Canon xTi v. xSi

[rcspick]

I've been looking for a good deal on an xSi for the last couple weeks. Last night while in my local Costco I noticed that they had the xTi for $649 with the 18-55 IS kit lens along with the 55-250 IS lens, a CF card, bag and extra battery. Anyone have any opinions on this deal? It seems pretty good too me, but do others think I should spend the extra for the xSi?

[kyzen]

The XSi is a relatively better camera, however I'm not sure it's worth the extra cash - $650 for the XSi with the kit lens would be a pretty good price; and you'd be getting another $300 minimum worth of accessories with the bundle you listed.

The major differences are the resolution (obviously), but a 10 to 12MP jump isn't huge. The bigger screen on the XSi is also nice, as is the Live View feature (assuming you use it; I seem to find myself using it once every couple of weeks), but overall, most of the features are just minor improvements or gimmicks.

So yeah, I'd go for the XTi. Spend less on the body, more on glass. In the long run, your lenses will outlive your camera.

[rcspick]

The XSi is a relatively better camera, however I'm not sure it's worth the extra cash - $650 for the XSi with the kit lens would be a pretty good price; and you'd be getting another $300 minimum worth of accessories with the bundle you listed.

The major differences are the resolution (obviously), but a 10 to 12MP jump isn't huge. The bigger screen on the XSi is also nice, as is the Live View feature (assuming you use it; I seem to find myself using it once every couple of weeks), but overall, most of the features are just minor improvements or gimmicks.

So yeah, I'd go for the XTi. Spend less on the body, more on glass. In the long run, your lenses will outlive your camera.

Thanks for the input on that. I appreciate it.

[JustAnEngineer]

The Rebel XTi is probably coming with the older EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM (http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=216&modelid=10512) lens rather than the newer EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS (http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelDetailAct&fcategoryid=149&modelid=15704) lens that comes with the Rebel XSi.

Older lens:
http://www.photozone.de/canon-eos/180-canon-ef-s-18-55mm-f35-56-ii-test-report--review

Newer lens reviewed on Rebel XTi:
http://www.photozone.de/canon-eos/181-canon-ef-s-18-55mm-f35-56-is-test-report--review

Newer lens reviewed on EOS 50D:
http://www.photozone.de/canon-eos/404-canon_1855_3556is_50d

[rcspick]

The Rebel XTi is probably coming with the older EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM (http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=216&modelid=10512) lens rather than the newer EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS (http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelDetailAct&fcategoryid=149&modelid=15704) lens that comes with the Rebel XSi.

Older lens:
http://www.photozone.de/canon-eos/180-canon-ef-s-18-55mm-f35-56-ii-test-report--review

Newer lens reviewed on Rebel XTi:
http://www.photozone.de/canon-eos/181-canon-ef-s-18-55mm-f35-56-is-test-report--review

Newer lens reviewed on EOS 50D:
http://www.photozone.de/canon-eos/404-canon_1855_3556is_50d


Thanks for those links. The sign pretty clearly said it was the IS lens. I didn't have them get the camera out or anything, so it might have been a misprint on the sign.

[kyzen]

I've seen a lot of XTi's being sold with the IS lens nowadays, so it's not surprising. I'd have them double check for you before purchasing though, and if it's not the IS lens, see if they'll knock 10-15% off for you.

[JustAnEngineer]

If it includes the newer lens, that should be a great kit.

[radford]

If it includes the newer lens, that should be a great kit.

An off topic post but I saw this at some lens rental site.

I see tons of posts on lens not focusing right and how posters had to send them in for calibration and even their cameras in too.

However this site seems to suggest cameras arent 100% consistent and of course lenses arent too so even if you get your camera and one lense calibrated your next lens may not work well with your camera. Of course all that is kind of obvious but they do mention some cameras have a micro calibration feature.

I take it Rebels dont? Whats the cheapest Canon that does have this feature and is that big a deal to have it?

http://www.lensrentals.com/news/2008.12.22/this-lens-is-soft-and-other-myths