Canon 400D (Rebel Xti, Kiss X)

[Master Mason]

It depends on what your looking for, if size is an issue, the G9 wins, if cost is an issue, most likely the G9 wins.

If you want to be able to take the best pictures possible, in the worst conditions possible, the XT will win.

 

[DizneyNutz]

I saw that Canon released the G9 yesterday. It's 12 mp and has the ability to shoot RAW. I was planning on purchasing the XTi but it's only a 10mp camera.
The G9 won't be available for purchase until October (if I'm reading correctly) and it appears that the price will be reasonable.

Can anyone help me decided what the pros and cons of purchasing one over the other would be?

Thanks for your input!

I agree with josh125! Many people associate with having more MPs to having better quaility photos. Ths MPs only allow you to turn the great photos into a X-large framable photos for your den or living room. It does not make the picture quality itself better. So check out what the camera is capable of ie: taking photos in the most possible situations and what you want to do with your photos, then base your decision on that

 

[ericamcl]

thanks for your opinions!! I really appreciate them all.

Now, as for the XTi....do you find that it's too "bulky" for the parks, etc? Is there one lens that is best for "most of the time" shooting that I should consider? I know that the kit comes with one lens (and I think that i've seen 2 included at some retailers)

thanks again...i'm still learning and looking forward to graduation from my "point and shoot"...i'm anxious to get more involved with the photos, know what i mean?

 

[Josh125]

Another relevant question to ask if what kinds of pics do you take the most? Inside, outside, full sun, dusk/dark, sports, etc.

If you mainly take low ISO pictures such as portraits/landscape outside in full sun, then the benefits of the dSLR are nominal. If you take a lot of inside, darkly lit, or action shots then a dSLR will wins hands down.

The cost difference is at best 500 dollars. A xti body will run you 550ish and a decent walk around lens like a sigma 17-70 will be another 400 ish....plus gear.

 

[ukcatfan]

Not to confuse you more, but if you are unsure of the G9 vs. XTi, then you might want to take a step back and consider other models/brands if you go with a DSLR. I am not just saying that b/c I use a different brand, but there might be features of other models that make you want it more than the XTi. You should also go out and handle some of them in person to make sure it feels good in your hands. For example, I was going to buy the XT until I actually held it and did not like it. There are even DSLRs available that cost less than the G9.

Kevin

 

[Groucho]

This looks like a good place for my handy-hand sensor size chart.

The G9 has a 1/1.7" sensor IIRC, so it will be just a touch larger than the 1/1.8" one in the chart. Meanwhile, the XTi has a sensor that is just a touch smaller than the APS-C sensor. You're still talking a sensor that has probably 9-9.5x more surface area in the XTi vs G9, and is trying to wring fewer megapixels out of it, to boot. In other words - the XTi should just murder the G9 for image quality, especially in low light.

Of course, if you're considering a DSLR, there are several out there from the main 5 and they're all good. If you're starting fresh, take a look at the options; you may find one that you like better than the XTi (or you may not!)

I don't really agree 100% with Josh125 - you certainly don't have to spend $400 for a decent basic lens. If you're just starting out, even Canon's kit lens will probably suffice.

 

[Josh125]

I don't really agree 100% with Josh125 - you certainly don't have to spend $400 for a decent basic lens. If you're just starting out, even Canon's kit lens will probably suffice.

Kit lens sufficing That's a good one It might for a while until the lens bug bites.

Oh, and if you don't mind can I download your sensor chart? That makes explaining everything very easy.

quick edit: OP if you do go with a dSLR, or even if you don't pick up this book.
http://www.amazon.com/Understanding...9180715?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1187800923&sr=8-1

 

[cpbjgc]

We drove down to Minneapolis then flew to Denver where we did a little road trip through Rocky Mountain National Park to Keystone, Colorado, and back to Denver. Here are a few pictures I took along the way.

Taken from the balcony at the Denver Mueseum of Nature and Science

The Big Slide at Estes Park

Dining in the ditch outside our hotel in Estes Park

Sprague Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park

A quick one snapped while waiting on a traffic light where the Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park was under construction

Some flowers at a public park by the visitor centre in Breckenridge

A couple from the River Run Village in Keystone where we stayed three nights on our DVC points

 

[Disneyluvr81]

Hi Everyone --

I searched reviews for the 30D and XTi comparisons and found some good threads but didn't really see anything in terms of which would be better for a first time user of an SLR.

My boyfriend really wants to get himself a SLR camera before our honeymoon at Disney World next September. What he doesn't know is that I have been planning (and saving up) for the past couple months to get him a Canon Rebel XTi for his Christmas, Birthday, Valentines Day, Anniversary, Wedding (and anything other holidays that may be in a calendar year) present.

I was all good to go with the XTi (actually was gonna get the XT until we were at Target one day and he was playing with it and said they didn't have the "good" Rebel - so that shot down that idea!) until we met with our wedding photographer last weekend and she started talking to him about SLR cameras and mentioned the 30D as opposed to the XTi.

My question now is -- what are the advantages of the XTi to the 30D for a first time user. I know the advantages/disadvantages to each camera but if one is better suited for a first timer I would love to know. I am trying to decide if I want to suck it up and splurge and get him the 30D.

Thank you to everyone in advance for your help with this! I am clueless when it comes to SLR cameras - I happily use my pocket friendly Canon SD600!

