Canon Digital Rebel XSi 12.2 MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens - Black
by Canon
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Canon Digital Rebel XSi 12.2 MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens - Black
Customer Review: One Word - Wow!
Summary: 5 Stars
The XSi is my first DSLR camera. I have, for many years, been shooting with point-and-shoot (also called "compact") cameras, so I have a lot of experience with point-and-shoot cameras. But the image quality of the XSi simply blew me away! The images captured on the XSi is much, much, much sharper than the ones from a point-and-shoot camera!
If you're looking at the XSi, you're probably a budding photographer like myself. The XSi is, debatably, the best entry-level DSLR camera, next to the Canon EOS Rebel T1i/500D.
Highlights
- 18mm - 55mm "Kit" Lens Included
The Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS SLR Lens alone sells for [...]. You have everything you need to get started right away with taking great-looking pictures!
- Phenomenal Images
Alas, I'm unable to show you the images I've captured with the XSi here. But there's alway sample images uploaded by customers on the product page. Alternatively, you can go to the Canon site and see for yourself the official sample images. These images are pretty representative of the quality of images you can expect from this camera in optimal conditions.
- Auto Mode
Okay, so you're not quite prepared to tinker with the bells and whistles on the XSi. No matter, there's always a fully "auto" mode (green rectangle on the selection dial) you can fall back on. In this mode, you would be using the XSi just as you would a point-and-shoot camera. The auto mode will stifle your creativity, but it will help you take great pictures nonetheless.
- Incredible Battery Life
I must have taken hundreds of pictures of pictures and the battery indicator bar still shows full battery capacity (that's with image preview disabled- which is, if I'm not mistaken, the default/factory setting).
In sum, the XSi does everything your point-and-shoot does, only BETTER.
If, like lot of people, you are in a quandary deciding between the T1i and the Xsi/450D, here are the major improvements of the T1i over the XSi (at least on paper) to help you make a decision:
- 15.1 MP Resolution
- Full HD video at 20 Frames Per Second
- ISO range of 100 to 3200
- 920,000 dots VGA monitor
vs. the XSi:
- 12.2 MP Resolution
- No video capability
- ISO range of 100 to 1600
- 230,000 dots VGA monitor
* T1i vs XSi *
- Resolution: 15.1 MP vs. 12.2 MP
When it comes to megapixels (MP), I would have to subscribe to the mantra that megapixels isn't everything. Since the T1i has the same sensor size as the XSi (APS-C size: 22.2 x 14.8mm), a higher number of megapixels would mean more pixels packed into same sensor area.
Keep in mind that as a general rule, the higher number of megapixels that are packed into a given sensor area, the more "noise" (or graniness) will result in a picture taken in low light conditions. (I want to be fair, however, and say that I have not noticed perceptible differences in image quality between the two cameras, even in moderately lit or low light conditions.)
- HD Video
The T1i frame rate is 20 frames per second (fps), which is low compared to even the low-end camcorders, most of which are capable of 30 fps in Full HD. The XSi has no video mode.
- ISO: 3200 vs. 1600
Like they say, there's no such thing as a free lunch. A higher ISO *will* result in more noise in a captured image. As a rule of thumb, set your ISO to the lowest practicable ISO setting. The lower upper range for the XSi isn't, in my opinion, a big restriction.
- LCD Resolution: 920,000 vs 230,000 dots
There is absolutely no refuting that the LCD on the T1i *is* better than the one on the XSi. The images displayed on the T1i LCD is unquestionably sharper than the images on the XSi LCD.
Based on the above factors, you will have to be the one who ultimately decides what works better for you.
There are, of course, other considerations, the most glaringly obviously of which is - you guessed it - the price. The price of the XSi is has dropped like a rock since I purchased it a couple of months back. If you're on a tight budget, the XSi is definitely the way to go.
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The image quality from the XSi is simply phenomenal. It is very affordably priced (it has gotten much cheaper than what it sold for originally when it debuted in 2008). If you're on a budget, the XSi is, in my opinion, the best DSLR camera to get.
Customer Review: A powerful weapon for creativity
Summary: 5 Stars
I should preface that I have been exposed to point-and-shoots my entire life, so I am a very fresh amateur when it comes to SLRs.
