Canon T1i Review

I couldn't wait to my hands on the new Canon T1i. It was a stretch for my budget but had most of the 5d mkll features. I was excited. I pre-ordered a body (I already have 2 xti's and lenses) but the only the kits are/were available so I upgrade to get it before a SciFi convention I attended. Higher iso and video, for the less than optimal lighting in the hall where the Celebs were speaking, attracted me. I tested the video for memory consumption rate the day I got it, no problem for a 20 minute test run. I saw a little white bar on the right side of the screen appear get a little bigger, then disappear. I figured it was a buffer level. Next day at the convention during Jeri Ryan's appearance I took a few stills and flipped into the video mode, nice.... until it stopped after a few minutes. Set it back up, pushed record again a few minutes later stopped, no warning, no beep, just stopped. Try again, now I notice the buffer bar reaches the top, it stops. I am using a kingston 8 gig class 6 sdhc, freshly formatted by the camera. That sucks! I missed a lot of good video because this new marvelous camera can't write fast enough. This occured on 2 different but identical cards so I thought the camera was having problems. It was on the 720p mode, 1080 mode could only go 8 seconds.

****Update---I talked to Canon, to make a long story short, this camera is a bit finicky about which cards you put in it. Both kingston class 6 (fastest class) had problems, tried a kingston micro class 4 (slower) 4 gig and it worked fine, tried 2 Polaroid/pny 8 gig class 4's and they worked fine with only 1 buffer bar appearing occasionally, even on 1080. Canon guy seemed to like the sandisk brand. This begs the question of how can a class 4 work better than the class 6? I have a sandisk extreme III on order and will update this info if I have more problems with that. My wrath now turns to Kingston, who service has been xlnt.

***update kingston- I returned a card to kingston, they sent a new one just as bad as the slow originals, which indicates ALL this type kingston are mot going to work in this camera for video.

******Another update, with a Sandisk 8 Gb Extreme lll card the video worked fine, no buffer bar at all. Perhaps there should be a recommended list of sdhc cards so others don't have the trouble I did.

That said, I was able to test the video as follows: I have tested my T1i for memory usage in video mode, here are the results using a Sandisk 8 Gig Extreme III:

T1i Video Memory Usage Rates for a 1 minute file.

1080 mode 282 MB
720 mode 194 MB
480 mode 131MB

Following is for 5 minute file
1080 = 1,383 MB
720 = 988 MB
480 = 638

Any 1 clip can be 4GB max, so the following is an approximate max clip length

1080 about 14 minutes
720 about 20 minutes
480 about 30 minutes

These figures are approximate as the content of the video will affect the compression and amount of memory actually used but these are pretty close to an average time you should expect. I did a little rounding so these are probably the on the low side you may get a little more time, but not much, maybe a minute.

You can shoot as much video as the card will hold, just any 1 uninterrupted clip cannot be longer than 4 gig.

Shooting Video also eats the battery, buy extras, one Battery per every 8 gig card should be about right.

Bottom line-MAKE SURE you thoroughly test and 'season' the memory card BEFORE counting on getting complete videos. The first cards I tried did work on day 1 for 20 minutes but the buffer bar got to 3 or 4. Day 2 (the convention) was a different story, you read it above. DO NOT use KINGSTON CARDS.

Stills are pretty good but I noticed on blowing them up the noise almost looks like dusty distorted scratchy marks on the sensor, not just the colored freckles. My XTi is better, My Nikon d200 is better, my Nikon d40 is better in the noise department. I cranked up the iso to speed up my shutter and some of the shots looked like very dirty/dusty slides I have from the 70's. I guess you can choose between the noise or slow shutter speed with the movement blur, or both. See the customer images for a sample of the noise at 6400 iso.

****update on stills Still shot Capacity on 8 gig card
Large + RAW =286
Just RAW = 359
Large = 1375
Medium = 2334
Small = 4175
* if you shoot any video mixed with the stills these numbers drop very fast.

Other review sites had a pre-release version of this camera and they had the same video problem, (they did not name the sdhc card they were using, but I'd bet it was a kingston). Unfortunately there were not any reviews of actual cameras when I ordered it, just press releases. Now you have been warned and now you have this review. When you lose the video as the couple says 'I do' or other critical moment, you'll curse too.

