Canon EOS Rebel XSi Digital Camera

Great all around camera

By MarkD  Oct 14, 2008 | 7 out of 7 found this Canon EOS Rebel XSi review helpful

Pros: Easy to use. Feature packed. Easy to update firmware. Connectivity options. Great value.

Cons: The USB port cover on the left side is a bit flimsy

Canon really did a superb job on this model. The XSi is so easy to configure and navigate. Even the more complex, custom configuration tools are easy to get at quickly. Everything on the exterior of the camera is well laid out. One word can easily su...m up the overall design, "Intuitive". Not just the physical attributes, but the Camera’s software design as well. This is such a welcome addition and perfect combination in the ever evolving technology of digital photography. The computer software that is included with the XSi is by and far one of the best software suites I’ve seen regarding DSLR kits. They even include a separate tutorial CD that teaches you how to use the included software. A really nice touch. I used to use Adobe Lightroom for my RAW file post processing. Not any more. The bundled software is so much better and allows far more control over post processing adjustments that are specific to the XSi. Thank you Canon! The other cool thing about the XSi is the ability to update the onboard firmware. It’s as simple as downloading the latest revision from Canon’s customer support site, plugging in the USB cable, and double clicking Canon’s update file. This whole process only takes a few minutes, and your off and shooting with the most current version of firmware in your camera. If you’re not interested in the myriad of technical tweaks and options availble, no problem! The auto functions make this camera a breeze to use, right out of the box. With better than average results, thanks to the incorporation of Canon’s Digic III microprocessor. Until the introduction of the XSi, the Digic III was reserved for Canon’s higher end professional line of DSLR’s. Battery life is amazing. I’ve gone on full day shoots and filled 12GB of memory with RAW files on one charge. With plenty of power left over. The 3” LCD screen on the back of the XSi is a real pleasure. Everything is easy to view and soft on the eyes. Reviewing image captures is a luxury on a screen this size when you’re out and about. Another cool little feature regarding the 3” LCD display is the proximity sensor. When you put your eye up to the viewfinder, the LCD shuts off automatically, preventing light from distorting your view while shooting. When you move away from the view finder the LCD comes back on instantly. This is another expample of the “little” things Canon has put generous thought into when it comes to the XSi’s design. It really is a fun camera to use. If you’re looking for a DSLR to meet a wide variety of shooting demands, the XSi is a perfect choice. It’s so simple to use, yet you can configure it to shoot incredibly complicated shots. I can honestly say that I would recommend the XSi to anyone. Novice and pros alike. Read more Less