For stunning photography with point and shoot ease, look no further than Canon’s EOS 450D. The EOS 450D brings staggering technological innovation to the masses. It features Canon’s EOS Integrated Cleaning System, Live View Function, a powerful DIGIC III Image Processor, plus a new 12.2-megapixel CMOS sensor and is available in a kit with the new EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens with Optical Image Stabilizer. The EOS 450D’s refined, ergonomic design includes a new 3.0-inch LCD monitor, compatibility with SD and SDHC memory cards and new accessories that enhance every aspect of the photographic experience.
The Canon EOS 450D with an EF-S 18-55mm IS f/3.5-5.6 non USM Lens Kit.
EOS 450D Highlights
12.2 Megapixels
The number of megapixels determines the amount of sharp detail a digital camera can record. With more megapixels, you can print at larger sizes, plus crop and enlarge without sacrificing quality. EOS cameras provide all the resolution you need for finely detailed, photo-quality prints with plenty of scope for post-shoot cropping.
A 12.2 Megapixel sensor lets you capture every scene in ultra-high levels of detail – perfect for turning your experiences into poster-sized photo prints.
9 Point Wide Area AF
The precise auto focus system of the EOS 450D keeps you focused for sharp images. Featuring a diamond-shaped array of nine AF points, this newly improved system delivers outstanding coverage of nearly any subject, both in horizontal and vertical formats. The nine AF points — one high-precision cross-type center AF point with f/2.8 sensitivity and eight others compatible at f/5.6 — provide fast, accurate auto focus for any Canon EF lens even when shooting in low-light environments. Focus points can be assigned automatically using one of three different AF modes or manually.
EOS Integrated Cleaning System
The EOS Integrated Cleaning System combats sensor dust in three important ways: Reduce, Repel and Remove. The camera's Self-Cleaning Sensor Unit shakes dust particles off of the low-pass filter in front of the sensor. The dust is then trapped by an adhesive along the base, preventing it from causing further nuisance. Cleaning is engaged each time the camera is powered up or shut down or manually through the "clean now" function.
DIGIC III
Canon’s revolutionary DIGIC image processors work at the heart of every EOS digital camera. It is the power of DIGIC that delivers the superb EOS image quality, responsive camera performance, faster AF,
faster continuous shooting and extended battery life. DIGIC processors are so fast they can read, process, compress and write image data back to the buffer between exposures, reducing the data
bottleneck for extended continuous shooting.
3.0" LCD with Live View
The Cameras Live View mode makes it easier to shoot from awkward angles, such as ground-level macro shots or when shooting from a tripod. The image from the Live View mode is displayed as a smooth, 30fps video feed on the 3.0" LCD, which is 50% brighter than the screen of the EOS 400D. A grid line display and live histogram can be selected to help with shot composition and exposure. While focusing, the photographer can zoom in on specific details with up to 10x magnification of the image displayed on the LCD screen.
RAW
The EOS 450D is supplied with a comprehensive software suite that provides everything the photograph needs to manage and process images. This includes Digital Photo Professional (DPP), a powerful RAW converter that provides complete RAW image processing control.
EF / EFS / EX
The EOS 450D camera is fully compatible with all Canon EF and EF-S lenses, as well as EX-series Speedlites.
DPOF
DPOF (Digital Print Order format) is a format which allows the user of the EOS 450D to define which captured images on the storage card are to be printed, together with information on the number of copies or other image information such as paper size, image title text, image orientation, contact information and much more.
Additional Features
Picture Style Pre-sets simplify in-camera control over image qualities. Picture Style pre-sets can be likened to different film types – each one offering a different colour response. Within each selectable pre-set, photographers have control over sharpness, contrast, colour tone and saturation. The camera’s factory default configuration is set to deliver immediately-usable JPEG images without need for additional menu settings.
3.5 FPS If you like your action fast, you’ll love the EOS 450D. With a quick startup time of only 0.1 second* and 3.5fps continuous shooting, the new EOS delivers the best shooting performance in its class. A maximum burst of 45 frames for Large/Fine JPEGs (6 frames RAW) makes it possible to capture dynamic, rapidly changing scenes as they unfold without missing a moment. The lightning quick response is further enhanced by a shutter release lag time of only 0.09 seconds. And with shutter speeds topping out at 1/4000 sec. for normal shooting and 1/200 sec. for flash, your action shots will display a clarity and crispness that command attention.
* Based on CIPA testing standards.
Auto Lighting Optimiser Let the EOS 450D brighten your day by turning muddy, underexposed shots into bright, beautiful images. When shooting, the camera analyzes your photos to determine proper exposure and contrast. If a shot is too dark, Auto Lighting Optimizer applies just the right amount of brightness and contrast to save the day. This intelligent feature can correct underexposed images, shot in AE mode or with a flash, as well as images exhibiting low contrast due to mist or haze. There is also a new face detection feature that brightens faces in backlit scenes — ideal for obtaining crisp, nicely exposed portraits and group photos when shooting into the sun. Auto Lighting Optimizer can be turned off when not needed in Creative Zone mode.
Lightweight body, SD card Memory combatilbility A light compact body makes the EOS 450D an ideal shooting companion wherever you go. Despite the large LCD monitor, Canon has noticeably reduced body weight compared to previous models while still maintaining the easy operability for which EOS is famous. Now utilizing popular SD and high-capacity SDHC memory cards, it allows compact digital camera owners to move up to the world of EOS and still use their previous cards. To prevent loss of data, should you accidentally open the memory card cover while saving images, writing will stop until the cover is closed. Additionally, SD card formatting options now include a low-level format for more thorough data deletion.
Comprehensive System Enhancements Just when you thought EOS couldn’t get better, it did. Powered by a compact, long-lasting Lithium-ion battery with up to 50% more power than the one used in the EOS 400D, your photo sessions are markedly extended. A new battery grip lets you use either Lithium-ion batteries (up to two at once) or six AA-size batteries and increases comfort when shooting vertically. Additionally, for more versatile flash operation with the Canon Speedlite 580EX II, you can control flash settings from the camera. Optional system enhancements include a car battery charger that supports both 12V and 24V power supplies and an AC adapter for powering the camera via AC.
Title: Canon Digital Rebel XSi 12.2 MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens (Black)
UPC: 013803096095
12.2-megapixel CMOS sensor captures enough detail for poster-size, photo-quality prints
Large 3.0-inch LCD display; includes Canon's EF-S 18-55mm, f3.5-5.6 IS zoom lens
DIGIC III image processor provides fast, accurate image processing; improved Autofocus and framing rate
EOS Integrated Cleaning system, plus Dust Delete Data Detection in included software
Stores images on SD/SDHC memory cards (not included)
Should Have Moved to a Digital SLR Earlier [Gregory Balzer]
First SLR owned since my old film Canon TLb about 30 years ago. This camera, together with books by Scott Kelby, Videos by Lynda.com and the Strobist website have reignited my passion for photography. The best thing about a Digital camera is the instant feedback loop. Now I can experiment with various apertures, shutter speed settings, compositions and flash settings and get back instantaneous feedback. And you can take as many shots as you want and then just delete then if you don't have any winners. Digital SLRs really speed up the learning process.
The XSi is a great camera, and Canon produces a great variety of lenses. The only area that I am less than impressed is with off-camera flash where Nikon MAY have a slight edge. If nothing else - it is easier to get info on the net for Nikon flash configurations.
Regardless, I love my XSi, and look forward to many months of learning about light, composition and expression.
wonderful [Martina A. Lunardi]
Bought this camera for son's law school graduation, it is great, easy to use. Very happy with Wall street photo, camera came very quickly too.
Glad I got a Canon XSi [James Enos]
I purchased the Canon XSi back in April. I debated for two months as this was going to be my first real DSLR. I looked at the 40D, the 50D, the XTi and I just ended up making a simple choice (I knew I wanted Canon) based on the price, features, the pixel count, the lenses available and my skill level. This camera has lived up to my expectations and I am glad I decided on the XSi. I also purchased a Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 to go with it and the combination is excellent! Get a Canon if you are not sure what to get.
Very Pleased [C. SPANOGHE]
Just got it out of the box today and took a few test pics. Got it as a replacement for my XTi, which I had lost. So far I'm very impressed with the camera, but I've only taken a few indoor, low-light pics so far. The camera feels solid and has all the features the enthusiast would need. As others have mentioned it doesn't have quite the best ergonomic fit because the grip is a bit small, but it didn't affect my 5-star rating.
Very impressed with the Image Stabilizing Lens. It kicks the butt of the Tamron that I had on my XTi.
Its currently June 2009, and as I write this I have to say I was thinking of getting an XS, but at the moment the XSi does not cost that much more, and Canon has a great deal at the moment where if you get the kit together with an Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II Lens for EOS Digital SLR Rebel XT, XTI, 20D & 30D Digital Camerasm IS lens you get $200 off of the purchase price, where with the ES you can get a different lens for $100 off, effectively making both combos about the same price on Amazon. Either way, if you are OK with having the extra hassle of changing lenses, this promotion makes it a lot more affordable to have a range of 18mm to circa 200mm than buying a mega zoom lens like I had before. Pictures will be better too since each lens is more dedicated.
Great camera [Angela Z]
This is my first SDLR camera and it is great. Good pictures thought a little bulky. Battery last about 1000 shots on high quality.
very good [R. Zhao]
i have been waiting for the annual canon rebate, and got this kit with the 55-200 lens. I have got a lot of good comments on my pictures now from friends, which i hardly ever heard for ones taken with my canon S1-IS.
canon rebel xsi [iteach]
Good camera but a lot to learn regarding all of the options. Can be expensive to maintain. Best for serious hobby or professional work.
Perfect DSLR Camera [Patricia Hardy]
I had begun thinking about purchasing a DSLR camera and reading reviews and comparing. When the time for a decision came, everything pointed to the Canon Rebel XSi. The quality of photos is wonderful. All of the possible combinations of features are easily accessed and simple to set. I have taken beautiful shots inside and outside, with the flash and without, up close and far away. I am extremely satisfied with this camera and highly recommend it for anyone looking to jump up to DSLR.
Total novice, awesome camera [J. Summers]
I don't know anything about ISOs, image stabilization, or auto focus. I couldn't possibly tell you -- yet -- what half the buttons on my new camera do. But the picture quality is amazing, and I picked up the basics in about fifteen minutes of playing around. The interface is clear and easy to understand, there are more photo options than I know what to do with right now (i.e. "portrait" versus "night portrait"), and my auto-focus is working beautifully.
Some other reviewers have mentioned the kit lens, and I agree that it is good for indoor and close shots, but I'll definitely be spending the money on something more powerful for a better zoom. I took it to my niece's dance recital and all my non-flash, far-away shots of the stage were pretty blurry.
All in all, this seems like a GREAT camera for a beginner with a pretty decent price-tag.
gift for my son [Rifka]
The camera has been easy to use and offers lots of features that allow my son to produce some very interesting and artistic results.
SWEET!!!!! [Colin Oneill]
This camera takes amazing pictures. There are a lot of other cameras that have more features and cost a lot more that supposedly take better pictures but I am not a pro. This camera has an amazing full auto feature that adjusts everything for you. Just point and the camera adjusts the multitude of processing features for the best picture. I am really impressed!!!!!
Great Camera !!! [Marvin S. Bolante]
Purchased this camera for a european vacation along with an 8 gig card for a great price. Pictures turned out excellent. Camera has good features and easy to set up and use. Details on the close up feature came out nice. I will purchase a more powerful lens in the future. Would highly recommend this camera to a friend.
very good camera [Husam Abbo]
I am very pleased with my upgrade. it is a nice camera to own even if you are an amateur and all you need is taking photo of your your family I give it 2 thumbs up.
AMAZING FOR BEGINNERS [Samantha Jones]
im a beginner photographer and i just started my business this year, ive owned this camera for a year its features are awesome and there are never enough lens for this camera! i take awesome pictures and i can print them up to 16x24 and there SUPER clear, i just dont like using it in live mode if its not bright outside, i do not use it inside, the shutter speed is slower its kinda blurry. its awesome camera tho
Very please so far. [wetpepper]
I've had this camera for about three weeks, and so far I've been very pleased. It's simple enough that my wife can use it without instruction, and powerful enough that I can tweak it to get creative. I was pleased to see that my old L series lenses fit this camera. I was disappointed that the old flashes are incompatible (430EZ and 540EZ). I just got the new 430EX and it works great. But even with the cheap "kit" lens, I really don't have any complaints. It's a great deal on a camera that will do more than most people will ever need.
First DSLR [C. Huynh]
I decided to upgrade from a point and shoot camera to a digital SLR camera 2 weeks ago. I had done hours upon hours of research of what dSLR to get. Some suggested the Nikon route, but I opted for Canon.
The XSi was everything I could have asked for. As a beginner, I feel like I can grow with this camera. The only con I have is not waiting 2 weeks for the price to go down to what it is now! Haha
If you are thinking about getting this, definitely check it out in a store first so you can actually hold it in your hands. Some say it's too small for their hands. I have small hands, so it fits perfectly. But if it's too small, I've heard that some people just add the grip and it works for them (plus the extra stability for heavier lens and the extra battery life).
Overall, I would recommend this for anyone looking to buy their first DSLR camera.
Awesome Camera! [Jennifer Ehlers]
This camera is easy to use right out of the box. The picture quality is amazing, and all the lenses from my 20 year old Canon film SLR work with my new digital. Transferring pictures to the computer is a snap. I would recommend this Canon camera to everyone.
Amazingly user friendly [MDmommy]
I just received my Cannon SLR and I couldn't be happier with my purchase. I have read up on several reviews regarding this camera and I have to agree that the quality of the pictures are excellent. Canon is known for it's user friendliness and it hasn't failed yet.
Since this is my first SLR purchase, I wanted to make sure that I wouldn't be overwhelmed with too many switches, buttons, etc. Even though I haven't read the manual yet, I have successfully experimented with various settings and I am impressed by the quality of the pictures thus far. I do plan on reading through the manual eventually to get more use out of the camera.
Last weekend, I was at an outing and I was pleasantly surprised to see a lot of people using the Cannon SLR Rebel Xsi series. Obviously, this camera is a popular choice for a good reason. I do believe that the money spent on this camera was well worth it.
IN LOVE! [S. M. Goessling]
I absolutely LOVE this camera... It's GREAT for beginners and anyone who gets frustrated by not being able to figure out a camera. After a couple days you get pretty used to it and can take amazingly beautiful pictures that you'll adore. I have no regret buying this camera. I never use my small poor quality digital camera anymore... This is all I need :)
-simply perfect-
Love it!!! [S. Haynes]
I bought this camera in December after months and months of research and I absolutely LOVE it!
I wanted something that would give me a little bit more opportunity to be more creative. And while my digital point-and-shoot may have had some features I hadn't explored, I just love the feel of an SLR in my hands. There was somethign nostalgic about owning a camera like my dad had when I was little but with modern technology.
The only con I can think of is my budget. When I bought the XSi kit, I also got another lens... Since then I've bought books, a flash, filters, a Joby gorilla pod, and all kinds of other accessories! Whew!
I think this is a great camera for anyone who is just taking on (digital) photography as a hobby. It's one of the more featureful DSLRs on the prosumer spectrum. There's just enough for me to feel like I didn't lose out on anything because of the low price and plenty of things I have time to master before I feel the need to upgrade.
Great camera, Great value [Jennifer L. Shults]
This was given to me as a Christmas present this year and I absolutely love it. It's been a great camera to learn on, takes fantastic pictures, is very versatile, and quite easy to use. Great for the amateur photographer who aspires to be professional.
Canon Does It Again! [J. Johnson]
I have two other Canon Cameras, the last one being the XTi. The larger screen alone makes it worth the upgrade to this XSi. However, the extra MP's are icing on the cake. This camera is very lightweight, well planned-buttons and functions, easy to grip and operate. A pleasure to use. I have several Canon IS lenses that work great with this body. The photographs are superb. I almost bought the newer T1i but now wonder why I would do that. No need really, the 12.2 MP's give you quality that would permit even a large poster-size photo (which I will most likely never need!). This is a wonderful camera. Highly recommend it.
Great camera for the beginner and beyond [K. Szymanski]
I have owned a Canon EOS 3 film SLR camera for about 12 years and have loved it. I decided to go to the digital SLR since I am going to have daughter in a couple of months and the cost of film and developing is crazy. The lenses on my EOS 3 were interchangeable with the new digital Rebel lens mounting system. This was one of the main reasons that I stuck with Canon. Keeping the lenses and flash I already had saved me about $1000. I have the Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon, the Canon 24-85/3.5-4.5 EF USM Black Zoom Lens Canon AF Zoom Lens and a Canon Speedlite 380EX. All of these products work very well with with the new digital system.
I have had this camera for about 30 days and have taken around 500-750 shots. I mainly take landscape/nature and portraits. The quality is excellent. I have taken a whole lot of photos of my dogs and while hiking in the mountains, I live in Arizona. The camera's automatic shooting modes are pretty good but if you can take the time to learn how to use the manual Av and Tv modes this camera is AWESOME!
I just bought a new portrait lens, the Canon EF Lens - 50 mm - F/1.8 - Canon EF. It is Canon's lower quality model with the plastic mounting system of lenses but it is very, very good for natural light portraits. As long as you don't need a portrait lens for professional use, this lens is great.
This camera picks up every detail and is unbelievable at 12mp. I bought a 8gig SD card to go with it for about $10 shipped. It was the Transcend 8 GB SDHC Class 6 Flash Memory Card TS8GSDHC6. I found it on Amazon. It holds about 1300 pictures at 12mp. It is a great combo for the Rebel body.
I highly recommend this camera. It has very easy to use manual and automatic settings. It has cool features like live view and depth of field preview too.
Awesome camera [Gillian Bucceri]
This camera takes cystal clear images. Very easy to use and download?upload photos. Highly reccomended- Canon is superior to all others.:)
Pretty good, haven't gone back to film--yet [A. Fabbri]
There are a lot of things I dislike about digital SLRs.
I've been a big fan of 35mm black and white and color slide film for years. With film, I get very graceful degradation (grain). With digital, low light noise is not as pleasing as pushed 400-speed film. I also seem to get more chromatic aberration with digital. Finally, I really dislike the smaller sensor on digital SLRs. It makes all my lenses more telephoto, and increases my depth of field quite a bit. I miss how my 50mm/1.8 EF lens looked wide open; the ability to really blur the immediate background came in handy.
It takes an impressive digital SLR to make up for these issues. The XTi has been my first digital SLR, and I haven't yet gone back to film. Besides the convenience of processing (with Lightroom), the XTi performs well. Its low-light sensitivity, on-camera JPG processing, form factor, and interface all work well for me. The biggest feature I'm missing is a decent spot metering mode. I still break out my Pentax spotmeter (1 degree) occasionally--although with digital, it is just not as much fun as using the zone system and waiting for the negatives.
Great! [C. Rodriguez]
This is my first Digital SLR. I have to say I am very pleased with it so far! I was a little nervous of some of the reviews of the Auto focus. But I don't use the auto focus that much. So no complaints here. Very Good Camera!
Very Satisfied. [Pedro Gordillo]
i'm new on digital photography, a friend was living in the States, I live in Guatemala City, as soon as she brought it I started taking a shot to everything, i can't stop loving it, even my friends love it, and for the prize...no where else amazon can be beaten. A great product for anybody who is undecided about getting this or another nikon or canon upgrade, my advice, get this one ( which is incredible) and buy more lenses, its not about the camera, but the effect u are trying to get with the lenses...
pd. the only thing that i dont like that much is the lense..but bleh since it comes already with the kit for the prize is ok..but get a 50mm f1.8 instead if possible, way better for beginners like me :) cheers everyone!
Should you trade-in for the T1i? [Chiu Kwan]
I've been using the Canon Rebel XSi for about half a year. Question to all XSi and XS users, "Should I trade-in my XSi/XS for an T1i?"
Answers all vary and depends what you need.
1. Overall I think the Canon Rebel XSi is a very very good camera. It has more than enough megapixel as a regular digital camera. It is also very affordable and comes with its own lens.
2. The screen is pretty amazing but not as clear as the T1i which has 920,000 pixel on it. But, that doesn't really matter.
3. Picture taking, I think that the XSi actually take sharper and clearer images than the T1i. Probably because the T1i has more megapixel and if you use 18-55mm lens, it will actually show that the 18-55mm lens is pretty cheap when taking pictures. I also tried on the 50mm on both camera, pretty good result but XSi just a tiny little bit sharper. And when you reach ISO 1600 on the T1i, it get pretty noisy. T1i just a bit noisy than the XSi. When you reach ISO 3200, things get pretty loud and you would like one of those expensive lens that take silent pictures. Overall the T1i and XSi picture taking is almost the same. XSi if you want silent pictures and T1i if you want ISO 3200 or more.
4. Liveview, I see no difference and both look the same and take the same picture quality. So no problem there.
5. Digi Processor, the T1i has an upgraded processor, probably because 15 megapixel is a lot and takes time to save it into the memory card. But, the XSi may have a downgraded processor but it still save the picture at the same time as T1i. So there also no problem there.
6. HD record on the T1i is pretty amazing when is on 720p. But if you 1080p I recommend getting a video recorder. dSLR aren't really meant for taking HD record and I would highly recommend that if you need to record video, I would go for a video recorder that can take true HD. Also, worst part about the HD record, the sound is pretty lousy. There is NO PLUGIN for a mic for the T1i. So not recommend if your using the HD record taking a speech.
Overall I think the T1i is a pretty good camera. But there's no reason to trade in your XSi/XS for a T1i unless you really need that ISO or the HD recorder. I think the T1i should be $50 cheaper because the only thing I see in the T1i compare to the XSi/XS is the megapixel and the HD recorder. I would recommend getting the D90 if you have a bit more money to record HD. D90 not only record HD but it take pretty good pictures compare to T1i. If you want more information heres a link comparing D90 and T1i: http://www.digitalreview.ca/content/Canon-Rebel-T1i-EOS-500D-Compared-to-Nikon-D90.shtml
Resource: I own Canon Rebel XSi, Canon Rebel XS, Canon Rebel T1i, Canon 5D Mark II, and Nikon D90. (Note: I rarely use Nikon D90 probably cause I have more lens for canons.)
No brainer [Gabriel A. Reyes Barredo]
The quality of this camera is amazing. Light weight and the way it is designed makes things easy on handling and using it.
WORKS FOR ME. [Norman Bergman]
I DELIBERATED TOO LONG. I THINK I MISSED SOME GOOD SHOOTING. I BOUGHT THE EOS XSI KIT FROM AMAZON, ALONG WITH THE CANON EF-S55-250MM 1:4-5.6 IS ZOOM LENS, AND I HAVE BEEN AS HAPPY AS THE PROVERBIAL "PIG IN MUD" EVER SINCE. I SEEM NOT TO BE ABLE TO MAKE MISTAKES WITH THIS CAMERA.(I AM SURE I MUST THOUGH) NOW, IF YOU ARE UNDECIDED, JUST GO AHEAD AND DO IT! DON'T FORGET TO GET A CANON HANDSTRAP(your neck will appreciate it), AND SOME LENS FILTERS. If nothing else they keep doggy nose-prints off your lenses! IF YOUR HANDS ARE LARGER THAN AVERAGE AS MINE ARE, GET YOURSELF AN OPTEKA PROFESSIONAL HAND GRIP. THAT WAY YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO HOLD ONTO, AND YOU WILL HAVE TWO MORE BATTERIES. I AM HAVING A BALL WITH THIS CAMERA. ALL THE SHOTS I TAKE, HAVE BEEN TURNING OUT. NOT DISAPPOINTED. ONE MORE THING-GET AN 8GB CARD SO YOU CAN USE THIS CAMERA! ONE OTHER CONSIDERATION. IT HAS NO VIDEO CAPABILITY. DOESN'T MATTER! IT WOULD JUST GET IN THE WAY OF THE REASON YOU WANT THIS CAMERA---FOR TAKING STILL PICTURES.
UPDATE ON MY REBEL XSI [Sibyl Hanson]
This is to most amazing camera. The pictures are so awesome, I wish I had one of these camera when my children were small. Everyone should have a camera like this, amature and pro.
Great camera! [music_fan75]
Everything considered there's isn't a better DSLR out there for the $$. Sure there are cheaper and more expensive models. But for most beginners and even semi professionals the XSi has most of what you need. It's light, feature packed, has great resolution and the button layout is very nice.
Again you could spend more money, but would you use those features? Save your money for lenses. For me, at this point in the game getting good lenses is where my money needs to go. Once the lens collection is where it needs to be then I can consider a more robust camera body like the 50D or something similar.
Great camera, good luck!
My first "real" camera [Abigail L. Mcfarland]
This is my first digital SLR, and I have immensely enjoyed thus far. I bought this one because the price was palatable, and it had been recommended to me by several friends. I have not been disappointed. I am learning a lot about photography in general right now, and I feel that this is a great camera to learn on.
Simply fantastic!! [R. Hoyos]
This camera is probably on my top 5 best investments in my life. It takes the most beautiful pictures with very little effort and knowledge. But I suggest exploring all the different options that this camera offers. You'll be surprised of what a good photographer you are!!! Other reviews are right on the money on the technical stuff, so there is little left to say, except that I love my camera and I am happy I bought one Enjoy it!!
Great DSLR for newbies [Serge]
Agree with most of the positive comments here. I finally made the jump from point and shoot to DSLR. Picture quality is way better in indoor or low light shots. I now realize how flash pictures are generally bad (and try to avoid if possible). I was unsure about the wide angle lens, so I bought an additional 50-250 lens. Well, I hardly ever take that out. The default lens is great and the wide angle setting is what I end up using most of the time. There are many automatic modes for newbies, but I like the straight forward aperture priority mode.
It certainly is bigger than a point and shoot but it is not very heavy. Finally, there are no autofocus problems as some reported. However, I don't use the default 9 point AF. The camera assumes the wrong area of focus in full auto mode and pictures may come out blurry. I use only the center AF point and make sure its where I want the focus to be. It focuses sharp and fast.
What took so long? [Turbo Blue]
I've been an "advanced" enthusiast with regard to photography for quite some time and was hesitant to take the plunge (and part with the dollars) into the DSLR field only to find out the cost far outweighed the return. Well after having the Canon Rebel XSi for only about a week, I am regretting not having made the jump sooner. This purchase has been well worth the money and while I'm not experienced enough to review all the technical aspects of this product, I can definitely say it's a great entry into the field of DSLR photography if that is the direction you are leaning. The full auto mode will give you stunning results while you figure out the more advanced settings at your own pace.
I've since purchased the 55-250mm zoom lens and am awaiting delivery so I can further expand my photo options. It has many great accessories and lenses that you can choose to upgrade with when the time is right. Amazing camera and I'm completely happy with this purchase!
Recommended Without Hesitation [Marshall Goldberg]
The complexity of this camera made me hesitate to take the plunge, but I'm glad I did! I received it the day before our family vacation in Disneyland. With three young children running all over the place, it doesn't matter how trained you are, there isn't time to fiddle around with the controls. With this camera, I took over a thousand pictures in fully automatic mode, and got fantastic results. Our vacation photos are far better than I could get with a point and shoot.
Many of the photos I took were inside the rides, such as Matterhorn, Dumbo, and so forth. The lighting and vibration is obviously a huge challenge, but virtually all of my photos came out with excellent sharpness and clarity.
I'm very excited about using this to get other pictures I couldn't get before, like shots of my kids playing baseball, school assemblies, school plays, and other activities that our older cameras just couldn't work in.
There are many reasons why the XSi creates better pictures: It's 12.2 MP sensor has much better light sensitivity, so it can be used in darker conditions than a "point and shoot" camera. In addition, you can use lenses which have many times more light gathering capability. With these large aperture lenses, you can also throw the background out of focus, for better portrait photography. The bundled IS (Image Stabilization) lens is the reason why so many of the pictures I took from roller coasters came out sharp as a tack.
So, yes, there is a lot of technology here, and learning it makes your photos better, but I get great photographs simply because this is a better camera and it can take pictures that point and shoot cameras can't. A great book to guide you is The Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi/450D Companion.
The best technique I've developed so far is to change the focus to use only the center point, and to use the star-shaped button to hold exposure. These techniques are great for photographing people, as you can focus on the eyes, then set the exposure for the composition you want -- in other words, it separates the exposure and focus points.
Although I've owned many SLR's in the past, this is my first digital SLR. With today's high capacity cards, the biggest difference is that you can shoot hundreds of pictures without changing (let alone buying) film. Photography is much more enjoyable when you can just shoot to your heart's content.
I have a lot to learn with this camera, but I've found that doesn't get in the way of taking pictures. My pictures have been getting better and better, and I'm having a blast trying to improve my technique. I ordered the Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras from Amazon, and I'm looking forward to taking the kids to the zoo. The image stabilization feature will be an even bigger help with that lens.
Canon Digital Rebel XSi 12MP Digital SLR Camera (Black Body Only) [Patrick L. Carey]
Canon Digital Rebel XSi 12MP Digital SLR Camera (Black Body Only)
Delivery was prompt but had to sign for it in person (would not redirect delivery) so lost 5 hour of pay, so it cost me over $150.00 more do to lost pay so if you order this arrange for delivery to an address that has an adult to sign in person first ok now to review the product love it I recommend everyone own one 5 stars
love it [Van]
This is my first DSLR, I don't know how to use most of the function it come with, but I'm learning now.
This camera is easy to learn, the manual come with it is very detail and easy to understand (for a first time user). The Kit lens is great for everyday use.
The basic auto mode is easy to use, and the picture is much better then my older camera, I'm very happy about that.
I took the camera to an Airshow (a week after the camera arrived), with just auto mode, and addition telephoto lens, I got many great pictures. So far I'm very satisfy with it.
Great entry-level camera [Edgar H. Green]
This camera provides a strong range of capabilities, but it may cost more money than entry-level buyers want to spend. Still one of the best.
Fabulous! [J. Bellucci]
I'm just a beginner but I love this camera. Its so easy to use...the directions that come with it are easy to read and understand. It takes great pictures...I highly recommend the book Understanding Exposure to go with it for beginners. Definitely recommend!
Great Moderate Price Camera [K. Jones]
This camera is great for all levels of shooting. Works well with many different lenses. I definately recommend this camera for the price. Thanks Amazon.com.
Very happy [Nathaniel Blasi]
I'm very happy with my recent purchase of the Canon Digital Rebel XSi. I had a 35mm Canon Rebel EOS before switching to digital and I'm very glad that they're so similar so I didn't have to learn a lot of new settings.
One of my favorite settings for this particular camera that I didn't have before was the macro setting. I can get as close as 3 inches to something and take a clear photograph of it. It makes photographing the garden a lot more fun.
The precision focusing and quick flickerflash are bonus items as well. It's so fast and accurate and so far, I've taken well over 2,000 shots and haven't had red eye in any one of them. Most of the time I don't even need a flash since the automatic setting will adjust the light as I need it, including an extended aperture which will give more light in a low light situation as long as I hold the camera very still (or use a tripod).
As a portrait photographer, I love this camera as well. Without the flash, I can take a very clear photograph of someone and have their skin tone glow and their eyes clear and focused. With the flash, it doesn't bleach them out and as I already mentioned, red eye has so far not been a concern.
I absolutely recommend this camera to anyone wanting to improve their shots. I first used it when it belonged to a friend and loved it. When I was ready to go digital, I asked for the make and model and here I am now, ranting and raving about my new "baby". I'm rarely found without it these days. I love it!
Excellent [Craig Liley]
This camera has greatly exceeded my expectations. The image quality is much greater than I would have imagined from such an inexpensive camera. I have often seen this billed as a "beginners dslr," but I am actually very impressed with the features it comes with. The almost complete lack of noise, even at the extreme ends of the aperture and shutter speeds is especially amazing.
The lens is also much better quality than I would have expected from a kit.
Canon Rebel XSi [V. Wright]
Love this camera so far! I am still learning how to use it, but love it. Especially now that I got a zoom lense for it.
Canon Rebel XSi [R. Ingram]
My husband really likes his new camera - it is very easy to use and takes AMAZING pictures. Our digital camera had finally died and so I had this one shipped to his hotel he would be staying at on his business trip. He was really surprised when he got to his hotel in Arizona for his business trip and there was a package waiting for him. He immediately called me and said that made his whole trip. He took amazing pictures of the resort and also of his hot air balloon ride. We could not be happier with this product!
Canon XSI Kit- awesome camera [Bill]
This camera has features that you will be discovering way after your purchase. It allows you to create personal settings etc. For the money, I do not know of a comparable value. The image quality is amazing. The kit lens is very good in auto and there are a lot of inexpensive options that provide even better results. The overall value combined with features is unsurpassed by anything out there. If I could buy this camera for everyone I know..... I would. It is not a professional camera but it has alot of the qualities without the price tag.
The absolute standard for "pro-sumer" DSLR! [S. Hall]
This Camera is simply a standout. At 12.1 mp there isn't a non-pro camera that can keep up. The only thing better than this is full-frame pro cameras and that is a different desired way of shooting. Functionally, there is nothing flawed at all with this camera.
- The screen and menu options are outstanding - I love the placement and functionality of the ISO, Aperture and Shutter Speed button - Easy to understand visuals for manual shooting in both screen and in viewfinder - Nice trigger rest and dial - Grip is a little 'big' as noted by others but not worth dropping a star
So far, pictures with a kit and EF 17-40L lens have been amazing. Colors better than the real thing.
I've played with a D60 and similar 10mp next-best competitors and they just aren't there. Just around the corner these guys are going to have to break the 12mp and 9+ point AF system to be competitive.
With the body price moving every closer to $500 why get anything else. In fact, why even get a point and shoot?
As an aside, the battery is very common and not expensive if you buy an off-brand. You can avoid a battery grip altogether by spending $25 for 2 more drop in batteries.
The only downside: this thing kicks so much a** with Canon lenses on it you're going to quickly want to spend 2-3x the camera cost on sexy lenses!
Amazing Camera [K. Hayes]
I made the jump from a point and shoot to an SLR. I wanted something where I could take pictures at car races and the like that is just beyond the point and shoot range. I'm not a pro and don't have the budget or the justification for that kind of equipment but I like quality pictures and wanted to get the biggest bang for my buck. I researched everything out there and settled on the Rebel XSi. At 12 MP, the photos can be blown up to poster size and not look pixelated. I'm happy with an 8x10 glossy so that ought to do. Out of the box, it was a little confusing until I set down with the camera and the book. In short order, I was taking pictures...No, I was creating art. Man, what a difference from the point and shoot! This thing takes unbelieveable pictures. The detail is fantastic. There is no doubt in my mind I made the right camera choice. The camera is advanced enough for a pro but has auto setting so it becomes a fancy point and shoot with the bonus of vivid, sharp, detailed photos. I really don't have anything negative to say about the camera. Any time something didn't work right, I found it to be "operator error". As I am still learning, when the shot really matters I put it in a program mode and it works every time. Other times, I find myself playing with the settings and coming up with some interesting stuff. When it doesn't work, hey, it's digital...delete it!
Great camera, but buy body only [A. Shelton]
Great camera, but the kit lens is not very good. If you are new to SLR photography you will not be unhappy with it, it really is a huge leap from point and shoot, and you can use this lens to learn your camera. However if you have owned an SLR before and have used quality lenses you will be dissappointed. For more experienced buyers I suggest buying body only and invest in a good lens. A better lens will truly utilize this camera's capabilities.
