Customer Rating: 
Summary: Review of Canon Rebel Xti (400D)
Comment: Very good camera. Provides a lot of flexibility in taking pictures. It is reliable, and the price is very good.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Canon Rebel XTi compared to Canon 40D
Comment: My husband and I regularly use the XTi and 40D, both with separate Canon 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 zooms. (He always used the lens, so I caved and bought a 2nd one - it's a great all-around.) We've used these bodies for nearly a year now.
My husband has large hands, but he prefers the XTi body. I like the extra weight of the 40D, especially for a largish lens like the Canon 70-200mm L. The smaller XTi body fits better into holster bags. The off-on switch is easier to operate on the XTi - it sticks out, whereas the 40D's off-on switch is flatter to the body. The XTi's buttons and menus seem a bit more intuitive than the 40D, but has fewer options for people who like to fiddle with new things. I think the 40D battery lasts longer than the XTi, although that's an impression, not a scientific study.
(For the record, I had a chance to shoot with the Sony Alpha A200. That body feels cheaper to me in its build. And I think the lens choices are much better for Canon and Nikon.)
Looking at similar shots taken with identical lenses, it is very difficult to differentiate between the results. We are amateurs. My husband likes landscape mode, I like Av mode. One huge difference between these cameras is that the 40D has the ability to automatically set the ISO film speed in creative modes as well as point-and-shoot modes. When I'm using the XTi, I find it a pain to have to remember to check the ISO number and set it for conditions. For example, as it gets darker towards dusk, you might want to set the ISO to 400 rather than 100. (Remember: for both bodies, the ISO setting is automatic for basic modes like "landscape," but I shoot mostly in Av mode.)
Another interesting difference is the sky. When the XTi takes a picture of, say, a sunset in landscape mode, the sky is rich and red while the rest of the shoot is too dark. If I use landscape mode (or Av, for that matter) with the 40D, it adjusts things so that the sky is always washed out or white in order to make the rest of the shot visible. It often washes out a blue sky to white as well, even shooting Av mode at aperture 22. So if I want to get that sky color (at the expense of everything else too dark,) I have to point at sky only, press shutter halfway for exposure, and then recompose the shot. Then the picture turns out like the XTi. (I know, I know - probably need to buy a graduated neutral density filter, but I am so lazy and so cheap.)
Something else to consider is that the accessories for these two cameras are not compatible. Although the CompactFlash cards are the same, the remote switch for the 40D doesn't work with the XTi, the batteries and chargers are not interchangeable, etc. This makes the pair less than perfect backups for one another, and more stuff to haul on a trip.
For the price, I think the XTi is a better bargain than the 40D, although I suspect it's a lot like my brain: I'm only using the 40D at 18% of it's true capacity! Although I would still choose the 40D over the XTi, my husband prefers the XTi. For people who don't do weird things like reset the white balance or shoot in raw, the XTi is a superb choice - it's just an outstanding deal now that the prices have dropped even further. If you're not a real gadget nerd, I'd recommend buying the Xti, taking the money you save over the 40D and putting it towards a great lens.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Best bet for beginners!!!!
Comment: This camera is great. Although my title suggests this is best bet for beginners, this camera can be great for intermediate to semi-pro photographers with a limited budget.
Pros
- Relatively economic compared to other higher end Canon D-SLRs. Value for money. I purchased:
- This camera (body only)
- a 4 GB CF card
- Canon 200dg Camera bag
- Canon 50mm f1.8 lens
- Extra battery for Canon
All this for a total of $690.
- Excellent resolution pictures with a lot of detail.
- LCD is larger and brighter.
- The 9 point AF is fast, accurate and performs well in low light.
- Settings are very easy to get to. For eg it is very easy and quick to change ISO and AF modes
- Low noise as you go higher up in ISO modes. This is extremely important in low light situations where you want good pictures with less noise.
Cons
- The kit lens is disappointing. I purchased a Tamron 17-50mm instead and am extremely happy with the buy.
- Sporadic shooting after buffer gets full when shooting in continuous mode. You will face this when shooting sport pictures. you have to know after how many shots the buffer gets full in order to not wait between taking pictures. It takes about 15-20 seconds for the camera to get back to normal once the buffer is full.
