Canon XT vs Canon XSI

[Sepiana]

Hi everyone, I could use some advice and your expertise here.

My husband and I went to the camera store where we bought out Canon Rebel XT to look into the possibility of trading it in for an XSI.

We bought our present camera in Aug 2005, for around $1,000. The store offered $250 for our camera; the XSI was selling for about $550.

You have the scenario; here are my questions:

1. What are the pros of the XSI? All I know about is more pixels, bigger LCD, and IS.

2. The sales associate said the IS is in the lenses. The zoom lens we have now wouldn't be part of the trade-in. I was told I could use it with the XSI, but wouldn't get the benefits of IS.

I'd really appreciate your input. Thanks in advance.

[GaryK]

Hi

Not much to comment as I have not really been following the updates.:rolleyes:

The sales person was correct though Canon IS is in the lens and not in the camera.
There is some discussion as to whether lens IS or camera IS is better. It is really a non issue once you have decided to go with a particular system.

I think the XSI has the newer digic III processor as well as spot metering and possibly more autofocus points as well as the things you mentioned.
I would really need to check further to be certain.

One thing I do know is it has been getting very good reviews, mind you most of the newer DSLRs are fantastic cameras.

You may want to check the size in your hand, I can't recall if it is smaller that the XT or not.

[Sepiana]

Thanks, Gary. Any bit of info and advice helps this lady here.

I went to the Canon website to compare the two cameras, but I just got confused. I can understand the basics, but beyond that, it's all Greek to me.:)

I did hold the XSI and it felt smaller as well as lighter.

Also, the fact that the XSI uses SD memory cards, instead of CF, makes it more appealing, as I have a Canon AS 720IS, which uses the former. It'd make life easier to have interchangeable cards for the two cameras.

[Inspeqtor]

Sepiana,

I own the XSi and just love it! I don't get to use it as much as I wish I could as I have been working too many hours, and there really is not that much (IMO) great scenery around here to photograph.

The larger LCD screen is great! I love that. Also being able to change the ISO quickly is a nice feature. You push a button right behind the shutter release and dial to access the ISO. I really do not like the position of the ISO button, it is not in a comfortable position for me, but it is doable. The ISO value is always inside the viewfinder and in the LCD screen which is nice.

For me the grip is more comfortable than the XTi is from when I held them in the store.

I am not really impressed with the live view. It is not easy to use, and you cannot focus with the shutter button. You need to focus with the * button which is also the - magnify button. Live view is good if you like to take close up shots, but you should use a tripod with that.

The SD card is more reliable from what I have read than the compact flash card. I have read that sometimes the pins inside the camera could get bent with compact flash.. There is no worry for that happening with the SD card. Also the XSi is compatible with SDhc (high capacity). Right now there are 8GB card available. You should get a new card reader if you use the SDhc cards. My old SD reader would not read the new cards.

Any other questions? Just ask. :)

[ljameso1]

Cheapskate that I am, I always wait to buy a new body until after a subsequent body comes out. Often get for half price that way. Bought my XT when XTI came out and XTI when the XSI came out. No plans to upgrade until one dies.

[fdlite]

If you like to read a review on the the XSi (450), which is also compared with other cameras.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos450d/




Dane

[Sepiana]

Hi Charles, thanks for the detailed feedback.

I agree with you. The bigger LCD is much easier on the eyes; an SD card is a better deal, as it seems more economical--I can use it in the other Canon I have; the grip is very comfortable and the camera is lighter. As far as the LiveView is concerned, I didn't see anything special about it.

What do you think of the trade-in price the store offered us? $250 (we paid about $1,000 for it). My husband was reluctant to close the deal, especially that we have invested some extra money on our camera (zoom lenses, filters, etc.). I'm trying to disperse his doubts by checking EBay, and pointing out to him that all these extra items can be used in the new camera.

[Sepiana]

Cheapskate that I am, I always wait to buy a new body until after a subsequent body comes out. Often get for half price that way. Bought my XT when XTI came out and XTI when the XSI came out. No plans to upgrade until one dies.

Thanks, Linda.

