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"Wonderfully Full-Featured Camera At Unbeatable Price!" on by DavidCameraCrazy
Pros: + High Resolution LCD Screen
+ Great/Easy to use - User Interface
+ HD Video
+ Live View
+ Amazing Image Quality
+ Comprehensive Software Package
+ Large Variety of Lens options
+ Performance
+ Obviously, CostCons: - No manual control over the aperture or ISO when recording video
- No external audio input
- Little more noise than the XSiSummary: I've had the T1i for about almost week now and after some extensive use, here are my thoughts:
1. 15.1 megapixel sensor. Yes, the high megapixel count is impressive, but keep in mind that, as you approach higher resolutions, you need to ensure the lens on the SLR can resolve that much detail. Sadly, the included 18-55mm IS lens is functional, but the high resolution really shows the so-so quality of the lens. Even if taken at the proper focus, pictures can appear soft with this kit lens. Shots I have taken with Canon EF-S 17-85mm and EF 70-200mm L lenses are crisp. I don't have any gripes on image quality. There are some issues with noise on the higher ISOs that don't seem to show up on the Nikon digitals, but overall, the quality is amazing for the price. Skin tones, textures, colors are reproduced very accurately.
2. Digic 4. The Digic 4 processor appears to process/save the 15 megapixel images in the same time (if not faster) than the Digic III processor on the XSi (even in RAW+Jpg mode). I have also noticed that at higher ISOs, the sensor and the Digic 4 produce images with less overall noise compared with its predecessors.
3. LCD. The 920,000 pixel LCD screen is large (3"), crisp, vibrant and fully visible even in bright sunlight. In comparison, the Canon XSi SLR (which the T1i replaces), also has a 3" LCD, but with 230,000 pixels. The viewing angle is great as well and the LCD can easily be seen nearly 180 degrees around.
4. ISO 12800. Canon and Amazon are correctly identifying that the T1i maxes out at ISO 3200. Some less reputable dealers are listing an ISO 12800, which you should disregard. The ISO 6400 and 12800 settings are expanded ISO settings. The pictures taken on these two settings are ISO 3200 images pushed to ISO 6400 or 12800 by the Digic 4 chip before saving to the memory card. These pictures are extremely grainy and contain a lot of noise to the point of only being usable as for snapshots or adding an artistic effect to certain compositions.
7. HD Video. Yes, the Canon marketing department made a horrible marketing decision and pushed the T1i onto shelves limiting the 1080p recording to 20fps (frames per second). Recognize this as a marketing gimmick that allows them put a 1080p sticker on the camera box. The 1080p @ 20fps is fine most times, but seems a choppy if you have a lot of action in the frame or are panning quickly. The T1i's 720p video is recorded at 30fps and is clean, smooth, and sufficient for all but the most discerning consumers. One major criticism though is that the sound is recorded in mono, AND there is NO input for an external microphone.
9. Battery life. My first fully charged battery only lasted about 250 shots (no flash), but all charges since have given me in the range of 500-700 shots per charge. I'm guessing the first charge had such a short life because I spent quite a bit of time learning the camera, its menus, and settings.
10. Live View. I honestly can't review this as I haven't used it too much yet -- I prefer using the viewfinder. One feature I can say is nice is that, on the LCD, you can digitally zoom in (up to 10x) on a section of your shot to ensure it is properly focused. This, and the fine focusing, can really help if you're into macro-photography.
Conclusion. The T1i is a bit on the light end, yet the construction still feels solid. For the camera's price point, you'd be hard pressed to find any digital SLR out there which gives you all the capabilities and growth range of the Canon T1i. The camera is intuitive enough for those new to photography to pick and learn easily, yet configurable enough for advanced amateurs. If video is not a big deal for you, then get the Canon XSi. There is very little the T1i has (other than ISO 3200 and a sharper screen) that the XSi doesn't.
Plus, with the release of the T1i, you can probably pick up a used XSi for a great price on eBay. My wife recently gave birth, and I'm not looking to record endless (never to be watched) tapes of video footage of our son, but I do want several minute clips of him as he grows through the years. I've always been more inclined towards photography, so this camera gives me a very versatile digital SLR that I need with the wonderful capability of recording HD video that I want.
*** P.S. If you will buy this camera I suggest you have a compare price before you decide at: www.amazon.com/gp/*************?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fgp%2Foffer-listing%2FB001XURPQS%3Fie%3DUTF8%26ref_%3Ddp_olp_new_map%26condition%3Dnew&tag=***************&********=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957 -
"Great light weight DLSR," on by shoturtle1
Pros: quality build, highest iso in it's class, great low light ability without a flash, takes fantastic photos, best display of the class, light weight and easy to travel with.
Cons: non that I can see.
Summary: I was switching from SLR to DSLR finally and. wanted a good quality light weight compact DSLR for traveling. I looked at the Nikon D5000 and the Canon T1I. The Nikon D5000 is the direct competition to the T1I. They are on the high end of the "entry level DSLR" but it is more of an entry level semi pro cameras in my opinion.