***I currently put a SanDisk 8 gb sdhc extreme III rated at 20 MB/Second, far and above the minimum class 6 rating of 6MB/sec, it seems to work flawlessly today, we'll see about tomorrow, but this showed no signs of the buffer bar on the side, looks promising!

***update SanDisk still working xlnt.

If you are going to do Video, and it important at all, I can only recommend the SanDisk 8 gb sdhc extreme III at this point. Just be warned that the video mode is very demanding and picky about the performance of the card, just the class rating is not to be counted on, as I found out the hard way. Some class 4's may work, even class 2's but that buffer bar will start showing up.

>>>>>>>> Be Safe Buy the Sandisk Extreme III.
>>>>>>>> Another user says Transcend 16GB Class 6 SDHC is performing well in video

***Notes on Video File format generated by the t1i-
This camera saves the video in .MOV files, which is fine if you have an apple/mac, BUT if you run xp, you must convert this format file to something else (avi, mpeg,...etc)in order to make a dvd with the commonly found software. Canon DOES NOT provide any software to deal with .mov conversion or transferring to a dvd to be played by a dvd player. This makes life a lot more complicated. Sure you can search around, get a file converter, then import to a dvd maker, then burn a dvd. Why should I have to search for these utilities and go through all that? Why couldn't canon have just put a simple dvd transfer or mov converter program in the bundle? Or have I just not found it yet?

Canon, please remember, K.I.S.S. is a good principle.

Description

 Canon Breaks the $1,000 Mark Again with the First EOS Rebel Camera to Feature HD Movie Recording Capabilities, DIGIC 4 Imaging Processor and 15.1 Megapixel Resolution

The EOS Rebel T1i Digital SLR camera, the first in the Rebel line to feature Full HD video capture. The new Canon Rebel T1i SLR incorporates some of the best technologies from the EOS 50D and EOS 5D Mark II models into an entry-level juggernaut. With a 15.1 megapixel CMOS sensor and HD video capture, along with the DIGIC 4 Imaging Processor, the Rebel T1i gives aspiring photographers plenty of reason to step-up to the latest and greatest model in the Rebel lineup.

The new Canon EOS Rebel T1i raises the entry-level bar with a host of enhanced Canon technologies now available in an entry-level DSLR. Along with the boost in megapixels and Canon's most advanced imaging processor to-date, this latest Rebel camera has also been enhanced with HD video capture, a 3.0-inch Clear View LCD (920,000 dots/VGA) monitor and user-friendly functions such as Auto Lighting Optimizer, Creative Auto Mode and Canon's Live View modes, all the right tools to open new doors for imaging enAs a resultiasts. From high-resolution to high-definition, the new EOS Rebel T1i Digital SLR camera helps to give creative consumers a jumpstart on the next evolution in digital imaging.

"We are witnessing the emergence of a new phase in digital imaging history, as high-resolution still images and HD video can now both be produced in a hand-held device, for under $1,000. This is truly a great time to be involved in digital imaging as the advent of online communities are helping usher in this next great era in imaging," stated Yuichi Ishizuka, senior vice president and general manager, Consumer Imaging Group, Canon U.S.A

Features

The muscle behind Canon's new EOS Rebel T1i camera is the DIGIC 4 Imaging Processor with 14-bit analog-to-digital conversion and the ability to process full HD video. The Canon EOS Rebel T1i Digital SLR offers continuous shooting at 3.4 fps for up to 170 large/fine JPEG images or up to nine RAW images in a single burst when using a class 6 or higher SD or SDHC memory card. Whether capturing wildlife on the run or a child mid-stride on the soccer field, users will appreciate the fast shooting capabilities of the Rebel T1i Digital SLR camera.

With the combination of its 15.1-megapixel APS-C size CMOS image sensor and the powerful new DIGIC 4 image processor, the Canon EOS Rebel T1i camera provides ISO speeds from ISO 100 up to ISO 3200 in whole stop increments, along with two additional high-speed ISO settings – H1: 6400 and H2: 12800.

