Canon EOS Rebel XT / 350D vs Nikon D70s — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · DSLR · 8 MP · APS-C
Canon EOS Rebel XT / 350D
29
SCORE
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Nikon · DSLR · 6.1 MP · APS-C
Nikon D70s
29
SCORE
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EOS Rebel XT / 350D and the Nikon D70s are both DSLRs announced in 2005, the Rebel XT in February and the D70s in April. Age favours neither, so the choice turns on specifications and lenses. For travel and all-day carrying, the Rebel XT is the lighter and smaller body, at 540 g against 679 g for the D70s, measuring 127 x 94 x 64 mm. Each camera accepts lenses only in its native system, Canon EF-S or Nikon F DX, so existing lenses usually settle the choice. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2005 | 2005 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
February 17, 2005 | April 20, 2005 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 127 x 94 x 64 mm | 140 x 111 x 78 mm |
| Camera weight | 540 g | 679 g |
| Optics | 39/100 | 35/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Rebel XT is the stronger choice for heavy cropping and larger prints, with 8 MP against 6.1 MP from the D70s. It also gives more framing options for off-centre subjects, with 9 autofocus points versus 5, and its 100 ISO base setting allows wider apertures in daylight where the D70s starts at 200 ISO. The D70s answers with the faster top shutter speed of 1/8000 second against 1/4000, which keeps wide apertures usable in bright light. Its continuous rate is marginally quicker at 3 fps versus 2.8 fps. Both use the APS-C sensor format, top out at 1600 ISO, and neither offers in-body stabilisation. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
8 MP050 | 6.1 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
3456 x 2304 | 3008 x 2000 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
14.8 x 22.2 | 16 x 24 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 APS-C | APS-C |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
2.8 fps045 | 3 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Canon EF-S | Nikon F DX |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Digic II | Nikon Image processing engine |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 20030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
16003003280000 | 16003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 20030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
16003003280000 | 16003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 800080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
90300 | 50300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
✗ | ✗ |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentaprism) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | ||
Read the Video ComparisonVideoMovie work calls for a different camera entirely: neither the Rebel XT nor the D70s records video, and neither offers built-in timelapse. This is a purely stills choice, so the decision rests on the stills differences. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
N/A | N/A |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
N/A | N/A |
| Features | 8/100 | 10/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe D70s supports WiFi, so images can transfer off the camera without a cable, while the Rebel XT offers no wireless option. It also has the larger rear screen, 2 inches with 130000 dots against 1.8 inches with 115000, for easier playback review. Both cameras include a built-in flash for fill light and support for external flash units, which suits indoor portraits and event work. Neither has GPS, weather sealing or live view, so neither is the pick for geotagged travel logs or framing shots at arm's length. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 1.8" | 2" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
1150001150001500000 | 1300001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
✗ | ✗ |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
✗ | ✗ |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
No |  Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 29/100 | 43/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe D70s holds the longer battery rating, 950 shots against 600 for the Rebel XT, the stronger figure for a long day of shooting. Each uses its own proprietary pack, the Nikon EN-EL3a or the Canon NB-2LH. Both cameras write to a single Compact Flash Type I or II card, so cards and readers carry over between them. Neither has a second card slot for backup, and neither charges over USB, so the charger goes in the bag. | ||
| Memory card | Compact Flash (Type I or II) | Compact Flash (Type I or II) |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | NB-2LH | EN-EL3a |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
600 shots1505000 | 950 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Photographers who crop hard, print large or shoot off-centre compositions should lean toward the Rebel XT. Its 8 MP sensor leaves more room to tighten a distant subject, and its 9 autofocus points give more placement options for rule-of-thirds framing than the five on the D70s.
The D70s earns the nod for shooting wide open in strong sunlight, thanks to its 1/8000 second top shutter speed, and its 950-shot battery rating plus WiFi suit long days and cable-free transfer. Because the Canon EF-S and Nikon F DX systems are incompatible, existing lenses should come first in the decision.