Great Camera - Fantastic Deal [R. Hughes]
I'm old school, 35m Canon. Gambled on the world of SLR digital and I truly enjoy this camera, great features, light-weight, easy to use. My older premium lenses attached without issue. I shot over 275 photos at a benefit dinner this past weekend, utilizing every possible function without issue, including not having to change the battery. Truly A Piece Of Workmanship. I'm impressed, you will be too!
Two Thumbs Up! [Steven P.]
I can't say enough good things about Adorama! I ordered a Nikon D60 kit http://www.adorama.com/INKD60K3.html Very friendly service, short wait times for customer service, super fast shipping. Item arrived in a well packed box. I thought I had an issue with the camera after a day of use. I called customer service, and they were willing to resolve the issue ASAP. Turned out the camera only needed a couple of blows from a hurricane blower. But the rep was willing to send a RMA ASAP. 1 week later I ordered a Sony point and shoot for the wife. I highly recommend Adorama based and my experience and the low cost of items. Thank you Adorama for being an honest seller, in these tough times were money is tight, it's good to know there are still some honest businesses out there.
Steven - Central Ohio
Canon Rebel XSi [J. Murdoch]
Great Camera for the price. It has a nice feel in the hands, with easy to use controls. The MP advantage over comparable models for the same price is a life saver when cropping. I enjoy it very much!
Big Things Come in Small Packages [Virginia Barber]
I have to say, I am totally and utterly in love with my camera. I bought this beauty in Feb of this year (2009). I bought it along with a couple of lenses and a speedlight. It is very easy to learn on. The camera takes wonderful photo's. Any issues have been totally user related. That camera does exactly what it is told to do. The software it comes with is easy to use. What more can I say, I just LOVE it!
GREAT! [Jim]
First DSLR. Coming from a AE-1 Program to the XSi. Could not be happier... Easy to use and included lens good enough to take most pictures of family, pets, parties. Would recommend to anyone looking for plenty of options and great quality pictures.
Great overall camera [Steven Q. Bui]
This is a great camera. I bought a tamron lens to go with it and its awesome. I'm probably not the best person to review since this is my first SLR camera so i'm not using it to its fullest potential. Although so far i'm learning alot and this camera will bring out my love for photography.
awesome camera [Robert]
everything is great about this camera. for the entry-level dslr, this is as good as it gets. it is small enough for the prosumer, yet big enough to feel solid and luxurious. the screen is also 3 inches, which is a big plus. the camera can suit a variety of people, ranging from beginners with the automatic modes, to the advanced amateur, with full manual modes for your pleasure. i love it!
Best ever digital Canon [Lynda D. Albright]
This is the 3rd generation of Canon Digital Rebel that I have had, and they continue to improve in a very positive way. Really like the larger screen and the easier way to change ISO. Also purchased it with the image stabilizer lens which is really a plus.
Great Camera [Maria Diana Rodriguez]
This camera is everything I expected it to be... Although a longer lense would be a great addition
What a joy... [Marina C. Sullivan]
Since the moment I started to use this camera, I have been having so much fun with it. It takes beautiful pictures. Years ago, in the old film days, I had a Canon EOS slr, but once digital came along I just drifted into a point and shoot. If I tried to do anything slightly interesting with the little camera, it would come out grainy or cartoonish. So going from that to this is just WOW. And it's actually very easy to use. It also has a nice feature that helps clean dust from the sensor. The lens that comes with the camera is great. But you will probably also want to buy an additional zoom lens to get started. At any rate, I really can't say enough about it. I would definitely buy this camera again.
great picture quality and flash [David Greene]
We are very happy with the quality of the pictures and also impressed with how well the built-in flash works in dark light.
Great DSLR [J. Allbright]
I did a lot of research and decided between the XSI and the XS. I chose to get the best that I could afford. The pictures have been great. I am still learning how to use it. The IS lens is wonderful. Check out the pictures from the XSI on flickr.com. I would definitely recommend (and I actually have) the XSI as a great DSLR starter camera. I have also purchased the 55-250mm lens and enjoy taking pictures with it. The picture quality is superb. Finally, I would suggest online tutorials on dslr cameras, or joining a local user group. These have helped me greatly by explaining how aperature, shutter speed, and iso work together.
Great Entry Level Camera??? [Angela Christian]
I keep reading how this is a great entry level camera for the DSLR world.. But what about those of us who just want the DSLR photo quality with out going over a grand? I happen to fall into that category more so then the entry level one.. I admit I have purchased another lens for this camera and I have some filters and a tripod.. BUT in my point and shoot defense, it is just to get even a better shot... I have lived in a point and shoot world for about 8 years now.. I have always had great luck with Canon point and shoots so when I finally got to the point of desiring better quality photos then what my point and shoot could offer me. I ended up looking at the DSLR's. I wanted something to where I could set up the camera to do it's thing while I focused on whatever subject. I liked my preset settings on my point and shoot. And I wanted to keep them on next camera. I really wasn't and I am still not interested in aperture focal points or any of that other stuff. I wanted awesome pictures that I could share with family of mostly my dogs and vacation photos.. And this camera provides it.. I am not or cannot sit here and write up a review telling you its strengths and weaknesses because honestly I don't see the weaknesses. For me I see awesome photo quality with the ability to do a whole lot more.. I do not foresee myself purchasing a new camera for a good 5 to 6 years.. I am hoping for more like 10 but we shall see.. Which is a lot better then the point and shoots which I was averaging about one every other year. Not because they would break but because photo quality would improve so much that I would end up moving to the next camera. This camera fits my needs as a weekend photographer and constant scrapbooker. And has photo quality that is close to actual 35mm. It is a little too big for theme parks so I will always have some type of point and shoot.. Let me explain a little to big.. It is not huge by any means but when you are walking around a theme park you do not want to have a 600 dollar camera around your neck.. This camera does not fit into a pocket like most point and shoots therefore making it to me a bit of a burden to carry. Personally for myself I would rather just have the pocket point and shoot. You can also hold on to a point and shoot on a roller coaster a lot better then this camera. I LOVE this camera. And the photos it has taken.. I have had a few of them blown up and they are now framed and on my walls..
Excellent SLR [L. Rees]
I have used film SLRs for many years and finally broke down and bought a digital SLR. I'm very impressed with the camera and particularly the quality of its images.
Canon XSi/450D [L. E. Bradley]
Yet another GREAT Canon product.
If you're going to use more than the 'automatic' settings, (e.g. Av/Tv/bracketing etc.), there's a large 'learning curve', but well worth it!
Great camera [G. Buscher]
I am a amateur photographer who wanted something that would take good pictures of my daughter and her friends. I love the quality of the pictures I have taken with this camera. It focuses fast and has taken very good pictures even when the kids where running towards me. I have used 5 different point and shoots (all over $300 and heavily researched) and this is much faster with better quality.
Light & Strong [M. Monroe]
I love this camera-- I have worked with a lot of Canon cameras--and this one is right up there with the Canon 40d. It is light and easy to shoot with. The only thing that I was suprised with is that it doesn't have a compact flash drive, which is the first Canon camera I have used to have that. But it hasn't been an inconvenience, and it works great.
GREAT camera in its price class [Ric]
We had an analog Canon Rebel SLR before, so while we did a lot of comparison review shopping first, we settled quickly on the Digital Rebel. The XSi version is worth the upgrade price. Nice basic lens. Clear, crisp pics; good automated and manual setting flexibility. Out of the box to beautiful pics uploaded to my PC - about 10 minutes. Can't argue with that.
Sequel to "Capturing Baby Moments" [DMS]
J Summer....congratulations on your purchase of the Canon XSi DSLR, it's a great camera! Since this appears to be your first DSLR, let me offer you one tip on improving focus on your baby's face. Do NOT use "autofocus" (which is really nine point focus) for your portraits, or any other images for that matter. Instead set the MODE dial to the creative zone (NOT THE BASIC ZONE), using "P" will work well for you until you gain additional skills and confidence. Then press the focus button (see page 61 of your User's Manual) and move the MAIN dial until the only focus point selected is the center one. Next compose your shot by centering your baby's face in the center of the viewfinder, press the shutter half way, recompose if you want a different view (rule of thirds helps with composition) and shoot! Presto...your baby's face is now in sharp focus with all images! And when you're finally feeling that you've mastered the "P" setting, move on to learn shutter, aperature, and manual modes in the creative zone. Now you're a savvy photographer! Good luck!
One correction: The focus button I reference above (shown on page 61 in the User's Manual) is actually called the "AF point selection" button. Sorry for the error!
Fantastic Camera even for an absolute beginner! [C. Gallagher]
I've always been a point & shoot person. I have a great little Canon 1100SD which I love and that takes great pictures. I just had my second child and I really wanted to take my picture taking up a notch so I decided to give this camera a try. I've had it for a week and I absolutely love it. Right out of the box, my pictures are 100% improvement! Even in full Auto mode, the photos look professional. I've had so many framers from this download I can't decide which to pick. I'm inspired! I've bought a couple of books and am looking into online photography classes. I'm also thinking about lenses.
Obviously, I can't discuss this camera in any technical terms, but if you're a beginner like me and are looking for a great camera that takes great pictures, this is the one for you.
Awsome [Benjamin R. Williams III]
This camera is priced well, it is small and lightweight, and it takes incredible pictures. Simple as that! Recommended highly, I've been using Canon cameras for 26 years. It is better than my AE1 Program, better than my EOS 630, and the Canon software makes your pictures be all that they can be. The price at Amazon is terrific!!! Don't forget the 8GB SD card. That price is great too, might as well buy 2 of them! Only one problem found, if you want to call it that, my non-canon auto focus lens for my EOS 630 WILL NOT work on this camera. But the Canon auto focus lens will. Happy Shooting
very pleased [T. Steele]
I did lots of research before buying and am very happy with this product. This is my first SLR and have spent last couple of months learning everything i need to know. Go to dpreview.com to see the indepth review of this guy. Canon has the best image quality out of everyone. Great product at a great price - no need to spend extra money on the higher end cameras unless you photograph for a living. This camera did better in some image quality tests than the 40D.
A powerful weapon for creativity [C. Wys]
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.
Wow, just get it [K. Kun]
I found this product for the best price on Amazon. If you want a digital camera and enjoy taking high quality pictures this camera is for you. This camera caters to the beginner and the expert. It is very versatile. The only bad parts about the camera is that you can only use the live picture mode while in the "professional" settings. The lens the camera comes with is somewhat limiting. I have it and love it, hope to keep if for a very long time!
Wow. [Till The Sun]
Although ANY 35mm camera may seem daunting coming from a point and shoot type camera, this one is straight forward. To start out, just leave it in Full Auto mode and get used to it for a while. When you start getting comfortable where all the "bells and whistles" are, you can start getting adventurous. Canon supplies a VERY GOOD manual and it becomes your best friend at first. Yet it only took me a good day or two to really become friends. I had owned a 35 film camera (back in the day) so admittedly it was easier for me, but even novices will find this camera very appealing. The pictures are beautiful (I have the 18-55mm lens package), the colors spot on, focus clean and crisp. I bought the FD/EOS body adapter from Canon and am able to use all my old AE1 lenses, too! It's been a VERY painless transition for me.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for anyone.
Canon XSi Digital Camera [Linda Isabel]
Excellent Camera. Just what I expected. Light weight and easy touse. The only CON, the use of the screen for playback is not what I expected. The picture is much smaller than the screen
I love my XSi [Stephen Kimbrell]
The Canon ASi is the ultimate camera for anyone who is a novice photographer or beginner. The range and dynamics this SLR is capable of is outstanding and has the ability to work as a pro. This is the camera I dreamed of after years of the point and shoot digital cameras. The 3" LCD liveview screen is just one of the cool features this camera is equiped with. I priced the ASi at $799 at the local camera stores but purchsed online for $600.
A great intoroductory dSLR! [Jeremy Juli]
After only having experience with an advanced Point & Shoot, I got tired of my limitations and shopped around for about a year, maybe more on which SLR to buy. I was debating between the Nikon D40, Nikon D60, Nikon D80, Canon EOS Rebel XS and the Canon Rebel XSi. I chose the XSi because of it's powerful controls, features and ease of use. Also, compared to the others, it has 11 AF points, live view, a comfortable rubberized grip as well as a lot more features.. too many to list here! I'm by far not an expert but combining this camera with my Sigma 70mm Macro lens, I'm NOT disappointed! Do yourself a favor and pick one of these up if you're in the market for an SLR semi-pro camera.
Canon Rebel XSi [Josh Yawn]
I am just getting started taking pictures and this camera has made it so enjoyable for me. I think it was a great deal and it was shipped right on schedule. ***** - five star service
Great DSLR [Living Large In The South Bay]
I'm definitely a novice photographer. I have had a Canon G3, which has been an awesome camera. But the wear and tear over the years was taking its toll on it and I needed to replace it. I decided I wanted a DSLR that I could use different lens' with. When the XSi came out I read all the reviews and finally bought it as a Xmas present for myself. This camera is great. With 12MP the resolution is very nice to have when cropping your images. Even with the kit lens the pictures are very good. My next purchase is going to be a telephoto that I can use for my landscapes. I highly recommend this camera.
Best Basic DSLR Kit [Hypnosis4U2NV]
As a parent of two rapidly growing children, I was getting frustrated with my point and shoot cameras slow shutter lag; causing me to miss those never-to-be-seen-again picture moments. So I decided to get myself an entry level DSLR. After talking with friends, researching the internet and a recent Consumers Report review of DSLRs, I decided that the XSi was just the camera to get me started.
I have been truly amazed at the quality of the pictures I have been taking using its automatic settings. Fast Shutter Speed and Continuous shooting almost guarantees I will never miss memorable moments again. Battery life is really impressive as Ive taken hundreds of pictures on one charge. Even though I am still experimenting with all the automatic and manual settings, the included manual really helps in explaining all the settings and how to use them. For a novice like myself, the information provided is clear and easy to understand. The included lens features Auto-Focus and Image Stabilization and is pretty decent for a starter lens. Interchangeable lenses make these DSLRs very versatile in any shooting condition.
Now my review is not as detailed as others have posted here because I'm nowhere near a skilled photographer, but I hope to help others who are thinking about getting into DSLR picture taking like I have. I am really enjoying this camera's features and abilities. It's very easy to use on its basic automatic settings and even more fun playing with its manual ones.
If your looking for the perfect camera to start off, please give this one a chance. You wont find a better starter kit than whats being offered at this price range.
Canon XSI [PLANKTON HUNTER]
GREAT PRICE, EASY TO MANIPULATE THRU MENUS, NICE BRIGHT VIEWFINDER WHICH MAKES FOCUSING EASY THRU TELESCOPES AND MICROSCOPES, LIVE VIEW, COMPACT AND LIGHT, ACCEPTS OLD MANUAL NIKON LENSES WITH AN ADAPTOR- WHATS NOT TO LIKE!
Great piece of Kit [David J. Cleave]
Had this camera for nearly a month now and getting to know my way around this. I had a 35mm canon eos300 before and was looking for a digital body to replace the old body. I ended up going for the refurbished Rebel xsi. The great thing is I can still use all my old lenses on the new body, so my 70 to 210 mm and 2 times converter all work great on the new body. Having said that I wanted to go for the new Image Stabiliser 18 -55 which works great especially on low light conditions. I also had a Speedlite 220EX flash gun with the old body which works great with the new one too, I did need to adjust the exposure in the settings as the photos were coming out a little over exposed with the flash. Other than that this unit is familiar to me coming from the old eos series into the digital. The other great feature is the rear screen monitoring, especially if you are trying to get photos over a crowd. For the money, this is a great piece of kit and am very happy to be the proud owner of the new rebel xsi with IS 18-55mm lens. Go enjoy!
Great Quality!! [E. Merchiore]
I got this for my wife for her birthday, and she absolutely loved it!! It is compatible with all of her lenses for her 35mm Canon. She's not a huge fan of digital cameras, but this is an exception. The price could not be beat when you compare with local retail stores. The only downside is that there is no microphone to record audio with the video. Other than that, this camera fits our needs and then some!
Perfect camera [Andres Muoz]
All its features are great. Is all canon says and much more. Im absolutely satisfied with my new camera.
Excellent Seller! [Tracy Lynn]
Camera arrived quickly (within a week) with free shipping and just as described! Would definitely do business with again!!
I love this camera [Leon]
Easy to use and takes great pictures. If found no dislikes about the camera.
Wonderful Camera from Canon [Ammar Mubaslat]
I have been a loyal customer of Canon's for quite some time now. I purchased this camera expecting the usual Canon-quality, however, and after using the camera for 2 weeks, I am absolutely impressed and happy with my purchase.
The photos this Rebel XSI produces are stunningly sharp and vivid, with a rare level of details. This is especially true when you know how to work out the manual settings to suit the lighting conditions. If you are planning on using the Auto mode almost all the time, I recommend going with one of canon's point-and-shoot ones.
The kit lens is pretty good; especially that it is image-stabilized which, by the way, makes a hell of difference when shooting in low light conditions.
If you decide on going forward with this camera, I recommend getting a memory card with at least 8 GB capacity. You are going to need it :)
Good luck.
-AM
Great camera [M. Suarez]
I'm somewhat of an amateur but this camera allows you to be as amateur or as professional as you want. You won't be disappointed.
Entry level price with mid- to pro-range performance [Abe Froman]
Like others have said, don't let the "Entry level" tag scare you away from this camera if you are looking for something that will produce stunning images. If you aren't getting great shots with this, it isn't the camera (the user image gallery speaks to that).
I've had the chance to use a range of digital cameras in the last few years, ranging from the pro-level stuff like a Canon 1Ds Mk ii to the real entry level SLR's like the Nikon D40 (which I will go ahead and say to avoid if you are looking for an SLR - its not a bad camera at all, but considering the fact that you don't have to spend THAT much more money to get a LOT more camera, it just isn't a real wise investment). I can say straight away that this camera performs beyond its price tag.
I needed an SLR that would be good enough to do portrait work, some outdoor sports shots, an occasional wedding but at the same time be something small and lightweight enough to conveniently take with me while hiking, traveling, etc., and not break the bank. This camera does all that and more.
Performance is great at low ISO's and the camera produces good shots even at 1600 (the noise reduction features both in camera and with the included raw editing software also help). Obviously it won't produce shots at ISO 1600 that are as good as shots on one of the professional grade cameras like the aforementioned 1D series, but its a HUGE step up from a point and shoot if that is all you have used. My own personal experience is that I usually never need to go above ISO 800 for the low light shooting I do, and the pics I get at that ISO are great without a distracting amount of digital noise.
The large LCD screen is a great step up from the smaller ones on previous rebels and menus are easy to navigate. The self-cleaning sensor function works like a charm, but you should still invest in a hurricane blower to in case dust does get on your sensor (an inevitable situation if you use the camera long enough and change lenses).
I highly recommend getting a Canon Speedlight external flash (I own the 430 EX II). The built in flash on the camera works fine, but you can do so much more with directional and reflected lighting, and the speedlight flashes give you this opportunity. If you get this camera, don't always rely on a flash for portraits. A steady hand, slightly slower shutter speed and wider aperture with slightly darker natural indoor lighting will produce some stunning portraits that really capture a mood instead of a shot where the flash has drowned out lots of the details.
Also, if you want a lens that is great for portraits with nice blurred background (bokeh), you can't beat the value of the f1.8 50mm prime here: Canon - Lens - 50 mm - f/1.8 II - Canon EF
The 18-55 mm kit lens is a decent starter lens, but there is no doubt that better lenses will produce better pictures (but you will be spending some serious $$$). Still, if you are looking at your first SLR, this lens will get you lots and lots of great shots. I got the kit at Costco and it came with a Canon camera bag, the 18-55mm lens, and a 55-250 mm IS lens as well (all for $849). Again, both perform admirably for kit lenses.
One last thing I want to reiterate - Learn to use the SLR - don't just stick to auto mode and use it as a point and shoot camera. You will be missing out on nearly all of the benefits that really separate SLR's from the others. There is a learning curve, so don't be afraid to take a bunch of pictures while playing with your aperture, shutter, flash, iso, etc., to get a feel for how all work together to produce certain types of images.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
EDIT: I have since returned my XSi - not for any reason to do with picture quality - but rather that the camera was just a bit too small for me to hold comfortably during extended shooting. If you have really large hands, consider trying this thing out in a store to make sure it is comfortable...I ended up upgrading to a Canon 50D. I still stand by the XSi as a fantastic piece of equipment (if you get the AF problem people have mentioned, just return the camera and get another one, don't let it scare you away from trying it.)
Canon Rebel xsi [Just Me]
My wife wanted an SLR style camera after her old 35mm died so we did alot of research and picked this one. Right out of the box charge the battery, load the memory, turn it on and you're taking pictures. Very easy to use and it still has all the pro features my wife wanted.
A great step for the point-and-shoot photographer [L. Leung]
This is my first dslr; I stepped up from the canon sd750. I am so happy with the xsi. All the manual features and customizations are great for the intermediate/advanced photographer. For those familiar with CHDK for canon cameras, I've added that to my sd750. Even with the unlockable manual features with CHDK, a solid dslr blows a point-and-shoot away. The image quality is so much better. The fact that it is an dslr, changing lens is wonderful. I bought an olympus om to canon eos adapter on ebay to use my old olympus lens on the xsi. Unfortunately, I haven't received the adapter yet, but the customization options are limitless. An external flash is also a great and vital add-on. Overall, I'd recommend this camera to anyone who is looking to step up from a point-and-shoot camera.
Canon XSi 12.2 [Dorrie]
My very first big girl camera...And I absolutely love it! I was torn between the Nikon D80 and this Canon. I went to our local Costco and tried each. The Canon is much lighter and easier to hold. . .less boxy. It takes wonderful pictures. It's perfect for me as an amateur photographer, it was easy to set up, charge and download from. What a great purchase. . .my next purchase a snappy telephoto lens!
So Far, So Awesome [C. Sims]
This is my first DSLR. It seems I've made a great choice. The pictures it takes are beautiful in automatic mode and I'm enjoying playing around with the manual settings. Plus I can screw up all of the settings while I am playing and jump back to taking easy photos by turning the mode dial back to the auto setting. With all of the Amazon gift cards I used the camera didn't cost me much, but it would have been completely worth the full price.
Great Little Camera [James B. Young]
This is a fine little camera: light, compact, and easy to carry around. I own a Canon 1D Mk II, but it is too big and heavy to carry when I am out trekking. Fitted with better lenses than the kit lens, the Xsi has become my favorite camera. I recommend purchasing the body only, and buying better lenses.
First DSLR - LOVE it [M. Pewitt]
I ordered this DSLR after reading a lot of reviews online and going to the store to hold it and compare to Nikons in the same price range. I like the way the Canon felt better when I held it. I like the 9 focus points of this one, and the 12.2 mp. I am just a beginner, but this camera has made it so fun to learn how to use. I highly recommend it!!! It takes amazing pictures!
Canon Camera Eos Digital Rebel XSi [Jack E. Ford]
This is my 5th Canon and 7th camera My 1st camera was in 1959. This is, without any reservations, the best camera for an advanced novice/non full time professional, that is out there! Thank you Canon!
Canon XSi [Crail Chris]
Excellent camera for the price. Amazon definetly has the best price around. We made the extra purchase of a digital SLR because of the reaciton time. You get instant pictures, plus shooting in continous mode allows you even more flexability to pick the image you like. In one word, EXCELLENT !
My New Best Friend! [Kendra D. Wang]
Exceptional camera for the package and price that you pay! The Canon Digital Rebel XSI camera is a great starter camera if you are interested in digital photography, but will satisfy the intermediate photographer as well. It's easy to use and takes excellent pictures. The owner's manual was very easy to follow and the camera itself is very clear and easy to understand. The 3" LCD monitor is amazing for viewing pictures and the size of the camera is perfect considering it goes everywhere with me.
If you are nervous about stepping into the world of Digital SLR camera's, don't be. This camera will walk you through the steps of capturing great photography. If you are more comfortable with the point-and-shoot aspects of a lower end digital camera, but want to experience manual mode photography, then this camera is everything you are looking for.
I would highly recommend this camera to anyone that is looking to step it up in the world of digital photography. If you are just beginning or have intermediate experience with photography, you won't be disappointed with this purchase.
Super user friendly dSLR! [Matthew Hamlin]
This is my first dSLR and it has converted me into an avid photographer. It takes great pictures in auto mode and is amazingly simple to use. Also has a handy no flash mode when you want to quickly disable the flash. Large, easy to read LCD screen has big icons for picture modes and doesn't drain the battery. The charge seems to last forever. I could not be happier with this camera. I have used the Nikon D70 and D80 fairly extensively and the Canon feels newer and faster. This is a great camera!
new camera [Theresa L. Bradley]
This camera is awesome. I have taken so many pictures already I cant even count. The quality is beyond my expectations. The owners manual is written very clearly and is easily understood.I would recommend this camera to all my friends. My lenses from my canon slr from 20 years ago also fit it so I am doubly able to take pictures.
Canon XSi- Great camera for the money. [Joshua B. Ebersole]
This camera is gives you great bang for your buck. Has many useful features and the ability to deliver excellent image quality. Great for armatures and pro's alike.
just the best camera ever [Deverre Lovence]
this is a great camera for any one who want an entry slr camera. it is much faster in response and is very light weight. the pictures are great. i love them, they always well saturated and has a lot less pixilation when you zoomed right in.
Canon XLI Winner [Todd Eckhart]
I bought this for my daughter , who is getting serious about photography. This camera is a great entry level and then also has some intermediate features. It takes awesome photos and is easy to use. It works well as a point and shoot camera if you dont want to go to the trouble of manual settings. Quality of construction is excellent as well as the photos it takes. Im quite satisfied that this Canon is the best bang for the buck.
Glad I got the XSi [A. Sundquist]
I'd considered getting the XS instead because of the considerable price difference, but decided on the XSi mostly because of the larger display and overall body dimensions. I'm very pleased with the decision.
The camera is loaded with features that make photography for an amateur like me enjoyable and gratifying. I'm really excited about taking pictures and seeing how they turn out.
The accompanying manual and software are comprehensible and comprehensive. Canon has done a great job!
What a camera! [L. Stammen]
After using the Canon Rebel EOS 35mm SLR for the past 4 years, and taking way too many pictures of my kids, I decided it was time for an upgrade! I wasn't sure about going digital but after receiving the Digital Rebel XSI for Xmas, I am sold. I can go crazy taking as many shots as I want knowing I can keep or delete whatever I choose. The large viewing screen on the back is great for seeing every detail of my picture. The automatic settings are easy to use for someone like myself who has not yet learned how to set my own aperture and shutter speeds. I was able to use my lenses that I already had and they are simple to attach. The quality of the prints is sharp and crystal clear. Uploading photos to my PC is quick and simple. I highly recommend this camera for expert and beginner digital photographers!
Excellent DSLR for Beginners [T. Ngo]
I did a lot of research before selecting a DSLR, and the Canon Digital Rebel XSi was great for the price point and capability. It's an excellent camera for those who are moving up from a point and shoot.
I primarily use it for shooting at college hockey games. The XSi with the Canon 55-250 f/4-5.6 IS lens is great for this so far. It's not an "L" lens, but I find that the images come out very well.
Basically, if you're looking to get into DSLR, this is a great camera to start. There will always be those who argue over Canon/Nikon, but my advice is to go with what you like in your price range. For me, that was the XSi. Looking forward to taking many more great shots, and upgrading my gear!
You won't be disappointed with this kit.
Professional Quality Images!!! [Royce]
I definitely recommend this camera for anyone that is interested in stepping up to this series of cameras. The functions are easy to understand and the picture quality really is as good as a professional picture. Great purchase!!
Excellent Upgrade [A. Jones]
I've been using Point and Shoots and upgraded to this digital SLR. My photo quality improved immediatly and the camera is easy to use and understand. A great start for someone giving SLR a chance.
Exceed expectations [C. Stephenson]
I have been talking for a while now about upgrading from the SLR to the DSLR. I think my wife finally had enough of me debating with myself of when to make the jump so she did on my behalf. I am an amateur photographer so can only speak from that viewpoint. So far I have been very impressed by the quality of the shots.
I have been able to use my EOS lenses and the only thing they lack is image stabilization. We have shot everything from close up birds to landscapes to Pelican's fishing.
For those wanting to make the jump to DSLR then this is a good camera. For those already using a DSLR then do your homework to decide if this is a big enough advancement or wait till the next one comes along.
Will Shop here again [C. Tscharner]
Good Price Good Shipping information and tracking. No Problems. Received as advertised.
Good starter camera, Light weight, decent lens in kit. Enough bells and whistles to wow the beginner and carry you into quality photography. Also looked at 40D but it is heavier and more complex than I needed to start with.
Great camera for first time dSLR users! [S. Schweitzer]
This is the first REAL camera I have ever had, and I am very happy with it. It is very simple to open up and start taking pictures with. It has basic modes that figure out the settings for you, and then creative modes where you can modify the different variables to your liking once you learn how to use the camera that way. I recommend reading David Busch's book on this specific camera before using it. It really helps you learn how to use the camera, and it also serves as a great manual. This is a sweet camera, and if you are not a professional photographer then I think this kit will have everything you need to take your picture taking to the next level.
The upgrade was worth it. [Teach07]
I upgraded from the orginal Canon Digital Rebel to the Rebel XSI and love it! It was definately worth the money!
Good for a beginner [A. M. White]
I am a complete photography amateur...I take a lot of pictures of passable quality. I decided that I wanted to learn to take better photos, did my homeowrk and decided that the Canon Rebel was the best for me. I haven't so much gone by the book as I have experimented with different features. The camera is user friendly, so I can figure out what I want and need to do quickly. The bottom line is that my still amateur photography has improved drastically because of this camera, and the camera itself has encouraged me to experiment with photography. Great quality has led to great fun!
Excellent! [Sherif M. Effat]
This camera is amazing! just too many options for me and would take some time to master the matter. One thing I recommend is getting the black body, other than that this is a very powerful camera that deserves respect!
Canon Digital Rebel XSI [Explorer]
Exceptional camera -- I have only used a Film Nikon SLR before (father-in-law a die-hard film only photographer). Excellent pictures with great clarity and functionality.
Great first D-SLR [Guillermo]
Prompt delivery, packaged well and I was lucky to get a price I have yet to see anywhere else (saved $200!). The rebel xsi (450d) is everything it's supposed to, a great intro to dslr and a solid image quality for the price with the image stabilization feature. The only thing, strangely enough is that the body did not come with a rubber eyecup ( the soft layer over the viewfinder that covers around your eyes) and i'm not positive whether it was supposed it was supposed to be in the package or not, but likely it was missing. Aside from that, I had long since decided on this specific camera and got it fast, so to me, everything is perfect.
So far so good [kgp43]
I bought this camera for my daughter for Christmas and she loves it!!!! I have seen photos from the camera and they are fantastic. My daughter is very interested in photography and this camera is going to take her to the next level.
A Mom's Love For Her Rebel [Latichia Black]
I love my Rebel! I am an amateur photographer. I'm a mom to three children and we're constantly on the go. My camera is always with me. I don't want to miss out on any moments and wish I had it. I want to get a better zoom lens. The one that comes with the camera isn't sufficient enough for me, but it'll due for now. I am definitely happy with my product.
great camera [jerry]
i have four canon cameras and this xsi is the greatest camera yet. i love the live view and light weight.if you want a light fast camera this is it.
Wonderful Camera for the Entry Level Photographer [M. E. Arn.]
I purchased this camera because I needed a new camera and wanted to have the flexibility and versatility of a DSLR. I am by no means an experienced photographer but this camera is great for what I need and want. I have taken great shots of people, pets, and nature and the camera has performed flawlessly. Of course, it isn't as "easy" as a point and shoot camera so be sure to at least read a few professional photographers tips and whatnot online before considering a DSLR. What most will tell you is that "electronics don't make the photos" so an expensive camera doesn't necessarily automatically produce great pictures.
Anyway, I am very pleased with this camera and I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to venture into the world of DSLR photography.
Awesome camera... [D. W. Luck]
My daughter and I have been wanting to get a DSLR for several years but were always concerned about the price for the resolution we were seeking. The Canon XSi is lightweight, comfortable handling, and at 12.2 mp it has the quality image we have been seeking. My daughter shot over 300 picture on Christmas as we visited various members of the family. She was even able to capture some awesome sunset images while driving in the car with the image stabilation feature.
My first DSLR [Leo Kwong]
This is my first DSLR, so I'm not expert. But it took really good pictures for me. I took some bad pictures too because I don't what what I'm doing. But one time a stranger gave me some hints on setting the shutter speed etc for the sporting event that we were in and all the pictures turned out great.
This is a great camera [Michael Messerli]
Having been a photographer for many years this is my first venture into digital. I love the camera and its ease of use. It is a very easy camera to work with and I'm very pleased with its performance.
Great DSLR! [E]
Great step up from a point and shoot. Takes great pictures and is affordable! I got a Canon Rebel XSI camera guide from Amazon and it has been extremely helpful and easy to understand! Overall great camera.
What a deal!! [hot4hypatia]
I am a relative newbie to the digital camera scene. I bought a canon Powershot 720 is from Amazon last May and I got hooked. I waited for the prices to come down on the Rebel XSI camera and ordered mine in late December from B&H Photo. Wow! I am having a lot of fun with it! Easy, intuitive and great pics... even with the kit lens. I also tried it out with the canon 50mm f/1.8 and it was sharp both outdoors and in. With a fast lens you can capture some nice action shots. I have posted a few photos here at Amazon that I recently snapped on the beach at Port Aransas. I have not tried all the features yet, e.g., the custom WB feature, but the ISO settings and exposure settings are easy to find and set. There is a custom menu option called 'My Menu' that you can create to keep your 5 favorite settings easily accessible. It would be nice to be able to access the picture quality settings, such as the sharpness setting, using a button or at the top level of a menu, but at this price I am not going to complain! I have taken over 350 high resolution JPGs so far without having to recharge the battery. The viewfinder is adequate - certainly better than a lot of other cameras I have used. Live view is still problematic in digital slrs, so don't expect what you find in a point and shoot. The LCD is nice, but not even close to the nice LCDs on the Nikon D90 and D300. However it is certainly adequate - even outside on a sunny winter day. The WB does seem suspect indoors regardless of the setting - but that is a common fault of dslr cameras. The 18-55 IS lens that comes with the kit is no slouch either. I definitely recommend getting the kit. In fact, the 2 lens kit is a great bargain right now at Bh & Adorama.
The only negative so far is a a single spot of dust on the sensor that won't come off with the camera's self-cleaning system. It appears in shots of the sky.
All in all this is one great camera and kit lens. At the price, it just can't be beat. Highly recommended!
Great camera, Easy to use, Quick, Wife Approved. [C. Dale Hicks]
This camera is great.
So easy to use my 10 year old boy can run it with great results.
He should be doing this review.
What can I say,
Great battery life Great kit lens Bright viewfinder Light enough to pack everywhere
Canon Rebel xsi 12.2 MP [T. Matlosz]
This is an excellent camera. It is as easy to use as any point and shoot camera. It takes GREAT pictures. I was able to take great pictures on the first day I used it(Christmas)Once I read the manual and loaded the software I realized just how much more this camera can do, I am a beginer with a SLR camera and had several point and shoot cameras prior to the Rebel. This is a good camera for a beginer (ease of use) and great to grow into.
a great buy [C. Vincent]
The product came in great timing! It was mailed in the time as promised and came factory sealed. A great buy!
I'd like it to be bigger and heavier. [S. Weiss]
I'd like it to be bigger and heavier. I miss the feel of my old Nikon F2.
