Digital Trends

Canon EOS Rebel XSi

May 6th, 2008 | by David Elrich

Performance and Use

We kicked off our session in Auto, with maximum JPEG size (4272 x 2848 pixels) and in burst mode. Here the camera handles all the settings—focus, white balance and ISO; you just adjust the zoom and fire away. And blast away the XSi certainly does. This D-SLR is far more responsive than recent Sony and Pentax models reviewed. Canon added its latest processor (DIGIC III) previously found only on much more expensive editions as well as a new AF sensor. The nine-point system also has one cross type in the center. All of this adds up to a camera that feels like it’s ready to explode when you put it into burst mode. Press the shutter and you’ll know what we mean.

Canon gives the XSi a rating of 3.5 frames per second, and this was pretty close to the conclusion reached by our test results. More importantly, you can zip off 45 top-quality JPEGs or six RAW files before it takes a breather (with the flash off, of course). Again, these are stats that are much better than our recently reviewed D-SLRs. If you’re looking for speed, the XSi has it; as such, Little League moms and dads should seriously consider the unit for capturing their slugging superstars.

Granted, high-speed shooting and fast focusing are important, but how were the pictures? Glad you asked… we did a lot of shooting in Auto then moved to the various manual options and scene modes. We also worked with the camera’s Custom Functions (different than the Picture Styles). Here you have long-exposure and High-ISO noise reduction, Highlight Tone Priority and other adjustments. As mentioned, you can experiment to your heart’s content or simply let the camera do the work for you. Still, it’s good to have these tools at the ready once you’ve become comfortable with the camera’s basic modes.

Once shooting was done it was time to make some 8.5x11 full-bleed prints with no adjustments such as Auto Enhance. Spring is busting out all over, as the hoary song says, and there was no shortage of color to test out including weeping cherries, forsythia bushes, dogwoods as well as tulips and daffodils of various shades and stripes.

In classic Canon style, the prints were terrific. We’re not sure how the company does it, but the photos taken with its D-SLRs (and better point-and-shoots) look flat-out spectacular. Images actually give off a certain sense of reality that’s very appealing to us (and lots of others since Canon is the top camera company in the world). What’s more, this camera has a new 14-bit A/D (analog-to-digital) converter that Canon states improves outdoor shots. We don’t know if it’s the DAC, processor, lens or what, but we don’t care: Outdoor colors are absolutely spot-on.

We also received a pleasant surprise after printing a series of indoor still lifes. Digital noise was barely noticeable at 800 ISO and the prints were the best we’ve seen at 1600 ISO. Admittedly, we were surprised there wasn’t a custom setting for 3200, but apparently Canon leaves that for its more expensive models. Obviously, the High-ISO Noise Reduction works quite well. And, of course, the image stabilized lens clearly helped capturing sharp shots at slower shutter speeds.

Conclusion

We hate to sound like a skipping Internet audio stream, but it’s very easy to recommend the Canon Rebel XSi. It’s a fast-focusing, speedy D-SLR that delivers excellent photos both indoors and outside. At 12.2-megapixels, the camera also has more than enough resolution for huge prints, and you can just shoot in auto or tweak images as much as you’d like. Units further have an integrated cleaning system that shakes the dust off the sensor every time you power on and off. In short, the camera handles well, is simple to use and the supplied stabilized lens is icing on a yummy cake. If Canon’s engineers would just toss Live View in the trash can—or copy Sony’s version—they’d have close to the perfect sub-$1,000 D-SLR.

Pros:

Very fast 12MP D-SLR
Fine picture quality
Supplied IS lens

Cons:

Don’t bother with Live View
Flimsy door covering connections