Canon t2i good for first dslr? do dslr cameras do widescreen? any help at all!!

Disneyfun1

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Looking to get my first DSLR camera. I was told a good one is the canon T2i, is this true? been using the canon sx130is lately, which is nice, but is the dslr a noticible difference for the price? What about lenses? I guess they come with a standard lens, but i need to buy a telephoto, is that correct for zoom?

and do they do widescreen shots like my monitor is and photo frame are?

any other info would be great for thinking of stepping up!
 
Looking to get my first DSLR camera. I was told a good one is the canon T2i, is this true? been using the canon sx130is lately, which is nice, but is the dslr a noticible difference for the price? What about lenses? I guess they come with a standard lens, but i need to buy a telephoto, is that correct for zoom?

and do they do widescreen shots like my monitor is and photo frame are?

any other info would be great for thinking of stepping up!

yes, it's true, the Canon T2i (550D) is a good DSLR. (as well as other brands!) Many packages are sold with the 18-55IS and 55-250IS telephoto lens
Some more info -
http://www.popphoto.com/reviews/cameras/2010/05/camera-test-canon-eos-rebel-t2i
http://www.bjp-online.com/british-journal-of-photography/test/1650985/canon-eos-550d-tested
 
I feel like you should ask yourself a couple questions first. Why do you want to upgrade? For example, what are the situations where you feel your camera is lacking? Are you dedicated to learning how to use it to get the most out of it? For a user using auto mode and taking shots in good lighting, you probably would notice no difference in quality of the shots. It is extreme lighting situations where a DSLR shines. But, not knowing how to control it well, it might still do no better than a p&s. Too many people upgrade to a DSLR just because they think they are going to get better pictures automatically and then end up disappointed. No offense to you, but you do not know very much about them, so how do you know that you want one?

As for brand, model, etc. I suggest doing a lot of research comparing specs, prices, available lenses, available lens prices, etc., etc. and then once you have your choice narrowed down to a small handful, then go find a real camera store where you can handle them off a cable (like bix box stores do). You might also bring along a card and take some test shots so you can compare at home. If you are looking entry level, then off the top of my head there is the Pentax K-x and K-r; Canon T1i, T2i, new T3i, and new T3 (they are not out yet); Nikon D3100 and D5000; Sony A390, A560, and A580. There are also Olympus models, but I do not know them very well. Then you can also consider mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras like the Sony A33 & A55, Sony NEX, and Olympus PEN. There are many capable cameras out there, so don't sell yourself short based on on person's opinion.
 
As far as widescreen shots, you can just crop the picture how you like. I know that some cameras (at least my old Canon S3 IS) have a widescreen setting. But they basically just crop the pictures in-camera.
 

The new Rebel T3i has a variable aspect ratio and will do 3:2 (4x6), 4:3 (SDTV), 16:9 (HDTV) and 1:1. I do wonder if that feature will be only usable with live view, or if they'll have some kind of registration mark system in the view finder like the APS film cameras did. I don't know right off hand what other DSLR's have it, but it's a new thing for Canon.

As someone who does pretty much only 16:9 videos with my vacation images I can certainly see the advantages of having the camera record in that aspect ratio for certain situations. It's hard sometimes to visualize where the crop will be when you know you want to do that.
 
I just wanted to pop by and mention I recently got the T2i as a gift from DH.... which I love! It is my first SLR and I have no experience...yet though I love taking photos. My camera previously used was a canon point and shoot which took great photos.
Anyway, I always see posts where some people ask whether or not the person is committed to learning about the camera or they say the slr wont take better pictures than a p&s without knowledge of all that goes with an slr, yada yada.
My experience so far has been on auto only and the photos surpass anything I took on my best day with my really good p&s. My dad recently bought the canon xs and when he was working in auto mode, that camera took better photos than my p&s. Side note, dad and I are taking a class together to learn more about using an slr but even if we weren't, the slrs (even on auto) do take better photos than a p&s.
Point is, go for it! Jmho.
 