Worth Every Penny! [M. Bernier]
I was a little unsure about this camera because of the price. But I did some research and found pretty much everyone said the same thing, the Xsi is very easy to use and if you are new to DSLR's, this is the camera for you. I watched some how to videos on youtube and figured alot out. It takes amazing pictures!
Best purchase I've ever made! [G. McCormick]
I love this camera. I am definitely an amateur, but this camera would be suitable for amateur and professional alike.
I GOT A WINNER [W. F. Lehman]
Canon Digital Rebel XSi 12.2 MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens (Black) I have owned 35mm cameras since 1968. This is my 1st DSLR. Right out of the box I new I had a winner. It is light, comfortable to hold, well manufactured, and a pleasure to use. The controls are easy to learn. It has a wide variety of settings that should cover any situation. I will recommend this camera to anyone who asks me.
retired professor [richy]
My previous camera was a point and shoot Fuji. While I was very pleased with it, I wanted something that had a sharper image and exposed and colored existing light photos better -- less oranges, etc. The Rebel Xsi is great. It satisfies all of my wants save one -- I miss the 6X zoom on my old Fuji! The colors on the Rebel are just wonderful -- sunlight or artificial.
Loving this Camera! [M. KERTON]
I researched for nearly 10 months before taking the leap into the DSLR world, and I have not been disappointed with my purchase! I am having a great time playing with the different settings and taking some great pics! I bought just the body and the 50mm 1.8 lens because I had heard good things about it, and I love it. I had a question that I couldnt find the answer to in the owners manual and contacted Canon, and their customer service was fantastic!
Excelent [Ardwick J. Serrada]
Equipo excelente, 100% recomendado. Es la mejor opcÃon para una cámara Reflex. El tramite com Amazon perfecto, pueden comprar a ojos cerrados. Ardwick
Love this Camera! [G. Moore]
Bought this camera as a Xmas present for my wife. We are very happy with the product. Takes excellent photos and the shutter speed is outstanding. We are no longer missing the perfect shots of the kids because of the focus delay. I highly recommend this camera.
Fabulous [Robert C. Bottger]
I still have my 36mm Canon Rebel and have been told by numerous people that it is in perfect conditon. My new Canon Rebel is absolutely step up. I know I have made the "right" decison.
couldn't be happier [Jennifer Williamson]
I love this camera. I have never owned an SLR camera and this one is so easy to use. I can't wait to figure out all the features and practice taking pictures.
What a Camera! [Willard L. Lowery]
Purchased the Canon for my wife for Christmas, she loves it!! She wanted something not too difficalt to use and that would get her great quality pictures, this Canon is everything she could ask for!!
Great product [V. Antonov]
I am kind of new to the DSLR photography, but I think this camera is awesome. The picture quality is outstanding. The controls are very easy to use. The menu is self explanatory and intuitive. I love big LCD display, that allows to see the picture quality right after taking the picture.
The two things I would improve: - replace menu navigation buttons with something that responds better (e.g. scrolling ring) - the grip. It seems like I could use a bit more handle.
The lens works great for me. It has a decent angle for taking pictures inside and outside.
For taking pictures indoors I would definitely recommend adding an external flash also from Canon.
(not yet received) [FSU Bear]
It started in my life with an AE1 and Canon has progressed through my life. I bought a Rebel XSi for my 17 year old daughter in California this Christmas and she has explored California showing me snow and mountains and different shorelines as well as beautiful sunsets. Although we in Florida have the latter, she's opening up my vision of California as well as her vision to photography. So now, with some saved money, I have also purchased a Rebel XSi. Its my turn to revive my passion of phography. (It supposedly arrives this Friday!)
Amazing camera [Bob Christner]
I have been waiting for DSLR technology to reach this level: 12.2MP, better than 3 frame/s speed combined with an 8GB memory card which holds 1300+ images at full resolution make this camera perfect, being a Canon with their wide range of lenses makes it the perfect DSLR. I had been watching prices for a while and Amazon not only had the best price, but also delivered the camera to my door on Christmas eve. Good vendor, great camera, and the best price what more could I ask!!
Great Camera & Software but bad manual [CJ]
The camera is exceptional for the money. The manual that comes with it is dry however and makes it hard to grasp the concepts of how and when to use specific functions. In order to quickly learn how to use all that it had to offer, I bought a training video and I am very happy that I did as it saved a lot of time. There are many out there but I can only speak to the one that I bought which was "Canon Rebel XSi DVD Training Guide Tutorial Lessons XTi".
The software that comes with the camera is excellent as well but again the instructions are sorely lacking. [...]. There are a series of Canon sponsored videos that will guide you in using this powerful software.
Lens: I have the 18mm-55mm and 55-250mm kit lens. These work well. I wanted to do portraits and closeups with a beautiful "bokeh" (which is Japanese for the blurring effect behind the subject due to a shallow depth of field). For this, I also bought the Canon f1.4 50mm, which is my best lens.
I also got the Canon 580EX II flash. Again, poor instructions and confusing but just Google for help as there are only a few things that a beginner needs to know. Get a "diffuser" with it as well to help control the shadows that it can cast.
If you want to use the "mirror lock" function on the camera you should also get a wireless/RF (not infrared-IR) remote. Just be careful to make sure that it works with the "mirror lock" function as some do not.
So, if you like photography and are a serious amateur, you can't go wrong with the Canon xsi in my opinion.
This camera is the bomb!!!! [Donnell Willlcot]
Im not to experienced with cameras. Matter of fact im not that experienced at all. However I wanted to invest in a better camera than my plain digital camera. I researched cameras for over a month and I always read great reviews on the Canon XSi and my fiance and I just bought one a couple of days ago and we can not put it down. This is the best camera you can buy for your money.
Great camera for the price [K Ho]
I am not an expert at photography but I bought this camera for a trip we took to Istanbul. I had used my point and shoot before and knew that unless the conditions were perfect I would miss alot of shots. I did do research on other cameras and thought this one provided the best bang for the buck even though it cost a bit more than lots of other entry line DSLRs. I was not disappointed with the performance and found the camera relatively easy to use once I had watched a video and reviewed a book specific to this camera. The big thing that I liked about it was the ability to get some great shots under all kind of conditions. The live shot feature was good too but didn't use it much. In many of the mosques and museums a flash was not allowed or would not have been effective anyways but I was able to get some great shots anyways. The battery lasts a long long time too so you don't have to worry about running out of juice. I have no regrets of getting the camera.
Absolutely Wonderful, Fantastic Camera!!!! [Kowgrl]
I had researched both Cannon and Nikon cameras when I decided to upgrade to a SLR. I already owned a Rebel 35mm camera and knew what kind of pictures it took, but like the ease of a digital. Came across someone who had a Cannon XT. It looked alot like my 35m. Long story short, I bought the XSi. It is wonderful. I like that it is easy to use, but gives you professional quality pictures. The biggest selling point for me was that I could you use my lense from my 35mm. The one thing I wish was available, not necessarily for this camera but for any digital SLR is a guide to lenses and attachments to enhance the capapbilites of this great camera. It was a great purchase on my part. I like that the SLRs are available at an affordable price for someone who takes and shares alot of pictures, but not necessarily a professional photograhpher. However, this camera will make your pictures look professional.
Perfect for the serious hobbyist! [FatOrangeTabby]
This is my first DSLR and a Christmas gift to myself. I did extensive research before I purchased it and my decision to go with the Rebel XSi was mainly for performance, although price did factor in a bit. In the end I was torn between the XSi and the 40D, which I wanted mainly because it was supposedly better in low light. I was also afraid I would "outgrow" the XSi over time and would regret not purchasing the more "professional" 40D. I went to Ritz Camera to handle both of them and decided the 40D was just too big for me, even though I have larger hands. Plus the 28-135mm kit lens for the 40D was not as much of a wide angle as the kit lens for the Rebel, and with the deal on Amazon right now that gets you the 55-250mm lens for $100 off, it was too good to pass up. So I bought it and I love it. So far I haven't done much with manual mode, since I am still learning. I don't think I will ever outgrow this camera, unless I decide to become a professional photographer and do it for a living. This camera is easy to learn, perfect size to take everywhere, and Amazon has the best deal around. This is truly all the camera you need if you just want to get your feet wet in photography. The auto mode is good enough to get you using the camera until you graduate to the more advanced controls. You don't even need to understand exposure and white balance, the camera does all the work for you! One thing I had worried about is that the camera would feel too cheap with the larger lens attached. It looks and feels just fine. Canon has a wide selection of accessories and lenses that ensure that I can grow into my new hobby. None of the other companies seemed to offer as much for a competitive price. I am in love with my camera and hopefully I will learn to take pictures I will love as well.
Plum Happy with Xsi [C. Joyce]
Being a recent convert from the Canon G9,an upscale compact camera, I am thrilled with what a small difference of a couple of hundred of dollars can do with not only image quality but operation and features as well. You would really have to be a pro photographer to need anything else. The Canon Xsi was purchased after a few months of research of all SLR cameras in this price range with image quality being the primary consideration.
Love it [Phillip Stewart]
My wife loves it. A friend with professional Canon camera likes the Rebel Csi better than her own professional Canon camera. Easy to operate and setting are easy to see on the LCD screen.
A great camera [Scott Benners]
We recently upgraded to the EOS Rebel Xsi from a point-and-shoot Olympus camera primarily to eliminate picture-taking delay. It is our first Digital SLR camera and so far we've been very pleased. It has surpassed all of our expectations, it takes great pictures, is easy to use, and offers a lot of features for the price (Amazon was by far the cheapest). It's a great camera, we're having fun using it, and we'd recommend it to others.
Great Camera [R. Hartgraves]
I am strictly an amature, so I am really impressed with how easy this camera is to use. I was looking for an awsome camera and read many reviews. I made the decision to purchase this Rebel and am very pleased.
Travel writers with many cameras [The2Writers]
The Canon XSi 12.2 MP is our first digital SLR. We have worked our way up with a number of point and shoot cameras, the last of which was a Kodak P712 - 7.1 MP which was good enough to earn us several magazine covers.
We are not professional photographers and need an SLR that takes good pictures in "auto" mode for those instances when we do not have time to properly compose a picture. The Canon XSi really fits the bill. It takes excellent photos in both auto and manual modes.
We highly recommend it for non-techy photographers like us.
You can see some picture samples at one of our travel sites:
[..]
great [Jessica Furrow]
I was looking for camera that could help me transition into the role of a professional photographer. I have already shot two weddings with it and am very impressed.
Excellent camera [Lionel Van Der Westhuizen]
Bought this camera for my wife as a gift after reading many reviews on third party websites. For the money, this is the best camera out there. She was thrilled. This camera takes amazing pictures and has a full array of manual settings. There is definitely a learning curve to using this camera if you want to take full advantage of its potential. However, its "automatic" setting allows you to use it as you would any point and shoot camera straight out of the box. The startup speed is excellent, and the shutter lag is almost negligible. Amazing.
The camera looks great (I got the black at her request), has a solid feel to it. The camera has great battery life and comes with a wall charger for the battery. This camera also takes either regular SD cards or the new generation of SDHC cards. We got my wife a 16gb SDHC card, so she can take as many 12megapixel pictures as she wants without ever having to worry about running out of space...
Overall an excellent camera for the money. I look forward to seeing the pictures she will take with this. Hope this review helps.
Great camera for the novice and experienced photog [Bill]
I've had this XSi for about 2 weeks and I just keep getting better and better with it. I've learned, with some of the excellent tutorials out there, how to work this camera beyond point and shoot. I spend a lot of time in either TV or AV mode doing long lens shots and night time shots. I've posted a couple of pics I took today (12/26/08) of Hummelstown Pa. using the kit lens and the results were stunning. Just look near the end of the customer pics
I've been using the kit lens and borrowed my daughters Canon 70-300 USM IS lens and couldn't be more pleased.
I just ordered the Canon Speedlite 580EX II, Shoe Mount Flash - Basic Outfit with 4 NiMH Batteries, Charger, Flashpoint Flash Diffuser as well as the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras but this is probably overkill for me for the time being but in time I know I'll be glad I did as I plan to shoot loads of pics of very larger remote control scale model airplanes during precision competition so speed and focal length will be a priority for me.
I also just purchased a great tripod/monopod combo (Sunpak-PlatinumPlus 72" Tripod/Monopod) from another site that easily holds this camera and my daughters 70-300 lens combo
WOW. Great camera for serious beginners or back up camera for pros [Demon_Mustang]
I am new to SLR photography and I recognize that this is not considered a true "professional" dSLR but I don't think you can get much closer to one for under $1000.
Why isn't this considered a true professional dSLR? Well one big reason is the sensor size. It has what is called a APS-C sized sensor, while the professional ones have a full frame sensor like the 5D (check out the 5D Mark II, I've read great things about it). Another I think is the buffer size in the camera might not be as large so it won't take as many shots in burst mode before needing to stop to save as the professional ones. But other than that, you will basically get all of the important functions that make dSLR cameras so great.
First of all, don't get sucked into the megapixel wars. There are several point-and-shoot digital cameras that advertise higher megapixels than 12.2 that might cost less. What people often don't realize is that picture quality has little to do with the megapixels and more to do with the sensor and image processor. The megapixel number is simply the resolution of the image. A crappy image recorded in a very high resolution is just as crappy. Point and shoot cameras have smaller sensor sizes than dSLR cameras. Especially the compact cameras, that's why even when I was using P&S cameras I never bought a compact camera. They are more popular simply because they "look" sleeker and more stylish. The picture quality is obviously lower than that of a regular non-compact P&S camera AND they cost more, so there's really no real reason to buy them other than for the looks and the convenience. Although I've been able to carry my Canon Powershot A580 in my pocket without a problem...
This camera takes amazing photos, even with the kit lens, which I highly recommend if you're on a budget BTW. My mother has a friend that is the wife of a pro-photographer. So when I was in the market for a dSLR, my mother referred me to talk with her. Her first suggestion is to not get the kit lens but instead spend more for the 17-85mm ef-s lens. Well, I'm glad I didn't take her advice and went with the kit lens because I just read a review of the lens where the pro-photographer writing the review specifically compared it to that very lens and have said that the cheap kit lens is actually a bit better than the more expensive 17-85mm lens in terms of chromatic aberration problems which is where high contrast areas show a weird color outline due to the lens not focusing all the color wavelengths correctly. Although my main reason for going with the kit lens was financial, and was because of all of the positive reviews I've read about it. But it still turned out very well.
So don't let some pro's or semi-pro's discourage you from getting the kit. They're not wrong though, the kit lenses that came with Canon dSLR's in the past have been pretty bad, it's this specific kit lens that is the exception so be confident in buying it. You can always keep using this while you save up your money for better lenses later. A good addition to it would be the 55-250mm ef-s lens. I recommend that over the 75-300mm lens for several reasons. I've read worse reviews for the 75-300mm lens in terms of image quality, and because with the 55-250mm, you don't have a gap in focal lengths. Along with the 18-55mm kit lens, you basically have an uninterrupted range of 18-250mm.
One area where the quality of the sensor really shows is in low light shots with high ISO speeds. I haven't had the need to use any high ISO numbers yet, so I can't say personally, but from what I've read from many professionals who have reviews this camera, that even at the highest ISO setting of 1600, there isn't too much noise. Which is a very good thing.
One complaint I've read a lot about the previous compact dSLR's such as the XTi is the size and shape of the grip not being comfortable. Some say the grip on the right side was too close to the lens and caused their fingers to feel cramped against the lens. Well, let me tell you that isn't a problem with the XSi. I know they redesigned it for this very reason, and from my experience, it doesn't feel very cramped at all. The camera is indeed very light weight and compact compared to the more professional dSLR's so it's a great camera to bring with you on vacations or long hikes or whatever. I find all of the controls to be easy to reach and the settings are real easy to change on the fly.
The menu system is great too, it comes with a very useful feature called "My Menu" where you can actually pick any 6 functions you feel you will use the most and put them into this one menu and you can arrange it any way you want. Then you can make it the default menu so instead of it going to the last menu you were looking at when you hit the menu button, it goes straight to this customized menu of yours. It's a great feature and makes accessing special functions like mirror lock up, AEB, flash exposure compensation, etc. etc. very fast and easy.
I would highly recommend anyone looking to buy a sub $1000 dSLR camera to buy this camera with the kit lens. So far the only thing I found that I think needs to be added is interchangeable focus screens. I would have liked to have grid lines in my view finder to make composition faster and less of a guessing game when trying to apply little rules like the rule of thirds or keeping the horizon line straight.
I highly recommend reading Ben Long's The Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi/450D Companion if you buy this camera. It will "show you the ropes" so you can use this camera to its maximum potential. Bryan Peterson's Understanding Exposure is a very good book to understand the proper use of shutter speed, ISO, and aperture. And when you open the package, within the manual and other cards and what-not, there is a blank white card. Don't discard this, keep it in your camera case, it's a simple tool to use for custom white balance. Read about it in the manual or book if you don't know what that is. It's an essential tool if you plan on taking any photos indoors without a flash.
Now stop reading these reviews and buy one of these cameras already, you won't be disappointed.
My heaven! [Kathryn S. Gibbs]
We are partial to Canon's anyways - but my husband and I bought this as a mutual Christmas gift and we are in Heaven! It's truly perfect! Worth every dollar & more! My 2 year old, is pictured to death! ha ha
EXCELLENT QUALITY [mommaOF2]
I am an amateur Photographer, and find this camera very useful and FUN!! I love it!
Great camera! [Ivan Grynov]
There are plenty of reviews on the net. Just my 2 cents. 1. Stock battery is great - just came from Xmas party - more than 1000 RAW shots. 1/3 of them - w/flash. Battery is still alive! 2. Live view - not necessary, but great feature. Try to shoot something 2" from the floor or 2' above you. Love it! 3. It is lightweight. Your neck and back will thank you!
If you think about Nikon D60 - come to the store and compare them. D60 has better viewfinder, but overall I like XSi more, but it's up to you.
You'll not regret.
Wonderful Camera [Aaron Escobar]
I fell in love with this camera before I even saw it. Until this moment, the best DSLR for it's price
Pros:
-Real 12.2MP Quality (You need to make sure you've got IS lenses or a fast shutter speed, and that you are focused correctly, in order to get 12.2MP JPEGs)
-In my experience with Canon, for professional-looking pictures, you've come to the right place.
-Long Lasting Battery. It took me five days for mine to run out (I was taking, on average, 5 pics per hour).
-Embedded Dust Removal Software
-Strong Flash
-Fastest Shutter speed available, 1/4000 sec.
-Low Noise (I haven't seen any noise yet)
Cons:
-No video. But, who needs video? I'll get myself a JVC GY-HD for that.
I can't think of any more.
Rebel Xsi Rocks [Joey A. Guillory]
This is the most amazing camera I have ever used. Extremely user friendly. I had never used anything but a point and shoot camera before, but after reading a few directions, I was taking great pictures right away. The preset modes are great for newbies, but the camera has all of the adjustable settings you could want to be able to take great photos on your own. I highly recommmend this camera and I am 100% satisfied with it.
Great Camera! [N. Overton]
After countless hours of research and comparisons, I finally decided to purchase the Canon Xsi. I've only had it a month, but in that time I've taken over 3000 photos and am very pleased with the results. Against the Canon S5 IS point and shoot that I had previously, this camera wins hands down. I agree that the kit lens isn't the best lens in the universe, but it is a great starter lens. Also sometimes in low light situations the camera's AF does focus on something other than the subject, but using manual focus fixes the problem. I just recently purchased a converter and attached a spotting scope to the camera, making the scope into a 1000-4000mm lens. The camera handled it beautifully and with the bulb function and a tripod and remote switch, I have gotten some excellent moon photos. Overall this is a great camera for those considering a first Dslr, and it is quite a step up in photo quality from even the high-zoom point and shoots.
Wonderful SLR [Hugo Mora]
I bought this digital camera to jump to professional pictures, after years of having several point and shoot portables cameras. The difference is astonishing!!!. The quality, the detail, the color, the way the pictures look printed have made me realize I wasn't wrong about the change. Of course this device is bigger, heavier, less portable than my old ones, but the results obtained make me forget about these facts. I highly recommend it!!!
Stunning Photographs Out of the Box [Taresa L. Hernandez]
This was my first purchase from Amazon, and I was absolutly stunned. They had the best price, amazingly fast shipping and they sent me an actual Canon lens with the camera. I took the big leap from a Fujifilm FinePix S700 (7.1 megapixels) to this new Canon EOS. My yearbook teacher allowed me to use the XTi for a little bit and I was amazed at the quality, rugedness, and the speed of the camera. I wanted to get something that I knew wouldn't be completly outdated once I get into college as I plan on being a photographer. This camera operates so much better in low-light situations than my last one that words can not even describe it. There is practicall no noise even at ISO settings as high as 1600. The software that was included is amazing, I can not get enough of the EOS utility. I might be doing a shoot for one of my teachers for christmas cards and I plan on bringing a laptop with me so that we can all see the pictures right away. I have rather large hands so a bigger camera was welcomed with wide-open arms. The IS on the lens is amazing, if switched off I could tell an imediate difference in the quality of the photograph. I was so excited to be able to have a camera with 'bulb' in its settings, this setting is extremely useful for astro-photography or very low-light situations, as it allows the shutter to stay open as long as the shutter button is held down. If you do not have a remot control yet, I wouldn't advise using it as any shake at all will be apparent in the resulting image, so use a speed like 30", that should do what you need it to. F-Stops vary greatly which is always welcome in my back, my Fuji had F5.6-16.8 while this one has f5.6-38 in manual mode. The flash also rises high which helps a lot in distance as well as using the flash while taking macro pictures. I would recommend this camera to absolutly ANYONE who is looking for a pro-camera.
Canoa Digital Rebel XSi Camera [D. Larkin]
This camera is fantastic. We recently took a trip to the San Diego Zoo, The San Diego Wild Animal Park and a three day trip to Disneyland and California Adventure with four of our five grown chuldren and three of our seven grandchildren and can't recall a more memorable trip. We captured over 1600 photos while on the trip thanks to this wonderful camera.
Great Beginner DSLR - Features, Hardware, Etc [LightsCA]
I purchased this product as a present for myself for Christmas including the 18-55 IS kit lens. I have owned numerous P&S cameras - Casio, Canon, Nikon, etc, but decided it was finally time to upgrade to a DSLR - and at a great price. I have taken about 500 pictures so far - with flash, with manual controls, in auto mode, pretty much everything already.
The Camera body - very solid build. I had read some reviews which were critical of the use of plastic over metal but I really think that the plastic is great. I'm sure a drop would damage it in some way, but the plastic feels very sturdy and has no flex in the body at all. Every compartment opens and closes tight and with some resistance, which gives a very stable feeling. The buttons all feel great to press. The shutter feels very sturdy and has great feedback when you press it. The camera body is a good size for me. I am taller than average but not giant and my hands are pretty good sized and even the smaller body on this camera (compared to the 40,50d, etc) feels fine. My only complaint is sometimes tiredness which I get in my right pinky finger from the grip on the camera. I'm sure in the coming weeks I'll work this out as I experiment with new ways of holding the camera most comfortably. Overall, the camera body is sturdy and feels very well made.
Features - Wide spread. I am coming from a Canon G9 which already has a pretty full feature set, but the ultimate manual controls on XSi just lets me feel much more connected to this camera. The Auto mode seems to work fine. I'm not experienced with any bigger or fancier DSLR's, so this mode seems fine to me - autofocus, flash and everything. Manual mode allows for the ultimate control of pretty much everything. I love taking nighttime, long exposure shots and the XSi allows for up to 30seconds of exposure or a BULB function. The results are great out of the box, though I'm sure with post processing some of the graininess that results can be cleared up.
Specs - The images are crystal clear with the kit lens compared to my G9. Even though they are both 12MP, the XSi at a 100% crop is so much clearer. I now don't worry about zooming in as far as I can - knowing I will be able to crop out a larger, closer image in the future if I want to. The built in flash is sufficient and has a pretty quick refresh time. I also have a Canon 220Ex which is a bit more powerful (not much though) but does have a much quicker refresh time. In burst mode on the XSi I can shoot twice as long and 1.5x as quick with the 220Ex which could really come in useful. I would invest in an external flash unit but for everyday shooting the built in one is fine. The autofocus is quick in my experience so far and is pretty accurate. It is much quciker than the G9, even in low light. Low light does slow it down a bit, but not bad at all.
Kit Lens (18-55) - As I have said this is my first DSLR so I don't have much knowledge of lenses, but this one is pretty GOOD, not great. The zoom is pretty basic - less than my G9 but wider angle to begin with, which I find more useful. I will eventually invest in a probably-Canon longer range zoom but for now, this is fine to be begin on. It is a quick lens and the Image Stabilizer seems to help (haven;t tried many moving situations yet) so I can't report completely on that. I do miss the focus distances on the manual focus ring (infinity to close, etc) so it is sometimes confusing to see what distance I am focusing at. Overall, a good lens and definitely worth the kit price if you are just starting out.
Battery - The battery is great. I have taken almost 600 shots on the first full charge still, many of which have been flash, and the battery is only down one notch. Obviously this will go down with time, but it seems great.
Complaints: 1. Body size is good but takes some getting used to. not really a complaint, but just saying it will take a while to find a completely comfortable grip. 2. Live view sucks. I love shooting through the eye piece, but in just using live view even for fun, it is bewildering and slow and bad. If you have a tripod it will be fine, but otherwise, do not buy this camera if you MUST have live view. I wanted the XSi because it did have live view, but I now realize I much prefer using the eyepiece. It is nice to know live view is there if I need it, but I cannot really see myself using it more than 1-2% of the time. 3. Battery door almost impossible to open. I don't know why - it could just be mine but I'm thinking it is the way it is designed. I have to use a pencil tip or a butter knife in additon to my finger to slide it open and out. 4. Lack of movie mode - I know, I know - its an SLR. But I have seen that Ashton Kutcher ad for Nikon with their HD movie mode, and I have to say that would be pretty cool to have on here. I have a feeling on the 500D or whatever the new Rebel is, Canon will install that. But I wish this one had it.
Overall - Great beginners camera and even for a moderately experienced user. Only drawbacks are minor ones and for this price point, cannot really even be considered. I've wanted the Rebel since the 300D came out, and I now finally have one and I am in love.
I'm amazed that anyone would call this camera an entry level SLR [Larry S. Mccrea]
Yes...professional level SLR's have specific criteria to adhere to, but none of the criteria has to do with image quality...Image quality from the XSI is second to none, even the outrageously priced full sensor Canon's and others...Scan the internet and you will find plenty to back this up...Many pros are changing over to the XSI because of handling ease and comparable image quality...Then why would anyone pay thousands more for other cameras...Beats me, unless many think that having a heavy, more expensive camera with more dials and controls makes it a pro camera...I am a pro-photographer and I can tell you first hand that the only aspect of photography that counts when making a living is image quality...but, don't ask the other pros...they may still contend that the XSI is still entry level...and that my friends IS..."BULL."
Excellent Camera to Begin a DSLR Journey [S. Panth]
This is my first DSLR camera and I have had it for over four months now. I've had a several years of experience with SLR's and wanted to upgrade from a point and shoot digital to a DSLR.
This camera is every bit as good as I expected it to be. It's lightweight, takes good pictures on all kinds of lightings and the colors come out very realistic. The lens that comes with it is not the best in the world, but is good enough to get started. My only slight issue is with the camera's autofocus in low light situations, where it sometimes focuses on objects other than the main subject(s).
Overall, this is an excellent camera to begin the DSLR journey. It offers lots of controls to the user and its high ISO settings make low-light non-flash pictures come out very nice.
Great camera [NA]
This camera is great whether you are just getting started with DSLR or are more advanced. There are a ton of features that can be utilized if you want to expand your skill set.
Canon Rebel XSi [Ashley Evans]
I've had this camera for over a month now, and I couldn't be happier with my purchase. The XSi is very user-friendly (as long as you read the manual ;)), but I still encourage any potential buyers who are new to DSLR/SLR photography to do plenty of research before buying.
I printed some images taken with my XSi and am very pleased with the results. The images made up a 14.25" x 11" calendar and they were very sharp and clear, unlike images taken with my parents' old Point & Shoot camera. If you are coming from a Point & Shoot and frequently print images, you will notice a HUGE different in image quality and you will be very pleased with the change.
The live-view function can also be very useful if you do Macro photography. When taking photos close to the ground, squatting down and viewing the image through live-view on the LCD screen is a nice alternative to laying on the ground to look through the viewfinder!
And those of you buying the camera with the kit lens, it's actually a decent purchase. The new EF-S 18-55mm IS version is much better than the old non-IS version.
Great purchase, you won't be disappointed.
Canon Digital Rebel XSi 12.2 [J. S. Sciple]
Have only used for a month, but so far it's as good as the old Canon Rebel 35 mm I had. I've been waiting for the price to drop enough to convert to a SLR and always wanted another Rebel. Easy to use, so far the pictures are excellent and they expand to 8x10s beautifully! Got the zoom lens to go with - have been very impressed with the range, the action shots, and the low lighting pictures!
Nothing better for the Price! [Timmy O'Shea]
Love it! You can't beat the features for the price. Perfect for the amatuer photographer.
Excellent buy [B. Dees]
I researched this camera extensively before buying. Recommended by semi-professional and professional photographs for those of us who want to upgrade from "standard" digital cameras. By far the best price anywhere was Amazon (and I spent a lot of time looking). Kinda technical to use but clear instructions are included.
very impressive camera!! [roto.chris]
i really love this camera it's my first slr and i'm just stunned with it's amazing performance. clear and crisp looking photos. and especially at low light. the noise doesn't really bothers me 'cause even at iso800, the noise is still acceptable. the kit lens is a bit slow in terms of AF at low light, i'd suggest to get an upgrade as soon as you can. but still, the lens works great for me. i have no complaints with this camera. i think this is one of the best entry level camera we have these days!
Wonderful camera!!! [Stephanie A. Demuth]
I wanted an SLR that I could grow into without having to upgrade cameras. I think I found the perfect camera! In retrospect I would have purchased the body only and upgraded the lens.
Awesome SLR Camera [Bernice Taylor]
Excellent digital SLR camera. Have been using this for a month and no problems. Picture quality is second to none (the best I've seen). Battery life is great. Easy to use. I'm a dad photographer, but this is a professional camera anyone can use. I recommend a class 6 SDHC 8GB chip for maximum speed and capacity.
Smarter Than Me [Rodney T. Parker]
This camera can do anything. It is easy to use yet it will still take me awhile to be able to tap the potential contained in the camera. Interface is easy to understand and you will be taking basic pics in no time. I do highly suggest you invest in the optional battery grip. Feels great and provides almost endless power.
AMAZING [Breann M. Gard Rodriguez]
I absolutely love this camera. It makes my work easier. O highly recommend this camera
amazing [I. Welsh]
this is such a rad camera i just got mine yesterday and its sooo amazingly easy to take Epic pics :) all in all BUY! IT! lol :)
Great camera with useful features for learners! [A. Macwan]
I bought this camera 3 months ago. Its been great experience so far!! It is my first DSLR. Ease of use and loaded features are best attractions. I'll highly recommend this camera who wants to switch from point and shoot to DSLR.
A Novice's POV: Amazing camera [C. Mong]
I am definitely not a professional photographer, nor do I strive to be one, but have always been interested in these cameras. I am a graphic design student, and I am planning on minoring in photography so I thought I might as well get one of these babies.
I've only had the Canon XSi for about a month, but what a month it has been! I've quickly picked up on aperture, shutter speed and ISO, so I have a bit of an advantage over those who do not understand what they are. I keep the camera on manual at all times. I'm not much of a fan of auto-focus, even on my point-and-shoot, and this camera is not made for auto-focus.
I only have two lenses so far: the 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens (comes with the camera) and the Canon 50mm f/1.8mm. I keep the ISO at either 100 or 200, and the pictures turn out wonderful and noise-free.
The live view is great when friends are using the camera, but I prefer the view finder. It help me keep the camera steadier.
Be prepared to spend a lot more on different lenses, a bag, and make sure to BUY LENS PROTECTOR FILTERS! They're $7 here on Amazon, and it's better scratching those than dropping another $200 for a new lens.
Worth every dollar. [FormElement Design]
I won't drivel on about details. The short of this review is that somewhere between professional and consumer, this is the most bang I could imagine for the buck. I did a lot of research and decided that the next logical step would be to just wait for the 5D MarkII if you actually NEED a better camera than this. Except for the stock lens, which is probably fine for a new shooter to learn and play, I recommend first adding the 28-135 IS USM, used on Craigs List or EBay. That's the lens that came stock with several full frame bodies, and can be had for under $250 in excellent condition. It's a great range extender and infinitely better for shooting people than the stock lens. (100MM is a very good focal length for "people" pictures).
You will also find that adding the 430EX or EXII flash with a Sto-Fen makes a huge difference, and that if you are on a very slim budget, the Gary Fong Puffer makes the on board flash much less harsh.
So for under $1200 (I bought a lot more gear than that so I can make this recommendation with some breadth of experience), the camera, two lenses, and maybe the added flash makes a GREAT casual photography setup. Don't forget to buy a couple extra batteries and a LARGE (8GB+) memory card.
magnificent [ferdinand]
amazon's service was great i got my xsi 2 days before scheduled delivery date. this long awaited purchase has blown me away... exceeds all expectation. cheers.
Love it!!!!! [Kathy L. Blevins]
I got this camera the day before Halloween, about 3 days before I expected it. I started using it right away. It is wonderful! I use it EVERYDAY. I have the original film Rebel from the early 90's. This one is even easier to use. Perfect for a beginner or a not-so-beginner, like me. I've had friends who had trouble with the Nikon DSLR - they have all returned theirs - and are now considering the Rebel. Everyone tries my camera and loves it. No regrets on this buy.
Great Camera! [A. McKenzie]
I love this camera! I'm still learning all the neat tricks that can be done with it.
Satisfied [A. Cottle]
This is our first DSLR. We took time to investigate the top brands and models. In the end we came to decide on the Xsi and we have not regretted it. It has been a great camera and we are very pleased with the ease of use and the flexibility the camera allows.
upgraded from S5Is to XSI [Rick Allen]
The upgrade from Canon S5Is to Canon XSI was very easy. Setup and Menu easy to change. Pictures from XSI are very good and it allows a great deal more creative freedom. I added a Canon 55-255 zoom and a battery grip. For those wanting to move up to a DSLR this is a great combo.
Canon Digital Rebel XSI 12MP Kit [Angela Cooksey]
This camera is great! I love the larger display and the live view. It is great since I wear glasses and shoot in dark areas alot. It makes it easier to get great shots. Great for the money compared to other more expensive cameras with these features.
Great camera [Mark Zelazoski]
This was my first DSLR. First of all, Amazon did an amazing job of shipping fast and keeping me informed during the process. That was so appreciated. Next, though, is the important part. If you are new to DSLR's this is an incredible camera. Quick learning curve and incredible pics. I couldn't be happier.
Great Camera [Swimmer222]
This is the best camera I have ever owned. Very easy to use, great picture quality. The battery life is much better than other cameras that I have previously owned.
For the newbies... [J. R. M.]
Much has been said about this camera. And almost all are positive reviews. So if you're still hesitating to purchase this camera, you're already missing half of your life. Take my word for it, just join the bandwagon and buy this! You'll never regret it!
I've taken almost 2000 pictures with this beauty for the two weeks I had it. And I was never let down. It's easy to play with and manipulate the camera. Before, I was intimidated with the different buttons and settings of the DSLR. But now, this camera has brought me closer to a field I once thought I could never learn. The "M" setting I once didn't touch is now what I use often.
