Canon 550D (Rebel T2i, Kiss X4)

[sdshutterbug]

I own the T1i, I chose it because it has a decent megapixel resolution, HD video (although the T2i's is better for serious videographer), and great ISO performance. The ISO performance really can have an impact on image quality.

 

[bob100]

For you Canon slr users, I would like your input in why the T1I is worth the extra money over the Canon Rebel XS.

I know that it has more Megapixels, but I keep reading on this board that megapixels should not be the deciding factor (assuming it's already 8 or more).
I do want to get an slr camera that I will be happy with for several years, and would be willing to spend the extra $$ if it's worth it.
Thanks for any input.

actually megapixels count if you crop (and who doesn't!) but just get a model - every few months a new DSLR is introduced and they all claim better image quality, more features, improve video, better ISO performance, ...

 

[Altair]

The XSi is a small upgrade over the XS. The XSi and T1i are almost identical other than the video capability of the T1i.

 

[boBQuincy]

For you Canon slr users, I would like your input in why the T1I is worth the extra money over the Canon Rebel XS.

I know that it has more Megapixels, but I keep reading on this board that megapixels should not be the deciding factor (assuming it's already 8 or more).
I do want to get an slr camera that I will be happy with for several years, and would be willing to spend the extra $$ if it's worth it.
Thanks for any input.

The T1i has a number of features that the Xs does not have, however, better image quality is not one of them. Check the DxoMark ratings and we see that RAW image quality is almost identical for these cameras. If we want video, higher (but not more effective) ISO, spot metering, etc. then the T1i is the way to go. If none of that matters to you then the extra $$$ may not be worth it.

There are probably enough features and settings on a XS to keep us busy for a few years!

 

[C&B Young]

The XSi is a small upgrade over the XS. The XSi and T1i are almost identical other than the video capability of the T1i.

The 2 noteworthy differences (besides the video) are that the T1i has higher ISO capability, plus a much higher-resolution LCD screen. There's a comparison chart here (in PDF form) that compares the 2 cameras.

 

[Altair]

The 2 noteworthy differences (besides the video) are that the T1i has higher ISO capability, plus a much higher-resolution LCD screen. There's a comparison chart here (in PDF form) that compares the 2 cameras.

The one stop faster ISO would be useful, but the extra LCD screen resolution won't help your photography at all. My camera has never had the live-view turned on. There are also some other minor upgrades on the T1i. I think the choice would be between video or not at the price difference.

 

[ukcatfan]

actually megapixels count if you crop (and who doesn't!) but just get a model - every few months a new DSLR is introduced and they all claim better image quality, more features, improve video, better ISO performance, ...

I agree with two out of four. They will likely have better features and beter video, but an upgrade does not guarantee better image quality and better high ISO. There are many cases where those suffer to get the higher MPs.

FWIW, I suggest looking at the Pentax K-x. The kit with the 18-55mm and 50-200mm goes for less than $700 and the kit with the 18-55mm and 55-300mm goes for less than $800 from Adorama.

 

[boBQuincy]

The 2 noteworthy differences (besides the video) are that the T1i has higher ISO capability, plus a much higher-resolution LCD screen. There's a comparison chart here (in PDF form) that compares the 2 cameras.

T1i does have higher ISO but it appears to be software only, same as underexposing and later boosting the brightness. The screen will not help our photographs but it sure looks nice, I wish my Xsi had it! It wasn't worth upgrading for me though.

 

[C&B Young]

The one stop faster ISO would be useful, but the extra LCD screen resolution won't help your photography at all. My camera has never had the live-view turned on. There are also some other minor upgrades on the T1i. I think the choice would be between video or not at the price difference.

I shoot a lot of macro photography, and live view combined with the higher screen resolution is a must-have. So depending on what you shoot it may help a great deal.

 

[SamSam]

Thanks for all your responses, you've definitely given me much to consider and look for in my decision making.

It's been very enlightening reading all your suggestions.

