Small, Or Too Small?

Even in digital SLRs, which are known for being larger than point-and-shoot digicams, the trend is toward smaller size. The size reduction is relative, since the size of certain components is fixed, and also because room has to be left to locate the many controls and still let the user hold the camera without accidentally pushing the wrong button.

Canon has clearly gone farthest in this direction. The Nikon D70s still has a shape that could be called traditional, while the EOS350D is much more compact. Since Canon would have had a lot of trouble including all the different items that make up a traditional configuration, the ergonomics are a little different from those of a traditional SLR. The 350D uses the same system as the 300D, with the configuration display moved to the rear of the body, and a single control dial located on the top near the shutter release. This choice was obviously motivated by economy, since the removal of the second dial is a disadvantage for full manual use - which is indispensable for professionals and serious amateurs - and the display on the rear of the body, due to its small size, is not very clear. It can be backlit but it's not so convenient as the D70S display.