AN ACTUAL END USER REVIEW >>>
I've owned digital cameras since the beginning... before megapixel was even used to describe the abilities. That was probably around 1997. Back in 2002 or so, digital was finally hitting the masses with some quality stuff. I bought a Sony DSC-F717 after some thorough research on dpreview. From what I could determine at the time, it was the best consumer camera I could buy before leaping a few thousand more for a *professional camera. I also thought Sony was ahead of the game in several respects--speed, battery, etc. It cost about $900 at the time. Well, the camera finally started malfunctioning... it's a guessing game when pictures will save. That is what brings me to my new purchase... I needed something more reliable.
NAME
Over time, I've observed several circles of people. Canon, without a doubt, has won the award for well established products in digital photography. When I told people I had a Sony during the (what I call it) "digital camera wars" people would have the "deer in the headlights look"--just blank. Mention Canon and people start drooling. With that sort of reaction, you know where to look for the next buy.
PURCHASE
I did my research on dpreview and waited patiently for the past month while stores could populate their shelves with them. Finally, my Amazon notice arrived telling me I could order one. I didn't know what to make out for the sellers through amazon. I didn't recognize any of the names. I can definitely understand another reviewers frustration at finding the product anywhere. With the economy the way it is, etc. I would not be surprised if you don't find a lot of these on store shelves. Anyway, after some more searching, I came across newegg and decided to go with them (internet order). Best Buy just started selling them online at a reasonable price. A week ago, they wanted $1200 or $1300 for the camera with lens kit. It's down to $899.
MEGAPIXELS
15.1 megapixels is amazing. I remember back when researching for my Sony, Kodak had just announced a 13 or 15 megapixel camera (it might have been 23, I don't really remember anymore). The price was well outside of my reach. I dreamed about the day I would own one. I've finally taken a picture across the room and can observe the person's pores later.
LENS
Where I messed up on my Sony purchase in the past was that I couldn't change out the lens. I could only attach additional lens pieces (filters). Well, I've since learned. I'm looking forward to getting the most out this and potentially cross over into the professional world at some point. As for working with it on this camera, it's a piece of cake.
I do worry about that day that comes and I accidentally end up doing something dumb when I'm in the middle of putting the lens on. Did I say worried? I meant terrified... It's not unlike my Sony though, I was terrified of scratching the lens--that's not easily replaceable.
BODY
I miss the metallic feel of my Sony. I don't miss the weight. There were a number of times I can remember that I had to hold my arm up in order to keep shooting with my Sony. So far, I enjoy this less weight. I, however, feel like the case will break when I accidentally drop the camera one day---and yes, it will happen some day.
SPEED
OMG. My Sony was fast and will still beat a number of consumer cameras out there. My Canon 500D made my jaw drop. I think I even kissed it too. Taking pictures... fast. Focusing... fast. Taking continuous pictures... fast. Reviewing pictures... fast. Reviewing several pictures... fast. I think you get the point. For your regular point and shoot it's lovely. For working more manual, the weakest link is usually the operator.
OVERHEATING
The manual warns about overheating if you use the rear LCD too long. Yikes! Especially when it comes time to do video. You're forced to use the rear LCD for everything and you can't turn it off. You're damned if you do and damned if you don't.
See Problems (below) for REAR LCD and MOVIE/VIDEO piece of Review
OVERALL
I'm happy with my purchase. In hindsight, I think I should have bought the 450D for half the price and then purchased a nice Sony video camera.
Problems:
REAR LCD
Large and amazing. Years ago when I first starting seeing these get larger, I didn't think I would like them that much. Well, bigger is better.
This is also where some of my complaints come in... I assumed taking pictures in this mode would work like my Sony. Boy was I wrong. This "touch here to focus" and large box in the middle (Live View / Smile detection) is a joke. They wanted a marketing piece plug for what some of the very cheap cameras can do. I expected more in this department. Then again, I don't really plan to use the view finder for my picture taking.
MOVIE
I assumed the video would work similar to my Sony. Boy was I wrong here also. There's a reason Sony is a leader in consumer video. Canon is far from it. On this camera, I fear it's one of those technologies that forces the user to adapt everything in the scene to it. I can't always stop my video recording and adjust the camera to a new focus and then start the camera back up. It's like telling your son to pause the football game while you adjust the focus... get real. (side note, you can manual focus easily)
Auto focus should lock on and stay on subject as they move around. sigh. It's a limitation of the Canon technology. I don't think they will ever be there. I tried to focus while I was shooting a scene... I was not prepared for the loud focus noise captured in it.
I'm skeptical how much I'll get along with the video abilities. It's one of those features I really wanted to work well. I didn't care about the 1080 20fps issue, 720 is fine. It's still choppy though... I'm going to try buying a class 6 memory card and see what the difference is. I'm currently using class 4.
