Canon Rebel T1i / EOS 500D Digital Camera with 18-55mm lens
- HD Recording Format: 1080p (HDTV) 720p (HDTV)
- Camera Type: SLR/Professional
- Weight: 1.06 lb.
- LCD Screen Size: 3 in.
- Resolution: 15.5 Megapixel
- Features: Image Stabilization Motion Detection Red-eye Correction Face Detection
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Great entry level DSLR for 2009
Pros
Price, above average ergonomics, bright and clear LCD, autofocus
Cons
noise reduction, lens quality (fine for price range)
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
Great camera and definately worth the ~$800 cost of entry
Introduction
If you are reading this review, perhaps you are debating whether to buy the Canon T1i or the Nikon D5000. I'll cut to the chase: Canon is the better choice for most users, unless you really need the articulating LCD. The image quality is marginally better and functionality for a mild hobbyist is spot on. At the time of this review, Canon has the price advantage as well. The Canon T1i is a solid choice for around $800.
Look & Feel
The T1i has a large, bright, anti-reflection coated 3" LCD. The Canon T1i is also very light weight. It feels like it is all plastic, but it has a metal lens mount and is made of very tough plastic. It's light, and it feels sturdy.
Operation
Overall operation is as expected from Canon. Colors look great, autofocus is instantaneous and the readouts inside the finder are big and easy to read.
New to the Rebel line, I believe, is an Auto ISO setting. It works perfectly for use for scenic photos, but poorly for action. Better than Nikon, Canon's Auto ISO is simply another option in the ISO menu. It cannot be adjusted for desired shutter speeds, which is why Auto ISO doesn't work for people pics, just scenic pics.
Canon's Auto ISO, while not adjustable, but it automatically shifts itself based on your zoom setting. It doesn't know if you have IS on or off. Canon's Auto ISO is optimized to choose lower, cleaner ISOs in exchange for the slowest shutter speed you can hold safely. If shooting people, kids or action, it will usually result in shutter speeds that are too slow in dim light. For most people, this Canon Auto ISO system is great because it's easier to use. Canon's Auto ISO will be perfectly happy shooting indoors at 1/30 at wider angles, and your non-flash people photos will be blurred.
Performance
Overall, pictures look great. The images looks smudged at large magnifications. Noise and resolution and sharpness are par for this price range. But noise reduction is so strong, even at low ISOs, that while sharp edges remain sharp, even moderate textures get smoothed over. To be frank, the Rebel T1i images look as if they came from a point-and-shoot, with their need for severe noise reduction at low ISOs.
The Canon Digital Rebel T1i has one of the best flash exposure systems of any Canon. AF is just like most Canons have been for years, nearly instantaneous but not always correct. AF is fast, but sometimes focus will be off, even when careful and all the AF confirmation lights indicate the T1i thought was in focus.
Color is generally bright and mostly accurate. A few bumps in saturation to +2 or +3 give brilliant, though even less accurate pics. Good for outdoor pics.
Conclusion
Great camera and definitely worth the ~$800 cost of entry.
If you are reading this review, perhaps you are debating whether to buy the Canon T1i or the Nikon D5000. I'll cut to the chase: Canon is the better choice for most users, unless you really need the articulating LCD. The image quality is marginally better and functionality for a mild hobbyist is spot on. At the time of this review, Canon has the price advantage as well. The Canon T1i is a solid choice for around $800.
Look & Feel
The T1i has a large, bright, anti-reflection coated 3" LCD. The Canon T1i is also very light weight. It feels like it is all plastic, but it has a metal lens mount and is made of very tough plastic. It's light, and it feels sturdy.
Operation
Overall operation is as expected from Canon. Colors look great, autofocus is instantaneous and the readouts inside the finder are big and easy to read.
New to the Rebel line, I believe, is an Auto ISO setting. It works perfectly for use for scenic photos, but poorly for action. Better than Nikon, Canon's Auto ISO is simply another option in the ISO menu. It cannot be adjusted for desired shutter speeds, which is why Auto ISO doesn't work for people pics, just scenic pics.
Canon's Auto ISO, while not adjustable, but it automatically shifts itself based on your zoom setting. It doesn't know if you have IS on or off. Canon's Auto ISO is optimized to choose lower, cleaner ISOs in exchange for the slowest shutter speed you can hold safely. If shooting people, kids or action, it will usually result in shutter speeds that are too slow in dim light. For most people, this Canon Auto ISO system is great because it's easier to use. Canon's Auto ISO will be perfectly happy shooting indoors at 1/30 at wider angles, and your non-flash people photos will be blurred.
Performance
Overall, pictures look great. The images looks smudged at large magnifications. Noise and resolution and sharpness are par for this price range. But noise reduction is so strong, even at low ISOs, that while sharp edges remain sharp, even moderate textures get smoothed over. To be frank, the Rebel T1i images look as if they came from a point-and-shoot, with their need for severe noise reduction at low ISOs.
The Canon Digital Rebel T1i has one of the best flash exposure systems of any Canon. AF is just like most Canons have been for years, nearly instantaneous but not always correct. AF is fast, but sometimes focus will be off, even when careful and all the AF confirmation lights indicate the T1i thought was in focus.
Color is generally bright and mostly accurate. A few bumps in saturation to +2 or +3 give brilliant, though even less accurate pics. Good for outdoor pics.
Conclusion
Great camera and definitely worth the ~$800 cost of entry.
