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"Canon REBEL XS Simply a Beautiful Experience!" on by Dennis7-11
Pros: + Auto focus is really quick
+ Full auto mode is truly accurate
+ Images are clean
+ Great image quality, low noise even at ISO 800, nice bokeh
+ Intuitive menu/user interface
+ Lightweight, comfortable to hold
+ Easy to useCons: - Has crop sensor like all of the rebels
- Live View usefulness is questionable
- Multiple frames per second requires ideal lighting conditionsSummary: I spent several weeks reviewing the REBEL XS vs it's many 10 MP adversaries, I even checked it against the ultra zooms as I wanted the convenience of video as well, but too many good things stood out with this camera and so I decided upon it. I bought the rebel XS and after days of dirt testing this camera I've found it a beautiful experience.
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Now I'm a professional videographer attached to a tv station in Trinidad & Tobago, my purpose for this camera was the need for a quick sharp still shot camera that would be impressive under low light and still capture impressive portrait shots to be used for my website and for large prints. I didn't want to shell out over a $1000. US for a camera body.
What is tagged by Canon is true: The full auto mode is truly accurate and gives excellent shots always, it makes photography so easy for a beginner or intermediate. The portrait mode isn't blurry, images are clean, nicely toned, excellent in quality for large size prints. The P ( program mode) I like alot at first because this mode sets exposure so nicely I found it addictive. I shot alot of night pics of cars on a freeway, with bright, sharp, lively colours emerging. Night pics at 800 iso had very very very little noise, and I mean I was searching the pics on 15" monitors for reason to complain, but was really impressed.
The auto focus is really quick. Th XS comes with "only" a 7 point auto focus system compared to the XSi 9 point, forgive me when I say there may be no need for another 2 points when the camera focusses so quick and so accurately. I have not gotten a soft image when shot with the auto focus operating.
Now for those point and shoot cams that boast about "face detection"....5 faces...6,7, some even 15. I also have a 10 mp ultra zoom, this simply matters little if not at all, if the focussing ability of the camera is poor or average, and given the "average lens" quality they're made of.
I have learnt clearly that a 10 MP ultra zoom simply cannot compare to a 10 MP D SLR...chalk and cheese.
Auto iso is simply magnificent, have not taken a shot where the camera over estimated or underestimated the iso levels.
The Manual mode of this camera is the most impressive for me. The rebel XS via various magazine testing has come up faster than it's other 10 MP rivals when it comes to fps shooting, and burst images. It really does shoot 3 fps consistently, it shoots 2.3 fps in low light, worst case is over 1 fps all at 10 MP quality.
Most of my shooting has been at night, for the little done in daylight, it has been amazing. Colours are very bright, depth of field very very nice. Macros works well. Image optimizer simply shocked life out of me. I was in a shaded area and without flash it really improves the subject without over blowing the background, stuff that is almost impossible on point and shoot cams.
Stuff I disagree with from the "reviews" : 1- "The camera feels cheaply built"....simply wrong, nothing is shabby, buttons are actually easy to press, doesn't have cheap clicks to them, the lens mount has a secure feel to it, and a proper snap when it is set. Battery compartment is certainly secure. Your finger must intricately open the door for entry, won't be an accident issue. Rubber door at a.v. ports snap in well. Rubber grip is firm enough, smooth enough to not irritate your hands.
2- " XS is "overpriced" compared to the XSi.....Xsi shoots slower than the XS, XSi picture quality is equal to the XS even though the XSi is 12 MP. The XSi may be the 3" LCD and a few other upgrades, but these upgrades don't add up when the picture is taken and the quality of both cameras match alike. I may have chosen the XSI if I wanted to spend the extra $150. u.s but for the lesser price, I'm yet to regret.
3- "The XS "only has a 2.5" LCD compared to a couple of it's rivals having 3" LCD's". I can see every thing clearly with this screen, even with Histograms, and grids onscreen. If LCD's get much bigger then canon may need to install a tv tuner as well....the 2.5" is more than sufficient.