The EOS Rebel T1i Digital SLR utilizes a precise nine-point Autofocus (AF) system and AF sensor for enhanced subject detection. The new EOS Rebel T1i DSLR provides a cross-type AF measurement at the center that is effective with all EF and EF-S lenses, while providing enhanced precision with lenses having maximum apertures of f/2.8 or faster. The cross-type AF measurement reads a wider variety of subject matter than conventional single-axis AF sensors and As a result increases the new camera's ability to autofocus quickly and accurately when shooting still images.

The EOS Rebel T1i camera is compatible with Canon's complete line of over 60 Canon EF and EF-S lenses, to help provide an incredible variety of visual effects to both still and video imaging capture, including ultra-wide-angle and fish-eye to macro and super-telephoto. This includes all of Canon's large-aperture EF L-series professional lenses.

HD and SD Video Capture
After the introduction of the EOS 5D Mark II in September 2008, the Company's first HD video DSLR, Canon has integrated this must-have feature into the new entry-level flagship EOS Rebel T1i camera. The camera features 16:9 720p HD video capture at 30 fps as well as a Full HD 1080p video capture at 20 fps, and a third option to record 4:3 standard TV quality (SD) video capture at 640 x 480 pixels and 30 fps. The video capture mode is part of the camera's Live View function, using the Picture Style that has been set for Live View still image shooting. The camera allows skilled photographers and enAs a resultiasts to adjust image sharpness, contrast, color saturation and white balance, and have those settings apply to the movie image as well. When recording video, the camera's rear LCD screen is letter-boxed by a semi-transparent border to match the aspect ratio of the movie recording size.

Like the EOS 5D Mark II model, the EOS Rebel T1i camera will record video up to 4GB per clip equaling approximately 12 minutes of Full HD video, 18 minutes of 720p HD video, or 24 minutes of SD video depending on the level of detail in the scene.i Video clips are recorded in .MOV format using an MPEG-4 video compression and sound is recorded using linear PCMii without compression. The camera features a built-in monaural microphone to record sound. To help show off those fantastic movies as well as still photos, the EOS Rebel T1i camera includes an HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) output to display crisp, clear images on a High-Definition TV.

Live View Shooting
Much like the EOS 5D Mark II, the Canon EOS Rebel T1i camera features Live View for both still images as well as video. The Rebel T1i features the Company's three Live View AF modes – Quick, Live and Face Detection Live mode – which can be used to capture still photos or video images. Quick mode automatically sets One-Shot AF using the camera's phase detection AF system. It also allows users to select the AF point, even while the Live View image is displayed. Although the camera's reflex mirror must be lowered briefly to take an AF measurement in Quick mode, it is the fastest way to set focus automatically when the Rebel T1i camera is set for Live View.

Live mode uses contrast-detection AF with the image sensor and here, as with Quick mode, users can change the location of the active AF point using the Multi-controller. Face Detection Live mode uses contrast AF to recognize human faces. When multiple faces are detected, the largest face closest to the center of the frame is targeted as the AF point. While Live View is engaged, users can still change settings including the AF mode (Quick, Live, Face Detection Live mode), drive mode, ISO speed, Picture style, White Balance and more.

Auto Lighting Optimizer
Canon's Auto Lighting Optimizer technology helps ensure that the subject of each picture is clearly visible by analyzing image brightness and automatically adjusting dark areas in images so they appear brighter. This is ideal when shooting high-contrast situations that include harsh shadow areas, such as landscape images where the foreground is brightly lit and the background detail blanketed in dark shadow. In a scene such as this, the EOS Rebel T1i camera's Auto Lighting Optimizer technology maintains exposure of the highlight areas while lightening shadow areas for a more enjoyable and evenly illuminated image. The EOS Rebel T1i also supports Peripheral Illumination Correction for up to 40 Canon EF and EF-S lenses.

Canon's Creative Auto Mode
Canon's "CA" Creative Full Auto setting available on the EOS Rebel T1i, EOS 50D and EOS 5D Mark II cameras allows users to make image adjustments such as exposure compensation, aperture or shutter speed through a simple navigation screen on the camera's LCD screen, allowing them to "blur the background" or "lighten or darken the image" with ease. These easy-to-understand image options allow learning-photographers to experiment with image options while still shooting in an automatic mode.