I have found it incredibly beneficial to educate myself before my purchase of the XSi about what SLR cameras are, how they function on a basic level, precisely how they differ from point-and-shoots, and what I can expect to achieve from my new camera. People who do not at least touch on these topics before their submersion into the world of SLRs will find the acclimation much more difficult, if not intolerable (as some very mislaid one-star reviews illustrate).
My XSi has helped me reach untapped creative potential that I hadn't deeply considered before. I am an artist, a painter, and my primary reasons for getting an XSi teeter between photographing my paintings for my personal records and for sale on the Internet as well as for my introduction into the realm of artistic, fine art photography. In my first few weeks of use, I can say unequivocally, and rather giddily, that the XSi achieves my hopes and quite a bit more.
My first reason for upgrading to the XSi, and to an SLR in general, is image quality. I simply wasn't content with the grain, blur, and poor coloring that most point-and-shoots afford. Aside from using my camera for normal, everyday portrait, indoor, and vacation shots, I also wish to use it professionally, to photograph my artwork and to take artistic photographs. Clarity and integrity of the image are enormously welcomed with the former, average tasks and absolutely essential in the latter, more artistically focused ones. The XSi allows me to achieve crispness, faithfulness with colors, and -- THANK GOODNESS -- far less, or absolutely no, grain in my images when shooting indoors. I am as happy as a bird with a French fry.
I have to urge that practice makes perfect for an SLR beginner. There are a plethora of settings, terminology, and camera hardware that require education to comprehend and perfect. I am new, I am learning, and I am enjoying the process of unlocking the powers of my XSi camera. I imagine it will be some time before I can consider myself rather well informed about what the camera can achieve, but even out of the box and into my amateur arms, the camera takes spectacular photographs! As extremely complex machines go, this camera is insanely easy to navigate and control. The buttons on the camera itself are perfectly placed, and the menus on the large LCD screen are just as easy to maneuver. I am thoroughly impressed with the ease of use. I have zero complaints.
One would do well to browse the web for information about the features and functions of the Canon XSi before the camera even arrives. I spent a few hours reading and watching some very helpful videos on sites like YouTube to familiarize myself with the capabilities of the camera before the box arrived at my door. I can tell you without doubt that the information I learned before I laid eyes on my camera helped tremendously. I knew what buttons to push as soon as I had my hands on it!
More specifically, I have no complaints about any elements that came with the camera. The kit lens is superb - and that truly may be the only lens you ever need. I did purchase the f1.8 II 50mm Canon lens at the same time I purchased the camera on Amazon, simply because I was so impressed with the customer photographs that had been uploaded as examples. The clarity achieved with the XSi kit lens is stellar, but I think the 50mm lens is a beautiful accessory to treat yourself to... it takes unique images that can only be achieve with that particular lens.
I also purchased an extra Canon battery so that I never have any camera downtime spent charging. The extra battery was a pricey $50 more, but I have already enjoyed the ease of having two batteries a great deal since owning my camera... well worth the money. I also purchased cheap filters to fit the kit lens of the XSi and I have already noticed higher color saturation in certain instances when using a polarizing filter. It's great fun to experiment!
Out of doors and indoors, the XSi performs masterfully. In low light and in high light, the XSi performs masterfully. I am a student with very little discretionary funding, so I had reservations about spending so much on a camera. I haven't looked back since getting my silver XSi, and there's simply no hint of buyer's remorse here. Put plainly: you get what you pay for here and I wager even a bit more. I am in passionate love.
Buy her. Now.
Customer Review: An excellent upgrade to a great camera
Summary: 5 Stars
I previously owned the Canon Digital Rebel. I primarily upgraded to this camera for the additional pixels. Just in pixels alone, I effectively doubled my zoom rate, and it shows in bird closeups I've taken. Compared to my last camera, it's like trading in my 70-300 zoom on a 70-600 zoom. And picture quality is phenomenal, even when compared to the original Digital Rebel.
But the other enhancements to this camera make it worth buying even if it didn't sport a higher density CCD. I purchased an extra battery because the battery on the original Rebel ran down way too quickly and left me without a usable camera a few times. But I didn't need to. The battery on this model lasts forever. Maybe 10 times longer than the original!
