20. Connections And Software

Both competitors connect to your computer via USB, and both claim to be USB 2.0 compatible. However, Nikon's speed is really only that of version 1.1 - "Full Speed" instead of "High Speed" - while Canon has a true USB 2.0 interface. While we're on the subject, we'll mention Nikon's use of a non-standard connector, unlike preceding models such as the D100; this is a real pain for us users. The 350D also has its issue: it requires a driver and won't operate in Mass Storage mode, which is a bother if you want to do without the specific Canon software. But let's put all that in perspective: The best way to use a digital camera is with a memory card reader, which is now included with a lot of portable and desktop computers anyway.

Both Canon and Nikon offer the ability to print directly from the camera to a photo printer, especially if it's PictBridge compatible. Canon adds a mode that's specific to its own printers and offers a more extensive choice of options. Direct printing can come in handy in a pinch and it may be fun, but clearly it's not the optimum mode for a digital SLR.

Aside from the USB connection, both models have a composite video (NTSC or PAL) output that can be used to view the pictures in the memory card on a TV set. Naturally the quality is fairly modest at best.

The Canon software bundle is extensive but disparate. You get no fewer than four software applications; we'd have preferred to have them more integrated. The basic software, as with the other digital cameras from Canon, is ZoomBrowser, which handles transferring the photos between the 350D and the computer. As with Nikon, it's a kind of all-in-one consumer-level package. Beyond transferring photos, it handles tasks like converting RAW to JPEG, basic retouching and correction, slide shows, sending pictures by e-mail, and more.

In ZoomBrowser, you can control the downloading of photos from the camera to your computer.

You can browse and select from the photos in your 350D.

A typical ZoomBrowser screen; the program can automatically classify your photos in folders by the date they were shot.