Home > Consumer Reviews > Canon Digital Rebel XSi 12.2 MP Digital SLR Camera (Black Body Only)

PROs: I am thrilled with this camera. After doing some research for a couple of months between this camera, the nikon d80 and the prestigious canon 40d, I decided on the XSi for my needs. Best overall price to my performance needs. Image quality is fantastic, even though the kit lens is at best, good. Going to purchase a 50mm 1.4, 70-200 4L, and a better walk around lens as soon as I get completely sick of the 18-55 IS kit lens, but for now its a good starter lens. Though I honestly think the nikon d80 and the 40d are better cameras for experienced and serious users, primarily I am loyal to Canon (best brand) and the 40d is just too bulky and expensive for me. I don't need all the extra bells and whistles provided by the 40d at this point of my life.
If you want a light, easy to use and learn (for first time users), long lasting battery (about 500 images), nice clear LCD and fairly cheap price to performance ratio this camera blows out all nikons, pentax, and sony's out there for the beginner/transitioning to intermediate shooters. I chose this camera over the 40d because its more suitable for me and most importantly I can use the price difference between the XSi and the 40d to get my 70-200 4L for free basically.

Cons: Again the common gripe over the grip, but honestly its not that bad if you have small to medium size hands. you will adapt quickly as the pro's of the camera immediately mask any cons present. No better kit lens option out yet.

Overall: Fantastic lens for beginner/beginner-intermediate users as the vast majority of professional reviews have stated...

Note: Please get a nice memory card I recommend the 4 or 8GB SanDisk EXTREME III (it's worth the extra $5-10) or any SDHC that is class 6, save a little change for some other lenses as you will fall in love with this camera and will be compelled to buy more lenses, and lastly buy some decent filters as you will appreciate the image quality and protection they provide. the RC-1 is a nice accessory. I hope this was helpful for you as all the other reviews were helpful to me.

I love this camera. With the Live View, all I do is hook it up to my laptop, and find a bright star, and magnify the view on the laptop and I can focus in seconds. With the Xti and no Live View, it was a long, painful process that never really focused right. Once focused, I can take several long exposure pictures with no problem. Much less noise at higher ISO's than the Xti. I was able to get great pictures, first night out.

For other uses, its a great camera as well!

I waited for months debating on whether to go ahead and purchase the Canon 40D or hold out for the new XSi. I am thrilled that I waited on the XSi. The quality is excellent! I purchased the XSi with the 18-55mm IS lens. The lens is a good walk around lens but I also purchased the 50mm 1.8 and the Sigma 70-300mm zoom. I tend to the leave the Sigma on more than any.

The XSi has nearly all the features of the 40d at a fraction of the cost. It's features are definitely well above the XTi and totally worth the upgrade. The 3" LCD screen is great for the live view shooting or reviewing. The buttons are placed great and it's very easy to navigate.

The body itself is not as heavy as the 40d but also doesn't feel cheap and weak. It's a huge step up from my Canon S3 IS, however, I still love that camera and all it's power too.

I have used the camera in numerous situations already and it prevails in all. Of course as with most, it does extremely well outdoors in light. It also exceeded my expectations indoors in low light. Even when I have had to bump the ISO to 800 or 1600, it performs wonderfully and there is very little noticeable noise. With my former cameras, I was never able to use high ISO settings because they were too noisy to fix with post processing. With the XSi, there is very little if any post processing work needed on the high ISO shots. It's wonderful for low light situations when you don't want that deer in the headlights flash look!

All in all, the XSi was totally worth the wait and the savings. The XSi is a fraction of the cost of the 40D and yet has nearly if not all the pluses of the 40D. I'd definitely recommend anyone debating between the two to go ahead and go with the XSi body and save your money for good lenses.

I received my XSi on April 28th, just two days before I went chaperoned an 8th grade trip to Washington DC. I used the camera for the first time in Washington and it took a bit of time to get used to the controls, but I managed to get some really good shots. I used the kit lens that is included with the camera, as well as my 70-300mm zoom lens and my 24-70mm lens (both Canon lenses) and I got some excellent photos.

I subsequently took this camera and lenses with me on a one week vacation to Orlando, Florida and I shot around 1200 photos, and I got lots of excellent shots. The colors are great, and its a big step up from the first generation Digital Rebel which I previously used.

I bought this camera a week ago as a replacement to my 5 year old digital rebel. I can experience the differences clearly. It is lighter and much faster. The speed in terms of start-up and shot-to-shot as well as auto-focus is incredible. It is dead on for the most part. This camera is a lot lighter too especially for someone used to the original digital rebel. I was not hugely impressed with the kit lens even though it has received rave reviews. I am still playing with it. My Canon 28-105 produces sharper images than the kit lens.

All in all, this camera is definitely a step-up from the older digital rebel. Compared to the XTi, the 3 inch LCD and live preview is a major enhancement. Spot metering is a huge plus. I am very satisfied with this camera.