Canon XSi: 12.2 Megapixels, Image Stabilized Lens, and Double Live View
by Wesley Fink on May 5, 2008 3:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Digital Camera
Final Thoughts
As it is known in the US, the Digital Rebel is the one that started the consumer Digital SLR revolution. It is also the most recognized series among DSLR brands and in many ways it is the entry-level standard. The Digital Rebel series is now in its fourth generation and there is no doubt after reviewing the XSi that this is the best entry Canon yet produced.
The Canon XSi is the first consumer Canon with a 12MP sensor. That is the good news and it could also be the bad news. However, we are happy to report that Canon has increased the resolution of their CMOS sensor to 12.2MP without any noticeable increase in noise. The fear was that higher resolution might mean more noise, but that is not the case. In tests comparing output to the previous XTi and the current prosumer 40D, both 10MP, the new XSi showed noise levels that were comparable at all ISO settings. In fact they were good enough that we missed not having the option of ISO 3200 on the XSi, as it is available on the new 40D.
Compared to the Nikon D60 the Canon XSi showed significantly lower noise at the same ISO settings. The D60 showed superior color accuracy at all ISO settings, but the XSi was clearly the better imager at high ISO settings. This is very much at odds with the absolutely superb resolution and noise control of the new Nikon D300, which we consider a much better imager than the Canon 40D. It appears Nikon needs to apply some of their new CMOS imager technology back to an update of their entry to mid models. This is probably exactly what we will see with the D80 replacement later this year.
When you consider the other D60 deficiencies - no available battery grip, 2.5" LCD instead of 2.7" or 3", compatible only with newer motor lenses, and archaic 3-point AF - the D60 seems like a placeholder until the D80 replacement is launched. There are huge fans of the D40 who will similarly love the D60, but we are not among those fans. It has had a great run but it is time for a resolution update with better noise reduction and more contemporary features. Our advice is for Nikon to borrow heavily form the D300 which is the best of the current lot of crop-sensor DSLRs.
The closest competitor to the new Canon XSi is likely the Sony A350 with the same street price. Sony has body integral Image Stabilization that works with all lenses, while Canon now ships the XSi with an optical IS lens - and it's a very good IS lens. Both cameras feature auto sensor cleaning and both feature Live View. The Canon XSi even offers two flavors of Live View. That, however, is where the two cameras go in completely different directions.
The Sony Live View is the best implementation from anyone so far. If Live View is what you want for sports or fast-moving kids then the Sony A350 or A300 are a better choice. That great Live View from the second Sony sensor is not without compromises, however. You can only see 90% of the image on the Sony Live View screen, and if you have to move to the viewfinder you will find the Sony viewfinder mediocre next to the Canon XSi.
Put another way, if Live View means studio, macro, or just periodic use then the much slower Live View of the Canon will not be an issue. If slower Live View is OK, then the near 100% view will tilt the scales toward the XSi. The ability to select a small area and zoom in for precise focusing on the Canon XSi Live View is not a feature even available on Sony Live View. The availability of no blackout contrast detection focusing as an option will also appeal to those same shooters who can live with slow Live View. Certainly if most of your shooting will be with the viewfinder then pick the Canon XSi or even the entry Sony A200.
The last concern is ease of use, and here again the Sony and Canon diverge. The Sony is a perfect camera for those who want to move from point-and-shoot. It will be familiar and very easy to use, and it is capable of producing great results with a class-leading 14.2MP sensor. The Canon XSi on the other hand is like getting a prosumer DSLR for the price of an entry-level DSLR. It is an immensely capable and enjoyable little SLR. In fact, with the new BG-E5 grip some may actually prefer the handling of the XSi to the Canon 40D. Canon has moved almost all the high-end features from the 40D and Pro models to the little XSi. It provides a 3" LCD, 9-point autofocus, and the largest Canon sensor south of the Pro models.
You also get Auto Lighting Optimization and Highlight Tone Priority on the XSi, which have migrated from the new 40D. Timer controls are enhanced, and the included Canon utility even allows PC control of the XSi for intervalometer shooting, time exposures, and other specialized needs. Plus, Canon finally provided a spot meter option, the ISO displayed in the viewfinder, and a better Auto ISO implementation with the XSi.
3.5FPS is not a blazing continuous shooting rate compared to the Nikon D300 or the Canon 40D, but the 3.5FPS on a 12.2MP sensor camera makes the XSi the fastest in its class. The Digic III processor, also used in the 1Ds Mark III and the 40D, made its way to the XSi. With it comes 14-bit D/A conversion and extremely fast image processing.
All of these features will probably make you think we are describing a new Canon prosumer model, and frankly the XSi is the most prosumer "entry" Canon ever. The Canon XTi will now fill in the low-end and the XSi will be more midrange - at least for the time being. The XSi is well positioned to fill that role, and it has the features to justify that midrange position.
Put simply, the XSi is the best of the current crop of "entry" DSLRs for anyone who has aspirations that they might one day want to be a photographer. With the excellent Image Stabilized kit lens the XSi is an extremely capable DSLR with plenty to keep you learning and growing. The Canon XSi definitely shows the growth and refinement that comes from four generations of evolution. It is in our opinion the best "entry" Canon ever produced.
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punchkin - Thursday, May 8, 2008 - link
So the upshot of it is that it is not PRESUMABLY rated at 50,000. You don't know, and pulled a number out of your butt.mikett - Wednesday, May 7, 2008 - link
Can anyone indicate the relative lifespan rating on the XSi vs the 40D?I once recalled that the 40D class ( 20D, 30D ) had a significantly higher rating than the Rebel class and their construction was sturdier but maybe that has changed.
mmusterd - Tuesday, May 6, 2008 - link
In fact in many ways the XSi is a much more exciting new camera than the 40D was when it was introduced just 6 months ago.Well, yes. It means the 40D is dropping in price, and op top of that, here in Europe, Canon is giving a substantial cashback om the 40D (of 150 euros). This means that the price difference between the 40D and 450D has practically vanished (at a randomly picked shop the 40D body now comes at 750 euros, whereas the same shop charges 660 euros for a 450d body).
