Canon EOS 450D (EOS Digital Rebel XSi / EOS Kiss X2) review

Exellent value/quality camera.
I come from EOS 5 film camera and it is my first DSLR.
I am always surprised about people criticising plastic bodies. I still have my eos5 (semi-pro camera) that I bought in 1995. it is made of plastic but have no visible scratches (exept hot shoe, and near the tripod screw) and it did not break because of my heavy L lenses attached on it. So I expect the 450D/Xsi to be as long lasting...just don't drop it from a cliff or take a bath with it.

The 450D has all the functions you need to take good pictures, the rest it up to you.

It is light so good news if you walk about for a whole day.

You can buy this relatively cheap camera and go for more expensive lenses.

12MP is good enought for me (and for most of us) as I do not go bigger than A3 format and I do not spend my time looking at picture blown at 200% on my PC. I like to see the whole picture.
I use prime lenses and L lenses and IQ is very good. I also bought the 10-22 and it work very well.

Get good SDHC with this camera.

Excellent battery life.

Some complain about focus, but it work very well, do not go full auto and stick with the central AF point (cross type).

I had to choose between 500D and 50D but didn't care for more pixels (and more noise), uncomplete video capabilities, and they are both not wheaterproof. So I went for the 450D/Xsi. I'll wait for Canon to come with the 7D mk2 then maybe I'll upgrade.

Problems:

Size is a bit in the small side and the first thing I bought after the camera was a battery grip. Now it is fine.

My 450D does overexpose from 2/3 to 1 EV and I have to compensate all the time or correct it with DPP.
So I wrote to Canon who asked me to send it back to be checked and I am waiting for it to come back, I will then correct the IQ from Good to excellent (hopefully)

Frame per second maybe a bit low, but, how many time a year do you need more. I did airshows without any trouble.

ISO 1600 but again, dont need it very often and with good lenses and/or good flash no pbs.