Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Page 2
The Rebel XSi has a better image sensor than the previous models with the XT at 8.2 megapixels, the XTi at 10.2 megapixels and the XSi at 12.2 megapixels. This means more pixels per picture so you have sharper and better images with the XSi using either JPEG or RAW images.
One major feature is the Live View where you can have the image the camera is seeing through the lens displayed on the LCD screen on the back of the camera. This means no looking through the view finder to take that shot but you need to be in one of the manual modes when taking the picture.
The Live View is very nice for doing all kinds of work like portraits so you can have a larger and better idea of what the picture will look like when it’s taken. You can use the Live View in two modes but you have to change a few settings before using these but it only takes a minute. The manual and the Canon website has very good explanations of the settings and how to change them for setting up Live View.
With the mirror out of the way the XSi is in Live Mode and will use the image sensor to focus your image, this will take a quicker picture but with less distinct focusing functions for the auto focus. Using the Quick Mode the XSi will have to move the mirror to focus on the subject and when you actually take the picture but it uses a better and larger area to focus on so it gets a better picture.
Using either the Live Mode or Quick Mode for your Live View means a little more work with custom functions on the cameras menus. You do have the advantages of not having to peer through the viewfinder for those hard to get shots or ones with the camera on a tripod where you don’t want to disturb the camera at all.
There are a few other reasons to use the live such as being able to use Grid Lines to ensure proper orientation of the camera with regards to your subject or the zoom function to check focus. The Live View mode also opens up the possibility of using a histogram which shows you a graph of light and dark for your current scene or picture. You can fine adjust your exposure using the histogram to get the perfect settings so your picture has the right balance of light and darkness.
Other main features from the other models of the EOS Rebel are the slightly larger body of the camera to give you more of a camera to work with. You also have the Image Stabilization that corrects for movement while taking pictures but this feature only works with lenses that have the feature as well.
The Canon EOS Rebel is available with and without a lens but I recommend you search around for a good combination package unless you don’t want to purchase the lenses available in those packages. The package I purchased at Newegg came with the Canon 18-55mm Image Stabilizing Zoom Lens for a good first lens in my system.
My next purchase will depend upon upcoming reviews but I know I want to buy a macro lens and a longer ranging zoom lens in the near future. The Canon EOS Rebel XSi is a great camera to connect and use in conjunction with a computer using the EOS utility that comes with the camera. You should of course check on their website to download any updates and additional software you may need from Canon.
The EOS Utility works in several ways, first you can download images or view ones on the SD memory card in the camera to decide which ones to download or trash. You can see live images of your picture taking just like the LCD screen on the back of the camera only on your computer.