This means that at about the same price (or at least a small premium) you can get the 40D instead of the 450D. Now tell me the reasons why I should buy the 450D instead.
For myself, I couldn't think of any, so I bought the 40D. For the article, in light of the very small current price difference, perhaps more thought could be given to the comparison between the two canons.
Wesley Fink - Tuesday, May 6, 2008 - link
You make a very good point. At the same price I would also select the 40D, but that is likely an anomaly due to the fact that the XSi was just introduced and its price is staying stubbornly at a higher price, while the 40D is now more than 6 months old. That pricing is certainly because resellers are having no problem selling the XSi at the higher price.We fully expect prices to settle down to a 20% to 40% price premium for the 40D. At that price difference it is easier to justify the XSi instead.
I do believe the size and weight of the XSi will appeal more to some users. Even with the grip the XSi is smaller and much easier to carry around all day than a 40D. Ergonomics are also the best so far from an entry Canon.
n4bby - Wednesday, May 7, 2008 - link
even with the improved ergonomics of the rebel, there is a huge advantage of the 40D: the scroll wheel control on the back. Canon uses this control on all their pro models as well and i cannot overstate what a huge usability difference this makes when you're shooting... i have the old 10D, and when i tried using a friend's rebel i was constantly frustrated by the tiny little cursor button controls on the back... when you're trying to quickly adjust your exposure on the fly it's hopelessly clumsy compared to the wheel. i seriously would pay $$ for that advantage alone.PokerGuy - Tuesday, May 6, 2008 - link
Wes, good work on this article. Most AT readers including myself are technically oriented and interested in all sorts of technology. We use cameras like the ones you review but we are not photography pros. Your kind of review is exactly what I like to see, not the ones done at the photo-pro kind of sites, those have a different target audience.Keep up the good work.
punchkin - Tuesday, May 6, 2008 - link
... and I don't mean it's aimed at third graders, either.kiii - Monday, May 5, 2008 - link
Thanks for another camera article Wesley, they are getting better and better.One thing that you have already touched on, but might want to investigate further are the noise reduction algorithms that different manufacturers use. For out of camera jpegs, Nikon tends to eliminate chrominance noise, while Canon leaves small amounts of chrominance noise. The result are small colored specs on high ISO Canon jpegs, while Nikon jpegs look more like "film grain". On the other hand, Sony seems to implement very aggressive (for DSLRs anyway) noise reduction in the a350, leading to the jagged edges you mentioned. Since this is AnandTech, there are definitely power users here and these users may want to shoot in raw. Perhaps for future DSLR reviews, you can do a raw comparison, using the same raw converter for all cameras. This way, you can bypass the camera's noise reduction and see the sensor's true performance. I know that the majority of first time DSLR users will not shoot in raw, but then again, not everyone overclocks their system either.
Either way, I did get a chance to play with the XSi myself, and it is quite the camera. I look forward to your XSi comparisons with the K20D and D300.
cray85 - Monday, May 5, 2008 - link
Your article mentions that the Sony A350 is better then the XSi at higher ISOs. However, your sample image is "too simple". A more challenging image (especially one with more in-focus low-contrast details) would clearly show the excessiveness of the noise-reduction routines employed by the A350. You'd then be able to see some significant smudging of the aforementioned low-contrast details and also some more of the jagged artifacts you mentioned.By contrast, the Canon and Nikon cameras employ a much more conservative approach. Noise is less of a problem at smaller print sizes but the detail loss due to heavy-handed noise reduction is an issue at all print sizes.
Also, while it's not a bad idea to compare the white balance accuracy of different cameras, sensitivity tests should always be performed with manually set white balance so that noise comparisons are consistent.
Finally, it's a good thing you've begun to stop your test lenses down to F4. However, an even better idea would be to use F8 to further increase the lens resolution and also to bring more details into focus.
I do understand the need for you to keep things simple for readers. However, this does not imply that cutting corners on crucial tests is acceptable. A beginner might decide to buy a Sony for reasons other then JPEG image quality. However, your testing should make clear the trade-offs he will have to make.
Wesley Fink - Monday, May 5, 2008 - link
I did NOT say the A350 was better at high ISO than the XSi. I said the A350 held up better than expected in comparison to the XSi. The A350 noise reduction was set to low in our image tests, and while the A350 is not superior, neither is it trounced by the Canon XSi or Nikon D60.At F8 and low ISO in our low-light tungsten setting the shutter speeds would be so low that we would create a new noise issue with long exposures. If we increased light to make F8 work better for the test range we would no longer be testing a typical interior lighting situation with high potential noise. We are not trying to determine noise in a studio lighting environment which would be a next to useless test for a typical XSi user.
F4 is a reasonable compromise that gets the f1.4 lenses in their best performance range without creating a new set of concerns that would skew the tests. Aperture is at F4 in all test shots.
I don't know too many amateurs who set manual white balance before shooting indoor available light. Most just leave it on Auto WB, but we know most of the DSLRs do a pretty poor job on Auto WB in Tungsten lighting. Our concession to that reality is to set the WB to Tungsten.
The user might know enough to set the WB to Tungsten for inside lamps and frankly the Canon is pretty awful in color balance even when we went to the trouble to set Tungsten WB. Nikon and Sony get it right under these conditions so we have to ask why Canon Tungsten WB is so biased to warm red. I think the poor Canon color in indoor Tungsten lighting is important info to provide to readers.