Canon Digital Rebel XSi 12.2 MP Digital SLR Camera (Black Body Only) by Canon
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Digital camera reviews of Canon Digital Rebel XSi 12.2 MP Digital SLR Camera (Black Body Only)
Digital camera Review: Canon XSi---One incredible camera
Summary: 5 Stars
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.
Digital camera Review: Don't buy the body.....
Summary: 4 Stars
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.
Digital camera Review: Ergonomics
Summary: 5 Stars
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.
Digital camera Review: Exceed expectations
Summary: 5 Stars
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.
Digital camera Review: Excellent camera
Summary: 4 Stars
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.