I'm leaving the technical shiznits for those who know better. As far as I'm concerned, this is a good stepping stone for those who want to start a hobby or career in photography. The kit lens that comes with it will help you greatly too.
Love it! [D. Boudreau]
I absolutely love this camera! In the first week I took over 700 pictures and for the first time in my life I didn't have to correct one red eye!! I borrowed my brother's zoom lens and in certain lighting situations you do need to correct the red eye but I couldn't be happier! I used to spend hours with photoshop to correct the ugly red eye and now I can just enjoy the amazing quality picture this camera takes! Highly recommend!
The Best Camera in its class [Reastgo Holmes]
This is the best camera in its class.Canon Digic III processors are made in Japan and are used in the EOS ID Mark III professional camera, while Nikon processors are made in China. Only the Nikon cameras that cost over $1,500 processors are made in Japan.Why do Nikon do this? Also the image stabilizer is built in the lens which is a better philosophy. This camera has 12 mp and a live view. WoW!!!!
Excellent quality--Right price [roqdoc]
We've had the Canon Digital Rebel XSi for a few weeks now, and I am impressed by both the quality of the pictures it produces (with the 18-55 mm IS lens), and the small footprint and light weight of this camera. We usually reserve the SLR that we are using for the more intense photo opportunities, and a good point-and-shoot for general travel usage, where its lighter weight and less cumbersome support equipment is a welcome respite for the shoulder muscles. But this XSi is really no heavier or larger than our latest Olympus point-and-shoot, so we may be rethinking our approach.
The XSi is a move up for us from one of the earliest Digital Rebel camera models that came out a few years ago, mostly so we could take advantage of a better-controlled internal flash unit and the new image-stabilization lenses. The old Rebel flash unit burned out every photo we ever tried with it. All our old Canon lenses work on the new camera as well, especially the 50 mm fixed lens that we use for family portrait shots. So the light, compact body is an unexpected additional benefit. So far, so good.
Could not be happier [R. Lorraine]
This is a VERY nice camera. The camera starts up instantly and takes the picture I want with no lag. While shooting sports, lag is always an issue, I have detected none. The battery is excellent. I was a little apprehensive over the case being plastic. My old camera was an A2E and it was built like a tank. Then I started thinking how they build planes out of plastic, so that concern was negated (at least in my head, and I was going from a tank to plane) so I bought it. Now I love the light weight of this camera and it's no longer an issue "lugging" it around. If you just want to shoot decent shots keep the 18-55mm lens on it. It's a feather, but this is a starter lens. When you get more money you will at some time want to upgrade it, there should be no rush as it's a very capable lens and it has image stabilization. (Hey, who makes better glass than Canon?) Now for my real only complaint. When I first started using this camera I noticed I was not using the setting I thought I was. When I was shutting off the camera my finger was rubbing against the exposure wheel and it was changing the setting. Since becoming aware if this I have had no more problems with it. You will be very pleased if you purchase this camera.
Very impressive DSLR [Coyote Bob]
Upgraded my lighweight travel camera to the XSi from a Pentax iST DSLR. Very satisfied with the Canon. Use a 5D for deliberate work but find it too heavy for a walk around camera. Particularly like the ability to capture in RAW in the custom mode and immediately switch to JPEG capture in the preset mode by just turning the dial. Also benefit from extending the telephoto lens when needed with the XSi.
LOVE THIS CAMERA [Tracey Mason]
I've just upgraded from the 300D to the new XSI. What a difference in terms of speed, options and the 12 MP are incredible. I love the creative flexibility of this camera. For the advanced amateur, this is the camera for you!
From Beginner to Beginner [J & C]
This is my first SLR and it only took three years of research and self-justification to finally take the plunge and so far I don't have any regrets!
I went with the 18-55 kit lens and the matching 55-250 lens to stay within a budget and even my worse pictures in automatic mode are optically better than my late model point and shoot.
Moving from a point and shoot to an SLR is a little overwhelming. Concepts like aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and how they relate do take some time to understand but once you get past that hurdle - all of the buttons just seem to make sense somehow. If you don't have a friend that can help you, I definitely recommend studying the basic mechanical concepts and reading up on composition tips - and then go out and shoot a ton of photos [just for fun] and try out some different things. Also, I haven't had any problems with the auto-focus issues that some have described - though now that I'm shooting in what's called Av or aperture priority mode, I changed my AF setting to use the center point instead of the all points mode and I get great focusing.
P.S. Don't try to shoot flying butterflies, it's not practical :)
Great camera. [D. Rowe]
This is a great camera for anyone upgrading from a fixed lens digital, especially if you have lenses from your film based EOS like I do. Am very happy with this purchase. Amazon had the best price with no hassel.
A perfect camera for moms who want to catch their kids [C. Her]
I have a one-year-old and a six-year-old. This camera probably is the best investment that I did for their childhood. With this camera, I am able to capture so many images that a point-and-shoot camera could not. Now I print out large prints and rotate them on my family room wall regularly. Everyone was delighted to see the pictures and surprised to know that they were done by me. When my kids are grown, these pictures probably will be the closest thing that can tell them how their mother saw them when they were young.
Excellent Value [M. Speers]
7 years with a Canon F1 followed by 4 or 5 P&S digital cameras didn't prepare me for the control flexibility of this camera. When the settings are right, the results are stunning. If you're going to leave it on full auto all the time, you aren't going to get the quality images the camera is capable of.
Good starting DSLR that will grow with you. [R. Brown]
I upgraded from an earlier version of this line to the XSi and have been very happy with both cameras. My primary use of the camera is nature photos to display in my home. I chose to upgrade for the greater number of pixels so I can increase the size of my prints. The camera is simple enough for a beginner and deep enough for a student of photography. Cannon support is good and accessories are easy to find. I would definitely buy this camera again and recommend it to all of my friends.
Fantastic Digital SLR [Benjamin Behnkendorf]
This camera takes some very beautiful pictures. You can read the other pros because they're all the same and I'm just going to list the few (small) cons.
1. If you switch the colors from RBG to Adobe, the camera will name your pictures _MG_1234 instead of IMG_1234. I don't know why they decided to do this but it makes sorting pictures by filename a difficult challenge. You'll be sitting there going "Where the hell is picture 4563 at?"
2. By default the camera loves the flash. Not on the manual settings but on the automatic settings. It'll pop it up for just about everything. I know it uses the flash for the Autofocus but the focusing works just fine when the camera is on a manual mode and the flash is down.
Those are the two minor annoyances that I've ran into. I still would not trade this camera for another brand. If you never plan on changing colors or you're not crazy obsessive over your flash, then you'll love this camera. I know I do. Another thing that I greatly enjoy about it is the BULB setting on Full Manual. It allows some amazing night shots of the stars or landscapes, just be sure to use a tripod and a remote shutter release.
I love this camera.
first slr [Samantha Lucia Cardillo]
This is my first slr camera, but I absolutely love it. I've been playing around with all the features, the quality is amazing. Some people complain about the size of the camera, but I have rather small hands which I suppose has worked to my advantage. Basically, it's fantastic.
What a great dSLR for a beginner! [Photog Mom]
Add my voice to the chorus singing the praises of this little camera! This is my very first SLR, though I've had a string of digital point-and-shoots, and this camera is such a step up, it's like magic. There is so much to learn, and this is just the camera to learn on. You can put it all on auto and use it just like a point-and-shoot, and get better pictures. Or you can really delve into the art of photography; this camera is so user-friendly.
The kit lens is just fine for my needs -- I'm sure I'll want faster, longer, etc, but this is flexible enough to start on.
Quite nice. [Keith Macartney]
I like the camera, it was exactly what i was looking after owning a 35mm Rebel.
Worth every penny [Aditya D. Gaddam]
I have had a Canon A620 for about 2 years before this. It was an awesome P&S, but it died after going through a whole lot of pain and agony that I put it through (sandy beaches, construction sites, oily garages). I decided to upgrade to a DSLR this time around and had been researching them for about 3-4 months. I was set on buying a D60 for a while and then the Rebel XS came out so I started comparing features and then saw that for a little bit more, I could get the XS which would have Live View, AEB and some other cool stuff. But at that point, the Xsi was only about 30 bucks away, so I dropped the cash and I must say I AM VERY HAPPY with my purchase. Nothing to really say about Amazon, their shipping was ridiculous as usual (came in exactly 2 days after I ordered - wish other places would mean 2-day when they say 2 day shipping). The camera itself is a dream to use. The Live View makes a big difference if you are sitting it on a tree stump or a tripod and composing with a little bit more stability. The camera feels solid in your hands and the lenses take a beating (actually hit the kit lens against a door once when turning around). The grips on the kit lens seem like plastic yet somehow feel rubbery - but in the end, my fingers love em and I haven't had any problems with prolonged contact while trying to get focus/zoom juuust right.
The rubber grips on the Xsi aren't exactly cushion-y, but the texture on the grips makes the camera body feel more secure in your hands (definitely worth the extra 30 or so bucks). You also get the proximity sensor for the LCD (turns it off if its close to your face) and the extra 2 MP (more cropping!).
That said, the camera strap leaves you wanting for something better. It looks nice, but its a little small if you are a big guy and its not padded at all so it feels a little tough on your neck - so factor in some extra spending money for a good strap and/or a good bag.
If you are buying this as a first time DSLR user, its a good investment (you can of course settle for something less... no problem with that, but you might as well drop the money for the best in this price range of DSLRs). Be prepared to get a LOT of bad pictures in your first couple of weeks with a DSLR as you get used to judging your shots on the review LCD after your take em, but after you do... the extra speed and better quality lenses are completely worth it.
P.S. Don't underestimate that wide angle kit lens - you get some amazing shots, especially when you are dealing with landscapes.
Order With Amazon! You won't be disappointed! And save money! [S. Beaver]
This camera is awesome! I'm so glad I got it! Pictures are so good, my daughter's even noticed. Everything from 100 feet and closer you can capture! I intend to buy a zoom lens very soon to get closer as subjects get farther away. The camera arrived even quicker than I expected and in great working order. Don't forget the High Capacity Flash SD Card. I got a SD Extreme III w/ 4Gig with capability of 950+ pictures! Buy it!!!
GREAT DSLR VS NIKON D60 [Huy Nguyen Khoa]
I TRADED IN MY NIKON D60 FOR THE NEW XSI THE FOCUS IS FAST AND SHAPER. THE FEATURES HAS MORE OPTIONS I WOULD RECOMMEND OVER THE D60 THREE TIMES THE FOCUS POINTS ON THE MATRIX GREAT WORK CANON ... MY FIRST REAL DSLR
Very Happy [jimbwalking]
After months of research and a class in photos 101 I chose the Canon. The Canon was the camera of choice in the class and with the reviews I had read the XSI was the camera of choice for me also.
Novice photographer's review- great amateur camera [Mikebites]
This a very good amateur camera. With the expert reviews I have read about the other amateur level cameras in the market, this seems to be the best one. The manual modes take a bit of understanding before you want to operate the camera in those modes. But automatic modes are also quite good. The sensor and the lens both are very good. IS works superbly. Very user friendly.
The only disadvantage is that is comes with no in-built memory. Also in some of the modes when the sensor senses less light it prompts automatic pop-up of the flash. A few times I tried to put my hand on the flash to prevent the pop-up. In those case the display monitor shows some kind of error and blacks out. I had to turn it off and turn it back again. But then there is an automatic mode which does not use the flash.
If you are planning to spend the money I would recommend to spend it the best way- buy the XSI. It is worth it.
Really good camera at a really good price [S. Boyden]
This is an amazing deal for the package that you are getting. The price is one of the cheaper for what you are getting as a kit that Canon sells as separate pieces which if bought through them they would be about $100 more expensive. The photos are absolutely amazing and this is one heck of a jump up from my old point and shoot Canon Powershot A530. The strap for around your neck is really nice and easy to adjust depending on where you want it to sit. The software that comes with the camera is absolutely amazing and easy to download to your computer. The one thing that you need to get when you are first getting is a case for the camera. Other than that this is one amazing camera even in really low light. We had a haunted house we were putting on and we had a black light with people drawn on in highlighter and the pictures turned out amazingly for the fact that no other camera in our area could show the highlighter so vividly and without blur. The lowlight setting that you don't want a flash is what I set it to and the pictures are just about like if you were there.
Great camera! [Phary Chhoeun]
This is probably one of the best DSLRs out there for the lower end of it. I've had my eyes on this for quite some time now and recently purchased it about 2 wks ago. I'm lovin' it!
Canon XSi [William E. Bonneau]
We have just gone SLR digital after years of SLR film. The photos look great when downloaded to the computer. There are a couple more features on the digital SLR than the Film SLR had and we have enjoyed the new toy so far.
WONDERFUL CAMERA [G. Anthony]
the camera did not come when it was supposed to come but, when it finally arrived... it was great!!! I LOVE THIS CAMERA!!! I THINK AS A WHOLE THAT CANNON ARE THE BEST CAMERAS OUT THERE,AND EVERYONE SHOULD GET ONE!!
Very satisfied but still learning [Luis G. Martinez]
I just switched from point and shoot to DSLR and am very happy with the XSI. It's great that you can get it from day one and start shooting in full auto and then learn to use all the other features and learn to really take pictures. The learning curve is not a steep as a thought it would be but it is continuous, meaning that there is always more to learn and additional interesting things to do with the camera. Now I just got to figure out lenses...
super canon [Richard Gregory Raboteau, Jr.]
this camera is freaking awesome.but {notice}:the lens that comes with it is good for starting but very limited depending on the things you are going to be getting into. weddings, sports, etc... you'll need to make sure to be ready to buy the necessary accessories for the camera. because the camera is really amazing and extremely user friendly for those slower than most. but you won't be able to utilize the camera's fullest potential without better lenses. great buy though!!
worth every penny [Jessie]
I am thrilled with my purchase of the Rebel XSI. This camera has exceeded my expectations. In comparing it with my friend's XTI (previous model in the rebel line) it has many great updates. It is lighter, buttons are places in more ergonomic positions. The lense it comes with is a great starter lense but I will be saving up for other as the 18-55mm while versatile does not meet all my needs. Also, in shopping around Amazon had the best price on this camera hands down and delivery was spot on.
Fantastic entry level product for the hobbyist or part time photographer. Highly recommended.
Amazing Camera! [Randi Morse]
I had a Kodak P880 for 2 years (do NOT order that camera). It never worked properly. I fought with it and struggled and tried to take photos of my family that I usually wound up hating. I finally ordered this Canon. Wow. It is so different than my Kodak. Most of the pictures that I take don't require any editing, and the camera is so smarter than me that it's ridiculous. Now if I can figure out how to use the telephoto lens I bought with it, I'll be all set!
Another outstanding Rebel offering [Kate Stokes]
I am a semi-pro photographer who usually shoots with much more expensive bodies. Every now and then, however, I need to bring a smaller camera with me for whatever reason, and this is the one. Also, like a lot of pros and semi-pros I need to have an APS-C body in order to use the cult-followed Canon EF-S 10-22mm lens that only works on APS-C boides such as the Rebels.
In fact Rebels have been the one I go to to fill those needs for a few years now. A lot of semi-pros and pros criticize the performance of these cameras and/or the perceived weaknesses in ergonomics, size, and available functions. Is this a $1000 camera body? No it is not. Is this a $2600 camera body? No it is not. Is this a $6999.99 camera body? No it is not. I am hammering that point home because some people insist on comparing the Rebels to cameras like that. The comparisons are fine as long as price is factored in; if you leave price out of the equation then yes, this camera will likely lose out to a body costing more than a grand.
The following are some my random thoughts on this camera; I am not going to cover everything because others have done that well enough. I am going to address the issues important to me, a semi-pro photographer who sometimes needs to travel light.
ISO performance (this is most important to me in any camera for any price):
ISO 100: Outstanding ISO 400: Great (and professionally competent) except for higher than desirable noise in the darkest shadows. Even shooting RAW and carefully post-processing, you will probably need to leave the shadows alone and not bring them out too much. I am nitpicking a little here for the sake of being thorough in the review; it is not by any means a terrible or "deal-breaker" level of noise in the shadows. ISO 800: Usable for sure and better than expected, but noise certainly is apparent at this level--or rather the effects of noise reduction are apparent--and the in camera noise reduction is aggressive enough that some detail and sharpness is lost as a result of cleaning out the noise. Certainly usable but best at smaller sizes (8x10 or smaller) when printing and viewing. ISO 1600: To me it's out of the question. I do have a higher standard than the average consumer as a semi-pro, so keep this in mind. I would use this setting only in such a dire situation that ISO 800 would be completely unusable. The noise reduction in ISO 800 is too aggressive, but it does result in the elimination of a great deal of noise. It seems they didn't even bother in ISO 1600. There is noise all over the place in ISO 1600. I haven't used a camera that I can remember that had such a huge difference between ISO 800 and ISO 1600. So, bottom line, IMHO you should stay away and only use in a pinch. I can't see printing anything larger than 4x6 with this setting. If that's your bag then you will probably be fine.
I do want to say regarding my opinions on the ISO handling that I did not buy this camera for high ISO performance. If you are planning on doing that I would think twice. Is it better than the Rebel, Rebel XT, and Rebel XTi? Certainly. Does that make it a good performer at high ISO? Not necessarily.
I do the vast majority of my shooting between ISO 100 and 400. I use fast lenses and I typically shoot during the day. This is especially true of the times I am using this camera. I don't go to a camera like this for high ISO performance. For that I grab the 5D. I go to this camera for the few times the 5D is not best for the situation. This camera delivers an outstanding image quality at ISO 100-400 and a usable one at ISO 800. To me this is all that matters. a 12MP DSLR with outstanding image quality for a little over $500 is what this is. You throw a nice Canon lens (nicer than the kit lens) on this and you have professionally acceptable results. I wouldn't use this camera if it didn't provide those results.
The only way the aforementioned 5D will outshoot this is (in an image quality respect) is if you are making enlargements or shooting higher than ISO 400. If you are using good glass, shooting RAW, and setting the ISO manually (which is what I do) this is an awesome camera. I don't care if anyone says otherwise, either. I don't have to--and won't--argue that point because I've seen the results.
Now, if you have never used a Rebel I do have to inform you that it is much smaller than the 20D, 30D, 40D, etc. bodies that you may or may not be used to. It is much harder for me to keep a good grip on this body than, say, the 40D. Again this is OK with me because I am not buying this for ergonomics. Again, I am buying this for value. Price combined with performance is how this arrives at a place of value. I need to keep repeating that because for some reason people always feel the need to compare cameras that are incomparable. If you are looking for the best performance in a DLSR combined with best price, it is my firm opinion that this is the camera.
Lastly, I want to say that if we are talking strictly image quality and nothing else like ergonomics and construction, IMHO the IQ from this camera is just as good if not better than the mildly overrated 40D. Given the vast difference in price of the two--almost 100% different actually--unless you are an ergonomics stickler I think the decision is a no brainer. You buy this and save the $500 for better glass, or just save the $500 for no reason other than saving $500 is cool. What I am looking forward to doing down the road is comparing the IQ from this to the IQ from the 50D. Again it equals or bests the 40D if we are talking strictly IQ. I returned the 40D last year after using it for 2 weeks. It just wasn't worth the price. The 40D to me is simply a Rebel XTi (XTi; not XSi) with better ergonomics.
Happy Camper [Soup Addict]
I'm really happy with this purchase. I went with the body only and bought a 50mm to be the primary lens. I've been using this camera for about a week now without even unwrapping the instruction manual (although I will this weekend, as I know there is much to learn). Pictures have turned out great - the 50mm lens operates very well in low-light situations. Now I just need to save up for a macro lens!
Excellent Camera [CLAUDEMAR]
This is an excellent camera for all users such as me. I had a Yashica camera with film. For years I was resisting to get into the digital world. Now, with this camera, I am totally sure I was too late to change. It's an excellent image with those 12mp.
loving it [A. Khalid]
already a lot of good reviews from professionals and real photographers... i just wanted to give it 5 stars.
Perfect All-purpose camera [Rudolph Cassol]
Just took this on a trip to Europe, and the battery lasted the entire 12 days, pics turned out great, especially in some tricky lighting situations
Amazing camera, price, and results!!! [David Selby]
I have had this camera for 5 months, since April 2008. At first my results were inferior to those of my Rebel 300D images. I just assumed the camera would just produce better images! well it does, but you need to unlock its potential.
The Canon XSi is a fantastic SLR for entry level digital SLR beginners/amateurs. It allows your to have a light weight camera, that still can stand up to some abuse.
It is possible to take over 1,000 images on a single battery charge. The XSI has a peppy 3.5 FPS shooting speed so you can capture sport images at your local high school with ease and pride.
When switching from a compact point and shoot to an SLR, there is a learning curve. As long as purchasers realize they are not acquiring a more advanced point and shoot, they will on a better path to great photos.
As I said, there is a learning curve. You need to learn about aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and how those combine to create an exposure and scene. Furthermore, there are some nice customizations available by the XSi such as focus and exposure lock separation, spot metering for accurate exposure control, live view focusing (2 modes).
SLR photography is a fun and exciting challenge. If you buy this camera, do not just use the auto mode!!!
I have created a free resource at www.learnslr.com to provide for free tutorials on maximizing your 450d/XSi experience.
Fantastic DSLR!! [Randall D. Wood]
I bought this camera for my wife and she loves it. The camera has worked flawlessly, and takes amazing pictures. It was easy for her to figure out the basic features very quickly and she was taking fantastic pictures of our kids in minutes. I bought an 8 gb mem card with it thinking that she'd need a huge card since it has 12MP - she usually only uses about 2-3 gigs between downloads (500+ pics). Great starter camera, great price. Now to find a great deal on a zoom lens...
Great camera, zero effort at packing [J. Wilcox]
Marvelous feel to this body with the BG-E5 grip. It's now my only body, given its light weight, the quality of its images, and ease of use -- and I've had 30D's and a 1DsMKII.
HOWEVER, I can't recommend ordering this type of equipment from Amazon if you care about decent, or at least adequate, packing. There was one strip of 3 deflated plastic air bags in the shipping box, providing no isolation of the camera box whatever. Being that the shipping box was twice the dimension of the camera box, there had to be some serious rattling going on during transit. I feel fortunate the camera is functioning. In the future, I would order an electric toothbrush from Amazon, but I'm through with ordering camera bodies and lenses from them.
Great solution for semi-professionals [E. Orfanidi]
A great DSLR camera with numerous customising options!
The 18-55 mm lens provided though is very very basic. I would strongly recommend buying an extra lens with higher capabilities.
Canon Digital Rebel XSi []
Very well pleased with the camera. I will be even more pleased after a little more experience and time. Very good price and Amazon has been a pleasure to deal with!
Excellent Camera [Erik F. Kimball]
This camera is fantastic! I had the Canon Digital Rebel XT before and really enjoyed the functionality and ease of use. However, this new Rebel takes the line to whole new levels! It is very easy to access the controls and shoot manually, the auto-focus is better than before, the picture can be blown up to (roughly) poster size without losing quality, the new battery lasts longer, and the new memory card format allows for faster usage. Oh yeah, and if you take photos outside alot like I do, the auto dust cleaning sensor is a godsend. No dots on the photos!
Canon Rebel XSi [No Name Available]
I've had this camera a couple of weeks now and it is super nice. I also own one of the digital elf cameras and it is a great camera as well. The Rebel XSi lets you have as much control or as little as you desire. It has been easy to learn how to use and takes awesome photos. The 18-55mm USM IS kit lense by Canon is lightweight, and takes a second to focus. I also bought the Canon 28-105mm USM II lense and am very satisfied.
If you're trying to decide between a Sony Alpha or a Canon Rebel, I suggest going to a store where you can hold both cameras and then buy it from Amazon. The Canon feels and looks like a more durable and higher quality camera.
New SLR user [L. Eisenberg]
I am an absolute amateur photographer and not necessarily a good one but I wanted a new and better camera to help me take better photos. After much research and consult with friends I chose the XSI. Within 30 minutes I was shooting like a pro and my photos came out GREAT. I can't wait to learn more and continue to get great shots of my family.
Excellent Camera [John D. Smith]
What can I say, the camera is wonderful. This is my first D-SLR and their are so may capabilities with this camera. I continue to learn so much. Very quick and responsive. Only side thought, is that you must purchase a extreme III sd card to handle the speed of the camera. Must have consumer camera.
Great cam... [Brad E]
I've had this cam for about 4 months now. It's great. Came from a Canon 20D, so though technically it's a downgrade, it's really a superior cam in terms of image quality and performance. I like the small size - the main motivation for not going with a 40D - I can shoot one-handed all day long doing street photography.
Most of the pix on my photoblog below were snapped with the XSi...
What an upgrade for this price!!! [Jerry Bauer]
As a part-time professional photographer, this is a bargain of an upgrade even from the Canon Rebel Xti which is what I did! I thought my Xti was a great camera & it is but the Xsi is so much more! The increased image quality is worth the price alone. (See images below). Then when you add in the benefit of the improved & larger LCD, Highlight tone priority, excellent noise reduction, you have an exceptional value. Many pundits have listed some things as negatives that I feel are advantageous. Namely, the smaller size of the body seems to fit my hand very well & the light weight helps me carry it since I do a considerable amount of hiking & travel. Its easier for me to carry along with all the rest of my gear. I feel like it is a "BEST BUY" in my book. greenngold1@cox.net
Best Deal for the Money [J. Fite]
I researched the dickens out of this range of D-SLR before finally deciding to buy the Canon Digital Rebel XSi. I couldn't be happier with this camera. Image quality is outstanding, features are very user-friendly, and controls are intuitively arranged on the body. I even like the software included with the camera. I would definitely upgrade the lens to afford greater reach, and the EF 28-135mm IS USM lens is now my primary lens. The images I've been able to capture with this camera are stunning, and I'd say much better than I anticipated. Although I was very cautious about upgrading to a digital SLR camera, knowing what I know now, I would buy this camera again in a heartbeat.
One amazing camera [wildwizard]
This is a great camera! I bought it last month and have taken around 1000 pictures. This is such a great camera, just make sure you have a good lens. One great thing about this camera is I can use my old 35mm Sigma lenses for Canon Rebel cameras. Saves a lot of money and produces excellent results! No regret for this purchase.
great camera for the money [K. Pilipchik]
great camera, easy to operate. the only thing that desires improvement is kit lens - f3.5 becomes an issue in shooting in dark environment. other than that - all is well.
Great product -- so glad I purchased [A. McDonald]
I had never used an SLR or digital SLR prior to buying this camera and I love it. I thought it was fairly easy to get up to speed (the Canon on-line tutorial is great). I have had the camera for about a month and just returned from an East African safari and the pictures we got are unreal...I am so excited and happy with the camera. It worked well in so many different situations (low light with gorillas in the jungle to full sun on the African plains). I would buy it again in a heartbeat (and this coming from someone who had never used an SLR and now would never go back for a trip like we just took). LOVE IT!!!
We also bought the Image Stabalized 70-300mm lens and this is the one I used most on the trip but I would use the lens that comes with the kit for most of the shots I take with family/friends and around the house.
Great camera for newbies [Mark Hiatt]
Having just gotten back into photography after a decades long absence I bought the XSi 4 months ago. It has been an excellent purchase. If you are new to dslr's I would recommend taking a class at your local junior college in how to use one. It helped me understand what one of these cameras can really do and has really improved my enjoyment using the camera. The pictures I've taken with the XSi have been amazing and the kit lens with the IS feature is top notch. Don't get swayed by all the hype you read online about dslr's and invest in one that costs thousands, the XSi is a great camera at a great price that will give you anything you want in picture quality.
Perfect replacement camera. [L. Arthur]
After having my original Rebel stolen, I replaced it with the Xsi. The shutter speed is super fast, the viewing screen is huge so you know right away if you got the shot, and the quality of indoor pics is fantastic. The battery charges quickly and lasts a long time. I couldn't be happier with my purchase. No complaints - the only thing I miss about my old Rebel is the memory card that was still in it.
Excellent camera [R. Newberry]
I bought this camera after having owned the Rebel EOS DS6041 for years. I liked the old camera so much that I purchased this newer model. This camera is easy to use and the photo quality is excellent. I would recommend this camera to anyone looking to purchase a digital slr type camera.
Excellent Camera #1. [S. Shanker]
THE BEST. I waited soo long for the price to go down, now I feel that I should not have. Worth every penny.
Sad thing is amazon removed the price protection(the price has gone down by $20 with in a weeks time :( )
Perfect, Excellent, Buy It [Crusader]
Perfect, Excellent, Buy It
I have nothing more to say - - - and that's rare
Excellent Camera for non-flash pics [Charles A. Walker]
This camera is amazing, you can take pics in low light conditions (at a resturant) without a flash and still get great photos. The image stabilization allows you to do this, without a tripod. At weddings and such flash pics are just are not as nice as natural light pics. The 12.1 megapixal allows pics to be blown up without a loss of detail.
Professional [James E. Plew]
Excellent control lay-out. The kit lens is very good, but the build is a little light. Pictures are very sharp. I use the 17-55f2.8 with the XSI and it is very well balanced. For a beginner or back-up for a professional I would highly recommend it.
Digital Rebel XSi 12MP [Raymond S. Knorr]
This is a great camera for me as an amateur enthusiast. I also bought the 55-250mm SI (image stabilized) zoom lens instead of the popular 55-300mm unstabilized zoom lens. I use this lens as my default lens, with the kit lens mainly used for wide angle and scenes. I love the image stabilization feature as this allows me to take handheld telephoto sports and nature shots. I don't care for the APX format sensor, though, with its 3:2 aspect ratio. I end up cropping to 8x10 or 11x14 when making prints. This seems like a waste of pixels.
Incredible [Patricia Pearce]
I upgraded from a Kodak 6.1MP camera which has an equivalent resolution of 100ASA 35mm Film. this thing is double! The microprocessor is super high speed too. IS (Image Stabilization) works great: go ahead and breath during longer exposures, the pictures are sharp. Prepare to be spoiled.
Outstanding camera for non-professionals [Raymond W. Wolfgang]
I think most new users upgrading from a point and shoot (the Canon powershot G6 in my case) will be stunned by the improvement in the sharpness of their photos with the kit lens no less. I was a little anxious to find out how much better the photos were actually going to appear on both a computer monitor and on 4x6 prints, and I was just delighted. Even my wife was very impressed and she was very skeptical as to why I would be paying $800 for a camera.
This camera is basically very easy to use, and very light weight - important considerations for amateurs. The manual is not so hot, however, and I recommend David Busch'e book, Canon EOS REBEL XSi to avoid the frustration of trying to figure out how to change any settings.
To obtain the sharpest photos, I found it important to use the default auto exposure and focusing modes. When I tried manual focusing, spot focusing, or an exposure mode other than "evaluative", the results were disappointing.
*****Not to Shabby****** [mz.yang]
I thought the quality of the Xti and Xsi wouldn't differ much in image quality but the Xsi does have a slight improvement. Previously when I owned the Xti, I was happy and satisfied with it, but today when I recieved my Xsi, I was just amaze at how it gives me a totally new feel. The grip is better and the screen is pretty big. The ISO button is in a awkard spot but nonetheless it is a fine camera. Recommended.
Amazon also did a great job at sending this item to me with the 1 day service.
great [acro]
great product excellent value with recent price drops to < 700
able to take photos with this i would never be able to get with point and shoot
Great Camera for a graet value [O. Kassirer]
This is a great SLR camera. It's my first SLR digital camera and I am loving it. Learning curve is small and the size and weight are just right. The large screen on the back is easy to read. In short a great buy!
Canon Rebel XSi 12mp Excellent Camera [Russell R. Anderson]
I love this Camera, it has alot of options on it to work with that in time come easy to use, but also as a point and shoot, this thing is awesome!! I have big hands and it works well for me, the buttons and the menu are very user friendly, you manually zoom and it is so quick to focus and take the picture, is well wow, and quick burst, this thing is insane. The quality of picture that this camera produces, when I print them they are some of the best I have seen. Well worth your money. Best Camera I have ever owned.
Great Camera [Brant Mccartan]
I am not a professional photographer by any means, but am very handy with electronics. I wanted to get a "very nice" camera, but one that I would also be able to use. I purchased this camera the day before leaving to Thailand on my honeymoon. It was great, and the pictures (about 3000 over two weeks) turned out great! It was easy to use, durable and the pictures came out crystal clear. I read the manual over the 20+ hour flight and learned a lot about the features of the camera. It was comfortable in my hands, and I even taught my technologically deficient wife how to use it once I was comfortable with it myself! The pictures from our honeymoon were applied to my slideshow screen saver on my computer and as my friends looked at them, they thought the pictures looked like post cards, and didn't believe that we took the pictures and figured that the screen saver came standard on the computer!
I will say this, originally I figured that the screen would have live viewing and you would not be forced to look through the eye piece (similar to most point-and-shoot cameras of today). However, it was not as annoying as I thought, and I'm not certain if any higher end SLR cameras have this feature (or at least any under $1000). Aside from that, the camera was great, pictures were great, and it was easy to use! I'm sure that there are 100's of features I'm not sure of how to use, but if I have up to it, I'm sure that I can figure it out. The manual constantly said that it's easier to use the automatic focus options, which I did, and had no complaints!
I would recommend this camera to anyone that likes to vacation, or has children in sports and wants to take great pictures. This camera is one of the most recent to come out. And I cannot wait to get a higher zoom lens and a wide angle lens for Christmas!
Hope this helps to the amateurs out there!
Awesome for the money spent [Happy mama]
I couldn't be happier with this awesome camera. I was tempted to buy Canon D40, but after lot of thinking I wanted to concentrate on getting more by getting better lenses. I do not think I had to sacrifice - I just had to stick with my budget and this way I was able to get awesome camera and still money left buying better lenses!!!
Great Camera, not for everyone (Autofocus little unpredictable) [Joel E. Melgar]
After a few weeks of using I have taken great shots, but I have had to select central focus point or others focus points manually. The nine focus points by default tend to select the near subject, and not is usually the subject that I wanted. In SLR cameras the "deep of field" is more notorious, than point and shoot cameras. Now I understand, why some people sees focus issues with this camera. Once you Understand the capabilities (and some limitations), You have a great photographic tool.
Another Thing, the first day I tried my old 420EX flash, It didn't work. I tried Canon support for product compatibility questions and they respond very quickly. Later I clean the contacts and the problems were solves. I have tried this camera with my old EF 50mm 1.8II lens and EF 75-300 3.5-5.6 Ultrasonic with great results. (Sorry for my English)
Excelente cámara [Carlos A. Trujillo]
Es una cámara muy buena, las fotos son excelentes en todos los modos automáticos y en los modos manuales permite hacer cosas interesantes. Es mi primera cámara digital reflex asà que no tengo mucho que compartir, yo mismo la estoy descubriendo hasta ahora. Me ha impresionado el sistema para evitar los ojos rojos al fotografÃar personas usando el flash, funciona de maravilla. Puedo decir que es muy sencilla de manejar, es antibobos.
Great for thoughs new to DSLR's [Stephen A. Bard]
Perfect for anyone just starting out with DSLR's. Even the wife could take great pictures with it. And the price was only slightly about the lower end model which made it a now brainer.
