Is the new Rebel XSi really as good as it sounds?

[jg123]

As I understand it the XSi kit lens comes with image stabilization

 

[iluvphotography]

And what is image stabilizer?

 

[jg123]

Btw here is a good article/review on all the changes with lots of details

 

[asfixiate]

Not to change the subject but you can get a new 30d for the same price as an XSi.

 

[aliciarai]

Well I must say after reading this thread I'm actually happy that I got the XSi. I've been taking pictures for years with my Nikon digital camera and have loved every minute of it. But after reading many reviews and research about DSLR's I figured for the money and the use of the SD card that my best option was the XSi. So for my birthday my husband surprised me by buying the XSi for me and I must say this is an awesome camera. I have two friends who have Canons, one has a 30D and the other has a 35mm SLR. I let them both play around with the XSi with there lenses and they love this camera. However, if you already have the 30D or 40D then I wouldn't upgrade. After taking shots with there cameras I'm happy with my purchase but I understand that its really all about the lenses and what you know about your camera.

So I guess what I'm trying to say is...if this is your first DSLR spend the extra money and get the XSi. However, if your thinking about upgrading...just go buy another lens with that money and go out and take some awesome pictures! :mrgreen::mrgreen::mrgreen:

 

[TamiyaGuy]

I have 3 words there too... Crappy Quality Movies. comparing the motion video from that camera to an average video cam is like comparing a 1998 1MP Kodak to a D3.

When I want motion video, I sure as heck do not look to my digital picture camera, but my Sony 100GB HD Handycam. Video has its place in my hobby, but not in my SLR. It's more of a convenience, not something that I would think useful to a serious photographer.

Oh, yes certainly. I don't use Windows Movie Maker at all, but when I do make stop motion movies (and I do), I use the $140 Stop Motion Pro. I used to use Movie Maker for stop-motion movies, and they looked alright, but I would never use a DSLR camera to make a claymation; there would be too many limitations.


Edit: I'm not sure you're talking about Stop-motion movie there. A Sony Handycam is good for movies, but a picture camera is better for stop-frame animations, where you put a sequence of frames together to make a movie (like Wallace and Gromit). If you used a video camera for that, the quality would probably degrade for the same reason as you wouldn't use a digital camera for movies (cameras suck at making movies and camcorders suck at taking pictures)

So I guess what I'm trying to say is...if this is your first DSLR spend the extra money and get the XSi. However, if your thinking about upgrading...just go buy another lens with that money and go out and take some awesome pictures! :mrgreen::mrgreen::mrgreen:

Exactly right there. The XSi is a great starter DSLR (as is the D60) because of its handy features like Live View and Image Stabilisation. It helps the beginners (no offence) to get to grips with using a digital SLR for the first time, and lets them have fun doing it.

However, for people that are "used" to using DSLRs, they will find the XSi to be somewhat boring as it's nothing they haven't seen before.