Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi First Impressions Summary
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Entering an increasingly crowded market for consumer digital SLRs comes the entry-level Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi, which premieres at PMA 2008 in Las Vegas, Nev. The XSi is the third in Canon’s budget DSLR series, updating the Digital Rebel XTi.
This new version of the Rebel is marketed toward the photo enthusiast who might turn in his or her point-and-shoot for a consumer DSLR. Canon promises the XSi is its best Rebel yet, borrowing features from its flagship professional line, including faster processing, improved autofocus, Live View, and an expanded spot metering, in addition to higher resolution, larger LCD screen, and updated menu system.
The Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi has a MSRP of $899.99 for the kit with the new EF-S18-55mm f/3.5 – f/5.6 IS zoom lens (which includes optical iamge stabilization), or $799.99 for the body alone when it ships in April 2008.
Overall Impressions
ValueThe anticipation for the Canon Rebel XSi, or previous Rebels for that matter, has photo nerds’ hearts racing. Buyers in the market for a consumer SLR are most likely dropping a good chunk of their savings on this camera, as customers move up from a point-and-shoot and venture into photography as a serious hobby and potentially as a business if they upgrade into higher-end models. So is the $900 worth it? With the added features, it’s a sweet deal. That’s not to underline the fact that almost every other manufacturer this week at PMA 2008 under-priced the XSi: the Nikon D60($749), the Sony Alpha A300($800), and the Pentax K200D($799). The point is that yes, the Digital Rebel XSi costs more than its competitors. The reality is, though, that consumers won’t care. The Rebel series has consistently been Canon’s top seller, and we anticipate it will remain so.
Who’s this Camera For?
• Point and Shooters – The EOS Digital Rebel XSi is far from a point-and-shoot, but Canon is actively marketing its new SLR to this segment. The XSi suits point-and-shooters who want to buy a DSLR to pursue more creative control in photography. With personalized background menus, larger font, and automatic modes, the XSi does fine to suit new DSLR users.
• Budget Consumers – The lowest original MSRP in the digital SLR market for a kit is about $750 new. Nikon, Sony, and Pentax each offer bundled DSLR kits (with included lens) that retail for the price of the Canon XSi body alone. While the $899.99 kit price on the Digital Rebel isn’t the least expensive, the sub-$1000 is still affordable. It fuels the democracy of photography that puts more DSLRs in the hands of more average consumers.
• Gadget Freaks – The XSi lacks certain gadget favorites like a touch screen, true Movie modes, or Wi-Fi capabilities that SLRs have yet to employ; these features are more typical in point-and-shoot cameras. Techies in pursuit of a DSLR, however, might be drawn to the Live View, which is becoming increasingly popular among Olympus, Nikon, and Panasonic SLRs.
• Manual Control Freaks – The Canon XSi brings with it a few more manual controls over the XTi, including an additional spot metering setting and expanded Auto Lighting Optimizer. Although the camera could use more incremental stops in ISO sensitivity, the Digital Rebel will satisfy Canon users.
• Pros / Serious Amateurs – Hardcore addicts would normally lean toward Canon’s higher-end professional models, such as the 1D Mark III or 1Ds Mark III. They would, however, consider the XSi as a backup camera to their existing line of EF lenses, since it is priced at a budget $800 price tag for the body. The smaller body and lower price tag is tempting for pros to take the XSi for traveling or parties.
Summary
Likes
• Live View added as the first on any Rebel
• Includes image stabilized lens with the kit
• Fast burst of 3.5 fps -Now includes Spot metering
• Larger 3-inch LCD screen
• Sturdier body when compared to XTi
• Improved grip with textured rubber for easier handling
Dislikes
• Tiny AF points through viewfinder
• Redistribution of back button layout
• No CompactFlash memory support
• Price isn’t as competitive as other PMA 2008 DSLRs
The Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi joins a successful line of Rebels that rank as the manufacturer’s top seller. This 12.2-megapixel entry-level DSLR is the third in the series. The XSi incorporates features borrowed from its flagship professional cameras, mixed with functions targeted for its PowerShot customers to cater to the point-and-shooter upgrading to an SLR for the first time. With its added features of Live View, Spot metering, improved autofocus, and faster burst shooting, combined with an image-stabilized kit lens, the Digital Rebel XSi is sure to do well in the market. It still faces competition from Nikon, Sony, and Pentax, all of which undercut the XSi’s near-$900 kit price. Despite that, we anticipate Canon’s brand recognition and history of the Digital Rebel will make the XSi a favorite among entry-level DSLR consumers.