EOS Integrated Cleaning System
With the introduction of the EOS Rebel T1i camera, the entire Canon EOS system is now equipped with the highly acclaimed EOS Integrated Cleaning System. The Self-Cleaning Sensor Unit for the Canon EOS Rebel T1i has been upgraded with a fluorine coating on the low-pass filter for better dust resistance.

Pricing and Availability
The Canon EOS Rebel T1i Digital SLR Camera is scheduled for delivery by early May and will be sold in a body-only configuration which includes a rechargeable battery pack and charger, USB and video cables, a neckstrap, an EOS Solutions Disk CD and a 1-year Canon U.S.A., Inc. limited warranty at an estimated retail price of $799.99iii. It will additionally be offered in a kit version with Canon's EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS zoom lens at an estimated retail price of $899.99iv.

Canon Speedlite 270EX
The new Canon Speedlite 270EX, the successor to the 220EX Speedlite model, is a compact, lightweight external flash option for Canon cameras including select Canon PowerShot models. Ideal for use with the new EOS Rebel T1i, the new Speedlite 270EX uses only two AA batteries and enables bounce flash shooting with four position steps from 0 degrees to 90 degrees. Like Canon's high-end Speedlite flash models, the 270EX allows users to control flash functions and input settings using the camera's LCD monitor. The flash also features a quick-lock mechanism and a metal mounting foot for secure and easy attachment and reliable contact.

Specifications

Type: Digital, single-lens reflex, AF/AE camera
Recording Media: SD memory card, SDHC memory card
Image Sensor Size: 22.3mm x 14.9mm (APS-C size)
Compatible Lenses: Canon EF lenses including EF-S lenses (35mm-equivalent focal length is approx. 1.6x the lens focal length)
Lens Mount: Canon EF mount

Image Sensor
Type: High-sensitivity, high-resolution, large single-plate CMOS sensor
Pixels: Effective pixels: Approx. 15.10 megapixels
Total pixels: Approx. 15.50 megapixels
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 (Horizontal: Vertical)
Color Filter System: RGB primary color filters
Low-pass Filter: Fixed position in front of the CMOS sensor
Dust Deletion feature:
(1) Self Cleaning Sensor Unit
(2) Dust Delete Data appended to the captured image
(3) Manual cleaning of sensor

Recording System
Recording Format: Design rule for Camera File System 2.0 and Exif 2.21 Image Type
Still: JPEG, RAW (14-bit, Canon original), RAW+JPEG Video: MOV (Image data: H.264, Audio: Linear PCM)

File Size
(1) Large/Fine: Approx. 5.0MB (4752 x 3168 pixels)
(2) Large/Normal: Approx. 2.5MB (4752 x 3168 pixels)
(3) Medium/Fine: Approx. 3.0MB (3456 x 2304 pixels)
(4) Medium/Normal: Approx. 1.6MB (3456 x 2304 pixels)
(5) Small/Fine: Approx. 1.7MB (2352 x 1568 pixels)
(6) Small/Normal: Approx. 0.9MB (2352 x 1568 pixels)
(7) RAW: Approx. 20.2MB (4752 x 3168 pixels)
Exact file sizes depend on the subject, ISO speed, Picture Style, etc.

File Numbering: Consecutive numbering, auto reset, manual reset
RAW + JPEG Simultaneous Recording: Provided (RAW, RAW+JPEG)
Color Space: sRGB, Adobe RGB selectable
Picture Style: Standard, Portrait, Landscape, Neutral, Faithful, Monochrome, User Def. 1-3

Image Processing
Type: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten Light, White Fluorescent Light, Flash, Custom
Color Temperature Compensation: White balance correction: ±9 stops in full-stop increments
White balance bracketing: ±3 stops in full-stop increments
Blue/amber direction or magenta/green direction possible
Color Temperature Information Transmission Provided

Viewfinder:
Type: Eye-level pentaprism
Coverage: Vertical/Horizontal approx. 95%
Magnification: Approx. 0.87x (-1m-1 with 50mm lens at infinity)
Eyepoint: Approx. 19mm (from eyepiece lens center)
Built-in Dioptric Adjustment: -3.0 to +1.0m-1 (diopter)

