Canon Digital Rebel XSi 12-2 MP Digital SLR Review

Design: With two body designs; the usual solid black and two tone silver and black, the Canon Digital Rebel XSi is the next iteration after the XTI and as such is a bit larger. On the flip side, the XSi is also a bit lighter. While the body feels toy-like, Canon has upgraded the display to a larger 3-inch LCD while changing the control layout somewhat. While the grip felt rather strange in comparison to other DSLRs, almost all of the controls have been shifted to the right hand making them more accessible and easier to use. This makes one-handed grips easier with a new rubber-like cover.

Specifications: While the Canon Digital Rebel XSi is more of an entry-level DSLR camera it offers a 12.2MP APS-C size CMOS image sensor and 3x optical zoom as well as a 9-point user-selectable auto-focus system. The Canon Digital Rebel XSi comes with either the body only or with the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens. In addition the DSLR has switched from CompactFlash to SDHC memory cards. The DSLR retains most of the same features as the previous Rebel including shutter speeds ranging from 30 seconds to 1/4,000 second with a flash sync speed of 1/200 second. The DSLR utilizes a 35-zone TTL metering system and offers the BG-E5 battery grip. The DSLR also offers up to ISO 1600 with no in-body mechanical stabilization and a wireless flash controller.

Features & Performance: Features new to the Canon Digital Rebel XSi are the Highlight Tone Priority mode and Canon’s Auto Lighting Optimizer. While the Canon Digital Rebel XSi has a very good My Menu feature where you can customize a list of features that you frequently use, it lacks the ability to save groups of custom exposure, metering, drive mode settings, white balance and so forth. With a shot-to-shot time of 0.4 second the DSLR is average but in burst shoot mode it is very fast at 3.4 frames per second. While it tends to underexpose, its color accuracy, dynamic range and noise profile for photo images were excellent compared to other DSLRs of the same class.

By: Tim Pecunia

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Design: Offering two body designs the Canon Rebel XS comes in black and black with silver. Each comes with an EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens and weighs in around 1 pound and a bit more. While this makes it quite lightweight it also makes it feel a little less substantial. The 2.5 inch LCD is good enough for the job while the body has a nice rubbery cover for a better grip with almost all the buttons in reach of your right hand. This allows you to use the camera one-handed with ease.

Specifications: At 10.1 MP the Canon Rebel XS is quite solid for its class. Its feature-set includes APS-C-size, a CMOS sensor with a 1.6x focal-length multiplier and a 7-point autofocus. The DSLR also switches from SDHC to CompactFlash for faster more reliable operation and features an Auto Lighting Optimizer for post capture contrast and brightness adjustment. The DSLR also offers a flash sync speed of 1/200th of a second with shutter speeds from 30 seconds to 1/4000th of a second. Other features include a TTL-metering system (35-zone) and a BG-E5 battery grip.

Features & Performance: While the My Menu allows some menu customization, the overall interface is quite basic. With ISO sensitivity up to 1600 the camera is very entry-level. However, in shooting speed the DSLR is very fast with a startup-to-shot time of less than 0.2 second and a shooting lag of 0.4 second in good conditions. In dim conditions this extends a bit to 0.8 second but shot-to-shot time redeems it at 0.7 second for raw shots and 0.4 second for JPEG shots. With flash-recycling the speed goes to 0.8 second while burst mode goes at 85, outpacing nearly every other DSLR in its class.

Image quality is top-notch, typical of Canon digital cameras with the Canon Rebel XS delivering great color and accurate exposures even on high ISO. Overall the Canon Rebel XS delivers awesome photo quality with faster performance in low-light focus conditions than any of its other competitors in the same class, making it ideal for most DSLR beginners.

By: Ryan B. Smith

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The Canon EOS Rebel T1i 15.1MP Digital SLR Camera or otherwise known as the 500D in other parts of the world is an entry-level package featuring higher resolution and a better AF system than its predecessor. This places it nicely between the XSi and the 40D and quite neatly replaces the XTi. Canon have been nice enough to include the kit bundled together with the veteran f3.5-5.6 18-55mm IS lens as well as the option to ship the body alone for those who already have a decent pair of lens available.