I like that Canon used a similar sensor as the EOS 50D, a "semi/pro camera". While the Nikon uses the sensor of the a "consumer product sensor" of the D90. Also l Ike the fact that the body is still made in Japan as oppose to Thailand with the Nikon.
This camera feels good in the hand, like my older film EOS, I had. It is very light but ridged. The nikon just felt more like a toy compare to the T1I. It made the decision easier that all canon EOS lens fit each other. My film EOS is 12 years old, and all the glass I had worked with this camera. A really plus for any canon user thinking about upgrading, it could save you some money on glass.
I had friends that had the D5000 and T1I, and the picture quality were both excellent, to say one was better then the other is splitting hairs. They both took great pictures. They both took pro quality photos actually. So my decision came down to non photo quality items.
The AF function of both camera perform well. Did not really notice any advantage of the 11 AF point of the D5000 over the 9 of the T1I. The D5000 seemed a tad faster in burst shoot also.
The 3" high res LCD made reviewing the shot so much easier, which made it is easy to over look the canon's lack of a swivel screen. Think that is why the D90 also has a high res fixed 3" LCD as oppose to the 2.7" swivel that the D5000 has. The screen quality is one of the biggest reason I choose the canon.
I have to give the canon view finder the edge over the D5000. It seems larger. And it made shooting with glasses on easier. And I can focus the dioptric to my eye without glass also.
I am not a flash user in general,s the canon's 12800 ISO ability gave it a edge over the D5000's 6400. Both built in flash perform well for snap shot shooting.
The fact that the screen was left of center and the main function bottoms and nav control was on the right side made one hand operation easier while shooting. The Nikon config was not as well suited for one hand operation with the operations buttons on the left side and nav button on the right. I also found the canon lay and interface to be easy use and understand. I found the D5000 to be a bit over the top with their gui. But for someone new to photography, they may like the addition info, but most likely will not need once they get the dlsr and photography basics down.
It seems to me that the T1I match up against the higher end nikon D90 quite well even though it is not the nikon that is competes at on price point and level. D5000 is the one the T1I is pitted against.
I have a HD camcorder I travel with also, so the D5000 and the T1I HD video ability was not a factor in my decision. But I took a 1080P video with T1I, and it look fine on my Mac. The 720 mode the canon was just as good as the nikon. So I give the canon the edge here with the full HD ability.
The kit lens with the canon seem to be on par with the nikon, both plastic mounts. Think the nikon may have a very slight edge over the canon in this department. It seems to focus a bit quick. But I like that both were stabilized lenses.
So even if I did not have canon glass already, the screen and ISO ability of the T1I gave it the nod over the D5000 for me. -
"Incredible update of previous Canon dSLRs" on by gkantz
Pros: Obvious improvement in colors, sharpness, contrast (probably due to Digic 4); Live View improved; movies at 1080p; tons of features
Cons: Live view mode "autofocus" means pressing a button to focus - annoying but otherwise minor in comparison to benefits.
Summary: Fourth dSLR I've owned and as far as consumer-based models are concerned, this is far and away the best. Tremendous results with color, crispness and contrast. LCD much improved from prior models. Hate the tiny flash (that's why I have a Speedlite) but so be it. Face detection is good and other features are terrific. Seems like Canon (slightly) improved their menuing system as well. Movie mode is pretty good (although fps is low for 1080). But overall it was a great move from an anemic XS.
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"Excellent camera, especially if you're new to dSLR" on by drbacle
Pros: Easy to use right out of the box. Excellent tutorials and support at canon.com
Cons: It would be better if I could shoot at slightly higher frames/sec in burst mode. Unless you're a pro, this should not be an issue.
Summary: I was considering three cameras: Canon T1i, Nikon 5000, and Nikon D90. Nikon 5000 already has a product recall, so I eliminated it immediately. The D90 was heavier and I liked the user interface on the T1i better. BestBuy had a package deal, T1i, two lenses, and carrying case, all for around $100 less than the D90. The decision was easy.
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"Excellent Camera for a first time DSLR user" on by geff1--2008
Pros: Very nice pictures. Easy to use. I love the CA mode.
Cons: Pictures in active mode slow.
Summary: I moved to the T1i from a Canon SX10is. So far I love it. I wanted a DSLR which uses SD cards because of my eye-fi cards. It is very easy to use so my wife uses it quite easily.
I originally bought this camera at Best Buy. I returned it because I found it at Costco for $849.00 which includes the camera, 2 IS lenses (18mm to 55mm and 55mm to 250mm), camera bag, hdmi cable, and a 4GB dane-elec class 4 sdhc card.
Me, I am a lot more adventurous in playing with the camera. I am not a pro nor am I someone who has a background in photography. The CA mode is perfect for me in this respect. It is more advanced features for dummies.
Updated on Jan 8, 2010
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