The Canon EOS Rebel T1i (a.k.a. 500D or Kiss X3 outside the U.S.) is the fifth model of Canon DSLR camera, which illustrates only few changes to the previous camera model (EOS Rebel XSi). After testing the camera, you will be surprised about how easy it can be used because the functions and interface provided is very powerful but still simple to use – just like the a point-and-shoot digital camera.

This camera is definitely made for amateur photographers and professionals and is the top entry-level SLR camera. It is very easy to use and comes with ranges of software such as Digital Photo Professional, EOS Utility and Photo Stitch, which give you some flexibility to edit after shooting.

The technical characteristics of this Rebel T1i seem to spark a competition in market with the other rival brands that we all know. It is also very helpful for amateurs when shooting as it can help shooting from difficult angles. The interesting feature is the presence of an HDMI connection that allows playback of high definition video and images on HD televisions. The camera provides excellent 9-point AF system, cross sensor high sensitivity. It is also equipped with EOS cleaning system for dust prevention.

Another obvious strength I can see is the image quality. The Rebel T1i has a 15.1-megapixel CMOS sensor, which is the most superior pixel density in all Canon EOS Rebel models. It can produce extremely sharp photos whether you decide to select a full-auto mode to shoot, or opt to fine-tune it manually.

The camera offers 3.0 inches LCD screen with a stunning 920,000 dots, which clearly intensify competition between Canon and other competitors. The maximum ISO range is 3,200 but can be expand to incredible 12,800.

If you are a professional photographer and understand the meaning of some terminology such as shutter speed, aperture, metering and white-balance, you’ll love the new processor, the DIGIC 4, featured in this Rebel T1i. It gives you a tremendous start up time, noise reduction and super fast focus. However, if you are just a beginner and are not familiar with the functions of DSLR camera, you don’t have to stress out at all. You can still shoot great photos with the new Rebel T1i, using automatic mode.

In overall, the Rebel T1i is available with a very cheap price, compared with its superior features. I hardly see any DSLR camera that has better quality and has lower price than the T1i. Compared with the rival manufacturer like Nikon, the Rebel T1i can be comparable with Nikon D5000. It is quite difficult to decide which is the better. To me, what struck me personally about the Rebel T1i is its finishing touch. So why don’t you give it a try? The shots speak for themselves.

The Canon EOS Rebel XTi represents a major leap of EOS technology. The body is available in both black and silver color and the body is made by stainless steel/polycarbonate. The silver body sold in Australia is known as the EOS 400D silver body, while it’s under the name Rebel XTi silver body in the US. The size is relatively the same as the previous Rebel XT model, which is quite small for average men’s hands.

The LCD screen in Rebel XTi is bigger than before. With the 2.5″ LCD display for a large thumbnail image, the screen can display about 230,000 pixel, which is much more superior compared to the previous Rebel XT camera model whose screen is only 1.8″ wide. The pop-up flash, enhanced with the latest versions, is capable of pulling up to 36 meters away. The shooting modes include A-Dep, M, Av, Tv, P, Auto, Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sport, Night and No Flash.

The CMOS optical sensor has improved significantly in Rebel XTi, up to 10.1 megapixels compared with 8.0 megapixels available in the older Rebel XT model. Also, the ISO is wider ranging from 100 up 1,600 allowing you to shoot even in the dark. And the camera is newly equipped with the automatic cleansing system, which help reduce dust from the camera lens. The shutter speed goes from 1/ 4,000, which is great for sports shooting, to several seconds. Another real advantage is that it allows 9-area autofocus system, with faster image processing.

Furthermore, the Rebel XTi allows you to take photos in uncompressed format (RAW), which means you are able to shoot photos with super high resolution images and can also be adjusted in Photoshop CS2 and CS3 as well. The Digic II image processor is provided with approximately 0.2 second start-up time. Users can choose either NTSC or PAL video outputs and the it is compatible with major operating systems such as Windows and Mac.

The Rebel XTi usually comes with kit lens (f/18-55) but can easily be replaced with a big 70-300 or a 75-300 with image stabilizer system (Recommend!). In fact, it is absolutely compatible with the whole Canon EF and EF-S lenses and EX-series Speedlites.

The criticism for the Rebel XTi, like the Rebel XT, is that it doesn’t possess a spot meter. It only supplies center and partial center weighted metering. This might be a problem when the object is standing right before the shining background as it is difficult to judge. Probably, this is the most significant limitation of this camera model.

In overall, the Rebel XTi enables you to capture solid pictures with options under a wide variety of circumstances; especially in moderate and high light levels. Also, it’s a good-choice camera for photographers, who desired of having an affordable camera. Definitely, there are some pro features which help you take some great photos, and it would make you hungry for more advanced pro cameras. So, this Rebel XTi is recommended for semi-professionals or amateurs like me as the price is approximately USD 899, which is not expensive at all.

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When the time Canon launched the new EOS Digital Rebel XT, many professional and non-professional photographers were considered this as the next generation of SLR camera.

First thing that I can notice from the Rebel XT is the very professional look (maybe because I saw the black one), very small in size (127×94x64 mm), which will be suitable for traveling, with a weight of around 540 grams (camera body only). The Rebel XT has a good quality of picture image (8 Mega pixels) and the shutter speed is very high with the start time of 0.2 seconds, although I sometimes feel that the auto focus is not quite accurate. The manual shooting has the settings ranging from P (Program AE), in which you can decide what level of exposure, to M (Manual) that allows you to decide everything. For this interval (from P to M), although it may not seem significant, it allows you to take pictures in ways that people like me, who comes from a compact camera, think it is very easy.

With excellent image produced by the 1.8″ LCD monitor with 115,000 pixels, the Rebel XT offers you natural colors, brightness and contrast. The body is available in both black and silver color. The battery allows you to take approximately 300 shots while using the LCD monitor. Of course, USB 2.0 connection is available then at high speed.

Also, the Rebel XT has an impressive shutter speed and fast continuous shooting of up to 5 frames per second [fps], with high-resolution color CMOS imaging sensor technology. The Rebel XT camera gives you a variety of shooting both auto mode and manual mode. Apart from full auto, the Rebel XT allows six different kinds of auto shooting modes, including portrait, landscape, close-up, sports, night scene and flash-off. The CCD sensitivity is ranging from ISO 100 to 400, which may depend on the light available and shooting mode.

When buying this Rebel XT, Kit lens is normally provided. Even though the cost is quite low, I think it is really worth the money. It is maybe the target of those who do not want to spend on other superior lens or who does not really have the need of it.

The only slight criticism is that the handle is a bit little small (for a big guy like me); therefore, your fingers might interfere and cause some damages to the lens. But I guess if you are woman, it will fit right with your hands and fingers. The camera body is plastic but is still very strong enough to use. The feature of kit lens (18-55mm f3.5-5.6) is not one of the best for a camera like this. It maybe deserved what little something extra.

All in all, I think the Canon digital Rebel XT has everything that an amateur photographer and those, who wish to switch from point-and-shoot camera to SLR camera, could wish for. It is definitely the choice to everyone including beginners and professional photographers.