At first glance, the Canon EOS Rebel T1i’s body is almost identical to the XSi, and weighs nearly the same at around 1.2-pounds. The plastic body is rather light and feels almost insubstantial for someone who has handled DSLRs regularly. On the other hand, this makes it ideal for the newbie DSLR user as it isn’t too heavy to handle. The grip is comfortable enough and feels quite solid. The camera maintains the same large, fixed 3-inch LCD with almost all the buttons under your right hand for quick and easy access. The buttons each feel individual so you can feel your way through quite easily.

The modes on the dial are mostly unchanged, with the addition of the Creative Auto mode, which is a semi-manual mode that can be viewed as an advanced Auto mode. All functions in this mode are automated, with a few exceptions. In essence it replaces shutter and aperture adjustment options with two sliding scales, adjusting shutter speed and aperture which makes it great for the beginner who is starting to take some chances.

Specification-wise the Canon EOS Rebel T1i utilizes a 15MP APS-C size CMOS sensor (with a 1.6 x focal-length multiplier). This means the feature set is effectively the same as the XSi, with an image-stabilizing kit lens bundled together to balance this out. Waking and shooting in a quick 0.2 second the camera can focus and shoot in a fast 0.3 second in bright conditions, and can even deliver a 0.6 second shot lag in dim conditions. The shot-to-shot time runs at about 0.4 second, for both raw and JPEG formats. The camera’s continuous shooting speed is a respectable 3.3fps. The frame rate and nine-point AF system should be able to keep up with most running children and pets.

The Canon EOS Rebel T1i’s video movie quality is solid at 30fps 720p. While it can handle 1920×1080 resolutions it is only at 20fps with motion looking a bit jerky. AF can be manually invoked while shooting, as long as you remember that it is a bit slow in this respect. The camera uses mono audio for sound.

All in all, the Canon EOS Rebel T1i is an excellent upgrade for current XSi owners as the higher resolution and video capture capability are quite impressive. While more experienced DSLR fans may find the camera a bit limited in terms of control, new users looking for an entry-level DSLR with high resolution will find the camera perfect for their needs.

By: Tim Pecunia

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Every year, Canon manufactures some of the most powerful digital SLR cameras on the market. The 5D Mk2 by Canon is said to be one of the best by Canon. It is a very quiet, durable camera. It is also fully equipped wit ha very quick and accurate autofocus system that works on “single shot mode”. Not many cameras (specifically from the EF-L series) have lenses which have such fast focus action.

This amazing SLR camera has a fabulous 3″ LCD screen, consisting of 900,000+ pixels. Many say it is one of the best LCD screens on SLR digital camera. The menu is very easy to navigate, compared to the previous models. It also has a feature called Live View in which the user and does critical focusing. For many, this is a new feature, and you will definitely enjoy the addition. The Live View only has one problem, and that is that it causes the battery to drain quiet fast because of the extreme power it uses. If it is used for too long, the circuit on the inside of the camera will heat up causing the camera to be nosier than usual. The good thing is that if the camera senses itself heating up too much, it will automatically shut off Live View.

One of the cameras best futures is its 21 megapixel RAW images. You will need the latest version of Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop to process images taken with this camera. The camera also has an extremely accurate auto-exposure system, more accurate than previous models.

If you are shooting under 3200 ASA, you will most likely not experience the black dot problem. Only users shooting in dark places (such as a sport event at night) might experience this, though the flash should help with lessening this. Shooting in RAW format will also help.

Buyers have the option of buying the batter grip. This makes the camera “taller” and much easier for users to hold. It also allows you to use 2 lithium batteries at the same time. This is good for those who know they will be using their camera very often, especially on trips such as camping.

Any camera someone finds will have both positives and negatives, but this camera really does not have many negatives. Yet it will have future improvements, it is definitely not something that you should hesitate buying!

By: Chris Campbell

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The Canon Rebel XSi is my first digital SLR, and I’ve been using it for around three months now. I must admit I was a bit wary about getting a brand new camera, but I’ve always liked Canon cameras since I used an ELAN II back in high school. Two years ago I also bought a Canon SD600 and I was happy with it. So far, this Canon Rebel SLR camera hasn’t disappointed me yet. The Rebel XSi’s IS lens works wonders on my shots. If you’re planning on getting a Rebel XSi as well but you’re having second thoughts, here are some pros and cons that can hopefully help you decide.