- Same issue as above when using built-in flash. you will be able to shoot 4-6 pictures without any issue but then the flash will need to recharge and this again takes 15-20 seconds before you can start shooting again.
- No spot metering. Not a big issue for beginners.
- uses CF card. I am not a big fan of CF cards and that is why I put this as a con.
- If there is data in the buffer and you open the CF card compartment, you will lose the data as it shuts off the camera.
Overcall, the camera is great. Even with the Cons, the XTi is Canon's best selling D-SLR camera for the reasons I have listed above. Most important the value for money. One cannot go wrong with this camera.
However, for those enthusiasts who are wanting to get into photography and are looking for a good D-SLR camera, should also look at Rebel XS. This is a model that is between the XTi and the XSi, with features from both the models and improvements from the XTi. It is priced well as well at $699 (less if you are able to find a good deal).
I own the XTi and am extremely happy. This camera is the perfect way to begin photography. It can easily get you to semi-pro level after which you can start looking at other high end cameras. And the best thing is all the lenses you buy for the XTi, work with all Canon cameras (Note: there are exceptions, please make sure the lens you buy will work on Full Frame cameras).
Customer Rating:
Summary: Cool Camera
Comment: For the money I don't know if you will find a better camera. I like the Nikons too, but for 600 bucks a 10 megapixel dslr is a very good deal. Only thing: I don't like the stock lens. Getting a fixed lens is better.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Best digital SLR I have ever held.
Comment: Moved up from film SLR and cheapo digital Kodak cameras to a real digital SLR.
Love it, had it a while now. Even though there are many controls, still use it on "automatic" since it does so well.
Using it for family pictures so there are a lot of situations with different light and motion. Still learning on extreme closeup, which is the hardest for me but I just need to learn how the camera works for that.
I use 1 Gig cards and external card readers to save wear and tear (if it even wears or tears I don't really know)
We plan on gettng a new DV camera soon and I'm going to get a Canon that fits the same battery type so I can interchange them. Really like the quality of the Canon products.
Summary: Review of Canon Rebel Xti (400D)
Comment: Very good camera. Provides a lot of flexibility in taking pictures. It is reliable, and the price is very good.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Canon Rebel XTi compared to Canon 40D
Comment: My husband and I regularly use the XTi and 40D, both with separate Canon 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 zooms. (He always used the lens, so I caved and bought a 2nd one - it's a great all-around.) We've used these bodies for nearly a year now.
My husband has large hands, but he prefers the XTi body. I like the extra weight of the 40D, especially for a largish lens like the Canon 70-200mm L. The smaller XTi body fits better into holster bags. The off-on switch is easier to operate on the XTi - it sticks out, whereas the 40D's off-on switch is flatter to the body. The XTi's buttons and menus seem a bit more intuitive than the 40D, but has fewer options for people who like to fiddle with new things. I think the 40D battery lasts longer than the XTi, although that's an impression, not a scientific study.
(For the record, I had a chance to shoot with the Sony Alpha A200. That body feels cheaper to me in its build. And I think the lens choices are much better for Canon and Nikon.)
Looking at similar shots taken with identical lenses, it is very difficult to differentiate between the results. We are amateurs. My husband likes landscape mode, I like Av mode. One huge difference between these cameras is that the 40D has the ability to automatically set the ISO film speed in creative modes as well as point-and-shoot modes. When I'm using the XTi, I find it a pain to have to remember to check the ISO number and set it for conditions. For example, as it gets darker towards dusk, you might want to set the ISO to 400 rather than 100. (Remember: for both bodies, the ISO setting is automatic for basic modes like "landscape," but I shoot mostly in Av mode.)
Another interesting difference is the sky. When the XTi takes a picture of, say, a sunset in landscape mode, the sky is rich and red while the rest of the shoot is too dark. If I use landscape mode (or Av, for that matter) with the 40D, it adjusts things so that the sky is always washed out or white in order to make the rest of the shot visible. It often washes out a blue sky to white as well, even shooting Av mode at aperture 22. So if I want to get that sky color (at the expense of everything else too dark,) I have to point at sky only, press shutter halfway for exposure, and then recompose the shot. Then the picture turns out like the XTi. (I know, I know - probably need to buy a graduated neutral density filter, but I am so lazy and so cheap.)