Focusing Screen: Fixed, Precision Matte
Mirror: Quick-return half mirror (transmission: reflection ratio of 40:60, no mirror cut-off with EF600mm f/4L IS USM or shorter lenses)
Viewfinder Information: AF information (AF points, focus confirmation light), exposure information (shutter speed, aperture, AE lock, exposure level, ISO speed, exposure warning), flash information (flash ready, high-speed sync, FE lock, flash exposure compensation), monochrome shooting, white balance correction, maximum burst, SD memory card information Depth-of-Field Preview Enabled with depth-of-field preview button

Autofocus Type: TTL-CT-SIR AF-dedicated CMOS sensor
AF Points: 9 AF points (center AF point is cross-type)
Metering Range: EV -0.5-18 (at 73°F/23°C, ISO 100)
Focusing Modes: Auto, One-Shot AF, Predictive AI Servo AF, AI Focus AF, Manual Focusing (MF)
AF Point Selection: Automatic selection, manual selection
Selected AF Point Display: Superimposed in viewfinder and indicated on LCD monitor
AF-assist Beam: Intermittent firing of built-in flash
Effective range: Approx. 4.0m/13.1 ft. at center, approx. 3.5m/11.5 ft. at periphery. When EOS-dedicated Speedlite attached, the Speedlite's AF-assist beam is emitted instead.

Exposure Control
Metering Modes
35-zone TTL full-aperture metering
* Evaluative metering (linkable to any AF point)
* Partial metering (approx. 9% of viewfinder at center)
* Spot metering (approx. 4% of viewfinder at center)
* Center-weighted average metering

Metering Range: EV 1-20 (at 73°F/23°C with EF50mm f/1.4 USM lens, ISO 100)
Exposure Control: Program AE (Shiftable), Shutter-priority AE, Aperture-priority AE, Depth-of-field AE, Full auto, Full auto, Programmed image control mode, Manual exposure, E-TTL II autoflash program AE
ISO Speed (Recommended Exposure Index): ISO 100-3200 (in 1-stop increments), H1: 6400 H2: 12800%3B Basic Zone modes: ISO 100-3200 set automatically Exposure Compensation
Manual: ±2 stops in 1/3- or 1/2-stop increments (can be combined with AEB)

AE Lock
Auto: Applied in One-Shot AF mode with evaluative metering when focus is achieved%3B Manual: By AE lock button

Shutter
Type: Vertical-travel, mechanical, focal-plane shutter with all speeds electronically controlled
Shutter Speeds: 1/4000 sec. to 1/60 sec., X-sync at 1/200 sec.
1/4000 sec. to 30 sec., bulb (Total shutter speed range.
Available range varies by shooting mode)
Shutter Release: Soft-touch electromagnetic release
Self-timer: 10-sec. or 2-sec. delay or 10-sec. delay plus continuous shooting
Remote Control: Remote Switch RS-60E3
Remote Controller RC-1/RC-5

Built-in Flash
Type: Retractable, auto pop-up flash
Flash Metering: E-TTL II autoflash
Guide Number: 13/43 (ISO 100, in meters/feet)
Recycling Time: Approx. 3 sec.
Flash-ready Indicator: Flash-ready icon lights in viewfinder
Flash Coverage: 17mm lens angle of view
FE Lock: Provided
Flash Exposure Compensation: ±2 stops in 1/3- or 1/2-stop increments

Drive System
Drive Modes: Single, continuous, self-timer (10 sec. or 2 sec. delay)/remote control Continuous Shooting Speed Max. 3.4 shots/sec. (with One-Shot AF or AI Servo AF) Maximum Burst JPEG (Large/Fine): Approx. 170, RAW: Approx. 9 Based on Canon's testing standards with a 2GB SD memory card, ISO 100 and Standard Picture Style Varies depending on the subject, SD memory card brand, image-recording quality, etc.