Lived up to the hype [B. ong]
PROs: I am thrilled with this camera. After doing some research for a couple of months between this camera, the nikon d80 and the prestigious canon 40d, I decided on the XSi for my needs. Best overall price to my performance needs. Image quality is fantastic, even though the kit lens is at best, good. Going to purchase a 50mm 1.4, 70-200 4L, and a better walk around lens as soon as I get completely sick of the 18-55 IS kit lens, but for now its a good starter lens. Though I honestly think the nikon d80 and the 40d are better cameras for experienced and serious users, primarily I am loyal to Canon (best brand) and the 40d is just too bulky and expensive for me. I don't need all the extra bells and whistles provided by the 40d at this point of my life. If you want a light, easy to use and learn (for first time users), long lasting battery (about 500 images), nice clear LCD and fairly cheap price to performance ratio this camera blows out all nikons, pentax, and sony's out there for the beginner/transitioning to intermediate shooters. I chose this camera over the 40d because its more suitable for me and most importantly I can use the price difference between the XSi and the 40d to get my 70-200 4L for free basically.
Cons: Again the common gripe over the grip, but honestly its not that bad if you have small to medium size hands. you will adapt quickly as the pro's of the camera immediately mask any cons present. No better kit lens option out yet.
Overall: Fantastic lens for beginner/beginner-intermediate users as the vast majority of professional reviews have stated...
Note: Please get a nice memory card I recommend the 4 or 8GB SanDisk EXTREME III (it's worth the extra $5-10) or any SDHC that is class 6, save a little change for some other lenses as you will fall in love with this camera and will be compelled to buy more lenses, and lastly buy some decent filters as you will appreciate the image quality and protection they provide. the RC-1 is a nice accessory. I hope this was helpful for you as all the other reviews were helpful to me.
Can't Go Wrong With This! [Charles]
I bought a Canon 300D Rebel the first week it was out five or so years ago. While it is a great camera with no problems at all, this XSi has the answer to every short coming the 300D had and my collection of Lens work on it. The flash is also way ahead of the 300D and does a great job for a built in flash. Sure hope this camera is a reliable as my old 300D was; I think it will be.
Survived the flood [Jim]
I agree with all the positive things said and I probably can't offer much more than that. I am extremely pleased with the quality of the images and the flexibility of the camera.
But I will say that, after I accidentally left the camera outside during a rainstorm for several hours, it worked fine the next day. I was amazed. I let it dry out and it worked perfectly.
Now, you probably won't buy this camera for that, but it is nice to know that it is a quality item.
amazing camera [debra-do]
love love love this camera-response is fast, design is user friendly with dedicated hard buttons for the controls you change the most, and the menus are easy to navigate.
Will wonders never cease? [John Dieckmann]
The speed of the autofocus, startup and fps are incredible. I moved up from a Canon Rebel Xti which was good but the Xsi is even better. My one gripe is the change of medium even thought the new card type works fine the need to buy a new medium is annoying.
First Digital SLR... [Rob and Laura]
This was my first DSLR. Having only known point and shoot cameras this was an excellent next step. Easy to use, light enough to carry around though can get a bit heavy after awhile. The lens and features were great too. I've since added a 70-300 mm 1:4-5.6 IS USM lens and makes a great package. Picture quality is outstanding - didn't anticipate the significant improvement between a point and shoot and this camera. We visited Vienna recently and were amazed at the great photos! A very nice camera!
good midlevel digital camera [M. khoee]
much better than the model it has replaced.2nd curtain flash is an advanced feature.live view can't be beat.
From Point and Shoot to SLR [Thomas N. Gilmore]
I just received my Canon Rebel XSI after graduating from two Canon point and shoot models. It is quite a step for someone who likes to take radom family shots without any fussing with camera settings. I was impressed after reading the other reviews on this camera as it does allow a fully automatic option similar to the simplier line of cameras.
After experimenting with this camera for a couple of days, I have taken the leap and tried to manual shots using various settings. So far, it seems to be an easy camera to use in both manual and full auto settings.
I purchased the semi hard case to protect it while it is hanging from the neck strap which comes with the camera. I am now considering the purchase of a macro lens to take closeups of my new grand daughter. The kit lens that come with the camera does have the flexibility of zooming and image stabilization which would not be allowed with the new micro lens. I feel that after I get more used to the manual camera settings and how best to utilize them without a lot of hesitation, I will purchase the macro lens.
So far I can say after only two days of owning and playing around with this camera, I am very pleased with my decision. I almost purchased the XTI model and now am glad I spent only about $100 more to upgrade to the XSI as it has SD memory card, image stabilization and is 12 megapixal along with the 3" LCD display.
Awesome! [Sean Randall]
Great camera for the beginner!! Probably good for the experienced - but I wouldn't know. It takes great pictures.
Maybe the perfect (at the moment) camera [Peter G. Mccallum]
Nearly as simple as a point and shoot, but with most of the bells and whistles of a pro camera, and over 12 megapixels to boot, and smaller & lighter than a pro camera, yet uses all the same lenses. Terrific.
Awesome [G. C. Olsen]
I bought this camera for my wife, a first time dslr user.She loves it,takes great pictures and is easy to use.
greatest camera i will ever own [F. Lara]
awesome camera!! just awesome, its great in its point and shoot simplicity, and powerful in more complex creative modes. would recommend to anybody taking up digital photography beginners of course, there are more better models for pro's (expensive too) but for beginners its a great buy a must i would say.
great camera, lots of perks, one problem [M. Heltsley]
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.
Perfect for semi-professional photography! [E. Phillips]
My business as a graphic designer has required more and more product photography, so to keep up with demand and quality, I purchased the Canon XSi and have not been disappointed! I have only used it for still-shots, but the quality is outstanding, I get great close-ups and have plenty of photo options for the different types of shots I want to take. Excellent product!
I Love This Camera [GMAC Mortgage]
I have been searching for a good all around camera that will take great Portrait/Sport pictures and is very user friendly. I absolutely found it with the Canon Rebel XSi. I purchased it from Amazon at a great price along with the EF-S 18-55 IS lens which is a very good lens for the price. I will be looking to buy the Canon EF 70-200 F4L IS and the 50mm in the very neir future to complete my collection. There is nothing bad I can say about this camera. Great Job Canon!!!!!
G-R-E-A-T Camera!! [David Sarazin]
I used an EOS Rebel film camera for years and finally moved to an DSLR when I couldn't get easy access to wet film processing. This camera is fabulous! It does everything the Rebel did and SOOOOOOO much more. I also think it is easier to use. The first pictures I took were at our daughters wedding and the digital format made it easy to take really great pictures for them. Canon has always been good for us, and this is the best product yet.
EFS-18-55mm beats my EF100-400mm L IS Zoom lens with XSI 450D [Elmer M. Carandang]
I used the following settings (1/200 sec, f/25, AWB cloudy, AI SERVO AF flash exp comp +2, user def 1 with +7 sharpness, +1 contrast, +2 saturation, +2 color tone, hi-ISO speed noise reduction on, highlight tone priority enabled, auto lighting optimizer enabled) with flash on and took pictures from 5PM to 7PM and I got the clearest resolution ever from a kit lens!!!! For any clarification and image samples, email me at emcarandang@yahoo.com.
Stunning Improvement Over Canon Point-and-Shoot [David Deming]
I initially held off buying a SLR, not so much because of the expense, but because I did not want to be confronted with the complexity of the different control options. I was using a Canon A-590, which is an 8 MP point-and-shoot. The A590 is a great camera which gives excellent results.
I have had the Xsi for about a month now, and was surprised to find that in the full auto mode its even easier to use than the A-590. If you are intimidated from purchasing a SLR by the bewildering complexity of control options, don't be. You don't have to use them if you don't want to.
What has really stunned me, though, is the astonishing improvement in image quality with the Xsi. I compared it directly to the A-590 and found a staggering improvement in detail and resolution. This difference goes far beyond what could possibly be attributed to the slight advantage the Xsi has in the number of pixels (12 MP vs. 8 for the A-590).
So, the Xsi is highly recommended for taking stunning photographs, far higher in quality than a cheaper point-and-shoot with the same specified resolution.
great entry level dslr! [AngeLyssa]
took forever to buy my first dslr. after looking at 3 models the nikon d60, rebel xsi, and canon 40d. even bought the xsi first then the nikon d60 (which I returned right after a day of trying it). over-all the rebel xsi for me is the best camera that fits my budget. amazon even price adjusted 3x till it came down to $699! what a deal if you're thinking of buying ur first digital dslr i would strongly suggest this camera why pay the same amount for the new rebel xs? when the xsi has a lot more to offer. the feature that i like most about it are the dedicated buttons for ISO, metering, AF and alot more aside from the live-view. I would like the 40d since its ISO goes down to 3200. but it was a bit bulkier and heavier for me being a woman :). one thing i can say about it for me its simply PERFECT :).
great purchase [AS]
all items arrived in good order, no complaints, on time delivery. The camera is very good indeed, i also read a lot of reviews before buying and very happy with the camera, very light and top level features in it. only suggestion - buy a good lens with it instead of the kit lens, i use it with the 17-55mm f/2.8
Works great - kit lens is decent [R. Freeman]
I found everything pretty much as I expected it based on the various reviews out there. The camera itself is great, although the kit lens doesn't really use its full capabilities. The IS lens is really nice - I found myself able to take fairly decent shots with upwards of 1/2 second exposures.
Short of spending at least $500 more you aren't going to do any better than this. The nice thing is that the camera has room to grow - buy a $500+ lens for it and it will really shine (or a much cheaper prime lens).
Better than 35 mm; just short of 6x6 cm [Wayne]
I have used 5x7 in., 4x5 in., 6x6 cm and 35 mm formats over the last 30 years, and have developed and printed all my work in my own darkroom (B&W and color). The combination of Canon's XSi plus my PIXMA Pro 9000 printer (also purchased through Amazon.com) surpasses the quality and longevity of my color C-prints and Cibachrome in 6x6 cm and 35 mm. Thanks to Amazon for delivery in under the time specified. And thanks to no arguments about stock outages and kit contents, which was so prevalent with several less-than-professional NYC camera outfits over the years, except for B&H Photo, a truly professional supplier. I don't think I can add much to what's already been said about this camera. The cost and the quality of this camera and PIXMA 9000 printer come in far under what my darkroom cost me many years ago--only deliver superior results--with no carcinogenic chemicals. I also own a Canon A620, which has delivered fantastic results for a small point-and-shoot camera that fits in your pocket. The next step is to build up my Canon lens selection; I'm converting from being a previous Minolta (35 mm) and Mamiya (6x6 cm) user. One word of advice: Don't skimp on the inks and use any cheap stuff other than Canon inks (or OEM inks for the printer you own). After all, permanence is worth paying for--just as the quality print materials you purchased and the archival processing you would have spent hours doing in the darkroom.
My first DSLR Cannon Rebel SXI [singnsaw]
This being my first DSLR, I have been impressed with it so far. I have taken about 200 pictures so far in different modes and only had two or three not to be useable.It is great for taking pictures where no flash is wanted. The sport mode is smooth for humans or animals or cars, motorcycles,etc. The IS lens is worth every penny for me. It is very light weight, so easy to carry all day. I would buy it again.
Canon Digital Rebel XSi 12MP Digital SLR Camera [B. F. Taylor]
Overall, I am very pleased with this camera. Although I have had several film SLR's and several digital cameras, this is my first digital SLR and I love it. It has several `point-and-click', autofocus features as well as the more traditional capability of a SLR for the more creative shots. There is a ton of stuff to learn to be proficient with this camera but that is part of the fun...
GREAT choice for my first DSLR! [Jerry Caulkins]
This is my first venture into buying a DSLR and I have a college budget so I made sure I was spending my money on the best camera possible. I had been reviewing DSLRs for months and months before finally deciding on the XSI, and I could not be happier with my decision! From the moment I took it out of the box I have been taking better pictures than I ever thought I could. I have some photography experience from a black and white photography class my first semester, but I am still quite green when it comes to the finer points of photography. It didn't at all matter with this camera. Right out of the box it didnt take me long to figure out the controls and which buttons did what. I love that there was a dedicated ISO button, white balance button, metering options button, AND shooting mode button. The worst thing is when you have a great shot that wont last long (think kids, animals, nature) and you have to dig through menus to get what you want. This camera eliminates that worry. The lens that came with this thing is also much better than I expected in a kit lens. The image quality looks amazing while doing both very close up shots and landscape. I am not an expert on lenses, but I used one of my fathers lenses that cost several hundred dollars and there REALLY was hardly any difference in picture quality. Especially for a kit lens, I was quite impressed. One last thing I love, THE LCD screen! This thing is HUGE and has very good image quality. It is great for reviewing your shot, right up to the fine details. It really makes it easier to see if you got the shot you wanted before you take it all the way back to your computer and see you screwed it up. As for the live view, I wasnt real sure when I would use it, but I found out the other day. There was a nest of hornets low to the ground and I sure as heck wasnt sticking my face down there. I convieniently used the live view feature to get the camera close and compose the shot while keeping my body in position to run :)
Really the only thing that has annoyed me so far is how you have to smush your nose and face into the LCD when using the viewfinder. I am all the time having to wipe smudges off. But really, after having this camera for a week and all I have to complain about is smudges on the LCD? That really is hardly a complaint at all. I would recommend it for anyone from complete newbies, to people like me with a smattering of experience, to those that actually know what they're doing. This camera is amazing.
Also, to anyone interested. I posted some of my first first pictures on my Flickr account. These are pictures from a guy who has basically forgotten most of his photography class 2 years ago, and has had little time to do much photography at all. The XSI went a long way in covering up my inexperience. At least I think so :) http://www.flickr.com/photos/29479673@N07/show/
Canon XSi [T. LEVERTON]
This is an excellent camera! It is very intuitive, and has several great features, like the 9 point focus, auto setting custom white balance, 3" LCD (which I originally thought was unnecessary, however turned out to be a very nice thing to have). The camera feels really good in your hands, and provides for quality photos, and quick knowledge of its features. The only bad part is that the body is made of plastic, so if you drop it.... better luck next time. but you can get different armor for it if you are shooting in an area that may be dangerous. Awesome camera!
Great value for the money [A. Santana]
I've used Canon products for years...high end, usually. I decided to try this camera when I got the bug to buy a new one but didn't want to spend a lot. Consumer reviews were high, and with good reason. I have gotten some of the best photos ever with this camera, especially with a nice lens. The lens that comes with this package is decent, but I'd go with the bigger Canon EF 28-200mm lens. I finally did, and yep. All the reviews were right.
Great Upgrade [Jesse F. Phillips]
I have the original digital rebel model and have been looking to upgrade from the6mp and finally Canon came out with a 12mp to give me the resolution I was looking for. There are lots more features on this model XSi I was looking for. I reccomend it highly. Frank
Upgrading to XSi or 40d??? Went with XSi!!! [M. J. Markovitch]
I've been a long time photog. Back in the 80s I got into 35mm cameras with a Canon AE1 and A1. I then purchased a Rebel 35mm and used it for many years (still have it). A couple of years ago I purchased a digital Rebel XT which was soon uprgaded to an XTi. Both camera's were awesome and I never had a single problem with either of them. As most upgrades go though, each newer model provided new useful things which made the newer camera that-much better than the old one.
I'm not going to write all the "the camera does this and not that" type things that everyone else has already written. You can go the Canon's website for all the specs. I am however going to say that I have purchased many things from Amazon over the years and never had a single problem. I decided to go to my local camera store for this purchase though; only because I wanted to handle the camera and play with it for a while before making a decsion.
I was torn between upgrading to the XSi or 40d. I had heard many rumors that the 40d would soon be replaced with a newer, more advanced model. At time of this writing that has not happend yet. After handling both, and playing with them for several hours in my local shop (I think I drove the salesman nuts!) I have the following to say:
There is no doubt that the 40d is a bigger, more rugged appearing camera. It is however too big for me. It is not much heavier, but the grip and shape are bigger. The processer and guts for the most part are the same in both cameras and some of the features of the XSi are actually more advanced (since it is a newer model). The viewfinder in the XSi was clearer and sharper in the XSi and I just liked the overall feel better (may have something to do with being familier with the XTi). The overall sound of the camera functioning sounds great. Very professional. The 40d actually sounded too robotic to me when the shutter was used or the flash fired. The Live View feature on the XSi actually has one extra option that the 40d does not, which is great for me since I really enjoy macro photography. Most importantly, the camera is easy to use and very user friendly. The manual it comes with is pretty detailed, but I would still recommend buying a good aftermarket book on the XSi to really get to know it. I really couldn't see spending $400 more for the 40d. I'd prefer to put it towards a nice lens.
Ultimately, I decided to spend less money and get a great camera that will keep me happy for a couple years at which time I'm sure the next latest and greatest camera with already be on sale and I'll be ready for a new one! :)
If you are in the market for a camera that will do everything you want it to do, get the XSi. Whether you're an amature, pro or just a family member looking to take great photos of their kids and events, this camera will fit your needs. With the right lenses this camera will take magazine quality photographs. If you can't afford that, get the XTi, it also takes great photos. And if you have plenty of money to burn and just want a bigger camera, the 40d is no slouch.
More than expected [J. D. Mitchell]
It's difficult to find much wrong with this camera. Sure I would prefer a better quality and faster lens, but for the price of this body/lens combination, the lens was basically free. The picture quality is excellent by any standard. I have a degree in commercial photography, and have purchased 7 digital cameras in the last 2 ½ years. I study them quite thoroughly, and this camera seems difficult to beat, until you are well over the $3000 mark. Ok, it does have a plastic body. But this is also a plus. The camera is quite small and very light weight. You will not be disappointed.
excellent performance [DP]
bought this cam a month ago and have snapped hundreds of pics. haven't had any problem with AF/noise with the kit lens or the 50mm f1.8. colors are great, sharpness needed to be buffed up in standard mode, excellent placement of the control buttons...very easy to manuver. didn't like the built-in flash so bought 430ex and bouncing off the walls/ceiling with great results. light weight cam with decent build. dont expect wonders with the kit lens..not that sharp at the edges...the 50 mm is pretty good tho for the price and it is FAST!! thanks to amazon for outstanding service and prompt delivery. i m on a tight budget at present..would welcome suggestions/comments on what lenses to buy and other aspects of photography. i m not a pro, and pics are made for my own pleasure/enjoyment.
Absolutely Amazing Camera !! [Dawn]
I am by no means new to photography. I recently made the switch from Nikon DSLR's D200, D300. Why did I switch to Canon. Because I find their prime lens to be much more affordable than Nikon, and customer reviews on the prime lens are outstanding. Even with the newly released Nikon D700, I decided to get the Canon XSI for a backup camera until Canon releases their new pro DSLR in the near future. The Canon XSI takes amazing pictures, is user friendly, and with the 2 prime lens that I already have; the results have been exceptional. I could not be happier. I looked at this camera for months before deciding to get it. Thanks to Amazon for their great prices and fast delivery on this item. Amazon is by far very competitive with prices. Thanks again, Amazon.
Glad I bought this great camera from Amazon.com [S. West]
I am so glad I bought this camera from Amazon.com. The camera is top notch of course, but when I bought this camera it was selling for $794 on Amazon. Within 12 days, the price dropped to $709. With Amazon's price guarantee, I was refunded the $84 difference. Not even Newegg does that. Thanks Amazon!
The camera is just what I expected from Canon. It's easy to use, even in my novice hands. There are some functions that I still need to get a handle on but that's just my inexperience showing through. I bought the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lens from Amazon as well and couldn't be happier with the results. I would highly recommend that purchase to any newbies out there that like to take portraits.
Great camera! [D. Poyfair]
What a great camera! I've been wanting the digital rebel for a while now and I am so pleased that I waited to get this model. It takes great photos and is easy to use in the auto mode. I can't wait to try all of the different manual settings to improve my photos...And I love that this model uses the SD cards, so much better in my opinion that the larger compact flash cards. I would recommend this to anyone who wants to take great pics!
Amazing Digital Camera [Muhammet M. Cetin]
Good conditions! Perfect timing!!! Amazing camera!! I have really enjoyed it!
A fine machine [John Crunk]
I have been looking at digital SLR's for some time now. I have always liked the feel of the Canon bodies, and the XSi feels like it was built for my hand.
It is a complex beast, but fortunately the auto mode gets you started with decent shots right away. I'm a seasoned user of SLR's, but any new model takes some practice.
Although the 18-55mm lens is OK, don't waste your time with it for professional quality photos; it will get you started but bite the bullet and get a decent long lens. (I got the EF 70-200 from Amazon -- a bit steep in price but makes the XSi perform like a different camera.)
The software furnished with the camera is a good start, too, until you decide what kind of "darkroom" you want to build.
Great [P. Martin]
This will be the last Camera I have to Buy,,, I'm just learning and so far so good. This is so easy to use. Learning more from all the other reviews.
Honestly, I hate it [Michael Developer]
I hate this camera because it exposes what a crappy photographer I am. Many of my pictures come out "so-so" right now and marginally better than my point and shoot. Spending a little time to get off the autofocus and use manual controls yielded pictures that far surpassed my old 7MP Nikon when dealing with moving objects, which was my primary challenge. I am concerned with the 50,000 picture rating for the shutter since I've already shot 800 pictures in just the first 20 days of owning this camera (you can shoot a lot at a sporting event) but, for the price, it was unbeatable with a decent, versatile stock lens. I'm now realizing the limitations of the lens and what separates the low from the high but this camera is a learning experience for anyone who doesn't really shoot at a high level. It will require you to invest the time to get excellent pictures out. You'll be disappointed like myself in the same way getting a great HDTV brings out the limtiations of standard cable. But look at it this way - once you start learning about the basics, e.g. the relationship of ISO to aperture to shutter speed and setting the priority mode, etc. you're on your way to pictures that are far superior to your point and shoot and difficult to go back. Apparently it doesn't have all the fine settings of the 40D nor the 100K shutter rating but I'm not sure it matters at this price. If you want a sub-$800 SLR with a decent stock lens, there is no better camera, and I was hoping the Nikon D60 would be my choice. Not so. Learning all the detailed options that are still remaining made me realize now that this camera has far more important features than the competition, all which requires an investment in photography to get great pictures. It's a crime with this camera to even think of using the auto-settings.
This DSLR Is Great [D. Schultz]
I'm barely an amateur photographer, so I'm not going to get technical because I can't.
I own a film SLR, but haven't used it in about 5 years--ever since "quality" digital point-and-shoots flooded the market. I left the film and all of the manual tinkering behind for the ease of use. Now having this camera for a few days, I'm sorry I did that. My latest P&S is a Canon S3 IS, which has a nice zoom and takes good pics. It may never be used again.
The first thing I immediately noticed is the depth of field that the XSi produced. I forgot how good an SLR could be. Upload the pics to your computer and the clarity and color of the photos are just unbelievable. Night or indoor shooting is equally amazing. I never got good results when I disabled the flash on my P&S cameras, but I am shocked at how well the photos turn out in a low-light situation when not using the flash on this one.
The camera and lens does feel a bit cheap with all of the plastic. But, I plan on taking care of it, so I'm ok with that. The battery seems to have a lot of juice in it for hundreds of pics before recharging (2 hour charge). I don't see myself using the "live view" function too much. It doesn't really work like a P&S like it may seem. There is no memory card in the kit, which is fine with me since the cards included in most cameras are very low capacity and essentially useless.
I love this camera and wish I would've jumped on a DSLR sooner. Then again, maybe it was well worth the wait...
Edit: October 31, 2008 Still loving this camera in every way after about 3000 pics. Image quality still impresses me and battery life is also very good. Extremely satisfied.
Great Camera [P. Wohr]
This is my first dive into the DSLR realm. I really like this camera, it has plenty of options for more advanced users, but is simple enough that I can hand it to a novice and they can take nice pics right away (with the right settings). The optical image stabilization is very cool, really helps on indoors shots and etc (turn it off if u use a tripod tho b/c it will soften long exposure shots). I could be wrong about this but it seems as though there is no way to Auto focus while using the camera in "Live view" mode. But I don't really use that ever so it doesn't really bother me. 12 mp is very large, I've found the real limiting factor to clarity shifts from being how many pixels to how clear your focus is your lighting and what ISO / exposure / etc you have set. I compared this camera to the Sony Alpha 16mp and decided to go with this one because of the optical image stabilization and after reading reviews, the menu system on the Sony didn't seem as nice. Having never used the Alpha I can't really say the XSI is definitely better but I'm happy with my decision. The kit lens works well for many situations but can't really zoom in very far, so you will probably find yourself wanting something like the 50-250mm IS lens soon after you buy the camera if you are into things like nature photography etc where u can't get very close to the subject. I've taken about a thousand pics so far, the battery life is really good if u don't use flash constantly or leave the window on for extended periods it will last for many hundreds of pictures. Overall I would recommend this camera, it is nicely priced takes large very nice pics and the kit lens comes with IS so thumbs up from me.
Great SLR starter camera [S. Klusmann]
I spent a lot of time researching SLR cameras and trying to find one that would fit my needs the best, and the Canon Rebel XSi succeeded in more ways than one. Even if you don't know much about SLR cameras this one does almost everything for you when set on the auto setting. It will make you an awesome photographer with little effort. The quality of the pictures is amazing! I would highly recommend this camera to anyone!
Canon XSi - Excellent value for money [Mark Miocevich]
I've been using 35mm cameras for over 30 years and had been using a number of Canon point and shoot cameras before making the transition to a digital SLR. Those of you who are familiar with the Canon menu systems on their point and shoot cameras will find it very easy to make the transition to the XSi - it uses the same menu based systems you have been using.
The decision to go with with Canon XSi was based on the assumption that the DSLRs are going to continue to get better and better over the next few years and rather than make a heavy investment in the camera it was better to buy a reasonably priced camera and plan to upgrade over time and use some of the cash that could have been spent on a camera to buy quality glass for the camera.
There are a number of reviews on the web that highlight the excellent quality of the image sensor on the XSi and they all suggest that the sensor is better than the stock lens on the camera. My suggestion is that don't buy the lens that comes with the camera, unless you want to sell it on EBay, and make the investment in lenses to go with the camera.
In terms of the shooting quality I have been using the camera for the past month and have been very impressed with the images taken. They are far superior to point and shoot images and are comparable to the 35mm that I have been used to.
For those of you with big hands the camera body is very small in the hand and you may want to consider buying the optional battery grip that comes with the camera to make it easier for the camera to fit in your hand. I am 6 foot tall and my pinky finger doesn't fit on to the grip because my hand is too big.
love my canon 450 xsi [Donna J. Newton]
Great camera for novice or semi-pro. This is my third Canon. Each one better than the previous.Purchased a USM lens pictures are sharp and clear. Color right on. IS is so helpful when needed.
canon camera comfort [Anne Macneil]
This camera is fabulous - I needed a light body due to a hand injury - even with my canon lenses, it is still manageable - the photos are beautiful - !!! great options - works great with all my old lenses , digital or not - thank you !!!!
Move Up in Consumer DSLR Performance [Mark A. Brammer]
After two very happy years using the CANON 350D/XT DSLR, I decided to upgrade to the XSi/450D based on 1) Addition of more professional-level spot metering/focusing offering, 2) Increase to 12 MP resolution and 3) The improved standard IS 18-55 kit lens. In all regards, I'm exceptionally pleased with the new Canon. I was able to tell the kit lens improvement and the impact of Image Stabilization from the first time I used it, as it allows me to work in lower light and delivers clearer photograhs in every situation. The spot metering works very well, as does the increase in point-of-focus. I can definately see the increased resolution in my cropped enlargements, as well. The one feature I don't use (live view) could be a big 'plus' to people who prefer not to use viewfinders, but again, it's not something I use. Battery life (I use an external 430EX flash for most shots) has been far-above Canon's listed number; I often get over 800 shots on a battery using AF and IS. I've used the camera with my Sigma DC and DG lenses with no problems noted at all, although my Sunpak flash that works perfectly TTL with the 350D will not function with the XSi.
Amazon was a delight to deal with [Dwight Andersen]
I ordered this camera body, a lens hood and a memory card from Amazon. I received everything in perfect condition, with no problems and on time. I was able to track each item online and the camera and memory card arrived a week ahead of schedule (even using the free, but slow, free delivery) and the hood arrived right on the scheduled day. Also, Amazon had the best prices, no sales tax and free delivery. You can save more than a few bucks if you're willing to wait a few days.
Excellent feature at attractive price [Francis H. Ku]
I owned the XTi before and was extremely satisfied with it. I'm sold to the XSi mainly because of the new Spot metering and 3" screen!! Live View is a plus but I only used it a couple of times. People always compare the XSi to the 40D. Price w/ feature wise their prices are pretty much the same, but the main reason that I chose the XSi was the SMALL SIZE. For people with small hands like me the 40D is too wide and heavy. On the 40D I couldn't reach some of the inner buttons without taken my hand away from the grip. The IS kit lens is an excellent start but the camera quickly out grown its resolution. I upgraded to a EF-S 17-55mm IS and am very happy (make sure to get a good dust-resistant copy).
Love at first click [Leslie B. Finley]
I love this camera. I used to have an old Minolta XGM 35MM for many years and loved taking pictures so i decided to get back into photography and i waited for this ever since it was first announced by Canon. I got this and the 70-300 zoom and have been taking pictures everywhere. It takes fantastic pictures and make me look like a professional photographer. Now everyone I know, wants me to take pictures for them. The transaction was easy and happily uneventful. I received it on time and in fine condition. I received it from Ritz/Amazon. I am looking forward to taking classes so I can benefit from all the great features. I would highly recommend this if you have the dough!
An excellent upgrade to a great camera [John T. Reynolds]
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.
Everything I expected [Mark A. Manning]
Did a lot of research and this was everything I expected. Takes great pictures and easy to use.
Great camera at a fair price... [Richard J. Martin]
Bought this camera to replace my Nikon D70. I've been a Nikon user for years however my D70 was starting to do strange things including reformatting the memory card at will! I bought the camera after reading the review on dpreview. Took the Canon to Scandinavia, taking about 2,500 shots via a Sigma 18-200mm OS lens(I wish canon would produce such a lens however the results with the Sigma were excellent). This is a feature loaded camera which will appeal to the amateur and prosumer as well. The menus are excellent, very intuitive compared to the D70. Highly recommended.
Amazon was best value [J. Tan]
We purchased this after comparing it to the Nikon D60. It is a little more expensive, but seems to be of higher quality and feels better to hold. Quality of build so far is pretty good and its use is pretty intuitive. So far, no issues to report on negatively.
Excellent product [Ashwin Ambekar]
I am surprised to see effects. Excellent camera and I am very happy with it. I have used canon products before, and I was always unhappy with their battery life, but not with this product. Xsi has lot of features and to be honest I am still learning. I used this for my NY trip and some of the pics I took during night were amazing. camera should be bought with 55-250 mm lens along with 18-55, that gives very good range for much less cost. Really worth the $$.
Love the Camera!!! [S. Millevoi]
This is a GREAT camera! All I can do is take pictures...it doesn't matter when or where. My family loves it also. My wife and I have quickly become the photographers and people are amazed at the quality. I would recommend this camera to anyone.
Canon Digital Rebel XSI-cant go wrong with this. [Wildlife]
Ordered this camera from Amazon on Sunday and got it on wednsday. Im already in love with it, so glad i bought it.
My First DSLR [Michael H.]
This is my first DSLR. I've always liked CANON as a camera supplier, and have ownd several point and shoot. This camera is amazing.. I bought it through Amazon am happy with shipping etc. Had to wait 3 months, but thats not their fault. My only concern is now I need a bigger HD on my PC to keep the 12 Mega Pixel photos.
I have been shooting, (over 2000) photos in the 2-3 months since I got this camera. Its fast, and easy to use. Recommended every time.
Love the long battery life. I have a 8Gb card, holds nearly 1400 photos in JPG format, highest resolution. RAW would be a bit less. Battery takes over 500 photos with flash used on about 30-40% of the shots.
Light and easy to use..
Very nice camera [Corte33]
I've owned a Rebel XT for a few years, so bought this camera to upgrade. It's easy to use and if it's anything like the Rebel XT, it will be very reliable. The shutter is responsive. I get live view mode as well as viewfinder shooting. The big LCD screen is very nice. I didn't go through every feature, as most of them I will never use. Moreover, the menu is easy to navigate, and one doesn't get overwhelmed by buttons on the camera. (I also have Nikon equipment.) I give it 5 stars.
Canon XSi---One incredible camera [Helliyacht]
I bought this camera as an upgrade from a sophisticated point and shoot. It's remarkably easy to use, and the 3" LCD is fantastic, even in bright light. I chose to buy the body only, and to put the money saved toward a better quality Canon lens (a EF-S 17-85 IS USM) which in the long run should serve me better than the kit lens, although it's a bit heavier. I've found the menus to be easy to comprehend and intuitive. The viewfinder is bright and provides excellent feedback re: camera settings without having to take my eye away from it to look at the LCD. I've had the camera for about a month now, and have been impressed with image quality, battery life and, as you'd expect, the versatility afforded by an SLR.
Canon Rebel XSI is an Excellent Camera [Kenneth Richardson]
I have 2 DSLR's, a Nikon D40 and a Canon Digital Rebel XSI. Between the 2 I personally like the Canon, for the very better image quality, where as the Nikon has better Noise control. Better noise control DOES NOT mean better Pictures, far and away from it. On the Nikon I can get a fairly decent Photo at ISO 3200, but being the Canon doesn't have ISO 3200 I CAN'T COMMENT, but I will compare at 1600 and see what differnce their is. As far as which I will carry with me at most times will be the Canon.
I have only had the XSI a few Days, and haven't had time to mess with Live view or things such as that, but will update in a couple of weeks or so
UPDATE: I got around to messing around withe Live View feature and it will come in handy, BUT call me old fashioned, I still prefer the Viewfinder on a SLR when taking my Pictures, even though times have changed, I am just used to the Viewfinder for the past 20 years.
Great camera [WDS]
This camera has lived up to all the pre-release hype. Works flawlessly. Would like the live view easier to access rather than through the menus. Would buy again!
Easy to use camera [Robert M. Thomson]
I may be biased b/c this is my first DSLR camera, but I can't live without it. It is easy to use for the amateur like myself or advanced enough for a professional. very user friendly camera and is actually pretty easy to use. Fairly light camera even with big tamron 28-300mm VC lens on it (a must have). the pics have been perfect so far...if not outstanding
Goodbye Canon PowerShot SD550!!!! [Randy G. Dodds]
Well, maybe not, but the Rebel XSi is certainly a step up for me!!! As a certified DSLR newb (this is my first SLR camera of any type), I certainly didn't know what to expect when I ordered this camera. Yeah, I had done all of the online and in-store research, read through myriads of model reviews and pondered my desired requirements, but you never know how things are going to go until you have the product at home and have used it a few times. Bottom line is that the Rebel XSi is easy to use and takes great pictures, which is what it's all about! For someone who never had anything but a point-and-shoot, the learning curve on the Rebel has not been as steep as I originally thought. While I won't be chucking my job to become a paparazzo and art galleries won't be showing any of my works anytime soon, the Rebel XSi works for what I need it for; clean and crisp, albeit amateur, photography.
In the end, I decided to purchase the Rebel XSi for a couple of reasons. First, it met my price point for a first-timer's DSLR camera. I couldn't see myself spending >$1K to support a hobby that I was only beginning to explore. I likened my buying a higher-end prosumer or professional camera body (like a Canon 1D, a 40D or a Pentax/Samsung K20) to throwing the keys for the Maserati to a 15 year-old driver with a learner's permit. I know I could "grow" into a high-end camera, but why take a chance? My second rationale for purchasing the Rebel XSi was the functionalities built into the camera. With comparably-priced DSLRs, i would have had to sacrifice this or that feature that comes included with the XSi.
My much-used PowerShot will be gathering dust...