Let’s start with the battery life. The XSi’s battery life is amazing. I could take more than 5000 pictures and the battery only went low twice. The Live View feature, contrary to what a lot of people think, is not a replacement for point and shoot. For one, you can’t use the Live View feature in Auto mode, which makes it not-so-user-friendly for beginners. The feature is more suited for professionals such as landscape photographers and those who do studio work, because they can connect the camera to the PC and use it for remote viewing.

As for image quality, I must say I’ve been successful in taking pictures both in studio and outdoor settings. When I was in the studio, I used tungsten lights on the subject set against a white background. The image quality was great; perfect skin tones and very little chromatic aberration around the edges. I got into book keeping just recently, and I thought taking close-up pictures of the bees would be a good way to test the quality of outdoor shots. I was not disappointed. At all. The camera captured such crisp details even though the lens is a bit short. The pictures turned out great, considering the lens only cost $100.

All in all, the Canon Rebel SLR camera is solid, feels sturdy, not too heavy nor too light, and it fits right in your hand. If you’re looking for a great camera and you’re not restricted by your budget, the XSi is the way to go. The Rebel XSi may be a bit too pricey for some people’s standards, but I say it’s worth every single cent and you’ll have the quality photos to prove it. If you don’t mind waiting a bit more, you can wait for its price to go down so that you can spend the money on extra lenses or accessories instead.

By: Chris Campbell

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Many more serious photographers are converting to SLR digital cameras because of the convenience that a digital camera offers. With a SLR, or single lens reflex, they can get professional quality pictures with the convenience of a digital camera. There are some SLR cameras with great consumer reviews. Here is a look at some of the top SLR digital cameras that got a five out of five star rating.

Nikon D80

The Nikon D80 SLR offers 10.2 megapixels for startling picture clarity. It has an in camera editing feature that allows you to touch up your photos directly on the camera. It also has a 2.5″ color LCD and a pentaprism viewfinder with a built in diopter. It has 6 white balance modes and 6 flash modes. It also has an orientation sensor and an external flash mount. It includes a PictureProject CD Rom and comes with many accessories. This is a quality SLR digital camera with many extras and will run you around $900.

Canon EOS 40D

This SLR digital camera features 10.1 megapixels. It has a metal lens mount to accommodate additional lenses. It has a 3″ color LCD with a 7 level brightness control as well as a viewfinder with an adjustable diopter. The Canon EOS 40D SLR has 4.8x optical zoom. It has 9 white balance modes and 4 flash modes. It features an external flash mount and a focus range of 2.8′-5.6′. It is PictBridge compatible and comes with EOS Digital Solution software. There are so many features and accessories with this camera it is impossible to list them all. This is a highly rated SLR camera, and worth all of the $1,500 it retails for.

Olympus EVOLT

The Olympus EVOLT is a wonderful SLR digital camera that has 10 megapixels coupled with a Supersonic Wave Filter that eliminates dust and debris from your shot so that you get a clear image every time. It comes with two different lenses and is compatible with many more. It has a 2.5″ color LCD as well as a separate viewfinder. There are over 16 scene modes and seven exposure modes. There are seven different white balance modes and a variety of flash settings. You can even choose your own custom color effects for each shot. It is PictBridge compatible and comes with many accessories. This is a great deal on a SLR camera for only $750.

By: Laurie Lindsay

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The EOS Rebel series has been around for almost a decade now and in that decade, the technology when it comes to image reproduction has come in leaps and bounds. The company which manufactures this line of cameras has gone with the flow and has even pioneered some of the features that we now find so common within the digital cameras of today. The EOS series was one of the first series of cameras to incorporate a digital processor inside the manual SLR. Mind you that this was still in the era of film cameras and no digital imaging was involved. 

The use of the chip was to assist the photographer in making the right exposures. This resulted in better lit pictures in their cameras and even vivid pictures when printed because of the exact value of the exposure setting. This feature also ran the auto focus of the lenses which was a novel addition in film cameras since it allowed for less focusing time which saved the photographer time. 

