Need Opinions On A Camera

[Triple_7]

Finally saved up enough money and soon as it hits my credit card by early next week I think I will finally be ready to order a camera.

[BAW0343]

I have many good things to say about Canon. I have the XTi Rebel and love it. However I haven't even heard of the Rebel XS and based on the way the buttons are placed it seems to just have a smaller body.

The system looks fairly good but what you need to really spend the money on (and any other person with a SLR will agree) is a lens. That's where you get your best shots.

That system seems to be just fine but if your willing to spend a little extra I would go with the XTi or perhaps the XSi which in a kit will get you a better starter lens that what the XS or XTi will offer. However those may end up costing an extra $200-400 but will offer higher a higher ISO, better internal components, etc.

I think what your looking at will be great for general use and it gives some great advanced options.

[Hagar]

I haven't even heard of the Rebel XS and based on the way the buttons are placed it seems to just have a smaller body.

I hadn't heard of it either so I had a punt round. The Digital Rebel XS is the latest entry-level model in the Canon DSLR range. It's known as the EOS 1000D in Europe &
"inherits features from both the more expensive EOS 450D and the older EOS 400D cameras. It has an almost identical body and control layout to its bigger brother, the EOS450d, whilst sharing the same 10.1 megapixel CMOS sensor, 2.5 inch LCD screen and 3.0fps continuous shooting mode (in JPEG) as the EOS 400D."

The different numbers are confusing but I copied the above from the review here. http://www.photographyblog.com/reviews_canon_eos_1000d.php

Here's a cross-reference.
EOS 350D = Digital Rebel XT
EOS 400D = Digital Rebel XTi
EOS 450D = Digital Rebel XSi
EOS 1000D = Digital Rebel XS

I think I would look around for an XTi. You should be able to get one at a reasonable price with all these new & untried cameras on the market.

[flyboy 28]

If you're really looking for a bargain, check out the Canon XT (350D). It's a few MP less than the XTi and doesn't have "Liveview" but it's an incredible deal for the body alone.

[Mictheslik]

When the 1000D (XS) Came out I didn't see the point and still don't.....

certainly in the UK, you can get a 450D (XSi) for only a little more and a 400D (XTi) for a lot less (Second hand). I'd go for the XTi (I use one....superb little camera) or the XSi if you want the newest version but are willing to pay more

.mic

PS...remember you'll want to buy lenses aswell, so budget that in

[flyboy 28]

Or you could go for one of these gems.

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0809/08091 ... markII.asp

[expat]

PS...remember you'll want to buy lenses aswell, so budget that in

That is a good point and a reason not to get fixated on one camera. What sort of backwards compatibility does Canon offer. Second hand glass that is not new and all motorised plastic can be very cheap. I bought a Nikon D60 and all of my Nikon F2 lenses dating back to the early 70's can be used. OK, you have no auto focus and you must go to fully manual mode, but that is the way it was always done until a couple of years ago. The camera came with two very nice lenses as standard, but it is still nice to be able to use the old ones too.

Matt

[BAW0343]

Well the XS is an EOS so you have a large amount of available lenses, not much backward compatible tho. I haven't looked but I'm sure there's some second hand out there if that's what you want.

I would certainly recommend looking for an XTi as they are lower in price now with the XSi out.  Its a fantastic little camera and can easily compete with the major systems with the right lens.

[Triple_7]

I've been looking around, a camera like this pretty much has to be ordered for me since there's no stores anywhere in this area that actually deal in these cameras.

[Hagar]

So really what is the big difference in the XS verses XTI :-/ To me they seem like the same camera for the most part.

According to the review I posted the XS is basically a cheaper version of the XTi in a new body with the XSi layout. In actual fact it works out more expensive as it's a brand new model. You should still be able to find a new XTi package with a similar lens online.
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Digital-10-1MP-18-55mm-3-5-5-6/dp/B000I1ZWRC/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=photo&qid=1221813372&sr=1-5

*Note the lens included with the XTi is not Image Stabilised (IS). That shouldn't make much difference on this focal length.

PS. The XSi with IS lens is exactly the same price as the XS you're looking looking at. http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Digital-Camera-18-55mm-3-5-5-6/dp/B0012YA85A/ref=dp_cp_ob_p_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1221813372&sr=1-5

[Omag 2.0]

If you want affordable lenses to start with, go for the EF-S 18-55 IS and EF-S 55-250 IS lenses. ONLY the stabilised versions, they are consumerlenses but produce a very decent imagequality ( the non stabilised versions kinda suck, as you have to squeez the diaphragma down to get any decent sharpness).

I'm still not convinced about the XS, as it's a camera made out of parts from different Canon camera's. I use the XTi (400D) and I'm pretty happy. But I'll be watching the price of the older 5D, now the new version comes out. Or the 50D, as I'm getting more and more demanding of my camera, due to my concert-work.

But, no matter what dSLR you'll choose, you'll love it! Don't forget to show us some results once you've made your decision.

[Triple_7]

Hmm...Amazon was one place I didn't think to check, the XTI just became the better buy.

[Roughrider]

I think you will be happy with the XTI, I am.  

[BAW0343]

Its a sturdy camera and I don't think I've ever met someone who didn't like the XTi.

Can't wait to see some photos  ;)

[Omag 2.0]

It's not a big camera, so if you have bigger hands, you might find it uncomfortable. Some people don't like the camera for that. But don't be put off by this, just put a batterygrip on it and it becomes a whole new camera!