Live View Functions
Shooting Modes: Still photo shooting and video shooting

Focusing: Autofocus (One-Shot AF): Live mode, Face Detection Live mode, Quick mode%3B Manual focus (5x or 10x manually)
Metering Modes: Real-time evaluative metering with image sensor
Metering Range: EV 0-20 (at 73°F/23°C with EF 50mm f/1.4 USM lens, ISO 100)
Grid Display: Provided (Two grid displays)
Exposure Simulation: Provided
Silent Shooting: Not provided

LCD Monitor
Type: TFT color, liquid-crystal monitor
Monitor Size: 3.0 in.
Dots: Approx. 920,000 dots (VGA)
Coverage: Approx. 100%
Viewing angle: 170°
Brightness Adjustment: 7 levels provided
Interface Languages: 25 (English, German, French, Dutch, Danish, Portuguese, Finnish, Italian, Norwegian, Swedish, Spanish, Greek, Russian, Polish, Czech, Hungarian, Romanian, Ukraine, Turkish, Arabic, Thai, Simplified/Traditional Chinese, Korean, Japanese)

Image Playback
Display Format: Single image, Single image + Image-recording quality, shooting information, histogram, 4- or 9-image index, magnified view (approx. 1.5x-10x), rotated image, image jump (by 1/10/100 images or shooting date)
Highlight Warning: Provided (Overexposed highlights blink)


Image Protection and Erase
Protect: Erase protect (or cancel) each image individually
Erase: Single image, selected images or all images in the SD card can be erased (except protected images)

Direct Printing
Compatible Printers: PictBridge-compatible printers
Printable Images: JPEG images compliant to Design rule for Camera File System (DPOF printing possible) and RAW images captured with the EOS Rebel T1i
Easy Print feature: Provided
DPOF: Digital Print Order Format

DPOF
Version 1.1 compatible
Direct Image Transfer
Compatible Images: JPEG and RAW images
*Only JPEG images can be transferred as wallpaper on the personal computer screen

Customization
Custom Functions: Total 13
My Menu Registration: Up to 6 menus, Custom functions and other top-tier options can be registered

Interface
USB Terminal: For personal computer communication and direct printing (USB 2.0 Hi-Speed) Video Out Terminal
(1) Video OUT terminal: NTSC/PAL selectable
(2) mini-HDMI OUT terminal

Power Source
Battery: One Battery Pack LP-E5
AC power can be supplied via AC Adapter Kit ACK-E5 With Battery Grip BG-E5, AA-size batteries can be used

Number of Shots
Temperature No flash 50% flash use
At 73° F/23° C approx. 500 approx. 400
At 32° F/0° C approx. 490 approx. 380
Live View shooting at 73°F/23°C approx. 190 approx. 170
Live View shooting at 32°F/0°C approx. 180 approx. 160

Battery Life: The above figures apply with a fully-charged Battery Pack LP-E5 The figures above are based on CIPA (Camera & Imaging Products Association) testing standards
Battery Check: Automatic
Power Saving: Provided. Power turns off after 30 sec., 1, 2, 4, 8, 15 min.
Back-up Battery: Built-in secondary battery
Start-up Time: Approx. 0.1 sec. (based on CIPA testing standards)

Dimensions and Weight
Dimensions (WxHxD): Approx. 5.1 x 3.8 x 2.4 in./128.8 x 97.5 x 61.9mm
Weight: Approx. 16.9oz./480g (body only)

Operating Environment:
Working Temperature Range: 32-104°F/0-40°C
Working Humidity Range: 85% or less

Item Includes

• Canon EOS Rebel T1i EF-S Digital SLR Camera Body
• EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens
• Eyecup Ef
• Wide Strap EW-100DBIII
• USB Interface Cable IFC-200U
• AV Cable AVC-DC400
• Battery Pack LP-E5
• Battery Charger LC-E5
• EOS Digital Solution Disk and Instruction Manuals
• "Great Photography is Easy" Booklet and "Do More with Macro" Booklet
• Canon 1 Year Limited Warranty

Accessories

Memory Cards & Card Readers Batteries & Power Bags & Cases Flash & Flash Accessories Lenses

Remote Control & Cords Tripod & Support Books & Tutorials Sensor Cleaning LCD Screen Protector

Viewfinder Accessories Filters Teleconverters Software Canon Field Guides

Reviews

Price Performance Ratio is Really Good! Great Camera, August 18, 2009

By David Watts (TX)

I upgraded from a Canon XTi to the T1i.

Is there a radical difference in quality? Frankly, no. I've very successfully enlarged my XTi 10.1 megapixel images to 20" x 30" at my local Sam's Club and they are very clean (taken at 100 iso). Will the 15 megapixel enlargements to 20" x 30" be any better? Perhaps - but will it really be noticeable? Probably not.

