XSI vs XTI

I just sold my Rebel XT and need to purchase another camera for small gigs in April.

Should I wait for the XSI to be released in Montreal, Canada (BTW - any idea when that could be??) or do I buy the XTI so I can start practicing with it?

The differences in the side by side comparisons seem so minimal...

Which one of these cams do you prefer and why?

Thanks,

Talula

Much more camera. And it's only about $300 more for it. You won't notice a difference of 2MP and the 40D has a better bigger viewfinder, better focusing, and much bigger buffer along with more advanced camera controls.

When I did the side by side comparison, I didn't feel the extras were what I needed.

However, you did say something that peeked my interest...Better focusing and much more camera...Any specific details?

I had focusing issues with my Rebel, so there had better be an improvement with my next camera! Would love to hear what you know about the 40d.

Thanks for your input,

Talula

Hi,

I don't know about the new XSi focusing, but the 40D was an improvement from the 30D, 20D (etc.) and the rebel models. I shoot mainly weddings, and I found the focusing of the 40D to be more responsive than the previous Canon models (including my 5D).

Of course which camera you choose will depend on your photography needs as well as how the XSi focusing compares to the 40D.

BTW, I am also from Montreal

Joe

I'd also like to know what the technical differences are between the XSi, XTi and 40D. I know they're all a step up from my XT, but I'd like to know what makes them better.

Jim

Here is a link to a comparison chart between XT, XTi and XSi:

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/XSI/XSICOMPARISON.HTM

This other chart compares XTi, 30D and 40D:

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/E40D/E40DCOMPARISON_3WAY.HTM

Cheers!

-Marc

Jim Holtz said:

I'd also like to know what the technical differences are between the
XSi, XTi and 40D. I know they're all a step up from my XT, but I'd
like to know what makes them better.

Jim

Click to expand...

Thanks Marc! That is an excellent comparison. It seems the XSi has improved focusing over previous X series camera's but it's not quite up to 40D capabilities.

Jim

If you are still hesitating between XSi and XTi, there is a pretty good deal that is currently available on bestbuy.ca : $675 for an XTi with 18-55 kit lens and free 8 Gig Compact Flash card. I think this is pretty good by Canadian standards.

-Marc (from Montreal too!)

The 40D is a fantastic camera. Does focus fast, has low noise, good color, and much better balanced with a heavy lens. Built like a tank too. And much faster and easier to change settings like exposure compensation almost instantly with the thumb wheel. It has a $100 rebate in Canada already.

--
Judy Howle
FortyD, TwentyD, S Three IS

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eyeglass users. Am I interpreting the numbers correctly? I'm sad about that too.
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Finally they have a spot meter so I would wait for the XSI assuming the spot meter is a true spot and not just weighted toward the spot metering at the center focusing point (I true spot meter is the exposure reading not just given extra weight).

--



'The probability that we may fall in the struggle ought not to deter us from the support of a cause we believe to be just; it shall not deter me.' -- Abraham Lincoln

I have owned all digital rebels from 300D to 400D. The Xsi uses a SD rather than a CF card. I prefer the larger Compact Flash card.
--
thezero

Why is that?

All the Montrealers are coming out to play! Great!
Did you by any chance here when the XSi was expected to be released?
I got 2 different dates.
April 26?
April 17?

My fiance has the 350D/XT and the top LCD for reading the shutter and aperture is far better than reading off of the a color LCD which is use to display the images. The 400 and 450d/Xsi don't have this. My concern with the XSi as with the XTi is not being able to read the rear 3" LCD in direct bright sunlight.

I'm waiting for the reviews on the XSi's LCD screen to judge whether or not I should upgrade her camera. The only bonus for her getting the better camera would be the spot metering, faster AF and better grip. The 40D is too big of a camera for her and that is why she likes the Rebel series from Canon.

If I were you I would wait for the XSi reviews.

Cheers

--
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Apparently the new IS lens is much, much better than the older one which is bundled with the XTi.

I'm also concerned about the decreased eyepoint distance. The VF of the XTi is great -- I'm not so sure the XSi will be?

James A. said:

My fiance has the 350D/XT and the top LCD for reading the shutter and
aperture is far better than reading off of the a color LCD which is
use to display the images. The 400 and 450d/Xsi don't have this. My
concern with the XSi as with the XTi is not being able to read the
rear 3" LCD in direct bright sunlight.

Click to expand...

--No problem in sunlight reading camera settings off the rear screen in sunlight.

Its much better than squinting at that tiny grey screen. You can change the background colour too.
Brian Schneider

Talula said:

When I did the side by side comparison, I didn't feel the extras were
what I needed.
However, you did say something that peeked my interest...Better
focusing and much more camera...Any specific details?

Click to expand...

Here's the side by side, but it really doesn't spell out the difference well.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_post.asp?method=sidebyside&cameras=canon_eos40d%2Ccanon_eos450d&show=all

40D vs. XSi
----------------
17 shot RAW buffer vs. 6
0.95x pentaprism vs. 0.87x pentamirror viewfinder (notable difference)
sRAW vs. no sRAW
6.5 fps vs. 3.5

40D can take the Canon programmable remote cable release, XSi only takes a standard cable release with a lock

rear control wheel vs. having to hold down the + - button and move main wheel on top

exposure compensation with rear wheel is much easier than holding down the + - button since you're already using the main top wheel to change the Av or Tv value.

manual mode is much easier since rear wheel controls apeture and top wheel controls shutter speed. With the XSi you can only change one value at a time since you need to hold down the + - button to change the apeture value.

Even nikon users envy the Canon rear wheel.

40D has FEC button ontop that allows you to change the value without moving your eye from the viewfinder.

The 40D is designed to change shot settings by either keeping your eye in the viewfinder or by looking at the top of the camera. XSi has no top LCD readout so you're either keeping your eye in the viewfinder or looking at the very large LCD screen on the back to change settings. Using the rear LCD for shot settings uses more battery power compared the top LCD on the 40D.

40D has 9 cross type AF sensors using f5.6 or faster lenses (with is basically all Canon and Sigma lenses that are and have been in production for the past several years). XSi only has a cross type AF sensor at the center spot.

Unless you are specifically wanting a very small camera, a 40D is just a better camera with more controls, better performance, and more features. And a $300 price difference now sure isn't a lot when it used to be $500 a couple years ago.

Talula said:

Why is that?

Click to expand...

Probably to target P&S users upgrading to an entry level dSLR. Most P&S's use SD so they'll be able to use their old cards. Plus SD is smaller and that component can take up less space.

CF is really a dinosaur flash card. It's large in comparison to SD (which is the dominant flash card now). CF is only around because it has more capacity and is faster than the best SD cards.

--
Have a great and wonderful Day !! Cheers !!

See China's Best (new !! ) at http://www.jonrp.smugmug.com