Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi

The Canon Rebel XSi is Canon's new entry-level SLR camera which incorporates many new features found in the professional line of Canon DSLR's. New features of the Rebel XSi include improved autofocus sensor, enhanced 14-bit A/D conversion, an advanced Live View function, 3-inch LCD monitor, and DIGIC III image processor. The new Rebel XSi supports more than 60 compatible Canon EF and EF-S lenses, including optically image stabilized EF-S lenses like the EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS (now included in the EOS Rebel XSi kit), or the new EF-S55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS.

Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi
MSRP $799.00
Release date April, 2008
Brand Canon
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Pros & Cons

ProSCORE
5 reviews
85
negative
mixed
positive
5 positive
0 mixed
0 negative

[i] How is the ProSCORE calculated?

show me!

Pros:
Do you agree?
•
Large 3.0-inch LCD monitor
+5agreedisagree

•
Live View Function
+4agreedisagree

•
3.5 fps continuous shooting mode
+4agreedisagree

•
New Canon 12.2-megapixel CMOS sensor
+4agreedisagree

•
affordable price
+4agreedisagree

•
Compatible with compact SD and SDHC memory cards
+3agreedisagree

•
Easy-to-use
+3agreedisagree

•
LCD turns off automatically as you bring camera close to face
+3agreedisagree

•
LCD monitor is about 30% brighter than its predecessor
+2agreedisagree

•
DIGIC III Image Processor
+2agreedisagree

•
Auto-focus points make it clear what will be in focus. Bright orange points light up on subject
+2agreedisagree

•
Small camera for those with big hands or long fingers
+1agreedisagree

•
Lightest entry level DSLR camera on the market
+1agreedisagree

Cons:
Do you agree?
•
Live View Function will drain battery quicker.
+1agreedisagree

•
Small DSLR camera body for those with big hands or long fingers.
-1agreedisagree

•
LCD can smudge from your nose touching if you bring it too close
-1agreedisagree


6 people added to this review by submitting or voting on pros and cons. Add your say!
See individual votes »

Details

Features

  • 12.2 effective Megapixel CMOS sensor
  • Supports all EF and EF-S lenses
  • Uses new 14-bit A/D converter, improved AF sensor (still 9-point), and DIGIC III image processor
  • 3-inch LCD display (230k pixels) with live view and contrast detect autofocus
  • Larger optical viewfinder has 0.87x magnification and 95% coverage
  • Full manual controls; ISO range of 100 - 1600
  • Can shoot at 3.5 frames/second for up to 6 RAW or 45 JPEGs
  • Auto Lighting Optimizer corrects image brightness and contrast automatically
  • New spot metering (4%) option
  • Same dust reduction system as the XTi
  • Uses SD/SDHC memory cards (instead of CompactFlash)
  • Optional battery grip
  • Uses LP-E5 lithium-ion battery; 500 shots per charge
  • USB 2.0 High Speed support
  • Shipping in April for $799 body only, and $899 with the new 18-55 IS lens; comes in silver and black

 

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This report was started February 6, 2008 at 1:05 pm by Erik
with the last edit occurring April 26, 2009 at 2:38 am by mba28
This page has been viewed 3906 times, with 82 edits by 7 contributors.
See the full report history »

Competitors

Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi is ranked 3rd among it's competitors.  See the top picks in Digital Cameras »
Canon EOS Digital Rebel T1i

Canon EOS Digital Rebel T1i

MSRP  $799.99    Released  March, 2009
Pros
  • large images - same MP count as the 50D, larger than the D90
  • 720p video recording at 30fps, or 1080p at 20fps
  • light and compact XSi body
Cons
  • no auto-focus for video
  • no external microphone input
  • 1080p at 20fps only
ProSCORE
3 reviews
50
Vote! (1 vote)
vote Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi 0% vs. vote Canon EOS Digital Rebel T1i 100%
Sony Alpha DSLR-A350

Sony Alpha DSLR-A350

MSRP  $800.00    Released  March, 2008
Pros
  • Features live view LCD viewfinder with dedicated sensor
  • Competitively priced
  • Extremely high resolution sensor @ 14.2 megapixels
Cons
  • poor kit lens
  • uses CF cards - most cameras in this segment have moved to smaller, cheaper alternatives
  • built-in flash which utilizes a pre-flash that causes the dreaded sleepy eye effect in most pictures taken in dark settings
ProSCORE
8 reviews
79
Vote! (2 votes)
vote Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi 50% vs. vote Sony Alpha DSLR-A350 50%
Sony Alpha DSLR-A300