This weekend I went on a bike ride with some friends. I was on vacation a couple of weeks ago and forgot to recharge the battery. I brought the extra along, but wanted to see how long the battery would last. I took a lot of pictures, then a friend of mine wanted to check out an image-stabilization lens I have. He spent an hour playing with the thing, taking more pictures and wasting battery power by testing out the image stabilization feature (something that normally uses a lot of juice). The battery still hasn't run down. I can't emphasize enough how bottomless the battery seems to me.
Having image-stabilization on the short lens was a nice feature. I didn't really need it because I use the zoom lens almost exclusively, but it's nice to know the feature's there if I ever do.
Focus with my 70-300 zoom lens is much faster as well. Where the old one took up to a second or so, the new one focuses instantly when there's enough light. Even when there isn't enough light for a fast focus, it's still many times faster than the original.
Something else that surprised and excited me: Using the Sport mode, I used to be able to take only 4 pictures in succession before the buffer filled up. With the new camera in the same mode, I can take a lot more pictures in the same amount of time. Instead of only 4 pictures before the buffer is filled, the shutter keeps clicking away forever. I can't imagine any action shot that will be too long for the amount of pictures this thing can take now. I was showing the camera off to my brother-in-law, and I took at least 20 pictures (maybe 30 or 40?) in rapid succession before the buffer became full and it slowed down.
This camera is truly awesome. The friend that was demoing it was trying to justify his previous purchase of a non-SLR. He said, "So this is more of a professional camera, huh?" I told him, "No--this is Canon's amateur line." And it is. But right now, I think it's better than their professional camera, which actually has 2 Megabits fewer pixels.
In the "easy" modes, the camera is a better photographer than I am. I'm no pro. But it would be nice to be able to choose when the flash is appropriate, or force a fill-flash when I want to.
Other bennies: The screen is larger and brighter, but you can lower its brightness to improve battery life (I keep it cranked up all the way--this thing has plenty of battery life as I've said).
Canon advertises that this thing will let you preview on the LCD now while focusing. If you want to buy this camera just because it's the only SLR you know of with that feature, don't. You might play with it for a couple of minutes, but you'll never use it to take actual pictures, because focus either doesn't work, or is excruciatingly slow. I had a lot of trouble figuring out how to turn this on, as well, and had to consult the manual.
There is another ease-of-use item I'd like to mention. You can turn off the flash in the easy modes if you want to. But you have to be in a creative mode to do it. I did that once, and it took me a long time to figure out how to turn the flash back on, because there's no menu item for it in the mode I was in (which was full-auto). I think it's idiotic that you can turn off the flash mode in full-auto from a creative mode, but not from the mode you're using.
All in all, I'm very glad I bought this camera.
Customer Review: Some points to consider when looking at DSLRs in this price range
Summary: 5 Stars
If you're looking at the cameras in this price range, that means you're likely also looking at the Pentax K-x, Nikon D5000, Sony A500, Olympus E-620 and even, potentially, the Canon T1i.
If you're looking at DSLRs and you think video on your DSLR is something you actually want or will ever use, you best stop looking at the XSi and instead focus on the K-x, D5000 and T1i. The XSi offers NO video functionality.
If your hope is to not need to spend extra money on image stabilizing lenses, then buy the K-x or the E-620. All the above listed cameras besides these 2 require you purchase lenses with image stabilization which is an extra cost on the lens as it requires more glass. Of course, the way around the need for image stabilizing lenses is to use a tripod or a monopod.
If you don't want to buy lenses, well, then you had better stop looking at DSLR/SLR cameras all together and jump into point and shoot. There are a lot of nice models with really good quality pictures out there.
REMEMBER, WHEN BUYING A DSLR CAMERA, you aren't REALLY buying a camera; you're buying a lens system. What do I mean? Well think about it this way. You are spending money on a camera body, yes. But you're also spending money on lenses. Lenses that are NOT interchangeable (except the Olympus method that not many manufacturers jumped on and then you still have to buy lenses to their spec and you would need a replacement camera with the same capability). If you buy this body today and begin to purchase Canon lenses, you are investing in Canon for, most likely, the rest of your picture taking "career." The camera body is the inexpensive part in this whole endeavor and if you purchase a 55-250mm lens today, along with many others, you most certainly won't want to re-purchase these lenses when you inevitably have to upgrade the camera. And that's where DSLR/SLR camera manufacturers get you. It's like Gillette and their disposable razor heads.