Nice step up from the Xti [Stewart Stryker]
A very popular review here suggested that the 40D was a better deal. I'm here to say I ignored his suggestion and am glad I did. I've only had the XSi for a week, so haven't taken more than 100 real shots yet, but I'm really pleased.
First off, the XSi is $200 cheaper than the 40D (at the moment, it varies greatly) and 2/3rds the weight, both of which I appreciate. I've never used the 40D so my comments below are about the XSi and the improvements over the Xti.
Pros:
* Bigger screen is great for viewing your results and checking the settings. * Seeing the ISO in the viewfinder is wonderful! In the past I'd messed up shots because I'd left it set wrong, but no longer. * The viewfinder seems brighter and easier to view (haven't used in low light yet). * New Auto ISO makes getting quick shots in changing light easier, though I'll manually set it for shots when I had time to check all my settings. * Digital noise seems to be slightly reduced than the Xti. * Battery life is *excellent*. I've only charged it once so far. * Even though the Live View focusing is a little funky, it works pretty well. I can definitely see using it for night shots when the viewfinder is too dark (or maybe it won't be anymore?). Nice touch that you can display a 3x3 grid on the screen for composition. For auto-focusing, I prefer the Quick Focus mode, which blanks out the Live View while you're holding down the * button and the focusing is happening, but it's definitely usable. The other auto-focus mode (Live Mode) takes so long that I won't use it. Manual focusing is made much easier since they've added the ability to zoom in 10x in Live View, which is *wonderful*. I'd missed that feature when I moved up from my Panasonic FZ30, which had it. * I like having the new spot metering for night shots. * I *really* like the new "My Menu" where you can select your favorite 6 menu options and they show up first, which means less digging through menus.
Cons:
* Highlight Tone Priority feature eliminates the ISO 100 option, which means you can get a little more digital noise. And you can still get blown out highlights. Maybe I'm not using it right or expecting too much? * Buttons on the back of the camera are more recessed than the Xti, making it less-obvious when you're trying to hit the right one w/o looking. It's also *really* crowded back there! Tough having fat fingers!
Neither pro nor con:
* RAW files are much bigger than in the Xti, many around 14MB, which means you get fewer shots per memory card (135 RAWs on a 2GB card, vs 197 on the same sized card in my Xti). I expected a little increase from the increased resolution, but didn't count on the increase in the A/D bits from 12 to 14 to increase things too. This also makes file transfers and loading into image editing software slower, and I think I'll need a bigger hard drive soon! * When reviewing photos, you can hit the Disp button to see more shot details. Hit it once to just add that the storage format and picture count, which I *don't* think is worth its own step. Hit the Disp button again to see the brightness histogram. Hit it once more to see the luminescence histogram plus 3 small histograms for Red, Green and Blue. Personally I don't have use for this last mode (or the second), so wish there was a Custom Function to disable them. * High ISO noise reduction - another feature I've turned off in Custom Functions. Better to do advanced noise reduction on the computer. Plus is slows down the continuous shooting mode to about 1.5 shots per second! Ugh.
All in all the XSi is a really nice pro-sumer camera that lets you get down and dirty with details when you want but can also rip off quick shots w/o thinking about every little setting.
Canon EOS digital camera [Martin S. Favero]
The Canon EOS Rebel Xsi was a very good buy at Amazon
The price was excellent, the camera arrived within 5 working days of the order, and there were no shipping charges or sales tax.
Much-Improved Canon SLR [P. Rosenfield]
I have previously owned the Canon Rebel XT. I liked this camera as an improvement over my previous Powershot. The SLR offered the focusing and lens possibilities I had experienced with my film Elan camera. However, I found the Canon XT did not do well in low-light situations and that it did not handle situations with varied lighting very well.
The new Canon XSi is a VAST improvement over the XT and well worth the investment. Photos are much sharper. The XSi easily adapts to all types of lighting situations. Also its new larger LCD screen is much easier to use. This camera feels more substantial in the hand, and I find all the buttons smartly placed for ease of use.
I might add that I have added the 55-250mm IS lens to the 18-55mm IS lens. Both are light and easily used. With 2 lenses I have both fairly wide angle and telephoto capabilities. This is a great lens set up for anyone wanting to use their XSi in travel and hiking situations.
Amazing D-SLR! [R. Garcia]
We have had this camera for about 3 weeks now and I have to say we love it. I had a Canon G3 years ago and love every picture taken from it. This is my first DSLR and just as the reviews say and I thought, it is amazing. Most of the pictures were clear and amazingly capture nature, people, landscapes, and night shots with awesome clarity. I looked hard at the 40D and I must say it is a better camera, I just didn't want to spend $500 more for many features that I may never use. I have had some auto focus problems but I attributed them to my own fault.
Love the camera......... very fast shipping [scotty the body]
In short, I read reviews on this camera and found everything to be true. My wife loves the camera. I shopped for over a month at online camera retailers and found Amazon to have the best deal. Shipping was a breeze as well, I recived it before i was suppose to. Would recommend to others and would definetly buy again.
I love my new camera! [R. O'Neil]
For quite some time I was wanting to get a digital SLR camera, because I was sick and tired of the shutter lag that regular digital cameras have. Though I was happy with the pictures my Konica Minolta Dimage Z10 made - especially outdoors, I dreaded to make pictures indoors or trying to capture moving objects on picture (now you see me, now you don't). So I was contemplating for month which digital SLR I wanted and needed. Since this is my first camera of this kind and I'm merely a hobby fotographer, I didn't want to shell out several grands. But I wanted something that had enough "oomph" to it to justify the price tag. So I looked into the Canon Rebel XTi, Nikon D40, Olympus E30 and Olympus E50. The thing I didn't like about the Olympus was the fact, that it seems that I had to buy Olympus picture cards and they are kinda pricy. So I went back and forth between the Canon Rebel XTi and the Nikon D40. Then I looked into the XSi and read the repords on amazon.com and other sites, compared both Canon cameras side by side. After a week or two I finally decided to spend a bit more but have a few more extras with my camera. And I had a lot of fun in the last few days with this camera. I can take pictures with it, that come out clear and vivid even in lower light indoors. I would have had smudgy blurrs with my other camera under the same condition. Right now I am only using the Canon lens EF 50 f/1.8 II for it's higher sensitivity to light, but wait until I go on vacation to Northern Germany in 2 weeks and I will try out the lens that came with the camera. Can't hardly wait! In a nutshell: So far I haven't regreded my desicion to buy this camera! To see a few pictures that I took in the first couple of days owning this camera using this lens Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lens go to the following site: [...]
Love this camera! [Paula S.]
My husband and I bought this camera for our 35th anniversary because we wanted to take a driving tour through the redwood forests of California and the ocean along the Oregon coast. We figured the trip would be a warm up and review of what the camera could do. We are so pleased with the photos taken with this Canon Rebel TSi 12 Megapixel Camera. It came with an 18-55 mm lens and we purchased a 75-300 mm lens also. Neither of us are pro's with a camera but I loved the feature that lets you take multiple pictures one after the other. We had also purchased a High-speed SD memory disk and were able to get fantastic photos of waves as they crest, curl, and crash on shore. I was even able to get photos of sea gulls flying and with the larger lens they look wonderful. We also toured the lighthouses along the Oregon Coast and the camera took great pictures of those too, no mater what the distance was. I cannot wait to go on another whale watch cruise this summer here in Seattle. This time I think I will actually be able to capture the Orca pods and not have photos of the water only because my old camera took too long to focus before the picture would shoot. I was afraid that the bigger camera would be a pain to carry around but it really was not. Although bigger than my smaller digital camera, it is lightweight and was not really the problem I thought it would be. We both love this camera.
Amazing camera [Alvin Daluyaya]
I normally shoot P&S cameras and never was interested in getting a dSLR due to the size. I have a Canon SD1000 for parties where I don't want to carry a large camera and S3 mainly for family get together, vacation, etc. I tried the camera first at a local store and I liked it, so when the price dropped online I bought it and I can't be happier. The images and the speed of taking pictures is great. The quality of the pics is amazing too. I'll probably get rid of my S3 and keep the SD1000 as a low profile cam and use this for parties, vacations, etc.
Great Camera [EW]
The XSi is a significant improvement over my XT. Controls are more intuitive and easier to access. The stock XSi lens is a definite improvement. I picked the XSi over the 40D primarily because of weight (I like to hang cameras off telescopes, weight is an issue). BTW: both the XT and the XSI work great with older manual SLR lenses like my Olympus Zuikos and Pentax M42s.
Outstanding Camera [C. Lister Thomas]
Just had an opportunity to use this camera under varying conditions in USA and Canada. I am a long time amateur trying to become a professional. From the Pacific coast of California to Mobile, AL., where I live, to my new grand daughter's face in Brampton, Ontario, CDA., to Niagara Falls, CDA., and back home, this camera performed exceedingly well. I have taken well over 600 pics and the battery still has charge for perhaps another 600 pics. I used auto settings as well as dedicated, and in every case, the results were outstanding. My family and friends were amazed at the crispness of the prints, but for me, it was the ease of use and ready adaptability that got my attention. This will be my main camera for some time to come. A rebel in its class, but attaches a new meaning to the word. Likely to stay at the head of this class.
I want'a use it, too... [Horace G. Lee]
A Pro, I've a Canon Ds and a Canon D Mark II n, for jobs. And, a Rebel XT and XTi, as back up cameras and for assistants to use, and I got an XSI for the same reason as the other Rebel's! Though, I got to tell you, I really like this sweet little light 12MP camera. Add the battery pack grip..., and I want'a use it too and am going to, especially when I want to lighten my camera bag for a long hike by foot to a location to shot and for times when I'll be carrying a camera in hand all day long... It has all the basic manual and auto functions that I might need and then some, and other pluses...
Excellent Entry-Level Camera...Almost an Amateur Level Camera [Carl Duke]
I don't have a lot to say...I had the Canon EOS Rebel XTi. I then saw the XSi was coming out...did my research on it. Found out that it had what I needed for most of my amateur needs. It came out, I bought it. It didn't disappoint me. Bottom line.
canon rebel xsi SLR digital camera [Larry Reinhardt]
I bought this for my wife Becky she loves it the pictures are awesome
great one [Xiaopeng Wang]
This is my first SLR camera. I bought it for my Hawaii Trip. It works great. The pixes are clear. I and my gf both love it.
Wonderful camera! [Doglets]
For someone who is used to a non-digital SLR, you will feel right at home with this one. All the same functions are there, just shown on a menu to select electronically, instead of with manual adjustments. You can use this as a point-and-shoot digital, or you can play to your heart's content. The lens is great, and you can add a telephoto lens if you want. It will take some learning for someone whose only experience is with a digital, but is a good choice for someone who wants to convert to digital from manual without losing all the versatility of the SLR camera.
Great Camera! Reviewed with kit lens. [r2010]
For my own non-professional use, I believe this camera will be all I will ever need for still pictures. My own opinion in this review may be for anyone who may wonder if they want to take the plunge for an SLR type camera. I have point & shoot cameras, and have always been impressed with the quality of Digital Single Lens Reflex Camera pictures and finally got an XSi.
After reading professional reviews and comparison to other cameras, this one in my opinion carries it's own weight in overall quality and function. This type of camera is aimed at photography only, not like a point and shoot which takes movie clips.
There is something worth mentioning.....when you buy the XSi, it comes with some features disabled or turned off by default. You must Read The Instructions and set it to your own preferences to get the most out of the camera! (I think Canon should have done better at clarifying this) Many reviewers say that Canon's pictures are a little "soft" in detail. I've seen side by side comparisons to other brand's pics. But what is overlooked is the fact that in the XSi, the default picture style menu setting is set in an average color/contrast/sharpness position when bought. (In mine it was) They can all be increased (in the creative zone) for even more clarity if you choose. You must go within the menu to set them. But it can still be used like fully automatic point and shoot camera with the preset general factory settings.
Also, I found that a camera's picture quality isn't limited to the camera's built-in software only. There are many 3rd party photo software programs that act as a further artistic rendering extension to what a camera can do. Google's own free Picasa2 photo software is an example. These programs aren't just for touch-up of photos anymore. You can further enhance pictures the way you like them.
This camera is designed to function a certain way by the way it was made. One shouldn't expect it to do photography work outside it's design, like meeting unrealistic lightning fast live view shooting conditions underwater, when in fact the live view's design/focusing speed is more intended as a convenience when shooting away from the eyepiece or on a tripod. Live view on an SLR must first flip up a mirror to expose a lens image to the sensor.
Live view is a new additional function to the this series of camera....it is not a less performing downgrade from any previous SLR version. It is a relativity new technology feature on SLR type cameras.
Excelent camera - lens are 3.5 stars [lucase]
This is my first digital SLR. I love it! The camera has a lot to play (and learn) with. It has the latest technology from Canon. The live view doesn't seem to work as a point and shoot yet it may not be a deal breaker. The lens are so-so. By reading other reports one realizes that there are much better lens to replace it. The camera is light and no so bulky as other SLRs. If you plan to buy a general purpose zoom it may not make sense to buy the body with the lens even at the cheap price difference (unless you want to sell it later).
One great camera [Wibblefish]
I waited a year for Canon to put their Digic 3 processor in a Rebel. The wait was worth it. The camera produces amazing results. The flexibility from a point and shoot to the macro to the full program mode is vast. I am a fan of the picture modes which all produce great shots. In particular I use the sports mode for shooting soccer shots. The continuous servo auto focus and shooting mean excellent results. The camera also feels great in your hands - just really well designed. The menus are easy to follow, and read on the large lcd, and arranged sensibly. You should buy this camera.
Don' Think I Will Out Grow This One [F. Louis Bailey Chiropracti]
I have had 3 or 4 $300.00 cameras and they did their job however it was time to make a jump to a real SLR digital. The feel and controls are natural and well located, focus is fast, power-up from stand-by out standing. I like macro floral shots, its here out of the box easy. The auto focus lens is a must, there are sellers that offer strange non-Canon lens don't go there.
Great Camera [DannyJr]
I thought long and hard about buying a new digital camera. I was torn between the 40D and the XSi. I chose the XSi mostly because of price and features and I have not been disappointed. I just love taking pictures with this camera.
Excellent but needs some time to master it! [S. Chammakhi]
Pros: 12MP, features: one of the more complete entry level DSLR, ergonomic, weight, lens kit, image quality, cheap IS lens complement: canon IS 55-250mm, canon community of expert users, canon software, live view, speed
Cons: price not only the camera but as well the other canon accessories like the flash, , grip.... need as well to invest time since it is more complex than a Point & shoot(read below)
I bought the 450D/XSI since around 3 weeks and it is my first DSLR. My previous camera was a canon Point & Shoot (P&S) with which I felt limited although I was shooting times to times in manual mode. One of the reasons that encouraged me to stay with canon was the good quality of my previous camera and because the canon cameras interface is quite similar (this saves time). The 450D/XSI is an excellent camera and the kit lens is very good and it can be complemented for a limited budget (less than 300$) with the good canon IS 55-250mm.
I will not do a technical review as a lot of experts already did. [...] My advise or comment is for the people who are upgrading to a DSLR: you need to spend time to learn photography techniques and how your XSI/DSLR works. If you are buying this camera for just using the automatic mode it is not a wise investment (although the XSI automatic mode is excellent as well) and you can find cheaper and better alternatives (point &shoots, some other DSLR like the XT....
In addition I read in forums a lot of questions/remarks that would not have been raised if the people took 5 minutes to read the user guides or if they experimented by them self.
After around 1000 shots with the XSI my photos improved significantly thanks as well to the use of the canon post processing software delivered with the camera. But I am still far from using the full potential of this camera
Amazed Simply [P. Eng]
I'm a professional photographer. I shoot editorials and advertising. I own a couple Canon 1Ds Mark 3. That being said, I wanted a small compact camera to take around with me. I first purchased a Sigma DP-1, but found it limiting and too slow. I sold it and decided to purchase the Canon 450D (XSi). And I am simply amazed at the functionality and speedy feel of the camera. Yes, it's not as small as a DP-1, but compared to a 1Ds Mark 3, it's tiny. Every feature of this camera is well thought out and they loaded it with much current technology as possible. I can't think of a single thing to complain about. I see people complaining about the buffer, but honestly if you NEED high buffer on RAW shooting then take the plunge and buy a 1D or 1Ds.
It's not a professional grade camera by functionality and build. But the image quality is on par. sRAW on a 1Ds Mark 3 is precisely the same as this camera MP size. I would feel very comfortable with the image quality of this camera to do a editorial shoot (non-sport) with it. But of course, the client always wants to see the big expensive camera, since they're paying you. :)
Overall great camera [R. Lefever]
I upgraded from my a620, and like the XSi much better, although the a620 still goes with me for movies. Looking forward to getting a macro lens.
Wonderful digital camera! [John Korkow]
This camera is impossible to beat at this price. I won't write a lengthy review, but, you can set this camera in fully automatic mode and hand it to a "point and shoot" person, and they will obtain fantastic results. For the amateur photographer, this has all of the bells and whistles, what I love is I can reset the camera rapidly for multiple shots of the same scene on very different settings. Married with a decent photo program on your computer, it is possible to achieve professional results.
Many reviews say, get this with the stabilization lens.... I wholeheartedly agree... the extra $100 is a bargain price for this lens... It is almost (and I do say almost) like having a tripod. I set the camera for 1/10th second exposures with no support, and obtained steady pictures with it, slower than this, and the stabilization did not fully correct for any unsteadiness.
We'd buy it again in a heartbeat, and I wish I could get one for everyone I know!! Best photos that I have ever taken and a joy to use! Connecting it to the computer and downloading photos takes a matter of seconds.
Get the largest SD card you can afford with it... We have a 2GB card with it, and it fills fairly rapidly. 1GB is far too small for this camera (primarily because you will take numerous shots with it, not because the pics take up a great deal of memory), I'm guessing 4GB would be near perfect (or a couple of 2GB cards, but one 4GB is safer, the cards are too easy to misplace).
What a great camera! [A Reader]
The XSi is a significant step forward for Canon, and brings features to the upper end of the consumer market that were previously only seen in much more expensive professional equipment.
The most important reasons I like this camera are:
1. The kit lens (EF-S 18-55 f/3.5-5.6 IS) is very good for the price. It is as sharp as lenses costing $700 to $1,000 and has only minimally greater barrel distortion and no vignetting to speak of. There is a little bit more chromatic aberration than with more expensive lenses, but again it completely acceptable, especially for the price. The autofocus and image stabilization work reliably and quickly. For aficionados of professional grade lenses, the build will seem light, but a light and small lens is also easier to carry around. Overall, a big improvement over earlier Canon kit lenses.
2. The 12.2 megapixel sensor provides more than enough resolution. Even 8"x12" enlargements are highly satisfactory. We can look forward to the day when consumer-priced 35mm SLRs will have 30 megapixel full size sensors. At that point, the 35mm format will be maxed out in terms of resolution, as the lenses will not be able to keep up. In the meantime, this is as good as it gets. To give you an idea how good, on a shot of a 25 story building, every brick was clearly visible.
3. The camera is fast enough for essentially all non-professional use. With natural lighting (no flash) it shoots 3.5 frames per second, perfect for capturing kids or sports action.
4. Another great feature of the XSi is that it has all the manual controllability that advanced photographers want, but also has automatic modes that even a complete beginner can easily use. The performance of the preset automatic modes is surprisingly good under a wide range of conditions.
Having only had the XSi for a few weeks, I cannot yet say anything about the reliability of this new model. What I can report is that in more than 30 years of photography, I have found Canon products, both SLR and point and shoot, to be by far the most reliable. The Nikon, Olympus, and Pentax cameras I once owned have long since fallen by the wayside, but every Canon I have ever had, all the way back to a 1978 35 mm AT-1 SLR, is still going strong.
What a camera! [Enriquillo Rodriguez]
At Dpreview this camera scores 9, near to top in image quality.It's true! Great photos, natural colors, I love it!
Excellent quality & price [J. Armstrong]
I waited for months debating on whether to go ahead and purchase the Canon 40D or hold out for the new XSi. I am thrilled that I waited on the XSi. The quality is excellent! I purchased the XSi with the 18-55mm IS lens. The lens is a good walk around lens but I also purchased the 50mm 1.8 and the Sigma 70-300mm zoom. I tend to the leave the Sigma on more than any.
The XSi has nearly all the features of the 40d at a fraction of the cost. It's features are definitely well above the XTi and totally worth the upgrade. The 3" LCD screen is great for the live view shooting or reviewing. The buttons are placed great and it's very easy to navigate.
The body itself is not as heavy as the 40d but also doesn't feel cheap and weak. It's a huge step up from my Canon S3 IS, however, I still love that camera and all it's power too.
I have used the camera in numerous situations already and it prevails in all. Of course as with most, it does extremely well outdoors in light. It also exceeded my expectations indoors in low light. Even when I have had to bump the ISO to 800 or 1600, it performs wonderfully and there is very little noticeable noise. With my former cameras, I was never able to use high ISO settings because they were too noisy to fix with post processing. With the XSi, there is very little if any post processing work needed on the high ISO shots. It's wonderful for low light situations when you don't want that deer in the headlights flash look!
All in all, the XSi was totally worth the wait and the savings. The XSi is a fraction of the cost of the 40D and yet has nearly if not all the pluses of the 40D. I'd definitely recommend anyone debating between the two to go ahead and go with the XSi body and save your money for good lenses.
Ergonomics [Kermit]
I mated the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM lens with the Canon XSI body. Individually they are both incredible components. The camera has most of the features of more expensive dSLRs and the lens is an "L" lens, possessing incredible optics and quality. But I'm not sure they work well together.
When I first lifted the camera from the shipping box I was impressed. The camera felt solid, not like some cheap plastic cameras on the market. And it was relatively light-weight.
The lens was built like a tank, solid, bulky at 77mm diameter, and quite heavy. But when the lens was attached to the camera something strange happened. It didn't feel right. The balance was way off. Since the lens was 50% heavier than the camera, it tended to point downward, like a divining rod, when the camera was suspended by its' strap. But, of course, "heavy" is a relative term. I had just upgraded from a compact P&S. And most quality dSLR lenses tend to be "heavy". I read about photograpers who label camera and lenses even heavier than mine as "light". This is just a personal reaction I want to convey. I had anticipated I would be supporting the weight of the camera almost totally with my right hand, using my left had only for balance. But I find I am also using my left hand to support considerable weight.
I won't go here into much detail about the specifications. They'll be discussed in depth by other reviewers. Suffice it to say this is a quality camera with advanced features and "predictable" controls.
There is one operational issue I think should be addressed, however. It's almost impossible to frame a shot using the viewfinder without smudging that beautiful 3" LCD monitor with your nose. There are eyepiece extenders available, but most users are not satisfied with them. It is said much of the image is blocked with their use.
I have addressed this problem by installing a plastic protector over the LCD monitor. I suggest you do the same. Now I can rub the protector to my heart's content without fear of scratching the LCD glass.
One other thing: Protect your lens with a quality UV filter. it would be pointless to install a cheap UV filter over a high-quality lens. I went for the B&H.
In summary, although I'm not yet comfortable with my combination of camera and lens, I did not let this detract from my grade. After all, this is a review of a camera, and not of a lens or even a combination of the two. Hopefully my discomfort will pass as I use the camera more frequently.
No expert, but a great SLR camera for a noob [mantle52ball]
My first SLR camera and I really like the feel and the large LCD screen on the back. I find it is very user friendly. Has a lot of automatic features so you don't have to be a expert to take some good quality photos. You can grow with the camera as you learn more of it's basic features. I picked up a couple of lens to go with this camera and can't wait to explore more of what it has to offer. I'm so glad I choose this model. I've been wanting to get a SLR camera for years and finally I got one and I couldn't be happier!
The best entry level cam on the market, period! [M. Strode]
If it only had built in IS, it would be the perfect cam. Canon has to continue successfully producing/selling their IS lenses so having cameras with built in shake reduction feature is pointless for them unless they want to hurt their sales. Then again, at some point, they will be the only manufacturer to have no built in IS and if people enjoy using manual lenses, they will want to have their Canon cameras with built in IS just for the sake of using older Canon lenses and the rest available for what is the most versatile mount for use of any older manual focus lenses from Contax to Leica.
XSI is a wonderful camera, bettered perhaps by the slightly nicer sensor of the 40D, but worth the price to pay for the 40D?...not sure.
Canon Digital Rebel XSi review [Stanley Horwitz]
I received my XSi on April 28th, just two days before I went chaperoned an 8th grade trip to Washington DC. I used the camera for the first time in Washington and it took a bit of time to get used to the controls, but I managed to get some really good shots. I used the kit lens that is included with the camera, as well as my 70-300mm zoom lens and my 24-70mm lens (both Canon lenses) and I got some excellent photos.
I subsequently took this camera and lenses with me on a one week vacation to Orlando, Florida and I shot around 1200 photos, and I got lots of excellent shots. The colors are great, and its a big step up from the first generation Digital Rebel which I previously used.
Excellent camera [Prabir Das]
I bought this camera a week ago as a replacement to my 5 year old digital rebel. I can experience the differences clearly. It is lighter and much faster. The speed in terms of start-up and shot-to-shot as well as auto-focus is incredible. It is dead on for the most part. This camera is a lot lighter too especially for someone used to the original digital rebel. I was not hugely impressed with the kit lens even though it has received rave reviews. I am still playing with it. My Canon 28-105 produces sharper images than the kit lens.
All in all, this camera is definitely a step-up from the older digital rebel. Compared to the XTi, the 3 inch LCD and live preview is a major enhancement. Spot metering is a huge plus. I am very satisfied with this camera.
Big upgrade [ArizonaOnly]
I upgraded to the XSi from my original Canon Digital Rebel. I really love the new features on the XSi and the live view option. I also like the ability to connect to the computer and control from there. Its a great entry in the Canon line of digital cameras. And for the price, you can't beat it.
First SLR camera ever owned, beginner. [Chris M.]
What can I say, except that this camera is the best thing that's ever happened to me, next to my dear wife that is.
I came from point-n-shoot cameras, owned alot of them; mostly Sony and some were even half the price of this SLR. I've always had two major problems with point-n-shoot cameras. First, I always had to take 2-3 pictures for something to come out decent. It seemed that even if shooting in the same modes the color definition was always different in each picture taken. Second, it was a real challenge for me to capture objects in motion, most came out blurry; again I had to shoot 4,5+ times to get one acceptable result.
On the contrary, I decided to spend 900 bux and get this camera. It simply refuses to break pictures. I've taken pictures from busses out the window while in motion, i've taken pictures at fast moving objects, and it just refuses to break focus. I'm extremely surprised at how well it behaves, even in auto mode. It all feels like a dream.
The next thing i tried is the macro mode function at the Botanical Garden; and you can see some sample photos - the blue flower is one of the best :) I took about 5 pictures of each flower, because that's how I used to do it in the past. I shouldn't have. Each picture came out clear and sharp, however, keeping in mind that the kit lens is not really a macro lens, while shooting the really small flowers, there was some blurr, which is totally understandable. Some things are just too small to capture the details with the kit lens, not the camera's fault.
Another nice feature is the ability to update the firmware yourself, which we all know improves stability, adds new functionality, and, if there are any, corrects any software bugs.
The build quality is really solid too. It feels as solid as a rock, but not as heavy :)
Lastly, the battery. I haven't drained the battery but I have taken about 230 pictures, about 30 of those were at night with the flash. By the end of the day, I was still running with a full battery. So while I can't say exactly how many shots u can get on a full charge, I can confirm that the battery does not get exhausted easily.
Overall, if you have the money to spend and new to SLR's I would definately recommend this camera. Sure it's a bit expensive, but SDHC memory cards are cheap these days.
Great for astrophotography [Neil Bourque]
I love this camera. With the Live View, all I do is hook it up to my laptop, and find a bright star, and magnify the view on the laptop and I can focus in seconds. With the Xti and no Live View, it was a long, painful process that never really focused right. Once focused, I can take several long exposure pictures with no problem. Much less noise at higher ISO's than the Xti. I was able to get great pictures, first night out.
For other uses, its a great camera as well!
Exceeded my expectations. [Mr. Ditto]
My first dSLR purchase, but I come with a strong analog photographic background (medium- and large-format photography).
The XSI is very nice. It is nice and light-weight, great image quality, and is snappy in operation. I couldn't ask for much more (well maybe in-body IS like Sony, Pentax, and Olympus cameras).
I laugh at the people who call this an "entry-level" dSLR. The image quality exceeds Canon's $1300 semi-professional 40D model. The features that more-expensive models include are mostly minor conveniences. I took plenty of "professional" pictures with my 4x5" view camera. I get about 1-frame-per-15-minutes with a large-format camera. And yet people seem to think that the XSI's 3.5 frames/per/second makes it entry-level?! Most photographers need nothing more. Yes, if you are a professional wildlife or sports photographer, you want the upgrade. If not, then this camera should meet your needs and then some.
The next/best thing from Canon [L. Shuler]
We'll start with what this camera is NOT:
1) It's NOT a full-frame camera. That means it's smaller, lighter, and the resulting 1.6x crop factor is important to remember if you have EF lenses already. But because it's smaller it offers less features making it easier to use at the expense of being slightly less functional. These are, for the most part, obscure features nobody will ever use anyway. Also, because it doesn't have features like 6.5 fps, a pentaprism, and Flash Exposure Bracketing, it is less expensive than the x0D series.
2) The XSi is NOT a point-and-shoot digicam. Don't expect it to do videos, sound, or to incorporate all kinds of convenient uber-automation. While 'cool', this automation usually just keeps you from controlling what you want to do yourself. Most of the time, this camera will stay in "P" or "program mode" for me. There is a green setting for point-and-shoot operation, but all this does is disable most of the features that you buy the camera for.
2a) Live View is NOT the same as the LCD viewfinder on point-and-shoot digicams. Don't expect it to focus fast or provide the same functionality. Live View is intended for a camera mounted on a tripod or held steady. It is a GREAT way to get perfect focus when you need it. You just zoom in to 10x magnification and manually focus or let the contrast detection do it for you. But, it is NOT an LCD viewfinder. As long as you don't think it will be (I was stupid enough to think that way) then you know before you buy.
The bad: (in all fairness, these are true of most modern DSLR's)
1) The battery is improved, yes, but it's REALLY expensive. I bought a generic battery for a backup. Keeping the Canon battery fully charged, of course, and only using the generic when the Canon is charging.
2) The LCD screen is right where my nose and cheek go. You can't avoid getting the glass all dirty and that gets annoying. And if the S5 can have an articulated 2.5" screen, why can't the XSi?
3) A cheesy rubber cover. I like that all of the inputs are on the side, but I just hate these cheesy rubber covers. I would prefer a sliding cover or, better yet, use the space next to the SD slot.
4) Battery door on the bottom. On my tripod, I can't access the battery without removing the camera from the tripod. This was also an issue with my first two digital Rebels.
Now, we'll do a reality check:
1) To those who say, "It's only 12mp," they're right. But, understand that unless you're printing bigger than 8x10", this resolution is better than adequate. In fact, the majority of the lenses out there don't have sufficient resolution to go above 12 megapixels. What I mean is that you can have a 100 megapixel camera but your lens is only really pushing out 10mp worth of quality resolution, what's the point? Many point-and-shoots have too much resolution for their lenses. Just try blowing up a typical 10mp p-&-s image to 8x10 and see what you get. Chances are, the 8mp sensor from the Digital Rebel XT did better.
2) Some will say "It feels flimsy." I completely disagree. It feels solid and durable to me. Now, if you don't know this already, the plastic is actually a covering and environmental seal. Underneath, there is a stainless steel frame that holds everything solid. Your strap attaches to the frame directly as does the lens mount, tripod mount, and sensor. The plastic isn't structural so however it might FEEL to you, the camera is, in reality, stronger than you might think. Now, I can understand if you're used to tough magnesium shells that you might be prejudiced against the plastic, however this camera costs hundreds less. One cannot justify criticizing the Rebel series if they aren't willing to pay the extra for the x0D series.
3) Critics say that APS-C is going to be obsolete. That's absurd! Remember that there are now scores of APS-C lenses from Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Sony, Sigma, Tamron, and Tokina and those numbers continue to grow. Further, APS-C cameras are selling like hotcakes without any sign of slowing down. These people are the same ones that kept their Reel-to-Reel players because they were higher quality. Higher quality, yes, but you can't say that CD's aren't going to sell well because reel-to-reel is higher quality. APS-C is becoming the DSLR equivalent of what 35mm film was. Meanwhile, so-called "full-frame" sensor cameras are going the way of older 6x7 and 645 film cameras. They are limited to professionals and high-end enthusiasts. Why? Film was limited and topped out at resolution long ago. To get higher resolution, you needed bigger film. Not true with digital sensors. APS-C has not maxed out on resolution yet. Smaller sensors haven't even hit their stride. There is no reason sensors cannot hit 20-30 megapixels in an APS-C in the near future, but why? The lenses are still the limiting factor. In fact, it might be true soon that SMALLER will be better. As sensors get better, they can get smaller. It's cheaper to make a four-thirds or APS-C than a full-frame of the same quality level.
Here's where I get to play designer... what does the XSi need?
1) Articulating LCD. Like I said earlier, if Canon can add the articulating 2.5" screen to their S5 camera for $350 total, why in the world can't they put it on their best-selling DSLR?
2) Sliding door for the inputs. Cheesy rubber covers are not as cool as designers think they are. Why can't Canon just put one environmentally sealed door for the battery, SD card, and all the inputs? And, hey, why not put it on the side so you can access it while the camera is on the tripod?
3) Why all the inputs? Just have one USB slot to connect to the computer, to the TV, and use the same USB port for a DC input?
4) One dial? Why not two? The Pentax K20D allows you instant access to the aperature with one dial, shutter with the other. Cool.
5) Where did FEB go? Flash Exposure Bracketing? They had it on the XTi. Why did they take it away from me?
AMAZING camera! [M. Fitzpatrick]
I switched back to Canon from Nikon and will never go back! This is wonderful, fantastic, BUY IT. I'm not going to write a lengthy review as there are very helpful reviews from more knowlegeable folks already on this page. But I will suggest picking this up if you're an enthusiast who occasionally does professional shoots like me.
first time DSLR owner [A. Aganad]
If you do a search on reviews of this camera you will find a lot of first time DSLR buyers deciding to get this camera. I am one of them. After years of Point and Shoot camera use thinking the convenience of carrying them and using them was worth it, I came to the realization that I wasn't happy with most of the pictures I took. They preserved the moment but almost none of them were worth blowing up or printing. Mediocre flash, zoom, megapixels, etc limited me and the pictures.
I love all the features of this camera for the price, especially the dedicated ISO button on top and the menu system is very easy to figure out, and the 3 inch LCD screen. There is also the switch to SD memory cards which are apparently easier to use than CF. It is so easy to take the card out, put it in an SD USB card reader, load the pictures and return the card to the camera, rather than have to fiddle around with opening the little door on the camera and connecting a cable from it to the PC.
If you are contemplating buying your first DSLR you must remember that the camera is just the start. You will need to invest in a quality external flash to improve your flash pictures. And there is the various zoom lens, that now utilize Image or Optical Stabilization, a technology worth the extra cost. I was happy to do all this and I am absolutely satisfied with this camera and the Canon lens and flash as well. I now am very happy with carrying a bigger but absolutely superior camera
Simple to use, Nice feel, Great photos..... [P. Baker]
This Camera seems to do it all, quite nicely, I was a little suprised that the Live View feature does not function in the automatic/program modes, but the three inch monitor is a big improvement for viewing the pictures after you take them. So I am still happy, and won't discount my five point enthusiasm.