 

[bob100]

T1i does have higher ISO but it appears to be software only, same as underexposing and later boosting the brightness. The screen will not help our photographs but it sure looks nice, I wish my Xsi had it! It wasn't worth upgrading for me though.

right, shooting in RAW does the same thing. All the crop sensors are really quite similar in ISO performance. I like the new features of the Canon T2i/550D though.

 

[SamSam]

Question from my DH...Do the T1i and T2i have rapid shutter action. I'm not saying that right; when you hold down the shutter button will they take pics in succession, or is there a delay time like on the little point and shoots?

 

[disneyboy2003]

Question from my DH...Do the T1i and T2i have rapid shutter action. I'm not saying that right; when you hold down the shutter button will they take pics in succession, or is there a delay time like on the little point and shoots?

Yes, both the Canon T1i and the T2i have high-speed continuous shooting. (actually, all dSLRs have high-speed continuous shooting)

The Canon T1i can shoot as fast as 3.4 frames-per-second (fps). The Canon T2i can do 3.7 fps, although I'm not sure if that 0.3 fps difference is noticeably different.

For high-speed continuous shooting, you'll need to specifically set the camera to the Continuous Shooting mode. With Continuous Shooting mode, you can hold the shutter button down, and the camera will take continuous photos at 3.4 - 3.7 fps.

Without Continuous Shooting mode, holding the shutter button down will only take 1 photo.

I'm not sure what you mean by "delay time", since there are several different things you could potentially mean. The shutter lag time (the time between you pressing the button and the camera actually taking the picture) is 0.089 to 0.159 sec, depending on whether you pre-focus the camera or not.

The shot-to-shot time (the best possible time between shots) is 0.40 sec, if you're not in Continuous Shooting mode.

The above numbers are for the Canon T1i. Of course, if these times are too slow, you can consider either the Canon 50D or the Canon 7D for faster "delay times".

Hope that helps.

 

[mom2rtk]

Yes, both the Canon T1i and the T2i have high-speed continuous shooting. (actually, all dSLRs have high-speed continuous shooting)

The Canon T1i can shoot as fast as 3.4 frames-per-second (fps). The Canon T2i can do 3.7 fps, although I'm not sure if that 0.3 fps difference is noticeably different.

For high-speed continuous shooting, you'll need to specifically set the camera to the Continuous Shooting mode. With Continuous Shooting mode, you can hold the shutter button down, and the camera will take continuous photos at 3.4 - 3.7 fps.

Without Continuous Shooting mode, holding the shutter button down will only take 1 photo.

I'm not sure what you mean by "delay time", since there are several different things you could potentially mean. The shutter lag time (the time between you pressing the button and the camera actually taking the picture) is 0.089 to 0.159 sec, depending on whether you pre-focus the camera or not.

The shot-to-shot time (the best possible time between shots) is 0.40 sec, if you're not in Continuous Shooting mode.

The above numbers are for the Canon T1i. Of course, if these times are too slow, you can consider either the Canon 50D or the Canon 7D for faster "delay times".

Hope that helps.

I have the Xsi (the model before the T1i) and have been VERY happy with the speed of the camera. As I posted on another thread, the previous models from Canon DID seem slow to me. I think it improved when I went from the Xt to the Xti.

It used to be that when I was shooting my son's soccer game, after 10 or 12 shots, the camera would "busy" up and I could shoot the entire sequence, only to miss when the ball wen in the net. It drove me NUTS!!! So when the XT died and they replaced it with the XTi, I was in hog heaven! It was greatly improved. The Xsi is just as good, so I assume the T1i and beyond are too.

 

[boBQuincy]

Question from my DH...Do the T1i and T2i have rapid shutter action. I'm not saying that right; when you hold down the shutter button will they take pics in succession, or is there a delay time like on the little point and shoots?

The T1i and T2i have a very fast burst mode, in some cases it is difficult to release the button fast enough to avoid getting two photos (it happens on my Xsi occasionally). However, these are entry level cameras and have small buffers, T2i can only hold 6 RAW images. Shooting RAW can quickly fill the buffer and you may have to wait to take more photos. This is not common but I have run into it a couple of times. If you are into using burst mode and RAW you may want to look at a 50D or 7D with a larger buffer.

