One of the areas the 300D is lacking is in its buffer. 4 shots maximum versus 9 shots from the 10D. 4 Shots isn't bad, but even a camera that has 2.5fps, 4 shots can easily be fired off in a moment.

RAW (CRW)

It's nice to see that Canon kept their RAW format with the 300D. While a 300D owner will probably never use this option, having the choice is welcomed. There will be times when you want to make sure your photo has as much information and data recorded as possible. For those of us who have used the RAW format before, we are well aware of some other benefits. When photos are saved as RAW images, you have much more flexability in adjusting color, white balance, and exposure levels (to name a few). RAW images can mean the difference between keeping a photo or tossing it in your Recycle Bin on your desktop.

JPEG + RAW

Another feature staying with the 300D is the JPEG + RAW writing ability. Nikon only recently started to get on board with this feature in their D2h. On the 300D, you are somewhat limited, though. On the 10D, you could select the image quality (Large, Medium, Small, Fine, Normal, etc.) of the JPEG being written with the RAW file. On the 300D, only a "Medium Fine" file size JPEG is possible.

PC Terminal

The 300D does have a PC terminal. The Nikon D100 sells for twice as much and still doesn't have one!

Orientation Feature

A feature of the 10D carries over to the 300D. If you take a portrait shot (holding the camera vertically), and view it on your television or computer monitor, the same orientation as you shot it, will be displayed. This is also true for viewing shots on the LCD monitor. It may seem like a minor feature, but fill up 256MB CF card with mostly portraits and then view them on your computer without automatic orientation. Every single image has to be rotated individually (unless you have some 3rd party photo editing software--and chances are if you're a first-time DSLR owner, you won't).

ISO Selections

As stated earlier, the 300D is a crossover from a Point & Shoot, incorporating many DSLR features, but limiting on others. If you are in a "Basic Zone Mode", your ISO setting is now automatic, and sensitive between 100-400 only. However, if you choose a "Creative Zone Mode", you can select your ISO manually, between 100 and 1600.

Basic & Creative Zones

Preview Thoughts

The 300D certainly has many salivating over it already. By checking a few DP forums online, I can see there will be long lines at the order counter for this DSLR, and you will be seeing more "Silver Shooters" out in public. If you are thinking of getting a 300D, you need to consider that it is NOT a 10D, but does have several features from it. However, a few very important features of the 10D, have not carried over, so you should be aware of this. Obviously, the 300D wouldn't need to exist if it had everything the 10D had. So, expect some compromises: 1) Body build, 2) much less flexability in AF and Exposure modes. The Creative Zones, for example, are really not too creative. Or I should say, it doesn't let you become creative, but hey, this is why you would eventually step-up to a 10D, 1D, or even a 1Ds.

The 300D is basically a Point & Shoot DSLR hybrid, that allows users who would normally stick with their 35mm SLR, a chance at digital for about $1000 (US Dollars). This is great. I think any 300D owner will enjoy this camera, and once they begin to learn digital and photography in general, a 10D (or similar) DSLR will be in their future.