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So the light, compact body is an unexpected additional benefit. The old Rebel flash unit burned out every photo we ever tried with it. All our old Canon lenses work on the new camera as well, especially the 50 mm fixed lens that we use for family portrait shots. We've had the Canon Digital Rebel XSi for a few weeks now, and I am impressed by both the quality of the pictures it produces (with the 18-55 mm IS lens), and the small footprint and light weight of this camera. So far, so good. But this XSi is really no heavier or larger than our latest Olympus point-and-shoot, so we may be rethinking our approach. We usually reserve the SLR that we are using for the more intense photo opportunities, and a good point-and-shoot for general travel usage, where its lighter weight and less cumbersome support equipment is a welcome respite for the shoulder muscles. The XSi is a move up for us from one of the earliest Digital Rebel camera models that came out a few years ago, mostly so we could take advantage of a better-controlled internal flash unit and the new image-stabilization lenses.
This is a VERY nice camera. Now I love the light weight of this camera and it's no longer an issue "lugging" it around. While shooting sports, lag is always an issue, I have detected none.The battery is excellent. My old camera was an A2E and it was built like a tank.
When I first started using this camera I noticed I was not using the setting I thought I was. If you just want to shoot decent shots keep the 18-55mm lens on it. When you get more money you will at some time want to upgrade it, there should be no rush as it's a very capable lens and it has image stabilization. When I was shutting off the camera my finger was rubbing against the exposure wheel and it was changing the setting. (Hey, who makes better glass than Canon).Now for my real only complaint. The camera starts up instantly and takes the picture I want with no lag.
It's a feather, but this is a starter lens. Since becoming aware if this I have had no more problems with it.You will be very pleased if you purchase this camera. I was a little apprehensive over the case being plastic. Then I started thinking how they build planes out of plastic, so that concern was negated (at least in my head, and I was going from a tank to plane) so I bought it.
Particularly like the ability to capture in RAW in the custom mode and immediately switch to JPEG capture in the preset mode by just turning the dial. Use a 5D for deliberate work but find it too heavy for a walk around camera. Also benefit from extending the telephoto lens when needed with the XSi. Upgraded my lighweight travel camera to the XSi from a Pentax iST DSLR. Very satisfied with the Canon.
For the advanced amateur, this is the camera for you. I love the creative flexibility of this camera. I've just upgraded from the 300D to the new XSI. What a difference in terms of speed, options and the 12 MP are incredible.
Also, I haven't had any problems with the auto-focus issues that some have described - though now that I'm shooting in what's called Av or aperture priority mode, I changed my AF setting to use the center point instead of the all points mode and I get great focusing.P.S. If you don't have a friend that can help you, I definitely recommend studying the basic mechanical concepts and reading up on composition tips - and then go out and shoot a ton of photos [just for fun] and try out some different things. Don't try to shoot flying butterflies, it's not practical :) This is my first SLR and it only took three years of research and self-justification to finally take the plunge and so far I don't have any regrets.I went with the 18-55 kit lens and the matching 55-250 lens to stay within a budget and even my worse pictures in automatic mode are optically better than my late model point and shoot.Moving from a point and shoot to an SLR is a little overwhelming. Concepts like aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and how they relate do take some time to understand but once you get past that hurdle - all of the buttons just seem to make sense somehow.
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