Canon EOS Rebel XSi

84

Very Good

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Pros
Easy to navigate basic features
Many pro-quality features
Cons
Complicated options may confound newbies

$469.95 - $703.31
From 9 Merchants

Performance: Very Good: 89
Features: Good: 75
Design: Very Good: 86

Find out how these scores, and their relative weights, combine to produce the PC World Rating.

Performance
Battery Life (minutes)	273.5
Image Quality Score	Very Good
Image Quality, Color	57.9
Image Quality, Color--Adjusted	57.2
Image Quality, Color--Auto	58.5
Image Quality, Distortion	71.2
Image Quality, Distortion--Noise	71
Image Quality, Distortion--Noise Reduction	74.7
Image Quality, Distortion--Sharp Interpolation	70.4
Image Quality, Exposure	58.3
Image Quality, Exposure--Flash	63.9
Image Quality, Exposure--Normal	56
Image Quality, Overall	57.6
Image Quality, Sharpness	55.6
Number of Batteries	1
Number of Shots	500

What You Should Know about the EOS Rebel XSi

Average Megapixels For an SLR

This digital SLR has an average megapixel count for its class. You can print images from an 8- to 10-megapixel camera at sizes up to 8 by 10 inches with no loss in quality; at 13 by 19 inches, however, prints will exhibit a slight loss of detail. Images from a 13-megapixel camera look good at 13 by 19 inches and can be pushed to 16 by 24 inches. Though prints at these larger sizes will lose some sharpness, they'll be superior to what you'd get from 35mm film printed at the same dimensions. You’ll also have plenty of latitude to crop and resize images. As the pixel count on an image sensor increases, so does its propensity to produce images plagued by noise--ugly speckling patterns. To avoid noise, look for a camera with the lowest pixel count that still serves your output needs.

Reviewed by: soxfans

Duration of ownership:

Strengths: Image quality, fast response, light weight, 12 megapixels

Weaknesses: Hand grip still too small; too many steps to get into some functions

Overall Evaluation: I bought this camera after comparing its sensor and other features with those of the models before and after it. The 12.3 megapixel sensor is almost perfect for taking low noise images, just like the XTi before it. I do not need video function on a DSLR, therefore T1i with its larger sensor is not for me. The Xsi is much lighter and smaller that 40D and 50D, making it easier to carry and hold in hand for long use. It has most of the features that photo enthusiasts need, such as depth of field and exposure bracketing. Live view works well, and the 3" screen is bright. The battery life is quite long as well. Mine is still full after 430 shots. This camera has the resolution that the kit lens often cannot match, so it makes sense to buy a body and then some good lens. Cons: The hand grip is longer than in XTi, but still not as comfortable in hand as with a D40/D60. Some functions, such as deleting an image, takes too many steps (3 pushes involving 3 different buttons). Custom white balance also takes a few steps. I'd prefer the one-step custom WB in SD880 IS (using a programmable button). However these are just minor things.
Reviewed by: hlchai

Duration of ownership:

Strengths: fast shutter release; easy to use, yet many features to for experimentation

Weaknesses: would prefer to have the mode wheel

Overall Evaluation: I have a few digital point and shoot, but none is fast enough to capture the priceless baby moments with my first kid. With another kid coming, we're sure not to miss any more. Easy enough for a novice, yet has enough features for more serious amateurs. Perfect combination for me.

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News, Reviews, How-To's about EOS Rebel XSi

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