I just wanted to pop by and mention I recently got the T2i as a gift from DH.... which I love! It is my first SLR and I have no experience...yet though I love taking photos. My camera previously used was a canon point and shoot which took great photos.
Anyway, I always see posts where some people ask whether or not the person is committed to learning about the camera or they say the slr wont take better pictures than a p&s without knowledge of all that goes with an slr, yada yada.
My experience so far has been on auto only and the photos surpass anything I took on my best day with my really good p&s. My dad recently bought the canon xs and when he was working in auto mode, that camera took better photos than my p&s. Side note, dad and I are taking a class together to learn more about using an slr but even if we weren't, the slrs (even on auto) do take better photos than a p&s.
Point is, go for it! Jmho.

What camera was it? If it was something like 2+ years old then I would agree that you will notice a significant improvement just going to a DSLR. Especially one that has 12MP or above. Compared to the OPs sx130is that is less than a year old, there should not be many differences in image quality when viewing at normal sizes of images that were taken in good light. Without knowledge on how to use the camera, it will probably still outperform a p&s in moderate light. In tough lighting conditions, it takes knowledge to get the most out of it. Period. A tripod and fast lens don't hurt either. Luckily, this stuff is not as complicated as it seems. Just read a book like Understanding Exposure and you will probably never go back to Auto again. It is also a quick read.

I am also glad that you are happy with your experience, but there have been many new DSLR users that are not so happy who end up buying another p&s and leaving their investment in a DSLR sitting on a shelf collecting dust. Controlling the DOF is one of the main areas of frustration and you have to learn about the exposure to learn how to do it.
 
I just wanted to pop by and mention I recently got the T2i as a gift from DH.... which I love! It is my first SLR and I have no experience...yet though I love taking photos. My camera previously used was a canon point and shoot which took great photos.
Anyway, I always see posts where some people ask whether or not the person is committed to learning about the camera or they say the slr wont take better pictures than a p&s without knowledge of all that goes with an slr, yada yada.
My experience so far has been on auto only and the photos surpass anything I took on my best day with my really good p&s. My dad recently bought the canon xs and when he was working in auto mode, that camera took better photos than my p&s. Side note, dad and I are taking a class together to learn more about using an slr but even if we weren't, the slrs (even on auto) do take better photos than a p&s.
Point is, go for it! Jmho.

I completely agree with you. While a dslr won't make you a better photographer; the pictures at least have a better quality. And that is still an important part of photography. Although I can work my dslr with some proficiency, I can still tell the difference between my Auto shots and my pictures from my wife's p&s (which I have used on occasion). And on top of that, it could be argued that a Dslr is easier to use. I.e. Fast focusing, quick from shot to shot.... Don't have to search through menus for the basic settings...etc... Even just shooting on a cloudy day with a p&s can be a hassle.
 
I just wanted to pop by and mention I recently got the T2i as a gift from DH.... which I love! It is my first SLR and I have no experience...yet though I love taking photos. My camera previously used was a canon point and shoot which took great photos.
Anyway, I always see posts where some people ask whether or not the person is committed to learning about the camera or they say the slr wont take better pictures than a p&s without knowledge of all that goes with an slr, yada yada.
My experience so far has been on auto only and the photos surpass anything I took on my best day with my really good p&s. My dad recently bought the canon xs and when he was working in auto mode, that camera took better photos than my p&s. Side note, dad and I are taking a class together to learn more about using an slr but even if we weren't, the slrs (even on auto) do take better photos than a p&s.
Point is, go for it! Jmho.

:thumbsup2 Me too!

I had been using the Canon S3 IS, and I can tell a huge difference in my pictures between that camera and the T2i just in Auto. (ETA: I am convinced that this camera has an actual brain and is smarter than my other one.)

I'm venturing out of Auto mode and even bought the 50 mm f/1.8 lens (is that even right?) which I love. For the first time in 3 years, I have a decent picture of my dog. I can't wait until the weather warms up so I can use it outside to take pictures of my girls and, of course, on Disney trips.

So, I'll echo and agree and say go for it! :woohoo:
 

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