Sony Alpha DSLR-A300

MSRP  $800.00    Released  April, 2008
Pros
  • More superior LiveView implementation compared to competition (has to be proven yet)
  • Articulating screen combined with Live View allows for easier over-the-heads and ground-level shots
  • In-camera image stabilization allows for using of non-stabilized lenses, by thus lowering the cost of ownership
Cons
  • Kit lens is lower quality then the competition
  • Noise at higher ISOs
  • A300K is $100 more expensive in Canada than in US after currency conversion.
ProSCORE
7 reviews
80
Vote! (0 votes)
vote Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi   vs. vote Sony Alpha DSLR-A300  
Nikon D40

Nikon D40

MSRP  $500.00    Released  December, 2006
Pros
  • Compact and light
  • Great image quality
  • Write times are fast
Cons
  • No external focus pin
  • Can't customize exposure steps
  • Not the Canon Rebel
ProSCORE
8 reviews
79
Vote! (1 vote)
vote Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi 100% vs. vote Nikon D40 0%

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Reviews

Sort by: Most helpful  •  Newest  •  Most positive

Whipdaddy

avatar
February 6, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
82
negative
mixed
positive
9 pros
2 cons
trustedtrusted
love itlove it
want itwant it
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • Large 3.0-inch LCD monitor
  • Live View Function
  • 3.5 fps continuous shooting mode
  • New Canon 12.2-megapixel CMOS sensor
  • Compatible with compact SD and SDHC memory cards
  • LCD monitor is about 30% brighter than its predecessor
  • DIGIC III Image Processor
  • Small camera for those with big hands or long fingers
  • Lightest entry level DSLR camera on the market

Cons

  • Live View Function will drain battery quicker.
  • Small DSLR camera body for those with big hands or long fingers.

Competitors

Whipdaddy prefers Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi over Nikon D40, Sony Alpha DSLR-A350
Did you find this review helpful? Yes  /  No

dakalvia

avatar
February 5, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
90
negative
mixed
positive
9 pros
1 con
have ithave it
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • Large 3.0-inch LCD monitor
  • Live View Function
  • 3.5 fps continuous shooting mode
  • New Canon 12.2-megapixel CMOS sensor
  • affordable price
  • Compatible with compact SD and SDHC memory cards
  • Easy-to-use
  • LCD turns off automatically as you bring camera close to face
  • Lightest entry level DSLR camera on the market

Cons

  • Live View Function will drain battery quicker.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes  /  No

Erik

avatar
December 28, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
78
negative
mixed
positive
7 pros
2 cons
love itlove it
want itwant it
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • Large 3.0-inch LCD monitor
  • Live View Function
  • New Canon 12.2-megapixel CMOS sensor
  • affordable price
  • Easy-to-use
  • LCD turns off automatically as you bring camera close to face
  • Auto-focus points make it clear what will be in focus. Bright orange points light up on subject

Cons

  • Live View Function will drain battery quicker.
  • LCD can smudge from your nose touching if you bring it too close

Did you find this review helpful? Yes  /  No

12eward

avatar
February 27, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
100
negative
mixed
positive
2 pros
0 cons
0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • Large 3.0-inch LCD monitor
  • 3.5 fps continuous shooting mode

Cons

Did not agree with any cons

Did you find this review helpful? Yes  /  No

Yale

avatar
December 19, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
100
negative
mixed
positive
1 pro
0 cons
0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • affordable price

Cons

Did not agree with any cons

Did you find this review helpful? Yes  /  No

mba28

avatar
April 26, 2009
ProSCORE
100
negative
mixed
positive
12 pros
0 cons

Pros

  • Large 3.0-inch LCD monitor
  • Live View Function
  • 3.5 fps continuous shooting mode
  • New Canon 12.2-megapixel CMOS sensor
  • affordable price
  • Compatible with compact SD and SDHC memory cards
  • Easy-to-use
  • LCD turns off automatically as you bring camera close to face
  • LCD monitor is about 30% brighter than its predecessor
  • DIGIC III Image Processor
  • Auto-focus points make it clear what will be in focus. Bright orange points light up on subject
  • Small camera for those with big hands or long fingers

Cons

Did not agree with any cons

Competitors

mba28 prefers Canon EOS Digital Rebel T1i over Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi
Did you find this review helpful? Yes  /  No

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