Canon Digital Rebel XSI 12.2 MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens (Silver)

This is an excellent digital SLR oveall, and (almost) everything positive that others have written about it is correct in my opinion. The controls are intuitive, and after a little practice you can use them without having to take your eye off the viewfinder - the ISO control, the exposure compensation, the viewfinder is familiar to any Canon SLR user, etc... The grip is comfortable, and provides good grip. The LCD panel is bright, and displays all relevant information in a readable, usable manner. The mode dial allows you to switch on the camera with a gentle flick to the wheel, and the camera itself switches on almost instantaneously. The battery, when fully charged, can take almost a thousand shots before requiring a recharge. Even when using the flash, I was able to take more than a hundred shots before the indicator dipped to the low marker. Since this camera can accept both regular and EF-S lenses, there is a white marker on the body for aligning the EF-S lenses when mounting them on the body, and a red marker for the regular lenses. Nice! The negatives, in my opinion: - Flash photography results, especially indoors, and with the built-in flash, are not too good. You will have to experiment a lot to get acceptably good results. This may be an issue with most cameras when using the built-in flash, and you may need to go in for an external flash. So this is not necessarily a negative against the Canon XSi, but more an issue with most cameras I think. - The tripod socket at the bottom has the cameras serial number next to it. So, after screwing and un-screwing the tripod head a few times to the camera body, you are very likely to end up scratching off the serial number completely. Also, you will need to swivel the tripod head to open the battery cover. This is also bad for the serial number sticker. This may not matter much, unless you need to get the camera repaired. Bummer. In any case, this is not optimal design. - If you switch on the "Long Exposure Noise Reduction" custom setting on, it can take 5, 10 seconds or longer before you are able to take another photo. So be aware of that. This depends on the length of the exposure itself. For 30 second exposures, this post-processing can take almost as long. - The exposure compensation indicator still does not go beyond showing 2 f-stops in either direction. This is supposed to be on account of a patent issue, but it still reduces usability somewhat. On the whole, an excellent camera, but not without its flaws.

Show more

I purchased the Canon Rebel XSi about a month ago after much deliberation about when to buy and which Rebel model to select. I decided on a Canon for two reasons. I own a 35mm Rebel Xs SLR (familiar) and Canon lenses. The lens is what really makes an SLR shine and there are a vast assortment of canon EF and EF-S lenses available. I particularly like the EF L series lenses which I plan to buy used as my budget allows. The XSi model allows me to take advantage of these lenses without going to a full frame DSLR or the more expensive APC D series cameras. At the time that I purchased I had four Rebel choices: Rebel XS, XSi, T1i or T2i. I was tempted toward the T2i but cautioned toward the XS or XSi models. The T1 and T2 cameras offer video at high def but neither can auto focus while recording video so until that improves it will not suite me. Ultimately I decided against these because of price and cost of ownership. These cameras are impressive but in order to edit the HD video you will need a computer that can handle the format and also be able to render HD video without taking up half a day. I already own a Standard Def Canon FS-10 camcorder that I have owned for about a year and have yet to fully exploit it. I ruled out the XS based on resolution, metering and the LCD screen all of which are much better in the XSi. The XSi is a superb camera and with an L lens is awesome. I have the kit lens but have borrowed some higher quality EF L series lenses and the difference the lens makes is astounding. Ultimately if you must spend money buy a solid camera like the XSi and spend the bulk of your money on the lens. Happy with my XSi.

Show more

This was the third DSLR I purchased, the other two being Nikon D60s. (returned both of those and bought the Rebel, which I should have done in the FIRST PLACE). I wanted to get back in to SLR/35 MM equivelant cameras from POS ones I used for many years now. Compared to the Nikon D60, this camera is well worth the extra money. I have used the Xsi for three months now and my daughter has also used for school. I have taken sporting shots, animals, family, scenery etc..and except for the auto settings to be sometimes inconsistent, the picture quality overall is fantastic. I take most of my pictures on full resolution and crop to my liking later and the Xsi allows for some really nice cropping results because of the 12.2 MP it offers. The Nikon is only 10.2 MP but that was not a deciding factor. The extra MP are a bonus, but you will see no difference in prints between 10 and 12 MP in reality. Battery Life has been excellent and since I like to take action shots, I have used this camera at several sporting events this year. Most of the bad pictures, (yes, there are some from time to time) are likely as a result of the user, me. Once I got to understand the settings a little better, my action shots got better. If you want a DSLR and do not want to spend much more than $1,000 for a body, and two lenses, this basic kit plus the EF 55-250 MM lens, this is a great camera. I still have a few POS cameras that take equally good pictures, so wont recommend on picture quality basis alone. If you want a camera that takes great pictures, and do not really want the DSLR for its SLR capabilities, save your money and get a POS. The Rebel is not really portable, and unlike a POS, you cannot fit in a pocket or conceal if you need to. It is a DSLR for more serious photography. I do recommend this camera, but please do not consider as a replacement to your POS, but rather a companion to it. I still enjoy my Panasonic TZ5 POS camera, but really like the Rebel XSi and would recommend over any other entry level DSLR camera. Spend the extra for this (or Rebel Ti) if you are also looking at the Nikon D40 or D60. Also, it IS made of basically plastic, as are the other cameras on the market of this grouping. It does not feel particularly clumsy, but I did purchase a Delkin rubber skin and it works wonderfully!

Show more