4- "The XS doesn't have SPOT METERING compared to the XSi, so this is a big issue"- haven't encountered a reason to complain yet, after 500 night shots and 200 day shots.
I highly rate this camera, and as a videographer who's accustomed to t.v. broadcast quality the REBEL XS is worth it, and since canon is so intent on pushing the rebel XSi they have significantly lowered the price on the XS.....I recommend people buy the XS and get a good lens with the discount earned. The trick is in the lens and the user, and lesser the camera.
*** 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%2FB001CBKJGG%3Fie%3DUTF8%26ref_%3Ddp_olp_new_map%26condition%3Dnew&tag=***************&********=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957
Updated on Oct 15, 2011
If you will buy the Rebel XS I sugget for best deal at --> http://rebel-xs.happy.to
Good Luck! -
"Great DSLR for the creative photographer" on by charlesdurdle
Pros: Price, kit lens, bracketing feature (for HDR images), decent flash, nice screen (both in clarity and functions it shows), very robust feature settings, lightweight, easy to use out of the box, battery life, this camera won't be obsolete for 20+ years
Cons: no date stamp on images, only RAW+ large image no RAW +m or small, smallish grip, big learning curve to exploit the features, strobe flash for autofocus in dark rooms, owners manual could be better
Summary: My dad was a professional photographer in the 70s and 80s and I have been an avid photographer for a while. Until digital, I used a Pentax ME Super 35mm and sometimes a Yashica D twin lens medium format.
The first digital camera I ever saw, I bought. It was a Casio QV-10, 320X240 for $300 in 1997. I then got a Kodak DC215 1MP.
My last camera was a Canon Powershot A610 5MP point and shoot. It did a GREAT job for snapshots.
I wanted to step up to a DSLR to tap into my creative side.
CONS: NO DATE STAMP - This is my biggest beef! Canon uses the EXIF system to implant date, time, f-stop, ISO speed, shutter speed, etc into the image. My A610 only has date stamp on 1600X1200. It may be weird to date stamp a top quality photo, this camera is made for soccor moms and proud fathers, not a pro. I still like to print them out to give to relatives and it would be real nice to have a date stamp. Also a name stamp (type in your name) would be nice so noone would steal your photos. ONLY RAW +L - I like to shoot raw but would like the option of saving it as a 2.5MP JPEG so I could 'preview' the RAW before converting it (not really a big deal). I am male and have big hands and the grip feels small but my tiny mother in law likes it (personal taste). This thing is a computer, many different modes and styles and functions, may take a while to really understand it all and the owners manual is good for getting started, not real good for advanced features. STROBE FLASH FOR AF - when I'm shooting people and the flash strobes, some people think I've taken the shot and start to move, my A610 p+s uses a red beam for AF.
2 BIGGEST PROS: BRACKETING - this is the reason I chose the XS over Nikon D40 or D60. It has both Auto Exposure Bracketing and color bracketing and its 1 button for 3 images, perfect for HDR! Other big pro is that it could be a great camera for years and years to come. Lenses and accessories will still be available for a very long time. If you hook up a $1500 USM AF super zoom lens, you'll get shots like the pros. Only Canon and Nikon are generally used by the pros and can rightfully claim they are pretty much future-proof.
Other pros (pretty much same as Nikon): good kit lens, flash is decent if you don't want to spend $300 and lug it around, screen is easy to read in direct sunlight and show settings in an easy to read format, very lightweight and small for a DSLR, battery life is excellent - I get 300-400ish shots with full AF, screen on and some flash.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS: Nikon D40 or D60 would have been my choice except no bracketing on either model and lenses were a bit more expensive in general. Olympus e520 was OK but has a smaller sensor and much less local availability for new and used accessories. PENTAX K2000 - much less local availability but it comes with an external flash and can use ALL the old Pentax lenses. SONY ALPHA A300 was available and uses the Minolta lenses but image quality was a lot worse than Canon and Nikon.
