Compare Prices on Canon XS Black
* December 7, 2008 *
When I originally wrote this review back in August 2008, the price of the XSi and the XS kits were the same. Back then, you would have been foolish to buy the XS kit when the XSi offered a lot more at the same price. During the second-half of 2008, the price of the XS kit has dropped significantly. Due to the significant price difference between the Canon XSi kit and the Canon XS kit, I have revised this article.
The Canon EOS Rebel XS is the “little brother” of the Canon EOS Rebel XSi which means they are both almost the same camera, but the XSi has more to offer than the XS. Perhaps consider basing your buying decision on how serious you will be taking up digital SLR photography. If you firmly believe that you will take digital SLR photography very seriously in the long run and want a solid entry-level digital SLR camera, then the Canon XSi may be a better choice for you. If price is your main concern and you are only looking for Canon’s bottom entry-level digital SLR model, then the current price of the Canon XS kit is quite worthy of a purchase consideration.
Both models were released in 2008, with the Canon XSi released in April and the Canon XS released four months later in August. By comparison, the XS is a trimmed-down version of the XSi.
Here are the notable similarities of the XSi and the XS:
* Both have practically the same large single-plate CMOS sensor and the Digic III Image Processor, except the XSi is 12.2MP while the XS is only 10.1MP (megapixels).
* Both have the Canon EOS Integrated Cleaning System.
* Both can be purchased with the same EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Kit Lens. It is possible to buy the XSi camera body without the kit lens.
* Both have Live View Function with their LCD displays.
* Both are fully compatible with Canon EF and EF-S lenses.
* Both utilize SD and SDHC memory cards.
* Both use the same battery pack (LP-E5) and the same optional battery grip (BG-E5).
* The XS is compatible with most of the Canon EOS camera system accessories that can be used with the XSi.
Now here are the differences between the XS and the XSi:
* The XSi has more megapixels at 12.2MP while the XS is 10.1MP.
* For JPEG, the XSi can continuously shoot at 3.5 fps while the XS can do 3.0 fps. But for RAW, the XSi is much better at 3.5 fps while the XS can only do 1.5 fps.
* The LCD monitor of the XSi measures 3.0 inches while the XS has a smaller screen at 2.5 inches.
* The XSi has a 9-point AF system while the XS has only a 7-point.
* The XSi has Spot metering while the XS does not. Both have Evaluative, Partial, and Center-weighted metering, however.
* The XSi RAW is 14-bit while the XS RAW is 12-bit.
* XSi has Highlight Tone Priority while XS does not.
* The viewfinder of the XSi provides 0.87x magnification while the XS provides 0.81x.
* The XSi can utilize the RC-1 or the RC-5 wireless remote shutter release, but the XS is not compatible with either so you won’t be able to use a wireless remote release.
* You cannot buy the XS without the kit lens.
My point of this review is to help consumers weigh their decision between the XSi and the XS from a pricing perspective. As of this writing, I feel that the XSi is currently the best Canon entry-level digital SLR camera for serious beginning enthusiasts. In my opinion, the XS is best for those primarily concerned with the price. If you think you will not need certain features that the XSi has but the XS does not, then buying the XS will save you money. Not everyone will use all of the features on the XSi. However, the XSi may provide serious enthusiasts with more room for growth compared to the XS.
NOTE: Canon USA officially released the EOS Rebel XS in August 2008 and was first announced by Canon USA on July 8, 2008.
“Date first available at Amazon.com: June 17, 2003″ is truly an error.
I spent several weeks reviewing the REBEL XS vs it’s many 10 MP adversaries, I even checked it against the ultra zooms as I wanted the convenience of video as well, but too many good things stood out with this camera and so I decided upon it. I bought the rebel XS and after days of dirt testing this camera I’ve found it a beautiful experience.
Now I’m a professional videographer attached to a tv station in Trinidad & Tobago, my purpose for this camera was the need for a quick sharp still shot camera that would be impressive under low light and still capture impressive portrait shots to be used for my website and for large prints. I didn’t want to shell out over a $1000. US for a camera body.
What is tagged by Canon is true: The full auto mode is truly accurate and gives excellent shots always, it makes photography so easy for a beginner or intermediate. The portrait mode isn’t blurry, images are clean, nicely toned, excellent in quality for large size prints. The P ( program mode) I like alot at first because this mode sets exposure so nicely I found it addictive. I shot alot of night pics of cars on a freeway, with bright, sharp, lively colours emerging. Night pics at 800 iso had very very very little noise, and I mean I was searching the pics on 15″ monitors for reason to complain, but was really impressed.
