Shoot to kill with the Canon Digital Rebel XT digital SLR, $382
(Credit: Canon)Been waiting to pull the trigger on a digital-SLR camera? Wait no more: Dell has the Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT--by all accounts a fantastic model--for $382. Considering that this baby sold for upwards of $900 when it debuted a couple years ago, it's pretty much a steal at that price.
Specs include an 8-megapixel sensor, 7-point auto-focus, and loads of fancy photographic features that, quite frankly, I don't pretend to understand. I can tell you that I bought an original Digital Rebel several years back, and I absolutely lurve it. (I won't, however, tell you what I paid for it, because it would kill my cheapskate cred. Sometimes, you just gotta splurge.)
Before you get too crazy with excitement, note the two catches: This deal is for the camera body only, so you'll have to buy a Canon-compatible lens if you want to, you know, take pictures. Second, the product page says the Rebel XT usually ships in 3-5 weeks, so it might be tricky to get this in time for under-the-tree duty.
Update: The product page now says 1-2 weeks, so it might just make it into Santa's bag after all.
Update #2: My mistake. The ship time is indeed 3-5 weeks. The links got messed up; they've been corrected. Apologies!
Rick Broida, a technology writer for nearly 20 years, is the author of more than a dozen books. In addition to writing CNET's The Cheapskate blog, he oversees BNET's Business Hacks. Rick is a member of the CNET Blog Network and is not an employee of CBS Interactive. Disclosure. Deals found on The Cheapskate are subject to availability, expiration, and other terms determined by sellers. Follow Rick on Twitter at cheapskateblog.
Rebel XT entry level - which is comparable to the Nikon D40 (not the 70 as you suggest). It just so happens the Rebel XT happens to out-spec the D40 by the way.
You say the D70 is "only a couple hundred dollars more" Really - I can buy it for $582? Not likely.
Compare to the EOS 40D - which is in the same mid-tier category as the D70/80 you will get your weather-proofing and stronger frame.
Both are great cameras and most "experts" will tell you Nikon and Canon are both fine choices. It's a matter of personal preference and one is not better than the other - just different.
Compare apple's to apple's otherwise you are just making ridiculous comments.
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by whynotdesign
December 6, 2007 9:24 AM PST
- Rick, I know this is purely coincidence, but the posting in my RSS feed reader directly above yours is titled "Gunman at an Omaha Mall Kills 8 and Himself." Caution: Do you really feel it necessary to claim a camera so good it can kill by 'shooting' it? I'm just saying that rather than catchy phrases and enticing headlines just for the mere traffic it will get maybe writers should dedicate some thought to what they are ACTUALLY saying, not what they are intending to say. I'm sure the families (or they friends) of the 8 DEAD victims would not be enticed to buy because of your article title. And, no I'm not a bleeding heart, (I am actually in advertising and marketing) it is just that there are plenty enough bad things in the world WITHOUT attaching destructive vibes to a consumer product just to get readers!!!
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by rickbroida
December 6, 2007 11:14 AM PST
- You're right: really bad timing on my part. I apologize if the headline came across as offensive; in my mind it was simply a play on "shooting photos" that are "killer." My goal was to write something more interesting than "Get a deal on a camera." But I do apologize for the poor taste this exhibits given the tragic events that occurred yesterday.
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by whynotdesign
December 6, 2007 11:55 AM PST
- No worries mate! Like I said, just bad timing and POSSIBLY unnecessary wording because you actually can't 'shoot to kill' with a camera unless your james bond? Not that I'm right or anything. And I can definitely understand the goal of writing creatively. No offense taken, just sad for the families that must now grieve as a result of these senseless killings.
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