Which Camera?

[gem21]

I've been thinking about upgrading to a DSLR for a while now, but I don't really know that much about all of it, besides the very basic! (Planning to take a class in the winter, if I can find one that's not on Mondays!!)

Anyway, there are two camera's on sale this week, and I was wondering which you think is a better deal.

Camera 1 is the Canon XS. Says it comes with 18-55mm and 75-300mm lens an bag. Price 499$ (Future Shop)

Camera 2 is the Canon T1i. Says it comes with 18-55m lens, Bag, UV filter, battery (not sure if they mean extra, or they just mean the normal one!) and 4GB memory card. Price 579$ (Best Buy)

Thanks for any help!!

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

The Canon folks can give you more of the technical aspects of both, but in the Rebel line the XS was introduced in 2008 and was a 10 mp camera, the T1i was introduced in 2009, 15 mp. The latest in the Rebel line is the T2i with 18 mp. While megapixel is often overstated, normally, each successive model has a better feature set than its predecessor. From what I have read that is true of the above models. All are good cameras, it all depends what you are looking for in features. Many times, when we are starting out, we don't which features we need. Before making the leap, I would recommend you physically handle as many of the brands/models that you can. Also look at the type of photography you have done and what you think you may want to do. That would help in deciding what features you want your camera to have.

 

[ChiSoxKeith]

Agree totally.

I'm a canon shooter but let me dispel a little myth. It really doesn't matter which brand DSLR you go out and get. All of them will have more than enough megapixels. All of them will have really good noise performance, and if you put them on a tripod, you'll get decent low-light out of all of them (relatively speaking, I'm sure there are shooters on this board that can push the equipment to the envelope and make one perform better than an other, but for an average user like myself or someone starting out like yourself, it's not going to matter all that much).

The most important choice is for you to get the camera you like. Meaning, which one has the buttons in the right place, which one feels right in your hands, which one fits your budget best, etc.

Because if you don't like the way it feels in your hands, you don't like the way the menus are laid out, if you have to fight the camera in anyway you will have a higher likelihood of putting the camera back down and not shooting it as much.

I agree whole heartedly with Gianna's Papa. Get as many of these cameras IN YOUR HANDS and play with them. Find a photography store nearby that will let you shoot around the store with them.

And yes, that kit at Best Buy (on the T1i) that's an EXTRA battery they mention in the package.

 

[C&B Young]

I've been watching the Canadian Boxing Day deals too. IMO, you're better off with the T1i. That is a fantastic price for the XS with lenses, and I own an XS but the T1i has much better features. I think you'd find yourself wanting to upgrade the XS body (and 75-300 lens) in the end.

 

[ChiSoxKeith]

One additional comment is that 75-300 (I have it) is great for outdoor shots in perfect lighting conditions. But if the light goes on you (like say a night football game or in an oddly lit high school gymnasium) you can prett much forget it if it is not on a tripod.

 

[mom2rtk]

Defiitely go with the T1i. I don't have that telephoto lens, but everything I have read says it is not one of their better ones. And the T1i body has more features than the XS. I think you get better ISO performance and I know you get HD video.

 

[gem21]

Thanks everyone! I ended up getting the T1i, based on the advice I got here and from my photographer friend!

Excited to get it in the mail in a week or two! And then to start using it... two bigs trips coming up next year (Disney and NYC!)

 

[photo_chick]

Thanks everyone! I ended up getting the T1i, based on the advice I got here and from my photographer friend!

Excited to get it in the mail in a week or two! And then to start using it... two bigs trips coming up next year (Disney and NYC!)

That's what I'd have chosen between those two deals.

Have fun with it!

 

[ChiSoxKeith]

Congratulations and have fun!

 

[DVC Mike]

I would have chosen between the Nikon D3100 and the Canon T2i