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Canon EOS Rebel T1i

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1. Built-In Flash: The pop-up flash offers E-TTL II metering, with a guide number of 43 and coverage for up to a 17mm angle of view. Flash exposure compensation is available for +/-2 stops in 1⁄3- or ½-stop increments. Recycling time is approximately three seconds. 2. Exposure Modes: Several exposure modes are available, including Depth-of-field AE, Autoflash Program AE and scene modes for subjects like sports-action and portraits. 3. Direct Access To Settings: Frequently changed settings such as white balance, drive mode and autofocus mode are directly accessible via buttons for quick access without scrolling through menus.

Canon EOS Rebel T1i

LIST PRICE: $819 (w/18-55mm ƒ/3.5-5.6 IS lens)

Canon’s original Digital Rebel was the first D-SLR to sell for under $1,000, and the latest Rebel T1i continues to push the segment forward. It features Canon’s powerful DIGIC 4 processor to enhance image quality, operating speed and battery life. In terms of speed, the T1i can shoot up to nine RAW or 170 15.1-megapixel JPEG images at 3.4 fps in a single burst.

HIGH-RES LCD: Like higher-end Canon D-SLRs, the T1i sports a 3.0-inch, 920,000-dot LCD monitor.

VERSATILE LIVE VIEW: Live View mode offers Quick (phase-detection), Live (contrast-based, no disruption of live view during focusing) and Face Detection AF modes.

VERY COMPACT BODY: The T1i packs impressive features into a surpris-ingly tiny D-SLR body, excellent for traveling light.

LOTS OF LENSES: The T1i can use all Canon EF and EF-S lenses, which number more than 60 and range from a 10-22mm zoom to an 800mm supertelephoto. We recommend the 18-200mm as a serious-user replacement for the 18-55mm kit lens. It’s the walk-around-all-day/shoot-everything zoom.

The DIGIC 4 also is what makes the T1i’s video capture possible. It can shoot 1080p full HD video at 20 frames per second, as well as 720 HD video or standard-definition video at 30 fps, with mono sound via a built-in microphone. Live View AF features also are available during video capture.

The T1i’s standard ISO range is 100-3200, which is ample for typical shooting conditions. But in very low-light scenes, you can set the camera to extend ISO equivalence settings to include 6400 and 12,800.

For photographers stepping up from a compact camera to their first D-SLR, the Creative Auto mode will help them learn to take more manual control over exposure settings. Settings in this mode start with full auto, but permit some manual overrides. Feedback on the LCD helps to guide the user to understand what the camera is doing to make these settings more accessible.

The T1i’s Auto Lighting Optimizer helps to increase detail in darker areas while maintaining detail in the brighter areas of the scene. While there are limitations to what this technology can do, it can help get a more balanced exposure in high-contrast lighting.

STANDOUT FEATURE: The T1i is the megapixel leader in the entry-level category at 15.1 megapixels.
VERDICT: Why upgrade? The T1i offers excellent performance and features for the price. It’s a solid upgrade if you’re looking for HD video in addition to still images.

Canon EOS Rebel XS
Canon’s most affordable Rebel includes an 18-55mm ƒ/3.5-5.6 IS lens for a list price of $599. Powered by Canon’s DIGIC III processor, the 10.1-megapixel Rebel XS can capture images at three frames per second in bursts of up to 514 JPEGs. Integrated sensor cleaning and Auto Lighting Optimizer add value to this very affordable model. It also offers Live View via the 2.5-inch LCD.

Canon EOS REBEL XSi
A step up from the Rebel XS, the DIGIC III-powered XSi increases resolution to 12.2 megapixels and provides a larger three-inch LCD. Like the other two Rebels here, it’s available in a kit with an 18-55mm ƒ/3.5-5.6 IS lens with a list price of $749. Shoot at 3.5 frames per second in bursts of up to 53 full-resolution JPEGs or six RAW images.