I've just been reading some consumer-oriented magazines, and they suggested the same. I'm checking around to see if Canon has something cooking. The only catch (at least in my situation) is that the value of my trade-in will also go down. I definitely need to evaluate all the options I have.

[Sepiana]

Dane, thanks for the link! I've bookmarked it. I'm sure it will be of great help.

[GaryK]

One thing I noticed and was annoyed with on my 40D, was that my image numbers started at 0001 or 1001 (cant recall) with a new card. As soon as I put a previously used CF card in, the counter jumped to the end of the old numbers. so now I am at 8,000 or so but only half is on my new camera.
It wouldn't have mattered had I known in advance but it was a bit odd when I noticed it.

[Chuck S.]

Gary, isn't there a camera setting that controls the picture number reset (pp 72-74 of the manual)?

[BruceM]

Gary, isn't there a camera setting that controls the picture number reset (pp 72-74 of the manual)?

This is correct, on pages 110/111 it talks about numbering.

Also, just a comment on a previous post about pins bending when putting the card in the camera. It's been my experience that if you remove and insert a card by just pushing it in, it won't matter what type of camera or card you have, you risk damage. On the other hand, if you insert/remove them with a gentle touch you'll never have a problem.

I take my card out of my XSI almost daily to upload images to my laptop, then re-insert. Never had a problem. I just take my time and ensure I am inserting it the right way. (They only go in one way, but hey, I've met more than one person in my life who tried to put a square peg in a round hole :cool: )

[Sepiana]

(They[the memory cards] only go in one way, but hey, I've met more than one person in my life who tried to put a square peg in a round hole :cool: )

Bruce,

Add this person here to your list.:o

[Inspeqtor]

Hi Charles, thanks for the detailed feedback.

I agree with you. The bigger LCD is much easier on the eyes; an SD card is a better deal, as it seems more economical--I can use it in the other Canon I have; the grip is very comfortable and the camera is lighter. As far as the LiveView is concerned, I didn't see anything special about it.

What do you think of the trade-in price the store offered us? $250 (we paid about $1,000 for it). My husband was reluctant to close the deal, especially that we have invested some extra money on our camera (zoom lenses, filters, etc.). I'm trying to disperse his doubts by checking EBay, and pointing out to him that all these extra items can be used in the new camera.

Sepiana,

I am no expert at all concerning the true value of your camera, but it seems to me to be a fair price the store is offering you. Your XT is now 2 years old I am guessing? I just looked at Amazon to see what they are charging for a new XT body only... $536.00 That is approximately twice what you are being offered for your used XT (you are trading your body only, right?). I guess I would think $250 is a good offer.

[Sepiana]

I am no expert at all concerning the true value of your camera, but it seems to me to be a fair price the store is offering you. Your XT is now 2 years old I am guessing? I just looked at Amazon to see what they are charging for a new XT body only... $536.00 That is approximately twice what you are being offered for your used XT (you are trading your body only, right?). I guess I would think $250 is a good offer.

Hi Charles,

Thanks once more!

My XT is about 3 years old; the trade-in ($250) includes the lens that came with it. According to the sales associate, we'd have to pay about $550 for the new camera (with a lens). This would bring the total to $800.

[Inspeqtor]

Hi Sepiana,

If I understand you correctly, the store price for a new XSi is $550 minus trade-in value of $250. What are you waiting for? Go get it!

Now if the store price is $800 minus trade-in value of $250 which is then $550 then I would reconsider. Amazon is selling the XSi today at $654.98. You could buy the XSi from Amazon, then sell your XT on eBay. I looked on eBay for the XT, but today they do not have any listed.

[ljameso1]

Sepiana, It is a said fact of life that electronics do not hold their value on re-sale. 25% is about the very best you could hope. I think you are being offered a fair price.

[Sepiana]

Sepiana, It is a said fact of life that electronics do not hold their value on re-sale. 25% is about the very best you could hope. I think you are being offered a fair price.

Linda, thanks for your prompt response! I feel overwhelmed when it comes to cameras. There's so much I don't know and so much to learn.