EOS mio! Which Canon dSLR?

Lori Grunin, Senior Editor December 10, 2009

Not everyone approaches the dSLR buying decision as a tabula rasa choice. If you've already chosen Canon--whether it's because you already have some lenses, friends who are brand-enamored, or have simply had good experiences with the company's point-and-shoot models--here's some help selecting the right model.

On a general note, if your budget is tight, and unless there's a specific feature or performance level you need from a particular model, it's usually a good idea to save money on the body and spend it on a better lens.

• If you're on a tight budget, you don't have much of a choice, and the Rebel XS is the least expensive of the lot. But given the relatively small price difference between the XS and the XSi, it might be worth bumping up a class for the spot meter (big as it is) and a larger LCD. (Sorry, no room in the chart for it.)
• For most hobbyists, vacation shooters as well as non-pro business users buy the Rebel T1i. It delivers comparable, and occasionally better, performance and photo quality, than the XSi for not a lot more money. Plus you get higher resolution and video capture.
• For the best performance, better build quality and highest resolution plus a few extra stops of usable high sensitivity for less than $1,200, the 50D occupies Canon's dSLR midrange, but it's a lot more expensive than the T1i.
• For the least-expensive model suitable for action shooting, fully manual video, or a weather-resistant build, the 7D is well worth the extra cost over the 50D.
• If you want the best value in a full-frame model, the 5D Mark II hits all the right notes. It's not fast enough for sports shooting and doesn't have the rugged body (or poundage) of the higher-end models or the 7D, but it delivers great, high-resolution photos and good performance. Plus, it does video capture.
• If you need the fastest model with the best high-ISO performance and/or ultimate customization, opt for the 1D Mark III. At least until we've had a chance to check out the Mark IV.
• If you're a pro who needs the highest resolution possible, blow your budget on the 21-megapixel 1Ds Mark III (sorry, no room in chart).

More Resources

Digital SLR buying guide,

Digital cameras forum,

Indecent Exposure podcast