I like the weight and the grip, it just feels right to me. I got some really nice photos with the kit lens. Using it with my 580EX flash was also a breeze.
I am a point-and-shoot kinda guy, and this camera gets pro-looking shots in full automatic mode most of the time.
Great camera, one of the best low(er)-end DSLRs on the market [Hyun Yu]
My journey with DSLRs began back in 2003 with the original Digital Rebel. DSLRs changed my photography for the better like nothing else. Five years and some 25,000 shots later, it's still going strong. Along the way I upgraded to the Canon 30D, which is a fantastic camera as well. When the 40D was announced, I decided to wait until the 50D sometime in 2009, but wanted a newer backup/second body for my photography needs. So when the XSi/450D was announced, it sounded like a perfect fit for my needs.
I got it from Amazon.com three days ago, and have given it a pretty good workout since then, having shot about 650 shots under a variety of shooting conditions and with a number of different Canon and third-party lenses. The following are my impressions.
The build feels very good. The camera feels wonderfully light yet well built. I'm 6ft tall with average size hands, and the camera feels good in my hand. The battery grip, to me, defeats the purpose of having a small, light DSLR, so I opted for a Hakuba/Opteka grip (it's a plate that screws into the tripod socket that enables you to use the excellent Canon E1 hand strap with it) and I couldn't be happier. I'm not a fan of neck straps, so this works well for me (see the uploaded photo for the configuration).
Most of the menu buttons on the back feel different from the ones on the original Digital Rebel and the 30D; the XSi buttons feel more tactile and have a definite "click" to them when you press them. The exception are the Exposure Lock (*) and AF selector buttons, which have retained the deeper, softer feel of the older cameras. Just different, not better or worse, for me.
The LCD is now 3" with 230K pixels. The playback images look great, and probably because of the higher resolution of the sensor, there's a very slight delay when you zoom in to 10x while the image loads and displays properly. People coming from other cameras or brands might not even notice it--I only did so because of the difference between it and my two other Canon DSLRs (which have lower resolution sensors). The viewing angle of the LCD screen (how clearly you can see the screen from side and up and down) is excellent; you can still see the screen holding the camera almost straight up for an overhead shot (more on this later). I'd estimate the viewing angle is about 160-170 degrees both horizontally and vertically.
The Digital Rebel has a separate status screen above the main LCD screen, and the 30D had one on top of the camera, so I wasn't sure if I was going to like the big LCD acting as the status screen and no top screen. I'm happy to say that this arrangement works well, at least for me. The back screen makes it really easy to take all the settings at a glance. The viewfinder is much larger and brighter than that in the Digital Rebel. A humongously welcome feature for me is the always displayed ISO value in the viewfinder.
The camera is only 1/2 of the image quality equation, the other being the lenses being used. Coupled with my favorite lens, the Canon EF 70-200mm f/4 L telephoto lens, the XSi turns out fantastic images. The supplied kit lens is very light and compact for being an image stabilized lens, and turns out good performance. The IS is certainly very useful.
Two features that used to be missing from the Digital Rebels and found in the more expensive DSLRs are now featured in the XSi: spot-metering and flash exposure compensation (these may have been available in the previous Digital Rebel model, the XTi, as well). The inclusion of those two features make the camera a much more complete and compelling photographic tool. The timer function now has a custom mode, where it'll count down from 10 seconds then take a number of shots (specified by you) in succession. No more running back and forth to reset the timer after each shot! There's also the traditional 2-second timer.
Let's talk for a minute about sensor and the ISO values. XSi/450D has five ISO values you can choose: 100 (best image quality), 200, 400, 800, and 1600. Higher ISO increases the camera sensor's sensitivity to light, thus you can achieve faster shutter speeeds for a given lighting condition. However, the trade-off is that the sensor "noise" (think grain for film photography) increases with higher ISO, so you get a degraded image quality in return for less blurred photos from hand shakes (thanks to faster shutter speed). This may come in handy in situations where flash photography is not permitted, such as a museum or a concert or theater. HOWEVER, compared to point-and-shoot digital cameras, the larger sensors of DSLRs, including the XSi, means that even at ISO 800 and 1600 you get very usable images right out of the camera. Running the images shot at those ISO settings through any number of third-party noise reduction software will improve them even further.
This ties in to another very useful feature of the XSi/450D that makes life easier for the photographer: The Auto ISO function. By default, Auto ISO sets the ISO (the sensor sensitivity to light) between 100 and 800 (by using custom functions, this can be changed to 200-1600). If you are, for example, shooting your kid's indoor basketball game and you know that you need a shutter speed of at least 1/200 sec to "freeze" the action, then you can set the camera to Tv (shutter priority mode) and set the value to 1/200, and set the camera to Auto ISO. Then the camera will match the aperture and the ISO to achieve proper exposure at that shutter speed. With my other DSLRs, setting the camera to shutter priority only allowed the camera to adjust the aperture value; ISO setting had to be adjusted manually. With the XSi/450D, the ability for the camera to adjust the ISO value automatically makes it one less thing for you the photographer to worry about.
I've only tested the Live View function to see how it works, but I can already see how useful it's going to be in studio and macro shootings. Just a note, you can't half-press the shutter to autofocus while in Live View mode. You can either manual focus, or use one of the two autofocus methods, quick (the mirror flips up, the LCD goes dark for a short while, and flips down with focus locked) or live (the camera uses the LCD's contrast detection to achieve the focus--this method is slower than the quick method), both by pressing the exposure lock button (*) while in the Live View mode. Using either the RS-60E3 wired remote or RC-1 wireless remote in Live View mode will ONLY trigger the shutter, and has no bearing on focusing.
Some people seem to be under the impression that the inclusion of the Live View feature will enable them to use the XSi/450D as they do point-and-shoot digital cameras, to compose their shots. That is not the case. You can't really make a functioning use of the Live View feature unless the camera's securely mounted on a tripod or on a flat surface. Both Live View focusing modes, while precise, are too slow to be used for hand-held shooting.
Having said that, there is one use of Live View in hand-held shooting that I've come to value. When shooting overhead or over an obstacle, I can, with the same hand holding the camera, trigger the Live View, compose the scene through the LCD monitor (even if it's out of focus, it's easy to get the general framing right), disable Live View, and take the photo normally. With a little practice, this can be accomplished very quickly. Very handy when you're just holding the camera overhead and hoping for the best.
The Direct Print button that's been much ridiculed and maligned in most Canon cameras now double as the white balance menu button. The Set button in the middle of the four-direction arrow keys can be programmed for a number of different functions: Change image quality, flash exposure compensation, LCD monitor on/off (same as Display button, but can be triggered by the same hand holding the camera), and Menu display (again, can be triggered by the same hand holding the camera).
There is a dedicated ISO button, which is also very welcome. It can easily be accessed during shooting with the right thumb, thereby minimizing the interruption to shooting.
The battery life seems very good. I've shot about 500+ shots on a single charge and the status monitor is still showing charge at full.
I'm using Transcend 8GB Class 6 SDHC card with it. At ISO 100, the camera reports it can fit 396 RAW+JPG (highest quality) on it, but in reality it can probably fit about 420-450 (the camera's always conservative when estimating). With RAW only, it can fit 507. With highest quality JPG, it can fit 1,822. Note that as ISO increases, so do the file sizes and thus you can store less images per card. For example, on ISO 1600, the same card can only hold 323 images, compared to 396 at ISO 100.
My only gripe, and this is more about me than the camera, is the RAW+JPG buffer. I always shoot RAW+JPG, and the buffer will only hold four images at that speed (this is a limitation that's built into the camera's memory buffer system, and thus using a fast memory card doesn't help--see p.64 of the manual). When the buffer's full, you can take two additional images at about a frame a second, then have to wait until the buffer empties (finishes writing to the memory card). When shooting RAW only, it's 6 images. When shooting JPG only, then it's no problem at more than 50 frames. I've found myself switching the mode dial to Sports mode when I'm shooting a fast-moving subject and the buffer simply can't keep up with it. Well, that's why Canon produces different grades and ranges of DSLRs.
I've uploaded some photos that I shot of the local wildlife. Most if not all of those were taken with the EF 70-200mm f/4 L lens.
All in all, it's a fantastic camera. Pretty amazing to see how far the entry-level DSLRs have come in just a few years in terms of features, interface, ergonomics, and quality. I'm very pleased with my purchase and intend to have lots of fun shooting pictures with it.
LEFT MY NIKON D40 BEHIND AND NEVER LOOKED BACK [Justin Paxton]
After using the Nikon D40 for the past 6 months I was in desperate need of a new DSLR camera. Not wanting to break my bank account I had been eyeing up the latest consumer level SLR from Canon, the Rebel XSi, and eagerly awaiting its release date.
Compared to other SLRs in this class the Canon Rebel XSi includes the following:
- 12.2 Megapixels: They just keep going up! This alone gives the Rebel XSi an advantage because (at this point in time) there is no other consumer level SLR camera with more megapixels on the market. I've even had a few friends tell me they're looking to upgrade from last years Rebel XTi which had 10.1.
- 3.0" LCD Panel:. Just when you thought they couldn't make it any bigger Canon upgrades their LCD screen yet again. Another reason amateur photographers will be happy to either upgrade or flat out purchase the Rebel XSi is because Canon has added an extra half-inch of screen space on the back, making for easier viewing and putting a stop to blurry photos before they get a chance to spread.
- 9-Point AF: The EOS Rebel XSi has a high-precision 9-point wide area AF sensor for fast, accurate focus even in dim lighting. It has a number of focus modes, including One-Shot AF, AI Focus AF, AI Servo AF and Manual. In Live View Function, the EOS Rebel XSi has two AF modes: Quick mode, which uses the camera's standard 9-point AF system, and Live mode, which is a contrast-based AF system that reads the sharpness of subjects right from the imaging sensor, and can be overridden by pressing the AF mode selection button. A familiar feature in PowerShot cameras, Live mode AF uses similar technologies to achieve focus, while Quick mode is more appropriate for capturing action or for shooting in low light.
- Outstanding Image Quality: Canon's CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) sensor captures images with exceptional clarity and tonal range, and offers the most pixels in its class. It offers many of the same new technologies to maximize each pixel's light gathering efficiency that were first seen with the professional EOS-1D Mark III model. It's an APS-C size sensor (22.2 x 14.8mm), and there's an effective 1.6x increase in the lens's marked focal length when attached. Canon's DIGIC III Image Processor dramatically enhances image quality and speeds up all camera operations for intuitive operation. It works in concert with the EOS Rebel XSi's sensor to achieve unprecedented levels of performance in all lighting situations.
- 14-bit A/D Converter: With the EOS Rebel XSi, analog to digital signal conversion is executed by a 14-bit processor, which generates digital data with incredibly smooth tones. Formerly a feature only present in top-of-the-line pro digital SLR cameras, the 14-bit conversion gives incredibly smooth transitions from light to dark colors, with far less risk of "banding." A sky at sunset is a perfect example. With this rich 14-bit gradation the EOS Rebel XSi offers RAW images of the highest quality that can be processed with Canon's Digital Photo Professional software. Even JPEG files, which are always finished at 8-bits per channel, use the full 14-bit conversion initially to generate the best possible color and tonal detail. Another huge benefit of the 14-bit conversion is the Highlight Tone Priority option, which allows critical shooters to increase the level of detail in bright areas of a scene up to one stop, without affecting overall exposure.
- Auto Optimization: The EOS Rebel XSi's Auto Optimization is yet another image-quality tool that comes to the rescue in tricky lighting conditions. It can actually lighten dark areas of a scene while ensuring that bright areas maintain tonal detail. It's now available in all shooting modes, including P, Tv, Av, and Manual. - Precision Operation: The EOS Rebel XSi operates with such effortless speed that operation is nothing short of intuitive. With instant startup times, speedy autofocus and minimal shutter lag, the EOS Rebel XSi is one of the fastest cameras available today. It can shoot up to 3.5 frames per second, in bursts of 53 JPEGs or 6 RAW files, so you'll never, ever miss a shot.
- Advanced Features: The EOS Rebel XSi's 35-zone evaluative metering system with improved white balance analyzes light based on each zone in the viewing area, enabling the camera to choose the overall best exposure for the entire scene. It now features a spot meter, which reads a tiny area (about 4%) of the picture for extremely precise metering. It also provides Center-weighted average metering and partial metering for accurate exposure no matter the situation. The EOS Rebel XSi also has an improved, high magnification viewfinder that provides a larger overall view, and increased brightness and clarity. And the EOS Rebel XSi has a Display-Off sensor that automatically turns the LCD monitor off whenever the camera is at the photographer's eye. All relevant shooting information, including ISO, is displayed right in the viewfinder so it's easy to change settings without moving the camera away from the eye.
- Flexible Storage: The EOS Rebel XSi is the first EOS Digital SLR camera to use popular SD and SDHC memory cards only. Compact, inexpensive and available in increasingly large capacities, SD and SDHC memory cards are a perfect complement to the EOS Rebel XSi's compact and lightweight body design.
- Self Cleaning Sensor Unit: It's Back! A key element of minimizing dust is preventing it from clinging to the front surface of the imaging sensor. To combat against this, the EOS Rebel XSi features a Canon-designed Self Cleaning Sensor Unit. The low-pass filter at the front of the sensor shakes off dust automatically with ultrasonic vibrations, removing dust from the sensor assembly. The EOS Rebel XSi has a new coating on the front surface of the low-pass filter, to increase its resistance to dust sticking to the sensor.
This is about as good as it gets for consumer level SLRs. Canon has done it again with it's innovation and user-friendly design. Well worth the upgrade from the Nikon D40.
Good camera [Q. Cunningham]
Great to be able to take 100 photos to get that one amazing shot without paying to develop that much film.
Hi-Res Pictures! [Daren Noakes]
I have had Canon products for years and had a 35mm Canon SLR, this was the main reason to stick with Canon as I was able to use my old lenses with this digital SLR camera. I have had several point-and-shoot camera's which only lasted a year or two... cheap to buy and cheaply made... you get what you pay for. This Camera has all the options you could need in a digital SLR camera at a great price, easy to use and awesome picture quality. I am experimenting with the manual settings but the auto settings take great quality pictures as well. Many professional photographers agree Canon is the leader in lenses.
Pros - Hi Res pictures, easy to use and a great price for a digital SLR. Cons - In "Live view" auto focas is not available. (This is the only reason I didn't give it a 5 star!)
Very nise prosumer SLR [Corelli]
I bought it for my wife, and she just loves it. This camera is fast, produces good colors, and has effective AF, little bit more effective than my Nikon D80. It also somewhat lighter than D80, which is important for my wife. I like the option to buy body only; I combined it with Tamron 18-270 mm VC lens, that covers the whole range we need, from wide-angle to telephoto. And you can find great variety of quality lenses for it from Canon, Tamron and Sigma. On the downside, it's missing the ability to switch the AF mode from auto to single shot to continuous with push of the button, we have to use menu to do it. I found this option very convenient in my D80. In general, so far I like XSi.
Great prosumer camera [John Oo]
Great camera for the price. Has a lot of features. I mostly shoot in manual and aperture priority. Do keep in mind that this is a cropped sensor camera - I didn't know about cropped sensors before buying this camera. So those of you like me that are switching over from a film SLR will notice that the view finder is a lot smaller then what you're use to. But a full frame will set you back a lot more, so this is a good one to start with.
The only thing I was concerned about was megapixels, thinking more is better. But if you're only going to be printing as large as 5x7 than, this really shouldn't be that much of a concern. I've read that the D series (30D, 40D, etc.) produces images with much less noise, so these might be cameras you may want to consider as well.
I upgraded to the Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 lens, and it is SUPER sharp. Highly recommended combo, but 28mm is a bit too tight for some indoor shots, so I got a 12-24 as well.
Great dSLR for the price! [JGK]
For an enthusiast, I'm very impressed with the image quality from this camera, especially for the price. I was even impressed with pics taken with the kit lens, but I primarily use a 28-135mm as an "everyday" lens (but much bigger and heavier than the kit lens). The kit lens was simply lacking in zoom capability for my typical shooting needs, but the kit is probably a better indoor lens. Still tweaking camera settings to get optimal results, but I'll probably have to tweak again after adding a polarizing filter. Overall it's lightweight (for a dSLR), fairly comfortable in-hand, and easy-to-learn menu system.
Great gift for the amateur photgrapher!!! [K L]
Bought it as a gift. Person who I bought it for loves it.
Sorry no critique of the product.
Great camera [Donna Forrester]
The camera takes very clear pictures. I still have lots to learn. If you enjoy taking pictures for fun and want to make lots of memories, this is the camera.
Great entry level camera [Yogesh Babbar]
I moved to my first DSLR from a Canon S5 IS. Great machine. Feels just about right in terms of weight, size and handling. I do miss the variety of functions the S5 had but I guess that comes at a price for better image quality, interchangeability of lenses and versatility of shooting. I could have technically waited a month more for the T1i but I decided not to spend 200 bucks more for having a movie feature in my SLR. I am looking forward to buy some more lenses (50 mm prime to start with) and take some cool pics.
Overall, I am pretty satisfied with my purchase. The reason why it is not a 5 star purchase is that the kit, did not surprise me with its performance (which may be just because I am new to DSLRs). It is sure the best purchase for an entry level feature packed DSLR.
Great Camera [Anne L. Dombek]
This is the best camera in it's price range for an amateur photographer. The reason I gave it 4 stars is because I did have a problem with it. I got the dreaded error 99. I took a few pictures fine. Then within the first 24 hours of having it, I got this error. I couldn't take a single picture without the error coming into the screen. I did some online research and contacted Canon, but none of the "solutions" fixed it. Canon said that they'd either fix mine, or send a refurbished one. I didn't want a refurbished one after paying full price. I contacted amazon, and they couldn't have been any more helpful. They replied right away with directions on sending it back and a return label. They sent it with next day shipping, which was what I had my first camera sent with. I waited until I got it to send mine back. I haven't had any problems at all with the second camera. Some knowledge is needed for certain settings, but even a beginner could easily adapt or even use the Auto setting with auto focus, and still get decent photos.
Canon XSI [Davin Coleman]
I am new to DSLRs cameras. I like the canon XSI, it has outperformed any digital camera I have had in the past. However, I would think the Canon XS is just as good for a beginning photographer, with a smaller price tag. The Canon XSI does have more features but may not warrant the increase in price over the XS. Now if your one of those people, (like me) that want all the features, go with the XSI. You will be happy you bought it.
Pros: Speed Quality photos Creative mode
Cons: Had to buy the opteka battery grip to improve the canmeras grip. For the cost of the camera it should have included a SD card and battery grip.
Overall pleased [K. Smith]
The Cannon Xsi is my first venture into the world of the SLR/DSLR cameras. My other camera is a point and shoot Sony Cybershot that I purchased 5 years ago, and love love love. I decided to branch out and learn a new way to take pictures. I photograph everything, especially flowers. I have not learned how to take pictures using the manual settings, and look forward to doing so, however I am not fully happy with the automatic settings on this camera. Most of the time outside pictures are too light. My little Sony had better picture quality. The pictures look fantastic when I darken them up on the computer, but I really prefer to not have to manipulate my pictures digitally. I have two lenses. The 18-55, and the 55-250. I rarely use the smaller lens, but really like the zoom. In the future I will probably invest in a more expensive lens, but for now, the lenses I have are fine. It can be difficult to get close up pictures (especially of flowers), but with a little extra effort, I have taken some very nice shots, again just often too light. I look forward to learning more about this camera, and hopefully to find a way to darken my pictures without computer manipulation.
Great Camera [D. Phillips]
Amazon offered the best price overall, w/free shipping & quick delivery. We have owned several digital cameras. We have a large family and two small grandchildren. We enjoy picture taking at every event. This camera is incredible and delivers phenomenal pictures! really great purchase all around, product & website, thanks amazon!
Great purchase [A. Raymond]
I'm glad I went with the XSi. It's feature packed and takes amazing photos. The only thing I would change is the ability to see your photo in live view through the LCD screen.
Canon Leads, Nikon, Others in the Industry Follow [C. Nekritz]
Canon has come a long way since it first turned the DSLR, the consumer digital version of 35 mm cameras, on it's ear about a half a decade ago. While competitors like Nikon and others have attempted to keep up, equal, or top Canon with a slightly better feature here or there, Canon still leads, the the industry follows. So the question when buying is this, do you want to buy the leader, or are you just a follower. Myself, personally, am not into imitation, and I've tried some of the other units including Nikon DSLRs, which their images always look hard, cold, and slightly off. Sony comes to bat with a lower entry price but not as much support sadly or features, Olympus as well. There's others of course, but really there's Canon and then everyone else.
I like this camera, a lot, but have to deduct a half point as it's quality is even cheaper than the original 300D (Rebel XT), the plastics make it feel very toy-like. The other half a point is this camera has quite possibly the loudest shutter ever, next to perhaps those cameras that make the supposed shutter closing sound effect turned up to 11. I've shot with other consumer-grade Canon and Nikons that are much more quiet than this, it's really uncalled for on Canon's part. Perhaps their shutters are made of the same cheap plastic they're using for their cases. The 450D (XSi) is so loud, it borders on frustratingly annoying. Don't use this camera for even slightly hushed performances or places where some degree of silence is required, you'll only irk people. If shooting in even remotely quiet places requires no disturbance you may need to upgrade to a 5D or some such to retain the Canon quality edge and a quieter shutter.
Despite this and removing a star, it has most if not many the features the higher prosumer level cameras have no blurring the line further between the $1K+ set and the sub $1K set of choices. In terms of bang for the buck, you're not going to get anything better. Besides, the true testament to taking good shots is in your glass, so if you're taking the route of investing in lenses and skimping a bit on the camera body, this is the camera for you! The images are stunning, no doubt about, it's almost hard, other than perhaps upping their body quality and shutter quality, what Canon could do better with the Rebel series, but I'm sure Canon will figure something out, and all the other poor imitations out there (Nikon, et. al.) will continue to play catch up.
Capturing baby moments [J. Summer]
I loved the photos of my new baby taken with my Canon SD800 point and shoot camera. Once my baby turned about 7 months old, however, good shots became harder to come by since she moved so quickly and her expressions changed with a blink of an eye. I've always hated using flash, because it washes the photos out and you completely lose the background and natural tones. The Rebel XSi at ISO 1600 doesn't have noticeable grain, which allows me to capture more photos of her playing calmly or exploring a new object clearly without having to turn on the flash indoors. My baby is now 10 months old and stumbling around on two feet. Without upgrading my lens, I still have to turn on the flash to catch her 'on the move', but the flash on this SLR produces much better results than my point and shoot. I give the XSi 4 stars because it doesn't always pick out the correct focus plane (my baby's face) on autofocus -- which of course makes a big difference when your depth of field is more limited. I wouldn't get the XSi just for taking baby photos or if you plan to just use it in auto mode, as it has much more potential than that. I plan on doing more creative work with it...as soon as the baby allows me a free moment!
Canon Rebel xsi [Allen W. Powdrell]
The camera is almost everything it is proclaimed to be. I am a little disappointed in the speed of the motor. Since I plan to use it mostly for outdoor photography my actual use of the camera has been limited due to the poor weather in the North East this winter. The ordering, processing and shipping procedures were efficient and timely through AMAZON.
awesome [Patrick M. Gries]
This frame is great for projects. I have been using the camera for wildlife/ night photo/ and family. i have found that the camera is great for everyday pics and fun adventures.
You get what you pay for [A. Khaled]
Canon has always been the leading brand when it comes to perfection mostly in lens and optics. Police/federal agencies rely on accurate, vivid, perfect picture when their whole department depend on the most. So, they go with certain brand that they know for sure will get the job done. Its simply Canon. XSi is pretty good for starter SLR folks. Its light weight but little bulky feel to it. Wish they had more lenses for this model.
Great entry level SLR Digital Camera [Mike]
This camera takes excellent pictures for a novice like myself. I wanted this type camera for it's ability to have lenses for different purposes. It does that and more. I don't pretend to know how to use all the features included in the camera but I'm learming. The only negative thing I might mention, but will have to see how it holds up is the feeling that the camera is made mostly of plastic, expensive plastic but plastic. Other than that, I'm very happy with it.
Great first DSLR [T. Martin]
I stepped up from a decent point-shoot to the XSI. Indoor shots come out great now, a whole new world of color has opened up. Really easy to use without opening up the manual. I'm only using a fraction of the features and can't wait to get into it.
Great Camera For The Beginning Photographer [J Y]
I'm a photo enthusiast who's been using the Canon XSi for six months now and here are my impressions.
Weight/Handling: First off, the camera is really light. If anyone tells you that this camera is heavy, then they probably never held a full-frame professional DSLR. The light weight makes it a joy to carry around when traveling. However, serious/pro photographers might feel that the small weight and size lend to an unprofessional feel. Also, this is a minor point, but the shutter makes a high pitched noise as opposed to more professional cameras that have a low, unobtrusive noise. This camera doesn't have too many buttons, as opposed to Nikon cameras. Rather, many of the more specialized functions have to be accessed through menus. Some people will find this very annoying. I personally don't mind. In addition, if you have big hands, you will have a hard maintaining a comfortable grip on the camera because the grip is rather small. If this is the case, consider purchasing the optional battery grip.
Image Quality: At low ISO settings, the image quality is very good and I actually performed a professional portrait shoot using this camera. The 12 megapixels are enough to get good 8x12inch prints, and in really ideal situations with a good lens, proper lighting, exposure, etc, you might be able to squeeze out 12x18inch prints. At ISO 800 and above, noise does become perceptible and if you use heavy amounts of sharpening, images will appear quite nasty. However, if you stay away from over-sharpening at high ISO's, a small amount of software noise reduction should take care of most problems. Thus, this camera is not very good in situations with low light AND moving subjects, such as parties. For this reason, I am considering upgrading to the 5D for better noise handling. And remember, image quality has more to do with a good lens than it has to do with with a camera's megapixel number.
Kit Lens: The kit lens is enough to handle basic photographic needs. My personal copy of the lens is very sharp in the center but you might not be so lucky. The focus ring is REALLY TINY and so if you're a manual focus type of person, you'll want to find a new lens very quickly. Also, if you want to take pictures of your kids playing sports or indoor pictures with lots of moving people, consider getting a faster lens. For sports, I recommend the 55-250 IS, 70-300IS, or if you can afford it, the 70-200 2.8L. For indoor/low-light photography, consider augmenting your kit with a prime lens such as the 50mm 1.8, 50mm 1.4, or if you know about the benefits of the L series of Canon lens, I probably don't need to refer you to any more lenses.
Other Issues: The on-camera flash is almost completely useless for taking pictures of people in dim lighting. Why? Because Canon's engineers somehow decided that they should have the flash fire 5-10 quick bursts to assist the camera's various sensors. Trust me, your subjects will not appreciate your flash firing off like a machine gun in front of their face. I highly recommend an external flash like the 420ex or 430ex if you're getting this camera to solve that problem. Nikon users will not have to deal with the problem.
Overall Impressions: If you're just getting into the world of DSLRs or you're a photo enthusiast strapped for cash (like me), the XSi is a great choice to start out on and with skilled use, its hardware is capable of achieving very good results. Also, by choosing Canon, you have access to the largest selection of lenses. I've taken some great pictures with this camera and I plan to keep it around. However, you might also want to evaluate the Canon 40D and the Nikon D90.
Great features don't mean a thing if it's out of focus [Chuck]
This camera has great features and I really liked it. But unfortunately I had to return it because like many out there, all of my photos were slightly out of focus. I ended up purchasing the Canon Digital Rebel XS instead. I lost a few things, but it was worth it. The XS takes great photos and for the same price I was able to get the camera kit plus an additional 75-300 lens.
Canon Digital Rebel XSi SLR [Traveler C.A.D.]
Terrific camera. Functions well as a point and shoot (Full Auto) but really shines when you move into the operator defined areas (Progam mode). Great shots right out of the box ......... do read through the manual for best results.
Great camera, Just the finish looks a bit cheap [Oli S.]
perfect pictures and nice handling. Just a Video functinoality as a fancier outside coating would be nice.
However pictures are typically canon like awesome.
.dll file missing! [M. O'Donnell]
I bought this Canon because I've had a small one for years and love the ZoomBrowser software that comes with it. AND it took great photos. This is a great camera, and as a nearly total novice, it took me awhile to figure out how to use it, but now I'm satisfied with the quality. However, I installed the software with the discs provided,excitedly connected the camera to my computer to download and found that the software did not include a required .dll file. I have to say I was pretty proud of mysself that I went online, found the file on a free download site and got it all going. BUT WHY DID I HAVE TO DO THIS??? Also, I wish the website had a way to inform a buyer off additional items I would need to operate the camera. I did not have the correct memory card and living out in the middle of nowhere, I spent another week ordering and waiting for the memory card to arrive. OH, well - live and learn!
great camera! [habanero]
I haven't used it too much but so far it has been great. The only disappointment I have is that you can't use the LCD for viewfinding in the auto mode.
very pleased [Renee J. Mueth]
I am overall very pleased with this camera- I am somebody who just wanted to take very fast and exceptional pics of my 1 year old, and this camera does that. I did an outlandish amount of research (specs, price etc) before purchasing this, an overall am very pleased. It's quick, takes amazing shots, and....is quick. My goal was instantaneous picture taking capabilities... and for the price this has worked out. Do I have more features than I truly need? probably- but eventually I will learn to use them. As for now, when my one year old is smiling for a second, I am most of the time able to capture it and not miss out on the pic (although one year olds are quick!), when with my previous camera I would've missed it. I'm a Canon fan, always have been, always will be. Canon is quality and durable, and so far I am happy with the purchase.
Canon XSi is an incredible camera [M. Wilcox]
This camera has capabilities I never knew I needed. One favorite feature is the multiple-shot timer release. You can program the camera to take up to 10 consecutive photos after counting down from 10. This is a great feature for family portraits, where normally I would get up and run to the camera five or six times to re-release the shutter. The image quality is great. Even when zoomed in, everything is crisp and beautiful. Navigating almost everything is a snap, though on some menus it only allows for vertical navigation even when there are rows and columns, which is frustrating. The biggest annoyance I have with this camera is that after you take a picture or series of pictures, the camera previews the last photo taken on the VERY impressive screen. However, the firmware isn't in full playback mode. In other words, if you press left or right during the preview period, it brings up menus instead of other pictures you've taken. I would love to have the option to just have it in full playback mode instead, but it is not an option the firmware allows. I think it's rare that I'd rather be changing my settings to set up for the next shot instead of reviewing the work I've already done. And clearing the image is a simple matter of depressing the shutter halfway, so my question is, why isn't the option available to allow for fully automatic playback after image capture? I may be alone on this one, but I think there at least ought to be a choice. That is my only real gripe, though. It is intuitive, user friendly and has plenty of little touches that make it a noticeably nicer SLR. The on-screen info is invaluable for shooting manual. It really makes it pretty easy to get good shots quickly using the manual drive. Overall, I love this camera.Canon Digital Rebel XSi 12.2 MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens (Black)
Fun [Rabiya B. Khan]
For my budget, and my ability as a photographer, this camera has been a lot of fun to shoot! It is capable of taking excellent shots, but I have to remember to alter the settings. I bought a telefoto lens for close ups, as the 55mm doesn't quite do it for me. My arm get's a work out, because I was so used to my rinky dink Kodak, but i'm sure I could use the muscles! I'm quite pleased with my purchase so far. I have a lot to learn about the facinating world of photography, and this is a great camera to begin my lesson with.
Excellent camera [Giuseppe Giammona]
I read all of the other reviews raving about this camera. They were right. Easy to use and has the right feel. I am using with a Tamron 27-270mm lens and its great.
Great camera [Kelly Keyes]
The camera is very versatile and easy to use, however has many complex features depending on your skills. A great camera for the beginner or advanced photographer. Highly recommended.
Great entry level DSLR [Gigi Chung]
I purchased this as a christmas gift for my husband. Technically speaking, I bought this to replace his Rebel XT. Light weight and thus easy to carry around. Great for people with smaller hands or those who don't want to lug a heavy camera bag around. The sensor dust removal system is definitely a welcomed feature. It records accurate colors, just like the Rebel XT. Excellent price performance.
On time and as advertisd [JHM]
Not a lot to say, other than the title. Product performs as it's meant to, everything worked as it should.
Nice camera....I recommend this but.... [Al Mass]
I wanted to put a few words in review about my recent Amazon purchase of the Canon XSi. I am not a hardcore amateur and consider myself more interested in documenting the growth of my two daughters with quality photographs then I am about the techinical art of photography. Throwing it up and there, shooting, and having a reasonable outcome is my primary objective. I am also fully aware that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I certainly do not want to take anything away not from those people who do. I appreciate and respect beautiful photographic work. For my situation however, I looked at several different cameras in this price range and settled on Canon. Primarily because I had a Canon A1 for years and always thought highly of their cameras and lenses. I looked at the Olympus E520 and probably would have bought the D90 if I had wanted to spend that much money. I think the XSi was ultimately the best value. I placed my order through Amazon and eargerly awaited its delivery. I received it in time for Christmas and out of the box was able to figure out enough about the camera to get some great Christmas shots of my two girls. Once I came inside however...there were problems immediately. When operating in lighting environments where the flash was required the camera failed alsmost continually. This was manifested by Err 99 messsages in the viewfinder. This as maddening especially with all the nieces and nephews over for Christmas morning gift unwrapping. I finally had to abandon the the XSi and revert back to my wife's point and click. A dubiouos beginning to say the least. Later, a little reserach on the internet and I found that many other XSi customers had similar issues with this camera. There are various remedies posted on various websites but mine was to return the camera to Amazon for a replacement. This part of the experience was outstanding. I requested a replacement on Friday and my new XSi arrived the following Monday. Amazon did not wait for the return of the broken camera and paid for the price of return shipping as well. Out of the box I see now that my new camera works much better. There is slight pause when you fire off multiple frames under flash. The camera will say BUSY but will not lock as the other one did and this passes in maybe 2 seconds. All in all..I am happy with the experience and was happy that Amazon did such a good job getting a working camera to me. Oh..one more thing....I bought the "Dummies Guide to the Canon XSi" ....that is a very nice companion to the purchase of this camera and possibly the most beautiful "Dummies Guide to ...." that I have ever seen.
Pretty Nice so far [Matt W.]
This is a pretty good camera so far, I don't really see many problems with it. However there are a few things that bother me right now, on is that it's a slightly smaller size than I need with my hands anyway, I did read the specs just the feel of the camera is a a bit off compared to my previous canon film slr's and there is no surprise there. Another is that the digital noise has been somewhat bothersome on some of my night photography but no more than anticipated, noise doesn't have the same charm that film grain has though. Aside from a few minor complaints about size and noise of the camera, I'd like to be able to step down to 50 iso or even 25 maybe that could be done with a firmware update down the line. And I would have loved it to be full frame at this price but I can't complain I don't have enough money to buy a higher end camera. The lens is nice but nothing fantastic, IS works good for about 2 or maybe 3 stops which is swell. I've been using it heavily since late December and so far I feel confident in my decision to buy this camera. The colors are accurate and shooting in RAW helps to maintain great detail in the image. All in all its a nice camera for an introduction to digital nothing spectacular but its doing well enough for me.
On a side note I've been playing a lot with mounting other brand lenses on this camera coming up with somewhat of a lomo feel to the digital world without messing around with photoshop. So far I've used a holga, and diana lens and been able to produce some lets call them interesting images, still working on the best way to mount them but I'll try to post some images once I get it worked out.
