  A consistent comparison between nonrelativistic and relativistic descriptions
of the (e,e'p) reaction is presented. We use the nonrelativistic DWEEPY code
and develop a fully relativistic model starting from the effective Pauli
reduction for the scattering state and the relativistic mean field theory for
the bound state. Results for the 16O(e,e'p) differential cross section and
structure functions are compared in various kinematical conditions. A limit in
energy of the validity of the nonrelativistic approach is established. The
effects of spinor distortion and of the effective momentum approximation for
the scattering state are discussed. A satisfactory agreement with data of
differential cross sections, structure functions, and polarization observables
is achieved.