The EOS would soon evolve into the EOS Digital Rebel series which was a fully digital line of cameras. The first consumer level “test subject” would be the revolutionary EOS Digital Rebel (AKA 300D or KISS Digital) which was the first consumer DSLR under $1,000. Canon had several other digital SLR cameras before the 300D, but they were aimed at the professional photographer not the consumer.

It may seem that the resolution of these older cameras at 2-4 MP was minute when compared to the DSLRs of today. But remember that with the advent of these new gadgets, most shutterbugs are able to do away with the film canisters that are very vulnerable to elements and can become quite bulky in long trips such as vacations or tours. The LCD screen also did away with the long wait that photo enthusiast had to endure in order to see the pictures that they’ve taken. This would also eliminate the bloopers shots that would otherwise be waste of film.

Note that these features were still in their unrefined stages back then. Most of the auto focus functions would not be as reliable, and lenses had their quirks with the most common problem being a cloudy picture which resulted from the incompatibility of the lens light refraction with the fledgling image sensors.

The latest line from this manufacturing company has also taken a new leap in features with respect to their DSLR line. Getting onto the High Definition bandwagon, they now came up with an EOS Rebel line that is able to take HD videos with sound. This would mean that the photographer will have the added option of taking videos, an option that was previously unavailable in the DSLR of most brands. As with any new technology, this is still in its testing phase and consumers can expect there to be minor issues. 

The biggest problem though is where to take your Canon EOS Rebel camera for repair? With smaller and smaller parts, the components of the devices become even more complicated. Service centers need to be experienced with your make and model camera, don’t just pay the manufacturer $200 to perform a simple repair for you, look around and explore your options!

By: Thomas Drayton

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Canon is the premiere image and information systems company across the country – amassing a good reputation from its production of quality copiers, printers, lenses, and digital cameras. First on the line of Canon digital camera is the PowerShot S2 IS – 5 mega pixels, 12x optical zoom and 4x digital zoom, this is among the best digital cameras to acquire. It has an Optical Image Stabilizer or the IS reducing camera shakes during shots. The UD lens offers the most amazing color accuracy within the zoom area of a digital camera.

The PowerShot S2 IS records moving pictures without missing a single perfect image because of the Movie Snap feature – with one click, that perfect image stores itself in your PowerShot together with the recorded video. The DIGIC II Image Processor increases its processing speed, image quality and several features that make this digital camera so much more amazing – a quicker start-up time, instant playback, and faster auto focus. The Canon PowerShot S2 IS is USB 2.0 compatible with a Hi-speed standard for an easier file sharing and transfer to and from your computer, together with an super-speed SD card, the PowerShot S2 could ultimately work for your advantage.

The S2 previews images through fold out 1.8 inch LCD screen display with 115,000 pixel resolution. Its 30 frame per second shooting capability can be reduced at night mode to give you sufficient brightness when taking pictures.

The latest point and shoot Canon digital cameras, apart from the S2, are the PowerShot SD500 and PowerShot SD400.

The SD500 is the first Canon digital camera with 7.1 mega pixels. It captures images to its minutest details – high quality for image making. Its 3x optical zoom serves well for close up shooting along with a 37-111 mm lens – equivalent that of a 35mm film camera. Its curvy figure fits your hands very well – which makes it very good to carry around. Its slim design sets itself apart from other digital cameras with its 2.0 inch LCD for an easier frame and playback use. The amazing features of images taken with the SD500 come from the DIGIC II Image Processor, which all Canon digital cameras have. It works well with the combination of USB 2.0 and hi-speed SD card.

The Canon PowerShot SD500 shoots moving images up to 60 frames per second – a perfect gadget for sports and live action. Its 30 frame per second capability makes it perfect for still images too. The SD500 has different scene modes, portrait, foliage, beach, underwater, fireworks, night snapshot, kids and pets, indoor, snow and digital macro, for you to experiment with. This allows you to shoot and edit at the same time. its customization modes include lightening skin tones, positive film, darker skin tones, etc. making the PowerShot SD500 the perfect Canon digital camera.

These are just a pinch of the many features of the SD500, and more yet to be discussed. Canon’s website contains full details of the Canon PowerShot SD500 and other quality Canon products and releases.