BOTTOM LINE: Great for people who want a camera for a long time, want to use it creatively and don't care about spending a little more cash in the future. I think the Canon edges out the others just a little bit. If you just want to point-and-shoot, forget this or any DSLR. -
"Fantastic Camera for Making the leap into dSLRs" on by kalel130
Pros: The Camera has intuitive controls with dedicated buttons for almost any option. This means less time trying to navigate thru menus, more time taking pictures. Vibrant screen
Cons: MegaPixel count close to on market point-and-shoots, flash can be sluggish to recharge if taking a series of quick shots
Summary: The Rebel EOS XS delivers. I've worked with this camera for eight months now and I've held off reviewing because I've wanted to provide my accurate opinion. this camera performs rock solid in any situation, and it's pictures look absolutely beautiful. It's a fantastic camera for hobbyists and amateurs alike. The XS delivers dedicated buttons for almost any feature which is rare in the dSLR realm. Most cameras will have you struggling thru menus within menus to find options. The menu system it does have is simple to navigate and honestly makes sense, which is a nice departure from typical menu systems that have options spread out between multiple in-menus.
Is this camera the end-all, be-all of digital photography? Of course not, but this camera does exactly what it's supposed to do and it does it amazing. I've taken photos with this camera that rival my sister's wedding pictures which were taken on a Nikon D300. It's a fantastic learning camera that will assist you in every way.
As you get more comfortable with the camera you can start exploring it's different modes. Go from fully automatic to completely manual in just a couple turns of the dial on top. I found the viewfinder to be nice and large and that I could hold up the camera comfortably; it's much lighter than a traditional SLR and I must say that it does help when trying to hold zoom lenses by hand.
I don't use the included software (I use Aperture 2) so I can't comment on that, but I can say if its as user friendly as the camera then it should be great too.
It's true you can get more expensive dSLRs out there that will have higher MP counts and ISO levels (although I don't understand the appeal of having astronomically large iso levels - unless you love grainy shots) but IMHO I believe unless you are a professional and looking for the absolute top-of-the-line, you're wasting your money if you decided to go with a different camera just because it's more expensive. When I was in the market I was considering the Nikon D60, but after looking at and reading some reviews I decided to go with the Rebel and I'm glad I did. I couldn't get be happier.
This is a not an investment you will regret in any manner; if you are in the market and looking for a great dSLR, stop reading reviews - go out and get this camera -
"A great camera for a great price! Good way to start." on by Crawdaddy2231
Pros: Great picture quality. Lightweight and small. Easy menu navigation. My Menu settings are wonderful. Good price.
Cons: Wish it had a 3" LCD on the back, but I can't complain too much about that. There are some menu items that don't allow you to use all four directional buttons, but that is hardly anything to blink an eye at.
Summary: This is great camera. It has to be one of the better dollar for dollar DSLR cameras out there. For anyone who is a semi-serious amateur photographer, you simply can not go wrong here. The question becomes if you want to chalk up the extra $200 for the XSI. I personally do not think it is worth it. The only major differences is a jump from 10 megapixels to 12 and a 3" LCD instead of the 2.5". Personally, I would rather put that money toward a nice lens.
This is not the greatest camera out there but that means you are not paying large amounts either. I have nothing bad to say about it so far. It is easy to use and it is a great value. If you are thinking about getting into the world of the DSLR then strongly consider this camera. I would also strongly suggest that you purchase some sort of handbook on how to get the most out of your camera.
As a side note, I also strongly suggest that you lean towards Canon when deciding on a DSLR. I say this because I believe that Canon makes the best lenses out there. I know that some lenses are compatible with separate brands, but it just makes sense to work with the same brand. -
"Starting off? this is a great launch pad :)" on by aftabsayed
Pros: Great Photo quality, great metering, has everything you need to start up and get shooting and you dont need no 1000$ setup to make your images look good this will start you off just fine.
Cons: Would have like to see the infrared on this as well as audio and video, though there is a video hack floating around in the cloud.
Summary: All in all a great camera to get your creative juices flowing. Aftab Sayed says "GET ONE" I Have it.
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