 

[Josh125]

IMHO, I would go with a Xti. You won't miss any features the 30D would provide and when the time comes you can simply upgrade the body. DPreview.com has a nice ability to compare side by side. I would save the money and buy him a nice piece of glass with the left over money. Either way you won't go wrong. We *might* see a 30D small price decrease since the 40D is out soon.

Also, don't buy it at Target. You will pay waaaay more $$$. There are a handful of reputable online dealers (no grey market cameras) or you can support your local independant shop.

 

[DisneyFreak06]

Hey, I love my XT!

 

[ericamcl]

Groucho...thanks for the "chart"..it certainly helped me "get it" a little better...it will also help me explain it a little better to DH when I explain WHY I need a new camera

Josh125..I got the book and a couple of others by that author. I am planning on starting the exposure one tonight


I've been using a Canon S2 IS for the last few years. I'm ready to move on to something more advanced. I have to admit that I haven't really looked at many other brands...I've had good luck with my Canon and a lot of people I know have Canons and they come highly recommended.

Any suggestions on lenses? Are the classes that Ritz offers as part of a purchase worth attending or can I pretty much teach myself how to use the DSLR?

Your help is much appreciated

 

[mhutchinson]

My question now is -- what are the advantages of the XTi to the 30D for a first time user. I know the advantages/disadvantages to each camera but if one is better suited for a first timer I would love to know. I am trying to decide if I want to suck it up and splurge and get him the 30D.

Aside from the obvious stats that you can find from specs, the biggest factor to keep in mind is the relative size of the two cameras. If this is for your boyfriend then one camera vs the other will fit in his had differently than someone with smaller hands.

With myself, I found the Rebel to be too small in my hands when I tried to hold it. My finger nails scraping around the grip and the camera itself did not seem to fit well. By contrast the camera a went with (20D) fit well and I had a solid grip of it when holding the camera (btw the Nikon also fit well...lol).

Now for some of the camera functionality, they both have fairly easy P&S options that will operate very similar as well as the more advanced features to grow in to (the 30D with more presets). If sports or wildlife are a consideration the 30D is faster frames per second, buffers better, and allows faster ISO (why not you are paying for that). The ISO step setting are much better with the 30D (advanced stuff). The 30D is magnesium instead of plastic and the shutter is rated for 100,000 cycles.

With the 40D being released next month you should be able to find the 30D at some pretty good prices....but then you may want to consider the 40D which has all sorts of pluses above the 30D. Don't rule out a super zoom like the S3IS or S5IS, there is a lot to be said for not changing lenses and risking dust on the sensor.

Bottom line is they will both take great pictures, the lens quality and speed will make more of a difference than megapixel count or lots of other factors.

Good luck.

 

[boBQuincy]

The obvious differences are the size, weight, and price. The not so obvious difference is in the handling. If you like to change settings a lot the 30D wins easily. If not, the XTi certainly wins on price.

If you can find a XT for a good price it doesn't really give away much to the XTi.

 

[ukcatfan]

I've been using a Canon S2 IS for the last few years. I'm ready to move on to something more advanced. I have to admit that I haven't really looked at many other brands...I've had good luck with my Canon and a lot of people I know have Canons and they come highly recommended.

Any suggestions on lenses? Are the classes that Ritz offers as part of a purchase worth attending or can I pretty much teach myself how to use the DSLR?

Your help is much appreciated

Just be sure to handle it first because what comes highly recommended by others might not feel right in your hands. I had a S1 IS before going to a DSLR and I just did not like the way XT felt, but really liked the 30D. It was (and still is) out of my price range though.

If you can get a decent deal on the kit lens package, I suggest just starting with that and let your experience lead you to what other lenes you want. Canon, Nikon, and Pentax offer inexpensive 50mm prime lenses that are good for low light if that is of interest to you. Sony might offer one also, but I know that the Olympus offering is a little expensive.

If you are absolutely set on Canon and can wait a couple of months, I would wait for the recently announced 18-55mm IS lens to hit the market. It will likely be offered in some sort of upgraded kit that might be a good deal and then you would have IS. I am glad that my DSLR has IS coming from the S1 IS. I beleive that I would have really missed it.

I personally would not buy from Ritz because they never seem to offer any good deals. Check out B&H, Adorama, and Buydig.

Kevin

 

[GrowingUpDisney]

Here are some more shots...these were taken by my husband so I do not know any info...

He actually blew this one up pretty large and it came out GORGEOUS!

I did take this one on auto...

 

[figment52]

We drove down to Minneapolis then flew to Denver where we did a little road trip through Rocky Mountain National Park to Keystone, Colorado, and back to Denver. Here are a few pictures I took along the way.

Nice pics. Thanks for the trip down memory lane - I used to live in Denver- moved away almost 18 years ago.

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

You might want to post your pictures over at this thread - specifically for XTi cameras
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1507622

 

[SharonLowe]

And, please, it is Canon, not Cannon!

 

[iluvdisnee]

Here are some from this past weekend...just backyard shots. We leave for WDW tomorrow so I hope to have a few interesting ones to post when I get back!

These were taken with my XTI and my New Sigma 18-200 OS lens

My Daughter Amanda in the Hot Tub---this is cropped from original and I added borders in Photoshop, otherwise straight from the camera.

Daughter Emily's Eyes...they are amazing with all of thier different colors!

DD's Jumping in the Pool--this was in the evening so lighting wasnt the best

My Dog Tally