So why then, given all the above, would one purchase the XSi over all the competition? Price is one factor. Image quality is another (the pictures this camera can take are nothing short of breathtaking, but that's all a matter of opinion, so this is just my opinion and not a statement of fact I can quantify). One more is lens quality. Canon (well, really all the above) have been making lenses for YEARS. And in the lens department Canon and Nikon stand above the rest.
Why did I purchase this camera? Well Canon has been around a long time and actually started the DSLR revolution with the original Rebel camera. Their cameras always stand well on their own. While they may not stand head and shoulders above every camera out there, they do a tremendous job of holding their own in the market. My father owns a Rebel XT and it's an amazing piece of kit for when it was made. I bought this one because the T1i supposedly has some photo aberrations usually attributed to the sensor size that actually captures the image being too small to really utilize the 15 MP picture it is taking.
The price is good, I bought a brand I know and I can share lenses with my father. That's why I bought this camera.
I realize this review is pretty jumbled. Instead of writing a full review, as there are many other reviews here that do a much better job than I describing technical and non-technical details, I decided to just put down things I was thinking about as I purchased my first DSLR.
Customer Review: great camera, lots of perks, one problem
Summary: 5 Stars
Love it. I purchased this as soon as it came out. That was my only mistake. That cost me $180. I can get it now for $180 less than I paid. That hurts. I have only had it for since February. I should have known better than to buy it that soon.
With that being said, has it been worth the $180 extra? Every cent. I have taken better pictures with this than I have ever taken before. That includes on old SLR film cameras, point and shoot film, APS and a half dozen other point and shoot digitals. This camera beats its predecessors in every way, it beats the comparable Nikon, Sony, Olympus, and Pentax models in almost everyway and it has a great following on Ebay to boot, so finding extras is easy.
The pictures are outstanding, especially for an entry level model. The lens kit was nice, but I wish I had skipped it (and the 70-300 non IS I got as a bonus deal) and ponied up for a Sigma 18-200 OS lens and the Canon 50mm f/1.4 right off the bat. But you live and learn, and those other lenses are nice enough, but the camera is too good for them. The pictures don't look as good as they could with better glass.
I have taken 20000+ shots already, about 1/2 were crap. But that was my fault not the camera, it can only do so much. That means that the shutter, the memory card, the buttons, the lenscap, everything has been through 20000 pictures. And it is no worse for wear. I use it as much as I can, I take it everywhere as i have done with all my cameras before, it gets banged, dropped, sat on, etc. It has never even hiccuped due to a problem I caused.
With that being said it has had problems of its own. The kit lens had a hard time early on with focus, it is a known bug with a known workaround involving dismantling the camera waiting a bit and then reassembling it again. Pretty easy to do, but since you don't know when it is going to happen or when it has happened it is pretty scary as any given picture (and then all others there after) could be "soft focused". Once you take it apart and put it back together it fixes the issue and all is right with the world again, but none the less, this is a HUGE problem that almost made me take it back. The problem only happened once though, and I no longer use the kit lens so I am not as worried about it. Plus I check my shots for focus after the fact anyhow, so now I know to look for a pattern of soft focus. If found I know to fix it ASAP. I have not had to use this bandaid since the first time, but I have it in my bag of tricks. I debated and gave it 5 stars despite this because I believe this will be fixed in firmware soon, and it can be worked around thus not affecting the vast majority of users. If that were fixed, once and for all, this would be one heck of a great camera.
Hell it is one great camera, it is amazing and outstanding and impresses me, and most everyone who sees my photos, each time I use it. I plan to put it to good use for many years to come. Which by then it will have lost all its value and i will upset that at one point I paid $850 more than i could get it for. Until then though I highly recommend this camera to anyone and everyone, unless you are rich enough to afford the upcoming 50d which frankly puts this in its place.