Canon Rebel XS 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens (Black) by Canon
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Digital camera reviews of Canon Rebel XS 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens (Black)
Digital camera Review: Best camera for a beginner photographer
Summary: 5 Stars
I have never owned a camera aside from a cheap cellphone before this, and have always been interested. After weeks of research and asking around online, I've been directed too this camera, which I heard was the same as the new updated XSI, only difference was few features and a smaller screen. I've owned this camera for around a year and a half, no problems, and still takes pictures as good as day 1. The camera is really easy to use, and really user friendly. It is extremely easy to use, and has preset modes that you can automatically take decent photos with if you aren't yet good enough changing the aperture or ISO. The lens included is a basic 18mm-55mm, which is pretty good and offers image stabilization and auto focus, which both come in handy if you are a beginner or intermediate and can't quite get your pictures to come out clear. As you learn the tricks and features behind this camera and can soon work your way out of using the preset modes, into using the more advanced modes, you may want to upgrade the default lens, as it isn't the best for more advanced pictures, but I'll explain in more detail on the actual amazon page for the lens. You will be satisfied with how good the pictures and lens this camera comes with, and some pictures I've taken actually look like they are textbook/magazine worthy, and that's just with using the default settings. There are a lot of custom shooting modes you can put this camera in if you want more vivid colored pictures, or just black and white. You can change a lot of things, as well as use certain shooting modes that work better for moving things, as well as better for capturing objects with more depth. You might want to get the book Canon XS for dummies, which will go into more detail than the manual about all the specific features, what they do, and break this camera up piece by piece until you know what everything is and when the best time to use each piece is. I can't really explain what is best since it depends on what you're shooting and if you are a beginner, you may want to stick with the default modes, as they take really good casual pictures and you don't have to mess around with the settings. How do you know which default to use? Well I think its obvious, theres standard, obviously standard settings, close up, if you are taking a close up picture of a flower or object, night shot, obviously used under low light settings, and no flash, obviously if the lighting is too high to use flash. That brings us to flash, the built in flash is great for close up shots where lighting is average to low, but is pretty weak when you get farther back then 10 feet and becomes quite useless unless you are taking a night shot. I suggest removing flash if you are taking a medium distant shot in adequate lighting. Otherwise, you may want to but a portable flash that you can attach if you're looking for a wider range, and more efficient flash. This camera overall, is really good and can be used with most modern lenses. Canon makes some really great lenses, and even look at the ratings, this camera might not be the best for an expert, but for a beginner/intermediate who wants to get the most for a low price, this camera delivers much more quality than what you pay for. Don't let the price fool you either, it is really good and will satisfy you in terms of features and quality, and with the right lenses, is capable of taking magazine worthy photos. Don't spend more on another camera when you don't have to.Digital camera Review: Best entry level DSLR
Summary: 5 Stars
I am looking for a camera with the following attributes:
1) Great indoor photo image quality.
2) Great ability to focus moving kids
3) Fast capture
I tried several compact/prosumer cameras and none of them fulfill the need. So, I decided to try on DSLR. I compared Rebel XS, XSi and Nikon D60.
All 3 of them are really good and fulfill my needs. I picked Rebel XS because:
1) In amazon, with Canon $100 rebate, a Canon Rebel XS + Canon 75-300mm is only $520. Very attractive price. Rebel XSi alone is $640. I don't think as a beginner, the larger LCD, higher resolution, more focus points justify the cost difference.
2) Nikon D60 has similar pice as Rebel XS but it is made in Thailand. Rebel XS and XSi are made in Japan.
So, I have used the camera to do the following which I can't do with a point-n-shoot before.
1) Indoor singing performance. With Full auto mode, the pictures are clear and sharp. The only issue is a lot of red eyes to fix even I turn on the red eye reduction lamp.
2) Indoor portrait. The picture with no flash is super! The direct flash is too strong. I may need an external flash to help adjusting flash angle to make flash picture better.
3) Outdoor picture. Most of the point-n-shoot cammeras can do very good picture already. But with Rebel XS, the focus time and snap time are crazily fast. I can do continuous snap and pick the best easily.
4) This camera gives me great photo in Full Auto most of the time. You don't need to be an expert at all. Just hold still and press.
Digital camera Review: Best for DSLR beginners
Summary: 5 Stars
Like the others (or even you), I've done a lot of researches for the best DSLR for beginners. I've considered nikon D40, nikon D60, pentax K200D, and sony A300. It's true to try the actual camera and see where you're most comfortable with helps, I went to Best Buy to do this.
So why Canon XS, 3 key things that made me decide to get this one:
First and foremost, the price. It's almost the same as the Nikon D40 (other sites offer cheaper kits for d40 but you don't get the VR lens) but more funtions, cheaper than the Nikon D60 and more functions. As compared to pentax and sony, this is definitely cheaper and more lens options.
Second consideration is the fact that there is an adapter available in the market that can be attached to this camera so that it will be able to use nikon lenses. Try searching for Haoda.
Third and last is the actual shooting tests. I tried this, nikon d40/d60, and sony a300 at best buy. Used auto settings for all cam and my shots came out best with the Canon XS.
What's the drawback? Sensors were removed in the XS model. Same sensors that is used for the remote shutter or for a flash to work away from the camera. No worries though, there are 3rd pary remotes that can work with the XS so you'll have remote shutter capabilities. As for the flash, you can always mount a flash that can work as the master flash (disabling the light) and have another flash as the slave flash so you have the same effect of having a flash work that is not connected on top of the camera.
I'm really happy with my choice, no regrets. Whenever I pick it up, it makes me want to shoot anything just to see how great the pictures it'll produce.
Be careful though, once you decide to buy this, spending starts for the accessories (memory, bag, cleaner, lens, etc).
As my friend would put it, 'don't think about it anymore, just buy it!' =)
Digital camera Review: Beware of the Error 99 Common in these Cameras
Summary: 2 Stars
I bought this Camera and within the first day noticed the Error 99 popping up everytime I'd try to use the Camera in the Automatic Mode. I called Canon and spent an hour on the phone with them downloading the latest firmware version, which was designed supposedly to fix this known problem. It didn't work. After doing research on this error, I see that it is a very common problem and driving lots of people nuts. What does this say about Canon- they have a problem they can't fix!Digital camera Review: Blown Away...
Summary: 5 Stars
After damaging my second Canon AE-1P in the middle 1990's, I switched to an entry level digital camera that did not always satisfy my needs. However, my new Canon Rebel EOS XS not only satisfies my needs for a competent camera, but it blows away anything I have ever even tried in a comparable price range. My expectations were more than satisfied.
With my old Canon AE-1P's, I had to take 14-20 rolls of 35mm film with me whenever I went overseas, along with an extra battery --- just in case. And the cost of developing and printing all those photos was a real budget beater. And with our 5.2 mp entry level digital camera, while it was easy to recharge it in its own camera dock, nevertheless, the recharging dock was somewhat bulky, and we had to take a number of memory sticks with us or be careful that we had enough exposures left to get all the photos we wanted. However, my new Canon Rebel EOS XS came with its own battery recharger (a fraction of the size of a single deck of playing cards), and the 4 GB memory (purchased locally)is way beyond comparison with everything I had tried previously.
We took the new camera on vacation, a few weeks ago, and were blown away by its performance. It made no difference whether we had day light, low light, or no light. The functions and variable ISO settings were more than enough to handle anything from bright light to low light, and the pop up flash took care of everything in the dark...