I hope the review helps and that I didn't babble on too much, its a nice camera but you get what you pay for don't expect the best but you can make great images from it still.
good images but light body [al]
good camera for price. not as rugged as i would hope. a bit light. i wish it was a stronger body. but has a lot of really nice features. battery lasts for ever before a recharge.
The best start into Canon DSLR [Prashant]
I bought this camera last month. I am very happy with it's performance. The kit lens provided is really good with IS within it. I utilized the camera fully on one of my friend's wedding and the outcome was really great! 450D captures every beautiful thing. 3.5 fp is enough to get nearly 40 shots in 10 seconds out of which 20 at least would be sharp and great.
Only problem ( not sure if it is) I found with the camera is that, when I opened the cap of the camera where we insert lens, I found a tiny golden color ring lying inside detached. I am scared if it has been detached from an important part (sensor??) . Would be great if someone helps me out if they know about this.
It's a good camera for the price. [Massoud Vaziri]
Mine came with two lenses, an 18-55mm and a 55-250mm IS lens. The picture quality is pretty good, although I'm not that impressed with its AF capability. Its pictures aren't as sharp as my 4 year old Canon PowerShot 50 (point and shoot).
Its Live View feature is also puzzling, I can not figure out how to use it. It never seem to focus!!!
But it has all the right features, and they are easily accessible. Its interfaces are very intuitive to me.
I considered purchasing a Nikon D90, but its very pricy, and seems a bit larger as well. Its ISO range is much better (200-3200), but not worth the extra $500 to me.
Fantastic sensor, great functionality, decent kit lens [Willy]
Overall, this is a first-class entry from Canon, with a superb 12.2MP CMOS sensor that keeps noise to a minimum, even more so with NR enabled. Paired with good lenses the XSI/450D can provide jaw-dropping images with incredible detail. Overall shooting speed is very, very good and the viewfinder is generously sized. The LCD is large and bright.
As there are a large number of reviews of the Rebel XSI already, I'll attempt to detail the few negative aspects of the camera so prospective owners can decide if any of them are deal-breakers for their specific needs.
-Body Construction. The XSI is built almost entirely of high density plastic and feels more flimsy to me than the Nikons. The plastic LCD cover is quite exposed and probably needs an after-market screen protector. Like many entry level SLRs There is no auxiliary settings/metering LCD on the top of the camera (the viewfinder does give you a good amount of info). The battery compartment appears to be relatively fragile when opened. If weather sealing and robustness are paramount, the Pentax K200D is more solidly built at a slightly lower price point.
-Auto White Balance. While you can readily correct this issue with custom WB settings, the fact remains that under the fluorescent light setting (& often Auto) the XSI is off color balance wise. With Live View it is obvious that there's too much red/yellow under fluorescent. Incandescent is better but not perfect. Tungsten seems very good, and during daylight hours the WB seems excellent. Nikon may have slightly fewer problems with some default settings, but I believe most manufacturers have some WB issues out of the box.
-Auto-Focus and AV. The versatile eleven point auto focus is generally very quick, but occasionally freaks out. Distance AF can be inaccurate at times in bright light. Exposure Compensation goes to + or - 2 at maximum. Continuous drive mode has an upper limit of exposures even in JPEG mode.
-Hand grip. The XSI grip is relatively short and less secure in my large hands than the Nikons, Pentaxes and Sonys I've tried. While the grip is relatively comfortable, it's small size means I'm gripping the camera with my middle and ring fingers, bracing the bottom with my little finger. A hand strap might come in handy, but the Opteka feels too flimsy for my taste.
-Kit Lens. The 18-55 EF-S lens is a big step up from a P&S camera, but not especially impressive by SLR standards. By Nikon/Canon kit lens standards it is good, and the image stabilization works quite nicely. Were I to buy the camera today I might forgo the kit lens altogether and jump right in to a 28mm prime, keeping my f1.8 II 50mm. The difference in image quality between the f1.8 II 50mm and the kit lens is noticeable. Remember the 1.6x crop factor (50mm effectively ~80mm for example) due to the APS-C sized sensor.
-Default JPEG settings. The default JPEG settings are good, but seem a bit less saturated and a bit sharper than typical for Canon. This can be readily adjusted of course. RAW is flawless.
-Live View is limited and cannot be used in Auto mode. Live view shuts off the viewfinder entirely (except during AF) and is limited in the modes it can use. The Olympus Live View is reputedly better implemented, but the 400/500 series viewfinders are smaller. For tripod use, the XSI Live View with image magnification and manual focus could be indispensable.
-Proprietary Li-Ion battery. The 450D uses a (long-lasting) 7.4V 1080mAH Canon battery and includes a charger; replacements are not cheap and third-party versions can be inferior. Nearly all other manufacturers also use expensive proprietary packs, with the K200D being one exception.
Absent from these small flaws, the Rebel XSI is a truly great camera with good features and a sensor that can really make make use of top-notch lenses. Versatile and compact, the XSI is more than enough camera for almost anyone.
Be aware of potential issues [G. Prich]
I purchased this camera as an update to an earlier mid-range ultrazoom I had - which was also a Canon. I have been a Canon fan for quite a while. My daughter had bought an earlier version of the digital Rebel and loved it, and convinced me it was time to upgrade.
On the first day I got the camera, I shot a few pictures and then transferred to a 75-300 lens I bought together with the camera and shot a few more pictures. After about the 3rd shot, the camera froze up. I shut it down and restarted it, and it took off fine. Over the next couple of weeks, it started to happen more and more frequently, and I could see an ERR99 on the back display, or in the viewfinder. I went online and found out this had been an issue not only with this Rebel but earlier versions as well. Recommendations said that it was an issue with contacts on the lens, and to try an eraser on the contacts. Initially this seemed to work, but within a few days I had to try taking the battery out as well. Eventually the camera totally locked up. I sent the camera to Canon under warranty and they have returned it - in perfect working condition. Several days in now, and no return of the problem - but they did not say what the issue was and there was no further information to be had. I am happy because it is working fine now, but I of course wonder about a repeat issue after the camera is out of warranty. I was impressed with their turn around time - they had the camera back to me in just a little over a week after I sent it out, and overnighted back when it was finished. It does take very good pictures - but an IS lens really improves everything - the original lens works great, but the zoom lens doesn't have the IS feature. It's ok, but it's not great. Overall, I think anyone upgrading to this midrange SLR digital will be happy - but be aware there are some issues with them and I haven't read anything from Canon to indicate the nature of the problem, or how they resolve it.
Great camera, great value. [Jim K.]
I bought this camera to use on my honeymoon and I was not disappointed. The resolution on the photos is great. The colors are true, even on the crazy blue of Crater Lake, and the low light performance is really good. I have noticed a little vignetting with the kit lens, bit nothing to worry about. I'm sure that if I wanted to spend a bundle on lenses the camera would take great advantage of them. Overall, I'm really happy with the Rebel XSi.
Powerful [F. Wild]
Easy to use but to really do good pictures it will take a lot of time!!!!
Great Camera. Weird Quirks [M. Lee]
Ok. This is my first SLR so you'll have to forgive the amateurist way I see things. Overall, this is a great camera. Being a newbie, this was well priced and as easy to use as point and shoot. The pictures come out great even with low light. It really puts the Casio Exilim I have to shame. I definitely recommend this to everyone but there is a downside to this.
1) Unlike modern point and shoots, this can't record video. Not really a big deal but it's a nice feature to have while on vacation. 2) It took me a very long time to figure out how to get the camera to work in live view mode (use the screen to shoot). Considering it was one of the bigger selling points, it was weird it was so hard to figure out. 3) Focus in live view mode isn't by holding down the shoot button 1/2 way but you have to push another button instead. Weird. 4) Live view mode doesn't work in automatic modes. Like I said. Kind of weird. 5) When traveling, it's REALLY big. I do mean REALLY big to carry around. I didn't realize it would be so cumbersome to carry but seriously the advantages of having great clear shots outweighs the man purse you have to lug around.
When buying this camera, I do suggest a couple additional items. 1) UV haze filter. For $7, it would protect the camera lense from being scratched. 2) LCD screen protector. With such a large screen, don't get it scratched. 3) LensePen to keep the camera clean. 4) Holster bag to carry the camera and all the toys 5) Extra battery. This battery lasts forever but you'll need another one eventually. 6) If you like putting yourself in the shots, buy yourself a tripod and a remote control.
Don't buy the body..... [J. CHEN]
Buy the kit with EF-S 18-55mm IS lens instead. The new 18-55mm IS lens is a gem and the kit only costs $60 more. This lens is much improved from the last generation and is even optically better than the Canon 17-85mm IS lens that costs many times more. Even if you decide that the kit lens is not for you, you can resell it for much more than $60. So why only four stars? Well, It seems that the latest Canon digital SLRs have a little bit of problem with dead pixels. Mine developed one after a few hundred of shots. Given that there are 12 million pixels, one dead pixel is very hard to see unless you really zoom it in. I mean this is like locating one red-head person from the Tokyo population. Nonetheless, it is annoying when you know that there is a dead pixel. Fortunately, Canon's manual sensor cleaning function also has a firmware program to detect and mask the deal pixels with information copied from an adjacent pixel. You just have to turn the camera into the manual sensor cleaning mode for enough time (30-60 seconds) for the program to checkout the whole pixel map. It fixed my dead pixel problem like a charm. That is why, only one star is taken away.
excellent camera for the price [Catmandoo]
This is a great entry level DSLR. It's very intuative to use. The quality of the pictures taken from this camera is excellent even with the cheap kit lens. I can't wait to get some L-lenses. It only cost a little bit more than higher end point and shoot cameras, but the level of artistic rendition that can be achieve from this camera is well worth the extra cost. If you like taking still images buy this camera instead of wasting your money on a point and shoot. Highly recommended. One gripe though....my dirtyface smear all over the lcd screen everytime I use the view-finder. It makes reviewing your shots a bit blurry. Very annoying.
Great step-up from S3-IS.. [Versageek]
The XSi is a great step-up from the high-end point & shoot. The learning curve was fairly short when moving from the "S3 IS" to the XSi. Some functions are actually easier to use on the XSi than on the S3.
The camera size & weight is still reasonable, I carry the XSi with an attached Sigma 18-200mm zoom lens, in an M-Rock Glacier bag attached to the handlebars of my bicycle. Some of my photos may be found on Flickr, where I go by the name "Versageek"
A Fair warning to those moving from "point & shoot" to DSLR (applies to most DSLR's not just this one): While the 18-55mm lens is great for macro shots, if you are used to 10-12x zoom on a point & shoot, you'll need to purchase an additional lens costing between $500-$1000+. You'll also want an extra battery pack (~$50), a 58mm UV haze filter to protect your lens ($~40+), a sturdy camera bag (~$80+) & a good tripod (~$120+).
almost perfect [Pupillo Sebastiano]
a very short review because I don't speak english: this camera is almost perfect for a non professional user (like me) and deserves a better lens, you have to buy separately of course. the only strange behavior I have encountered is that sometimes it needs a "reboot", but speaking of an electronic device it's not surprising at all; also, it's impossible to change all the parameters in full manual operation with your eye on the viewfinder.
Better than XT, XTi but not perfect [Ivan DellEra]
This is my 4th D-SLR, I love it, same ease of use (or maybe better as now the menus and buttons make more sense to me), I like some of the new features, however the live view is really, really bad to the point I don't use it unless I can't use the viewfinder. The 3" screen is gorgeous, make sure to get a film cover for it as it can scratch easily. Some pixelation/noise at 400 ISO.
continues shooting mode question? [J. Chen]
I own this XSI camera for few months now, I am having problem shooting in continues mode, I can only shoot continues in sport mode and can get about 9 images. If I switch to AV or Manual mode I can only shoot about 2-3 images in JPEG format and 4-5 images in RAW then it will say "busy" for 2 to 3 second. Does anyone else experience this problem or just me? Maybe I am doing something wrong? any suggestion or comments?
Other than that it's a good and reasonable price camera, the construction is average, the corner of this camera's body already starting to peeling off after few month of use but that will not effect the image quality. The image quality is great I have no complaint other than the continues shooting mode problem that I had since I am shooting my 2 year old daughter running all the time. overall it's worth the money $800 you don't expect much you know. My 24-70mm L lens cost more than the body.
Drop me some comments on the continues shooting mode problem I would really appreciated.
Very good camera. [A. Chandran]
This camera exceeded my expectations in all aspects except Live View function, that is not very useful and you cannot play around with different settings.
Overall a good purchase.
very good for beginners and nice for travel [Xiaojing Zheng]
the battery was really long-last. A full charged battery can take about 1500 pics. That was very nice for people in travelling. The only weakness is the lense in the kit can not focus very well under dark enviorment or short distance. But it is still a good dslr though.
Best Digital Rebel yet [Kenneth E. Thomas]
This is the best Digital Rebel yet! Had the XT a few years ago. The XSI takes entry level DSLR way past the next level. I'm a Graphic Designer so I use this camera for both personal and work photos. I let one of my coworkers use it for about a hour after which he is going to buy one. Love the 3in screen and the way Canon cleaned up the body. May be more money then Nikon but well worth it. You get some really great software with the Canon. Nikon on the other hand gives you very basic software and makes you pay for their better version.
Great Camera, but a warning to you all... [Yanni Trump]
I just got this camera and am beyond delighted with it. The quality and clarity of the images it captures are no less than mind-blowing.
However I would like to warn you all of something;
If you are plannning to buy this BECAUSE of the live-screen feature, DON'T!
In buying this, I could do without the live-screen feature, but I fear that there are people planning to buy this camera on the merits of this feature alone. The truth is, using the live-screen feature greatly diminishes the quality of your photos, and the feature is not available in all shooting modes.
If the live-screen feature is a large reason of yours to buy this camera then, I repeat, DO NOT!
If, however, you are purely looking for a very good camera that is worth its price (around $800 now) and can do without the live-screen than go ahed and buy!
Comparison: 400D v 450D v D60 v E420 [Drifter]
This review is strictly comparison of image quality of these four SLRs, I am completely leaving out ergonomics, features, size of LCD etc.
After shooting 100s of shots and pixel peeping images of identical scenes.
Color reproduction: 1st: Nikon D60 2nd: Canon XTi and Canon XSi 4th: Olympus E420
D60 has sliglty more vibrant and punchier colors than the Canons. Casual user will be much happier with Nikon over the other three. XSi and XTi and identical in this regard inspite of the former's 14-bit A/D converison advantage. Upgarding from XTi to XSi will not give any advantage in real world improvements in terms of color reproduction.
XTi has the least image noise, as it has less megapixels in the same area CMOS sensor when compared XSi. D60's CCD is noisier but it also has more color information at higher ISOs where Canons mutes colors to suppress the noise. E420 smaller LiveMOS sensor has worst of both worlds. It's images are as Noisy as D40 but colors are as muted as Canon's.
If you factor in the prices, the best choices are either XTi for D60. The trade off is between better color and less noise.
Canon EOS 450D Camera [Lance D., Uyeda]
The camera is evolutionary on the Canon EOS 40D model with greater megapixels, in a compact package. It handles easily, and does not increase the burden on the user because of excess weight. The image stabilization feauture on the 18-55MM lense is a pleasant addition to the kit lense, and gives a greater level of control over pictures. I am forced to seek out image stabilization lenses because the excess weight causes my hands to shake. I look forward to using the Camera in Florence and Venice this Fall.
Great for quick & easy and for the more detailed among us [SH]
We bought this camera one day before a big vacation. I would have been happy with my tiny 6mp, but my husband was determined to move up. His pictures were WONDERFUL. Clearly we did not have time to explore all it could do in advance, but the 3,000 pictures we shot are amazing. Whether a detailed picture trying to capture centuries old stained glass or my quick shots out of the car window, the end results are priceless. You can blow up the image to look at single threads on a tapestry without the image suffering. WOW. Have memory ready though! We had our laptop and were able to dump the 2GB card daily. Really need a bigger card.
GOOD CAMERA, A LITLE EXPENSIVE.......4 STARS [J. Ambriz]
I got this camera 3 weeks ago and have taken about 800 pics , I have to say that the first 500 were not really good, this camera is very good if you know how to use it, it takes a litle while to learn about settings flash, and stuff, also if you want to take beter shots you need to get an extra lens, other than 18-55mm i got canon 70-200 f/4 L wich is really good for zoomed pics, good and beter definition, you also need to get an uv filter to avoid overexp., when sunny days dont be surprised if your pics come up very lighted, you always have to adjust your settings, speccially iso, and exp. , and never get shots under basic zone when very sunny, camera has defult settings and you wont be able to change those settings, and pics will come up over exp. i use P mode and lower exp, also iso will be set at 100 or 200,,, overall I'm happy with it, if you wanna see some pics just check the samples on this webpaga amazon.com on your right side of camera description says users pictures or something, click on the most recently added or check them all, when you find a bratz pic, thats me, two pics next to bratz, and 3 before bratz, total five, thanks so much and happy hollidays
A Great Camera Overall [C. Hivert]
This camera is really great!
UPDATE: I've had mine for 3 months and I've taken more than 3000 pictures. I still like it a lot. Amazing.
It's easy to use, the LCD screen is big and clear, it's quite light, and the packaged kit lens (18-55 IS) is good. It's not a top lens, but it delivers sharp photos across the zoom range. Default settings will give you great shots out of the box. The 9-point auto focus is good most of times, but I found myself using the central point most often, even more so when using larger apertures (when right focusing matters most).
For under $700, this is the best DSLR you can find.
* Pros and Cons * Pros: - An easy to use, quick camera. - Intuitive menus. - 12 mega pixels. - Great pictures, sharp, good tones. - Small and light weight for a DSLR. - Live view mode to almost mimic point and shoot feel-it's slow though. - 3.5 shots per second-could be more. - Sharp kit lens for the price.
Cons: - Somewhat expensive compared to the Canon 40D (much lighter though). - ISO limited to 1600. - Relatively low fps. - Exposure compensation range limited. - Does not have video.
* The competition * The closest competitor is certainly the Canon 40D, which is a bigger, more professional camera. It has more options, higher iso, remote flash, higher shots per second rate, fewer pixels but a definitely tougher feel. I went for the rebel Xsi because I found the 40D too hefty. Still, if you really want a professional camera you should look at the Canon 40D. If you have a bigger budget, you should also look at Nikon, I really recommend the Nikon D300, it's a really impressive camera.
* Lenses * Canon has LOTS of lenses. If you're tight on budget, you should get the 50mm 1.8, a great lens for portrait. It's a very sharp lens. You'll enjoy the 1.8 wide aperture that allows blurred backgrounds and sharp , all of this for under $100. It's also a good start to get used to shoot with primes (lenses with a fixed focal length). The 18-55mm kit lens is often paired with the Canon 55-250mm IS lens to give you an almost 14x zoom (13.9), this Canon 55-250 is a very good telephoto lens if your budget is under $300. If you don't want to change lenses, Canon just released the 18-200 IS and it comes highly recommended so far. The Sigma 18-200 OS is good too. It's cheaper and it's been in the field for longer.
Very satisfied for a first-time DSLR owner [J. Huang]
I was deciding between a Canon 40D and this camera. For me, the form factor is a big plus, because I plan on lugging this onto an airplane along with my laptop in my carryon. I tend not to abuse my electronics too much, so the whole question of plastic body on the XSi vs. a metal body for the 40D wasn't an issue for me. Two points that favored the 40D: the continuous RAW mode is better (for baby's first steps, or sports) and the kit lens for the 40D is more versatile (a little wider than 35mm and out to 5X zoom, vs 3X zoom on the XSi kit lens). For me, it wasn't worth the extra cost (*edit*: with the instant rebate on the 40D right now from Canon, about $300 difference).
I decided to splurge on a DSLR over an point-and-shoot because I always got frustrated with sunset and lowlight shots with my point-and-shoot (I have an Olympus Stylus 400). Either the picture would be blown out or too dark. Also, indoor shots without flash would often be too grainy because of the inferior image processing in my pocket camera. Much less of a problem with a DSLR, where I've been able to twiddle with the ISO and the aperture to get decent shots in all the above-mentioned situations.
Overall, I'm very satisfied with this product. 4 stars because Canon doesn't include a SD card in the kit (c'mon, even my point-and-shoot came with a weenie card).
Canon Eos rebel XSi [D. HUDSON]
Canon Digital Rebel XSi 12MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens (Black) This is quite a good camera for the price, and the lens is GREAT value with good wide angle and zoom capabilities. One review I read before buying the camera said it was intuitive to operate. Not for me! It came set up so the LIVE VIEW feature, which shows the shot to be taken on the screen, was not defaulted, so the the QUICK START instructions were useless, and only after deep reading of the operating instructions did i work out what was going on. Also this only operates on "manual" modes, not on any of the automatic modes. So a lot steeper learning curve than I'd expected.
Great but slight disappointment [Judy K. Mahlow]
I moved up to this camera from my 8mp Cannon Rebel XTI. I am very pleased with all of the upgrades from the Rebel, but am slightly disappointed that I can not use live view with any of the automatic settings!! Live view was the MAIN reason for moving up. Otherwise, I am happy with my purchase.
are you looking for a good DSLR that does not break the bank? This is it. [Francesco Scinico]
i sold my beloved Nikon D70 after four years of use. I still miss it. I purchased a D40, but it never felt right. Picture quality was good, better than the D70, but I had to go through menus to do most everything (changing white balance, ISO, formatting the card, you name it), whereas the D70 had dedicated buttons. That makes all the difference in usability. Besides, the D40 does not even autofocus with my beloved 50mm 1.8 lens. Are you kidding me? I returned the D40 after 3 days of use.
I was lookind at the D80, 40D, the D300, the XTI, and this one. All good cameras (at the end of the day, they all take excellent pictures). it's the usability/sweet price/new features factor that counts. 40D and D300 are expensive for me (not a pro). The XTI is getting old (still good though, and very good price). The D80 is very good, a bigger brother of my beloved d70, but still old: no sensor cleaning, to highlight tone priority, does not ship with a bundled VR lens. You are basically buying a 2006 camera in 2008. I did not like that.
I found this XSI at Circuit City. It felt right in my small hands. It had most of the buttons I need to make changes quickly. I still have to go to a menu to set my custom white balance (the D70 had a button for that). Same thing to format the card (button combination on the D70). Auto ISO is not as smart as Nikon's implementation. Other than that, the camera is excellent. All the other buttons are there. It has an RGB histogram (very important; it lets you see if you are clipping individual colors). Picture quality is great. Very little noise (Canon's CMOS sensor is cleaner than Nikon's CCD on the D80), very pleasing skin tones (I take lots of pictures of my daughter and wife).
If the D80 had the same 2008 features as this one (highlight tone priority, self-cleaning sensor, bundled VR lens), I would have gotten that one. It's still a great camera. This one is just a 2008 camera with features found in the semi-pro 40D and the pro 1DS.
I'm very happy with it.
Great camera, amazing battery life, now the perfect price! [J. Lane]
I have had the XSi for about 3 months now and I am thouroughly impressed with it. This is my first DSLR and I was a little wary about going with a brand-new and untested camera, but I have always like Canon (I used an ELAN II in High School and I bought a SD600 about 2 years ago to take snapshots of my son). Overall, I have not been disappointed with the quality of the photos that the XSi produces. The IS lens works great and I have taken some pretty amazing photos (for me at least). I do have just a couple of issues, both good and bad, that I think those who are looking at buying this may want to know.
Battery life -- Great battery life. I should say, AMAZING battery life. I have taken over 5000 photos and I have only had to charge the battery twice.
Live View -- LiveView is not for beginners. It is not a replacement for your Point-and-Shoot. You can't use it in the AUTO mode (Green Square). This isn't that big of a deal for me, I prefer full manual myself, but the whole point of this feature, I thought, was to make it more user friendly for the Point-and-Shoot photographer. My wife can't use Live View in it's current form (I specifically bought a DSLR with a live view function so she could still use the camera). So, if Live View is a big selling point for you, You may want to look at some others (If it isn't that big of a deal to you, then this is still an amazing camera -- added 4-23-2008). If you do studio work, though, you can hook the camera up to your PC and use it as a remote viewer. But it is not a point-and-shoot camera in Live View. In my earlier review, I said that it would be nice if Canon fixed some of the Live View issues with a firmware update, I was mistaken. Live View is a nice feature once you figure out it is not meant for beginners. Studio and landscape photographers will find Live View a great tool.
Image Quality -- I have had some great success shooting in a studio setting as well as some great outdoor shots. In the studio, I used tungsten "hot" lights with the subjuect against a white background. The photos turned out great. Skin tones are perfect and there is very little, if any, chromatic abberation at the edges. It shoots great outdoor shots as well. We just got into beekeeping and I was able to get some AMAZING shots of our bees up-close outdoors. The bees looked dirty and not very interesting from a distance, but the macro photos I got up close are beautiful and full of wonderfully crisp details. The lens is a little short, the image quality you get from it is pretty good considering it only costs $100. I do plan on buying a longer lens in the near future.
Overall, the camera is solid and feels nice in the hand. It isn't too heavy, yet still feels sturdy. If you can afford the higher price, I don't think you will be disappointed. If you can't, the XTi is still a great camera. And if you can afford to wait a few months for the price to drop a little (LIKE IT ALREADY HAS!!) I would. I was able to work a few extra weekends so I could afford to get this, and I can tell you, I don't mind it a bit, because the quality of photos I am getting has been totally worth it.
--- Update --- I was incorrect when I said you couldn't use the 9-Point autofocus in Live View. You can use the 9-point autofocus while in Live View, but the mirror flips down and focuses so you can't see what you are trying to focus on until after the camera has actually gone through the autofocus process.
--- Update #2 --- I have now had this camera for almost two months and I am happy to report that the more I use it, the more I love it. Once you learn the layout of the camera and you load the MyMenu with the tools you use most often, the camera becomes an absolute delight to use. I have taken over 5000 photos with it so far and now I need an extra hard drive to put them all on.
I was able to rent a Canon EF 24-105 IS L lens and a 580 EX II Speedlite for my sister's wedding. WOW! What great photos. The camera interfaced with the flash flawlessly and I am more convinced than ever that much of the quality of your photos comes from the glass you use and not as much from the camera itself (I think it is about 65% lens to 35% camera body give or take a few points-- I know there will be those who disagree, but that is my take on it, and I am sure if I had a 1Ds MkIII I would think that there wasn't a peice of glass good enough for my camera).
This is a great beginner dSLR and a great camera all around. I am very happy with my purchase and I have had no regrets whatsoever about spending the $900 to buy such a great tool. Amazon now sells it for $799, you can't go wrong at that price!
Camera good - software bad [Thumper]
My wife has used a Canon SLR for a number of years, so a Canon EOS was the logical choice when purchasing a digital camera as it uses the same lens.
The Camera takes excellent photos and operates very similarly to the film model, only better in many ways.
I would have rated it five stars, but...
So far, it's been impossible to transfer images from the camera to the computer. We managed to transfer one, but that was it. Other images simply will not transfer. The software doesn't recognize, and refuses to connect to, the camera. Even after reloading the software and trying on a different computer. The Canon help line was absolutely no help! NONE!!! They insist it must be a "computer problem" as "no one else has ever had this problem".
Consequently, we must take the memory card to the in-store developer-kiosk and transfer images there, which requires two trips.
The camera is great and does everything she wanted, but the software and the Canon help desk are worthless!
xsi auto focus issues [Lelan Powers]
I don't usually add to post but I felt that I need to help others with deciding on the purchase of the XSI. My situation started in January of 09 when I bought the XSI along with the 50mm f1.8 and the 55-250mm IS lens after reading extensive reviews on the internet before I purchased the camera. After receiving the camera and lenses I started to see a focus issue very quickly with the kit lens. I then contacted Amazon and they promptly sent me a new XSI camera. When I received that camera I used both kit lenses on both bodies and they both had the very same AF issue when you use the center focus point. When I used the 50 prime and the 55-250mm IS with both camera bodies neither of those lenses missed the focus using the center focus point. I never was in auto mode always in shutter or aperture mode. Every picture with the kit lens was clearly very soft and out of focus. I then returned the first camera back to Amazon for credit and I sent the second kit lens to Canon for recalibration. When I received it back from Canon I then started the process again and there was some improvement but they were all out of focus using the center focus point or any one of the 9 individual focus points. I then started to experiment with the camera by using aperture priority and center auto focus point and I would use the AF shutter button pressed half way and then switch to live view and the image would be out of focus so I would refocus in live view and it would nail the scene every time due to the fact they use different focus methods in live view. This is unacceptable. Furthermore when I contacted Canon CS they portrayed that I was the only person that has had an issue with the XSI and the kit lens. Even after I got the lens back and contacted Canon CS I got the same response about me being the only person with this issue. I still thought it was my technique but I can tell you that after 3000 pictures with the camera I cannot be that BAD there is an inherent problem with the communication between the kit lens and the body of the XSI period! Canon can say what they want but after taking the camera to 2 different professionals we all came to the same conclusion. I know the kit lens is NOT L quality but the kit lens should perform to the same standard as the 55-250mm IS lens and if not then back to the research for a different camera and that is when I am after 2 months of frustration with the camera. The lack of Canon recognizing the true issue and being able to fix it really has me stumped. I could have sent the body and the lens back to Canon at no charge because they sent me a return label but my time with Amazon return policy was up so I had no other choice but to return the 2nd camera that I tried to like. If you would like to see the pictures I would gladly send them to you. You can contact me through this site I think? Lpowers
it should not be working this way.. donno why [Gokul Krishna Bhimavarapu]
I used the canon 300d for long time and my first upgrade was to buy the xsi. i am really disappointed with the quality of the pictures as i have really good pics with my 300d at low light and this one doesn't want to give me the same kind of pics i wished or better.. in-fact i was able to take better pics in low light with the 300d than the xsi. I dont know if this is a defect in the piece but a lot of them seem to be happy about this in their reviews. i am a canon fan, but i am really thinking about buying the nikon d80 after this.. i hope no one dindnt had a problem like me. it is really disappointing to see that the latest and best entry level cam has failed on me in front of a 300d...
Returned it for the Olympus E-520 [Charles F. Rouse III]
Bought the XSI from Amazon, with great expectations. Glowing Reviews. The Camera feels cheap. Very loud shutter operation. Awkward hand position. Live View is a Joke. If you have a significant other that will want to use it like a point and shoot through the LCD. Good Luck. NO AUTO FOCUS using shutter. 4 step process to take a picture. Camera just didn't "Feel Right". Olympus on the other hand feels stout, your hand and fingers naturally fall where they should. Live View works just like it should, albeit a little slow. All this for almost $150.00 cheaper.
Waiting on 2nd replacement [Timothy Smith]
First camera has all kinds of dust on the mirror and/or the internal eyepiece optics. No luck cleaning it so it went back. The replacement came right away (Amazon so far has been awesome as usual). Taking a shot underexposed I noticed a bad pixel (without enlarging or anything) I then took a quick shot with the lens cap on and noticed many dead pixels. The ones stuck in red are the most annoying. So this camera is going back as well.
I will update when the third arrives. If that's bad I might just check out the 50D and if that's bad I guess give Nikon a shot.
I understand a few bad pixels, my rebel XT has about 10-12. But the whole reason I am getting a new camera is for night use because of those bad pixels and having them right out of the box is unacceptable.
Price, features and the lens deal on the 55-250 are great! But if I cant get a good copy maybe its not such a good deal.
Not completely satisfied [Jon Evanoff]
I use a Sony and Nikon digital cameras, as well as the Canon. The Canon takes wonderful photos, but using the Canon software is cumbersome. it will not work with my HP desktop, but will with my laptop. However, I do not like the Canon software ease of opoeration. If I knew the difficulty of using it, prior to purchase, it would have seriously influenced my non-purchase of this camera.
Good camera, okay lens [Roger T. Wright]
Great menu system, easy to use controls with a wonderful 3" display. The supplied lens is the downfall for me, the image quality is okay but the "feel" is distressing. I know the lens is a trade off, offering a lot for the price but putting an "L" lens on the XSi is a real eye opener, brings the camera to life. Were I to do it over I would easily still buy the Rebel XSi body but would purchase a good prime lens (fast Canon 35 or 50mm) and give up the benefits of the zoom. Soon after purchasing the Rebel XSi kit I added a Canon 135 f2 L and was rewarded with some stunning photos with great "pop". While putting a high quality (and high priced) lens changes the XSi from a good camera to a great camera the reviewed lens/body combination is a great move up for most of us and priced well. Battery life is amazingly good and the RAW image files are supported by many software packages. The body with a simpler, high quality lens would receive a 5 star rating from this consumer.
poor focus quality [Claudia J. Rocklin]
I've had this camera for 3 months now and would send it back if I could. This is my first SLR so I thought the focus problem was user error; that I just didn't know how to use it. I've used manual focus on a tripod with a 2 sec delay to make sure the issues wasn't shake. Now I see other's with the same problem so I believe it's a camera problem. I'm going to send it in for repair, so hopefully they have a fix for the problem. It's pretty sad when my little point and shoot has superior photo quality.
On the positive side, I love the ergonomics of the camera. It's easy to use and the battery life is awesome. Over a 2 day trip and 300 photos, the battery held up great.
I actually love the camera except for the focus issue which when resolved will improve the rating significantly.
Great Macros...Poor medium to long range Autofocus [Just another reviewer]
I picked up this camera two weeks ago at a local store. Overall, it's a solid camera. Color reproduction is wonderful, it's quick, low noise with high iso, and terrific macros. The camera is blazing fast. Please refer to the other posters for the good points of this camera.
Now i'll discuss the shortcomings. The major one, which has been referenced to in various forums such as dpreview and a few online review sites is poor AutoFocus. Not all cameras are affected, but mine was. If you shoot at an object from w/in 10 ft, it has trouble over 50% of the time picking up the autofocus point and often selects the wrong point. If you use center focus, it gets pretty close but final image is still a bit blurry. It becomes a bit sharper w/ the live view autofocus system. When I took some outdoor pics of some animals, i couldn't quite lock on what i was interested in. Even when taking shots of people outside w/ a prominent background, it seems to have trouble deciding if it wants to focus on the person or the background. I'd say that 20% of my shots were actually in focus and those look wonderful. The remaining ones had the focus off. So i'm gonna send my camera to canon for repair. I went to best buy and tried out a 40D and the focus was rock solid. If you get a good camera, kodus to u.
Why not buy a 40D when the prices are so close? [T. E. Kaldas]
You have the choice of buying a XSi for 800 dollars (body only) or buying a Canon 40D for $950. I can't see why anyone in that position would choose to go with the XSI. The build quality on the 40D is infinitely better. It has weatherproofing and a magnesium alloy body. It's shutter is rated for 100,000 shots whereas the rebel series has been rated for about half that (That means the 40D could last twice as long for 150 bucks more). It has a much better and clearer viewfinder; a pentaprism instead of a pentamirror. It is faster in terms of burst shooting and can reach faster shutter speeds than the XSi (1/8000 sec vs 1/4000). It also has a much larger memory buffer for when you take bursts of photos. The 40D can be pushed to 3200 ISO while the XSi tops out at 1600. This is a big deal when shooting in low light. The 40D also has longer battery life.
Further, most people will never use 12 Megapixels. 10 is perfectly adequate. I can understand buying an XTi over a 40D. The XTi is half the price. But for the small difference the 40D is definitely the smarter buy when compared to the XSi. If the price comes down, then the XSi will be worth it. Until then. Do yourself a favor and get the 40D. Just my two cents.
My three stars are strictly based on a price to performance consideration. I'm sure the XSi performs great. Canon dSLR's are excellent all around.
