basic Zone, has exposure settings for Full Auto (¤), and Image Zone settings for Portrait, Landscape, Close-Up, Sports, Night Portrait, and Flash Off.
ISO speeds in the Basic Zone are from 100 to 400, set automatically, while in the Creative mode, the range is from 100 to 1600, set manually in 1-stop increments. Images are saved on a CF card.
On the back plane, where most of its functionalities of the camera are located, are the FE Lock/Index/Reduce and AF Point Selection/Enlarge buttons, located on the top right corner next to the thumb rest. Slightly off-center to the top of the back plane, below the pentaprism top hump is the viewfinder eyepiece, with the Display Off Sensor located below it, and the Print/Share button slightly to the left.
The rest of the back plane is populated by the Display, Menu, Jump, Playback, and Erase buttons arrayed vertically to the left of the 2.7-inch LCD screen, with the Aperture/Exposure Compensation, Drive Mode, and Access lamp to its right. Between the Drive Mode and Access Lamp is the Joystick pad with the ISO setting button on the top, Metering and AF Mode buttons to the left and right, and the White Balance selection button down south.
LCD Screen Display
The LCD screen is a plethora of information, displayed based on the exposure and shooting mode selected, which includes, on the top bar, Shutter Speed, Exposure level indicator, Exposure compensation amount, AEB range, Aperture, AEB, ISO speed, and Flash exposure compensation. The middle bar displays the White Balance, Metering, AF, and Drive modes.
The info on the lower bar includes settings on Custom function, White balance correction, White balance bracketing, AF point selection, Monochrome shooting, Beep, Red-eye reduction, Image recording quality, Battery check, and Shots remaining.
Viewfinder Readout
The Kiss Digital X / Digital Rebel XTi / EOS 400D is fitted with a fixed, precision matte focusing screen displaying approximately 95% of the scene framed, with the selectable 9 AF points etched on the screen, accentuated by a red LCD beeps when the shutter button is half-pressed, to indicate the point(s) selected.
Viewfinder information, displayed on the lower portion of the screen includes the AF point indicator, Focus Confirmation light, Exposure Information (Shutter Speed, AE Lock, Exposure Level, Exposure Warning), Flash Information (Flash Ready, High-speed Sync, FE Lock, Flash Exposure Compensation), White Balance correction, Maximum burst, and CF card information.
In Use
The lightweight setup (camera body, battery grip, and lens), which weighs just about 1114 grams on a kitchen scale, is easy to carry and convenient to lug around, without any unnecessary weight overloads. Powered by twin NB-2LH lithium battery packs from the BG-E3, the camera should be good, according to CIPA, for up to double the 370-shot rating with a single battery use.
BG-E3 Vertical Grip/Battery Holder
The Canon BG-E3 Battery Grip (Vertical Grip/Battery Holder), adaptable to both the Kiss Digital X and Kiss X2, comes with its own power switch and is fitted with a Shutter Button, Mode Dial, the pair of FE Lock/Index/Reduce and AF Point Selection/Enlarge button, and Aperture/Exposure compensation button, all to make shooting with the camera in a vertical position just as comfortable as shooting horizontally.
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The BG-E3 holds 2 NB-2LH batteries, or alternatively, a 6 x AA battery pack adapter, and comes with a third strap eyelet for easier camera configuration and handling. Its design includes a storage slot to safely keep the battery chamber cover of the camera while the battery grip is mounted on the camera.
Canon EF 35-70mm F/3.5-4.5 A
The Canon EF 35-70mm f/3.5-4.5 A, a lightweight, plastic-bodied autofocus-only standard zoom lens for Canon EF-mount cameras, is the second iteration of the EF 35-70mm f/3.5-4.5, introduced earlier in 1987, but is without the manual focus ring. The lens is an absolute lightweight, extremely affordable, recommended for everyday use, with decent sharpness when stopped down, and color output may require post-processing, yet praised for its macro capability.
The lens is a 9-element in 8 groups design with 5 iris blades, a minimum focusing distance of 0.39 meters, an internal zoom system that retains its diameter of approximately 68.8mm and a length of 63mm throughout its use, and weighs just 230 grams. The lens was aimed at budget-conscious and beginner photographers (and vintage enthusiasts, if I might add), offering usable macro capability and reliability at a very low price point.
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