By: Jon Edings

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Whatever you do, don’t ask a Nikon / Sony / Pentax SLR owner, “Whats the best Canon Digital SLR camera I should buy?”. Camera enthusiasts tend to be incredibly brand loyal, and will argue endlessly over why their particular brand is the best of all time . . . and will always be . . . forever and forever amen! Someone who owns several brand name cameras, and therefore owes his / her allegiance to no one brand would probably be a better person to ask. Well . . . since you did ask, let’s have a look shall we.

For first time SLR owners, Canon makes one of the best selling and most critically reviewed entry level SLR cameras ever. I would of course be referring to the Canon Digital Rebel XTi digital SLR camera (~$650). Its predecessor being the Canon Digital Rebel XT (still available ~$450), and it’s successor (recently announced but not yet available), the Canon Digital Rebel XSi (~$800?). If you’ve never owned a SLR camera before, and are a little nervous about taking the plunge, you really can’t go wrong with any model from the Canon Rebel lineup. Your final choice of these three cameras will really come down to a compromise between price and newer technology. They’re all capable of taking great pictures, and every experienced photographer will tell you, the most important feature in any camera, is the ability of the person with his finger on the shutter button.

For anyone with a somewhat larger budget, the Canon EOS 30D, or the Canon EOS 40D both make excellent choices. Better kit lenses, less image noise, and a nicer LCD are just of the few features you’ll find. There are more manual controls to tweak, so a steeper learning curve is to be expected. More controls are nice however, as the potential for artistic expression is greatly increased. The 30D and the 40D are both around the $1300 to $1500 dollar mark, so due diligence is a prime consideration in your shopping process here. In other words make sure you know the differences.

If the phrase full frame technology means anything to you, your probably already salivating over the Canon EOS 5D for about $2000 (without the lens kit). Full frame, means that you have an image sensor (CCD), that corresponds with the old 35mm film SLR cameras. To some, full frame is the holy grail of digital photography. Initially this technology was only available for 2 or 3 times the $2000 current price of the 5D.

By: Chris Campbell

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Whether you’re looking for the best Nikon SLR digital camera, the best Canon SLR digital camera, or just the best SLR digital camera of any brand, you’ve come to the right place. Point and shoot cameras were a good teacher, but now it time to get serious with a good SLR. I’m sure this all enticing, but I also know how intimidating those SLR cameras can be.

As Luck Would Have It, your about be transformed into a SLR camera virtuoso. Don’t let your early steps at understanding SLRs send you packing. It can take a few readings to visualize. If your an individual that has to understand all the finer points of any product before making a purchase, this could be a never ending process for you.

Well, let’s get at it shall we. This sounds a little off the wall, but the neat features in these babies, is good for the soul. Stick with me, and I’ll show you the facts. Just ask someone in the business of digital photography, and they’ll tell you how challenging and demanding the market is. Year after year, just to keep pace with other manufactures, camera companies offer consumers significantly better cameras at significantly lower prices.

So, it may seem hard to believe, but all this competition and high technology is about to make you a much happier consumer. Pretty much all the best SLR digital cameras will do the job, and capture good photo images for you. You likely couldn’t find a horrific SLR camera from the top rated cameras even if you wanted to. Any of these cameras are sure to make you happy. I like everything in the Canon Rebel offerings. The Olympus Evolt E620 is nice, and the Nikon D40, is not too shabby either.

You know that getting any of these cameras for between five hundred and a thousand dollars is bound to sure to instill a good feeling in your wallet. Considering all the features in these cameras, it’s well worth the money. Anyone who shelled out a lot of money for an early model digital camera knows what I mean.

It seems many consumers are unaware, that the biggest factor in the character of your photographic images has very little to do with the camera you buy. You and your ability to spot quality photo opportunities are really of greater value when it comes to capturing pretty pictures. You’d be surprised with the dazzling images that come out of the lens of a cheap-o camera in the hands of a creative photographer.

Those looking for hard to find cameras are choosing to buy single lens reflex cameras online it seems. If your looking for plenty of choice, and the lowest available prices, it would seem obvious to purchase digital cameras on the web.

Even with hundreds of SLR camera choices, internet shopping for the best SLR digital camera is easy to do. Time to make a decision. Well, are you going to spend your whole life looking, or just pick one and begin capturing memories?

By: Chris Campbell

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