Canon’s Updated Rebel Ready to Shake Market

Canon Inc. is all set to launch its updated version of its widely successful Rebel series in the Digital SLR Camera segment. The new model will be the third entry-level product in the Canon’s Digital SLR series, the first being in September 2003.

To be known as Rebel XTi in the United States and EOS Kiss Digital X in Japan the camera is expected to hit the market this September.

The announcement was made soon after the rival company Nikon unveiled its new D80 D-SLR series. With these new launches the 10 mega pixel DSLR camera market will now encompass the Nikon D80, Sony Alpha A100, and now the Canon Rebel XTi.

Canon Rebel XTi is a 10.1 mega pixel, the updated version of the 8.2 mega pixel Rebel XT. Featuring a 2.5-inch LCD screen the camera is powered with high-precision rapid auto focus action.

The digital single-lens reflex camera has a top shutter speed of 1/8000th second and an ISO range of 100 to 1600. Featuring a 9 AF sensor point technology the camera shoots in a variety of JPEG+RAW combinations.

The camera is equipped with a hardware-based automatic sensor-cleaning system that removes the dust from the imaging sensor by vibrating it. The camera weighs 18 oz. without battery.

Canon, Japan's biggest digital camera maker plans to produce 180,000 units per month and is targeting to grab a 45 percent market share by December this year.

The camera is expected to be priced at about $899 with the 18-to-55-mm kit lens and at $799 for the body alone.