 

[SamSam]

Great information, thanks so much. I'll pass the info on to DH about the high speed continuous shooting. All the information you all have provided has helped me decide that I do indeed need an SLR, probably the T2i.

 

[VVFF]

Because the Rebel series is a fairly popular option around here I thought some may benefit from reading the first official review I've seen:

http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Canon_EOS_550D_Rebel_T2i/index.shtml

Hopefully this, like the 7D, can begin to put an end to the universally spouted more MP = more noise. While true in some circumstances, Canon is proving, in my opinion, that it can also be done smartly. The RAW noise looks very similar between the D90 and T2i with a 50% increase in MP.

Now, the argument could be made that some people would rather have Canon use their new sensor technology to exceed the ISO handling on their competitors. That's definitely fair. However, given that I do have to sometimes take pictures in a rushed manner, I do like having more cropping room.

 

[bob100]

Because the Rebel series is a fairly popular option around here I thought some may benefit from reading the first official review I've seen:

http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Canon_EOS_550D_Rebel_T2i/index.shtml

Hopefully this, like the 7D, can begin to put an end to the universally spouted more MP = more noise. While true in some circumstances, Canon is proving, in my opinion, that it can also be done smartly. The RAW noise looks very similar between the D90 and T2i with a 50% increase in MP.

Now, the argument could be made that some people would rather have Canon use their new sensor technology to exceed the ISO handling on their competitors. That's definitely fair. However, given that I do have to sometimes take pictures in a rushed manner, I do like having more cropping room.

I too would like more cropping room, full HD video, etc. not ready to upgrade but the new Canon T2i (550D) looks good

 

[PrincessInOz]

I knew it was a mistake to look in this forum....boy, I hate it when I'm right!!
So, I've been lurking and reading your threads for the last 2 weeks and have been "pushed" firmly into the dSLR market. Now I have to build in the cost of a new camera into my ever increasing budget!

DH still has his 15 year old Minolta SLR (ahh...the sound of film rolling on, remember that noise?) and over the last 10 years, we've moved into the point and shoot style of cameras.
He's been thinking about upgrading to a dSLR off and on for the last 18 months but somehow, there was never a compelling argument for getting into this space. But we're heading to the World in May and this might be the right time for the purchase.

We live in Australia and cameras are pretty expensive over here. We are thinking of buying one when we get to the US...yes, I know. It doesn't give us much time to come to terms with the new camera beforehand. But we will bring our existing digital cameras with us. We are also travelling with my brother and my parents - so there will most likely be an overload of point and shoot photography.
DH and I will both take duplicate shots (pns plus dSLR) and our 9 year old DS will also bring his point and shoot for the 'snaps'.

We can plan to play with the different dSLR settings for low light, fireworks and fast rides....all of which we wouldn't have great shots using our existing equipment anyway, so we lose nothing.....and even if we bought the camera in Oz, we wouldn't be able to test the settings for fireworks and fast rides until we hit WDW.

We're leaning towards the new Canon Rebel T2i. I'm interested in your thoughts on this new camera.

(Post disney, we would probably do the standard family gatherings and also outdoors/nature shots, daytime and night.)

 

[hjd0411]

Hi PrincessInOz,

I'm no camera buff, but I can help you with a website that I bought my camera from (I'm in Brisbane). I bought the Canon 450d, which I am learning about as well!! This website had the best price that I could find anywhere for my camera - and believe me I looked!!! It could give you a little practice time with your new toy - although not as you said, on fast rides or fireworks, of course!!! Plus it would give you more Disney time - not camera shopping time!!
Right at the moment I'm at work, so I can't get that web address for you, but I can PM you perhaps Monday if you would like. Don't forget, too, if you get it here you can claim back your GST, as long as it is 30 days or less from flying out.
Sorry I can't be of any more assistance at the moment! I will be at the World in May too - perhaps our paths will cross!!!

Heather