Basic Specifications
Resolution 12.20 Megapixels
Kit Lens 3.00x zoom 18-55mm (29-88mm eq.)
Viewfinder Optical / LCD
LCD Size 3.0 inch
ISO 100-1600
Shutter 30-1/4000
Max Aperture 3.5
Mem Type SDHC / SD
Battery Custom LiIon
Dimensions 5.1x3.8x2.4in (129x98x62mm)
Weight 19.0 oz (539 g)
MSRP $900
Availability: 04/2008
Canon Rebel XSi / 450D Overview
Canon's new EOS Rebel XSi digital SLR includes quite a few features new to the EOS camera system, and once again exceeds some of the abilities of the company's intermediate digital SLR camera, the EOS 40D. With an updated look and a slightly taller profile, the Canon XSi has a 12.2-megapixel CMOS sensor, a 3.0-inch LCD, an improved nine-point autofocus sensor, a DIGIC III processor, and is capable of 3.5 frames per second. Its new Live View mode is improved over the Canon EOS models introduced in 2007, offering both contrast-detect and the more traditional phase detect modes. Like its XTi predecessor, the Canon XSi offers the EOS Integrated Cleaning System for dust removal both pre- and post-capture.
Picture Styles are also included as before, with a slightly updated interface. A few buttons have been moved around to make room for the larger LCD, and the body is slightly taller, yet with a lower overall weight. A new battery and the switch to SD/SDHC for storage may be part of the lighter weight. The Canon XSi is still compatible with all EF-S and EF lenses. Body-only the Canon Rebel XSi lists for $799, and the IS lens kit sells for an MSRP of $899. Check above right and at the bottom of the review pages for links to better pricing.
Canon Rebel XSi User Report
Canon's original Digital Rebel debuted in 2003, breaking new ground and bringing digital SLR technology within the grasp of consumers. Though the word "Digital" has been dropped, the Canon Rebel XSi continues the tradition of bringing advanced digital camera technology within the range of the casual photographer, with a price that leaves room in the budget for an extra lens or two. While the step from the Rebel XT to the Rebel XTi brought more internal than external changes, the Rebel XSi is a more complete overhaul. Many of the external changes are welcome, including the slightly taller grip and bigger LCD, but the real story, as is usually the case with Canon SLRs, is the improved sensor.
It's not just an improvement in number of pixels, but the improvement in their performance that makes the new 12.2-megapixel sensor extraordinary. Yes, Live View with contrast-detect autofocus, an image-stabilized lens, and several new automated features are welcome enhancements, but image quality is usually what gets our attention here, and the Canon XSi's is impressive.
Canon Rebel XSi Look and feel
My favorite part about my Rebel XTi is its small size. I shoot other Canon or other brands of SLRs when I need more advanced features, like a faster frame rate, but sometimes the only thing that will do is a small SLR, and the last three Rebels are among the smallest. The Canon Rebel XSi is only a little larger than its predecessor, but it looks bigger, and a little more professional like its big brother, the Canon 40D.
The XSi is about two millimeters wider and four millimeters taller than the XTi, and weighs about 29 grams less, despite the larger LCD and heavier image-stabilized lens. So while it's a little bigger, the Canon Rebel XSi is less of a burden when walking around. Canon has improved the grip again, adding a slightly taller grip area. My four fingers fit almost entirely, with only about three millimeters of overhang. It may be a little fatter too; but the greatest change is the more rubbery, leather-textured grip.
The thumbpad on the back also offers a better grip, and greater surface area. The diopter wheel is a little larger than the XTi's for easier access, and the Canon XSi's lens release button is a little larger too. Shutter release. It takes a real camera geek to notice, but the shutter button is set at a more aggressive angle than any Digital Rebels past; it now matches the angle of the semi-pro Canon 40D camera and pro 1D.
It's not a big deal, but it does make it easier to gently squeeze that important button when its activation angle matches the natural bend of the finger. Contours and accents. Muscular curves are the main design theme on the Canon XSi, with a look designed to evoke the Canon 1D Mark III and the Canon 5D. The pop-up flash that was a distinct element of the XTi is flush with the rest of the XSi's flow. While the XTi's metal parts, the hot shoe and strap loops, are painted black, those of the XSi are metal.
I prefer the black, but paint wears off, and the XSi's silver won't show the wear quite as clearly as the painted parts. The new design also eliminates at least one unnecessary accent part under the Mode dial, and the rear panel is less intricate to mold, likely lowering the cost of the Canon Rebel XSi's outer parts.