Something else to consider is that the accessories for these two cameras are not compatible. Although the CompactFlash cards are the same, the remote switch for the 40D doesn't work with the XTi, the batteries and chargers are not interchangeable, etc. This makes the pair less than perfect backups for one another, and more stuff to haul on a trip.
For the price, I think the XTi is a better bargain than the 40D, although I suspect it's a lot like my brain: I'm only using the 40D at 18% of it's true capacity! Although I would still choose the 40D over the XTi, my husband prefers the XTi. For people who don't do weird things like reset the white balance or shoot in raw, the XTi is a superb choice - it's just an outstanding deal now that the prices have dropped even further. If you're not a real gadget nerd, I'd recommend buying the Xti, taking the money you save over the 40D and putting it towards a great lens.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Best bet for beginners!!!!
Comment: This camera is great. Although my title suggests this is best bet for beginners, this camera can be great for intermediate to semi-pro photographers with a limited budget.
Pros
- Relatively economic compared to other higher end Canon D-SLRs. Value for money. I purchased:
- This camera (body only)
- a 4 GB CF card
- Canon 200dg Camera bag
- Canon 50mm f1.8 lens
- Extra battery for Canon
All this for a total of $690.
- Excellent resolution pictures with a lot of detail.
- LCD is larger and brighter.
- The 9 point AF is fast, accurate and performs well in low light.
- Settings are very easy to get to. For eg it is very easy and quick to change ISO and AF modes
- Low noise as you go higher up in ISO modes. This is extremely important in low light situations where you want good pictures with less noise.
Cons
- The kit lens is disappointing. I purchased a Tamron 17-50mm instead and am extremely happy with the buy.
- Sporadic shooting after buffer gets full when shooting in continuous mode. You will face this when shooting sport pictures. you have to know after how many shots the buffer gets full in order to not wait between taking pictures. It takes about 15-20 seconds for the camera to get back to normal once the buffer is full.
- Same issue as above when using built-in flash. you will be able to shoot 4-6 pictures without any issue but then the flash will need to recharge and this again takes 15-20 seconds before you can start shooting again.
- No spot metering. Not a big issue for beginners.
- uses CF card. I am not a big fan of CF cards and that is why I put this as a con.
- If there is data in the buffer and you open the CF card compartment, you will lose the data as it shuts off the camera.
Overcall, the camera is great. Even with the Cons, the XTi is Canon's best selling D-SLR camera for the reasons I have listed above. Most important the value for money. One cannot go wrong with this camera.
However, for those enthusiasts who are wanting to get into photography and are looking for a good D-SLR camera, should also look at Rebel XS. This is a model that is between the XTi and the XSi, with features from both the models and improvements from the XTi. It is priced well as well at $699 (less if you are able to find a good deal).
I own the XTi and am extremely happy. This camera is the perfect way to begin photography. It can easily get you to semi-pro level after which you can start looking at other high end cameras. And the best thing is all the lenses you buy for the XTi, work with all Canon cameras (Note: there are exceptions, please make sure the lens you buy will work on Full Frame cameras).
Customer Rating:
Summary: Cool Camera
Comment: For the money I don't know if you will find a better camera. I like the Nikons too, but for 600 bucks a 10 megapixel dslr is a very good deal. Only thing: I don't like the stock lens. Getting a fixed lens is better.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Best digital SLR I have ever held.
Comment: Moved up from film SLR and cheapo digital Kodak cameras to a real digital SLR.
Love it, had it a while now. Even though there are many controls, still use it on "automatic" since it does so well.
Using it for family pictures so there are a lot of situations with different light and motion. Still learning on extreme closeup, which is the hardest for me but I just need to learn how the camera works for that.
I use 1 Gig cards and external card readers to save wear and tear (if it even wears or tears I don't really know)
We plan on gettng a new DV camera soon and I'm going to get a Canon that fits the same battery type so I can interchange them. Really like the quality of the Canon products.
Canon Digital Rebel XTi 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens (Black) Reviews: Page 7 of 126
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