Review of Canon Rebel XSi (XSi vs. XTi vs. 40D)

Phil Askey over at DPReview has recently posted his review of the new Canon Digital Rebel XSi. This is a very comprehensive review and includes a detailed comparison between the Rebel XTi and the Rebel XSi.

You can read the entire review here. If you want to skip to Phil's conclusions, go here.

As of 5/31/08, here are the current prices on the Rebel XTi, XSi & 40D on Amazon:

• Canon Rebel XTi body only $599
• Canon Rebel XTi with 18-55 kit lens $689
• Canon Rebel XSi body only $799
• Canon Rebel XSi with 18-55 image stabilized kit lens $849
• Canon 40D body only $954 (price includes Canon $200 instant rebate)
• Canon 40D with 28-135 image stabilized lens $1129 (price includes Canon $200 instant rebate)

In all cases, I'd also recommend getting the body with the kit-lens. For a more detailed post regarding lenses for your first Canon DSLR, go here.

Reasons to buy the XSi over the XTi?

• You're buying 1 year newer technology
• Bigger Screen
• Much better high ISO performance (ISO 800/1600) (100% usable). This enables indoor flash-free photography (best done with a prime lens: Example 50mm f1.8 $80)
• 12 MP vs. 10 MP
• Faster overall operation

So, the Rebel XSi offers some very nice improvements over the Rebel XTi, but it's also $160 more. Your decision.

If you're really thinking of the XSi, you should also give serious consideration to the 40D. With the current Canon $200 instant rebate on the 40D, it's now only $140 more than the Rebel XSi. (when comparing body-only prices.) The 40D has a very similar feature-set to the Rebel XSi, but gives you:

• A much beefier build-quality: Magnesium alloy body (vs. Rebel XSi plastic body)
• Much beefier and more comfortable grip
• Can shoot at 6.5 frames per second (vs. 3.5 frames per second on the XSi). This is great for shooting sports.

So, the 40D has a number of nice advantages over the XSI, but it's about $140 more (camera coby only). Your decision.

You can see current prices and purchase the Rebel XTi/Rebel XSi/40D on this page on Amazon. Please support this blog by clicking through these links when purchasing your Canon DSLR. You pay the same price as normal, but I get a tiny commission from Amazon.