Basic Features
* 12.4-megapixel, 22.2 x 14.8mm, 14-bit RGB CMOS sensor delivering 4,272 x 2,848-pixel images. Effective count of 12.2-megapixels and 3:2 aspect ratio
* Single-lens reflex digital camera with interchangeable lenses (supports all Canon EOS series lenses). Focal length multiplier of 1.6x as compared to a 35mm camera
* Variable ISO (100, 200, 400, 800, and 1,600 settings)
* TTL optical viewfinder with detailed information display, diopter adjustment, and depth-of-field preview
* 3.0-inch, low-temperature TFT LCD with 230,000 pixels and Live View display mode
* Automatic, Program AE (shiftable), Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, Depth-of-Field AE, and Manual exposure modes, plus Portrait, Landscape, Close-up, Sports, Night Portrait, and Flash Off programmed modes
* Variable white balance with Auto, six manual presets, and a Custom setting (reads from a neutral gray or white card), as well as a color correction tool and bracketing function
* External hot shoe supports E-TTL II metering, FEL, and FP (high speed sync) flash with Canon EX Series Speedlight
* Flash exposure lock function (FEL)
* 35-zone Evaluative metering linked to all focusing points, Center weighted average metering, Spot (4%) or Partial (9%) central-area spot metering; metering range of EV 1 to 20 (at normal temperatures, EF 50mm f/1.4 USM, ISO 100)
* Adjustable exposure compensation from -2 to +2 EV in 1/3 or 1/2 EV increments in all exposure modes
* Auto exposure bracketing (AEB) from -2 to +2 EV in 1/3 or 1/2 EV increments in all autoexposure modes
* Shutter speeds from 1/4,000 to 30 seconds, and a Bulb setting for longer exposures
* Electronic self-timer with a fixed duration of 10 or two seconds
* Image storage on SD or SDHC memory cards Special Features
* Live View mode includes two focusing modes: Quick, phase-detect mode, and Live, contrast-detect mode
* Dust reduction and automatic sensor cleaning
* Picture Style menu offers six presets plus three user-defined settings for contrast, saturation, sharpness, and tone
* Continuous Shooting mode capturing as many as 53 images as fast as 3.5 frames per second (with shutter speeds of 1/250 second or faster)
* TTL autofocus with nine focusing points, manually or automatically selectable; One shot AF, Predictive AI Servo AF, AI Focus AF, and manual focus with AF assist beam, depending on exposure mode selected; working range of EV -0.5 to 18 at ISO 100
* Built-in E-TTL II retractable-type flash with red-eye reduction; guide number is 13/43 at ISO 100, m/ft, flash angle said to cover the field of a 17mm lens (27mm in 135 format); topside hot shoe for external flash connection of EX Speedlite flashes
* E3 remote control socket and IR remote control window
* 24-bit JPEG and 36-bit RAW data file formats. Available resolution settings are: 4,272 x 2,848; 3,088 x 2,056; and 2,256 x 1,504
* Red-eye Reduction via built-in illuminator
* Optional external hand grip/battery pack adds secondary shutter release and control wheel, as well as AE lock and focus point buttons for vertical-format shooting
* NTSC/PAL selectable video out connectivity
* DPOF (Digital Print Order Format) and DCF (Design Rule for Camera File System) compliant
* PictBridge; Direct Print capability to selected Canon photo printers
* USB 2.0 connectivity with TWAIN driver for PC and Adobe Photoshop plugin for Macintosh
Pro:
* Excellent 12.2 megapixel sensor with impressively low noise and superb detail
* Live View mode works very well
* Live View mode offers a choice between phase-detect and contrast-detect modes
* Zoom in five or ten times with Live View
* Image-stabilized kit lens is excellent optically
* Small size is great for travel and all-day carry
* Dust removal technology largely eliminates sensor cleaning chores
* 3.0-inch LCD with a wide viewing angle for better image sharing and focus check
* Taller grip makes for a more comfortable hold
* New viewfinder offers greater magnification
* Integrated status display conveys a lot of information
* IR detection turns off LCD to reduce glare and battery drain
* Print/Share button enables quick and easy printing and image transfer
* Fast image transfer eliminates the need for a card reader
* AF system works well in low light
* Picture Styles makes choosing and customizing color modes fast and easy
* Compatible with over 50 lenses and accessories
* SD cards are inexpensive and easy to find
* Selectable auto-rotation feature rotates on the camera or only in the computer
* Fast autofocus
* Viewfinder magnification is very good at 97% accurate
* Shutter button design allows followup shots without refocusing
* Good macro performance
* Excellent detail from the sensor
* Images are sharp, but not oversharpened, and noise suppression is kept well under control
* Color is very accurate, with only red being a little high, which consumers generally like
* Auto white balance handles most situations very well
* Print quality is excellent, making sharp 16x20-inch prints
* High ISO shots are surprisingly good, easily useable at 11x14
* Great shot-to-shot, shutter lag, and cycle time numbers
* Suitable for the inexperienced amateur, perfectly usable by the seasoned pro
Con:
* AF-assist adjustment and Flash Exposure compensation are buried in the Flash Settings menu.
* In Live View Quick AF mode, camera does not tell you which AF points are in focus
* Kit lens produces somewhat high barrel distortion at wide angle
* Flash coverage is uneven, falling off in the corners
* Indoor white balance is a quite orange
* Battery capacity reduced with significant use of Live View mode, larger screen, dust off system
* Switch from CF to SD may bother experienced EOS users
* ISO range is not as broad as higher-end offerings
* Front lens barrel rotates, making polarizer lens use difficult
* Live View shutter lag is a little longer
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