But, there are some real reasons to upgrade: Much better noise control. The noise at 400 iso on the T1i is probably like the noise at 200 iso on the XTi, 800 on the T1i is probably like 400 on the XTi, etc. So much better noise control is great. The additional options on the self-timer setting is nice. The T1i allows you to tell the camera to wait 10 seconds before shooting, but also to take a prescribed number of shots in a row - perhaps 2, perhaps 6, or even 10. Quite nice if you're trying to put yourself in a group picture - the camera will happily fire off 10 pictures in a row. Auto exposure compensation is a bit easier to set. The menus are easy to work with - better than the XTi. The screen is much better. Its larger size and better resolution really helps you review photos.

I propose that a great photographer will get great photos out of either the XTi or the T1i - and the quality will not be particularly noticeable even when enlarged to something like 20x30. And of course a bad photographer will get bad photos out of each camera.

So, upgrading is a great thing if there are some bells and whistles that make your life easier.

Don't upgrade because of the difference between 10.1 mp and 15 mp. It really won't make a big difference in all likelihood.

Don't upgrade just for video. The video quality is nice, but its pretty tough (at least for me) to get any video that's really good. Possible? Yes. But I'll probably have to work quite a bit harder than I want to.

When all is said and done, the price/performance ratio is really good on this camera. Great performance at a great price.

---

I bought it for "Low Light" shooting and I'm happy I did!..., August 13, 2009

By S. Pedi (New York)

I seem to have a problem that I simply don't like to use the flash!...I don't know where this "Low light" mania came from, but its my problem and I always wanted to have a camera that would let me shoot good photos in "existing light" and "low light"....

I'm no photographer!.... but what I do with my Canon T1i is simply have some fun shooting, then making a slideshow with music that I add, and I'm a happy old guy!..

In the past, I've always been almost sick to my stomach when I saw how my photos taken in "existing light or low light" came out!.. I mean inside the house or inside the theater where what you see is what you get!...

This "low light" mania all started with my daughter who's a New York City entertainer. So, of course when she first asked me to photograph her performance I knew I could not use the flash. And, no flash is ever allowed in all theater/clubs, etc.... so, it took a while to figure out that the lens that came with my first DSLR was too slow, having a maximum aperture of 3.8....

I bought a wonderful Canon 50mm 1.4 lens, but soon found out that I needed a "ZOOM" in order to get closer to the performer. So, I bought a Sigma 18-200 3.5 Optical Stabilization lens and that worked quite well because it had the Optical Stabilizatiion which gained me two or three slower shutter stops...

But, I still wasn't satified. I continued to do research on the newer DSLR's and their ISO capabilities. I saw that the Canon Mark 5 II had a fantastic and acceptable high ISO abilities.. but it was much too much money for me. So, I researched all those DSLR's that were in my price range and happy to say that the Canon T1i was the one that I picked and purchased..

I"ve shot it as high as ISO 6400 and I can truly say, that I'm very happy with it. If your next thought is about "NOISE".....forget it!.....it don't bother me that much at all!... Look folks....I've "Captured the moment" and I'm happy as a pig in mud!... what more can I tell you!..

I now can go into a very very dark theater/club and shooti in all the freaking darkness they can throw at me, and I just keep shooting away

And, I also bought a sensational Canon 17-55 2.8 IS lens that should also get some credit for all those super "Low Light" shots.. And, the reason I've giving this wonderful camera only four (4) stars is because of its horrendous "SHUTTER" NOISE!... what in the world was Canon thinking when they put this great camera together?..

Look, I'm happy with this camera. And at my late age of 78, its probably going to be my very last DSLR, and I'm as happy as a pig eating slop!. And, my "Low light" shots come out great!..yes at even ISO 6400. It can even go up to ISO 12800, but I'd use that if its actually pitch dark!..

And before I forget, the movie mode is one of the reasons I bought this camera!. I don't use the very best resolution, I use the one in the middle, whatever that is, 720 X something and the movies are quite sharp. Sad that Canon didn't make the audio in "STEREO", but I probably can't tell the difference anyway.

Press Release