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Canon EOS Rebel XSi Review


Macworld Rating
4.5 out of 5 Mice, Oct 28, 2008

Pros
  • Very good kit lens
  • Great image quality
  • Excellent low-light performance
  • Live View
  • Improved body and control layout
  • Big LCD screen
Cons
  • No top-mounted LCD screen
  • Limited customization
$700 (body only); $800 with EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS zoom lens

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Canon EOS Rebel XSi

The original Canon EOS Digital Rebel () was the first digital SLR (DSLR) to break the $1,000 price barrier. Since then, Canon has released other Rebel models with smaller bodies and larger feature lists, with the latest being the EOS Rebel XSi.
It’s easy to look at the Canon DSLR product line and slot the cameras into “beginner,” “intermediate,” and “advanced” categories But to call the XSi a beginner or starter DSLR is a misnomer. The XSi is an incredibly capable camera that just happens to be small, and it yields great images.
I’ve never been a fan of the smaller Rebel bodies because they’ve always felt cramped in my hand. With the XSi, Canon made a number of tweaks to the camera’s body and handgrip, making it more comfortable to hold and use than previous Rebels. If you’re looking for a lightweight, comfortable camera, the XSi is hard to beat.
EOS Rebel XSi
Canon's EOS Rebel XSi
The XSi also sports some important interface changes. The ISO control is now a single button located behind the shutter release. With the control in this new position, you can very easily access ISO with your shutter finger, without ever taking your eye from the viewfinder. Because the in-viewfinder display now shows ISO, you can easily make ISO tweaks while looking through the camera. The XSi also has a larger LCD than previous Rebels, which means some buttons have had to be moved. But all essential controls (Program Shift, Exposure Compensation, and ISO) are easily accessible while shooting.
The camera still lacks a dedicated status screen. Instead, the LCD is used for regular camera status. Fortunately, a proximity detector automatically disables the screen when you look through the viewfinder. Personally, I prefer a dedicated top-mounted display, as it’s easier to see, less intrusive in low light, and less of a battery drain.

New features

The XSi has a 12-megapixel sensor and a Digic III image processor; the previous Rebel model, theEOS Rebel XTi (), had a 10-megapixel sensor and a Digic II processor. The new hardware produces image quality that is top notch, and the camera performs great in low light, even at ISO 1600.
Back of the EOS Rebel XSi
Back of the EOS Rebel XSi.
Live View allows you to use the LCD as a viewfinder. As with the EOS 40D (), focusing in Live View is a bit cumbersome. The XSi provides two focusing modes when in Live View, and both are fairly slow. But if you’re shooting over-the-head or tripod-mounted shots, or are in any other situation where getting your eye up to the viewfinder is a problem, Live View is a welcome addition.
You can buy the XSi body only ($700), or purchase a kit ($800) that includes a new 18-55mm lens. Small and lightweight, this lens is far superior to Canon’s previous 18-55mm lens. It offers very good sharpness but is not plagued by the chromatic aberration (color fringing) troubles of its predecessor. Most importantly, the lens now includes Canon’s excellent Image Stabilization technology. With stabilization, you’ll be able to shoot handheld in more situations, without worrying about camera shake softening your images.

How it compares

The XSi delivers image quality that’s identical to Canon’s EOS 40D, but for almost $350 less. What are you giving up if you go for the XSi? The 40D has a faster burst rate (five frames per second versus the XSi’s three), more customization, the ability to change ISO in fractional stops, and one or two other high-end options. Most importantly, its control layout features more dedicated buttons, which can make reconfiguring the camera much easier; it also sports a top-mounted status display in addition to the rear LCD.
The XSi, though, scores for its size. If you’re looking for a small, light camera that’s easy to pack, and that you’re more likely to carry, then the XSi is a better option than the EOS 40D, provided you can live without the features found in the latter.

Performance

Image QualityVery Good
Battery LifeSuperior
Scale = Superior, Very Good, Good, Fair, Poor

Specifications

Resolution12 megapixels
Zoom/Focal Length (35mm equivalent)18-55mm f/3.5-5.6
Battery TypeRechargeable lithium-ion battery
Media SlotsSD memory card, SDHC memory card
Size in Inches (wxhxd)5.1 x 3.8 x 5.5
Weight (oz.)16.8 oz (body) 7.1oz(kit lens)

Macworld’s buying advice

The EOS Rebel XSi is a great DSLR, no matter how you look at it. If you’re shopping for a DSLR that costs less than a grand, this camera must go on your short list.


Macworld Lab Results

Performance (New)

ExposureVery Good
ColorVery Good
SharpnessVery Good
DistortionGood

Performance

Battery Life (minutes)273.5
Image Quality ScoreVery Good
Image Quality, Color57.9
Image Quality, Color--Adjusted57.2
Image Quality, Color--Auto58.5
Image Quality, Distortion71.2
Image Quality, Distortion--Noise71
Image Quality, Distortion--Noise Reduction74.7
Image Quality, Distortion--Sharp Interpolation70.4
Image Quality, Exposure58.3
Image Quality, Exposure--Flash63.9
Image Quality, Exposure--Normal56
Image Quality, Overall57.6
Image Quality, Sharpness55.6
Number of Batteries1
Number of Shots500

Type

Typeslr

Image Processor

Effective Megapixels12.2 megapixels
Image sensorCCD
Image format
  • RAW
  • JPEG
White balance0
Image stabilizationLens-dependent

Lens Features

Lens ModelEF-S 18055mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
Focal length conversion factor (SLR)1.6 X
Maximum Optical Zoom3 X
Maximum Wide Angle18 mm
Maximum Telephoto55 mm
Maximum aperture3.5
Lens mountInterchangeable
Focus featuresYes

Viewfinder and LCD section

LCD screen size3 inches
ViewfinderOptical

Exposure Controls

Maximum shutter speed4000 second
Minimum shutter speed30 second(s)
Exposure settings0

Storage

Memory type
  • SDHC Memory Card
  • SD Memory Card

Flash

Flash characteristics
  • Flash Slow Sync
  • Yes

Connectivity

Interface connection
  • No
  • Remote Terminal
  • USB
  • Video - Out (Unspecified)

Power

Battery TypeLithium Ion Battery

Dimensions

Width5.1 inches
Height2.4 inches
Depth3.8 inches
Weight25.8 ounces

Warranty

Warranty information1 Year Limited Warranty

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