The auto focus is really quick. Th XS comes with “only” a 7 point auto focus system compared to the XSi 9 point, forgive me when I say there may be no need for another 2 points when the camera focusses so quick and so accurately. I have not gotten a soft image when shot with the auto focus operating.
Now for those point and shoot cams that boast about “face detection”….5 faces…6,7, some even 15. I also have a 10 mp ultra zoom, this simply matters little if not at all, if the focussing ability of the camera is poor or average, and given the “average lens” quality they’re made of.
I have learnt clearly that a 10 MP ultra zoom simply cannot compare to a 10 MP D SLR…chalk and cheese.
I also bought the Tamron 70mm – 300mm, F4-5.6 telephoto/ macro lens. No vignetting at either end of the lens.
Auto iso is simply magnificent, have not taken a shot where the camera over estimated or underestimated the iso levels.
The Manual mode of this camera is the most impressive for me. The rebel XS via various magazine testing has come up faster than it’s other 10 MP rivals when it comes to fps shooting, and burst images. It really does shoot 3 fps consistently, it shoots 2.3 fps in low light, worst case is over 1 fps all at 10 MP quality.
I haven’t used a lower quality since, given I bought a Transcend 8GB SDHC card storage is not an issue.
Most of my shooting has been at night, for the little done in daylight, it has been amazing. Colours are very bright, depth of field very very nice. Macros works well. Image optimizer simply shocked life out of me. I was in a shaded area and without flash it really improves the subject without over blowing the background, stuff that is almost impossible on point and shoot cams.
Stuff I disagree with from the “reviews” : 1- “The camera feels cheaply built”….simply wrong, nothing is shabby, buttons are actually easy to press, doesn’t have cheap clicks to them, the lens mount has a secure feel to it, and a proper snap when it is set. Battery compartment is certainly secure. Your finger must intricately open the door for entry, won’t be an accident issue. Rubber door at a.v. ports snap in well. Rubber grip is firm enough, smooth enough to not irritate your hands.
2- ” XS is “overpriced” compared to the XSi…..Xsi shoots slower than the XS, XSi picture quality is equal to the XS even though the XSi is 12 MP. The XSi may be the 3″ LCD and a few other upgrades, but these upgrades don’t add up when the picture is taken and the quality of both cameras match alike. I may have chosen the XSI if I wanted to spend the extra $150. u.s but for the lesser price, I’m yet to regret.
3- “The XS “only has a 2.5″ LCD compared to a couple of it’s rivals having 3″ LCD’s”. I can see every thing clearly with this screen, even with Histograms, and grids onscreen. If LCD’s get much bigger then canon may need to install a tv tuner as well….the 2.5″ is more than sufficient.
4- “The XS doesn’t have SPOT METERING compared to the XSi, so this is a big issue”- haven’t encountered a reason to complain yet, after 500 night shots and 200 day shots.
THE DOWN SIDE: the EOS software for uploading the photos to computer, and remote controlling the cam via computer is AWFUL. It’s a task to upload, as it is beach balling when you hit “upload”. Digital professional software is non responsive. I have not been able to use the software past the install point. Mac version here.
Better use i-photo and photoshop.
I highly rate this camera, and as a videographer who’s accustomed to t.v. broadcast quality the REBEL XS is worth it, and since canon is so intent on pushing the rebel XSi they have significantly lowered the price on the XS…..I recommend people buy the XS and get a good lens with the discount earned. The trick is in the lens and the user, and lesser the camera.
I want to save you the time and uncertainty in choosing the best affordable DSLR. For those considering the Canon EOS Rebel XS, the Olympus E-510 or the Nikon D40 / D40x / D60, I believe the Canon XS is the best choice. Also, at the price difference between the XS and the SXi ($150-200 as of December ‘08), the XS is an excellent alternative–both take exactly the same high quality pictures, save the 2MP difference, which is negligible at the end. Please note that the XS’s new lens kit comes with the better quality EFS 18-55 Image Stabilization lens (they are better engineered); and that Canon is offering nowadays generous rebates on telephoto lenses when coupled with the purchase of the XS (I bought mine with the entry-level Canon EF 75-300mm III lens with a generous instant Canon rebate. Don’t buy from anybody different from B&H Photo, directly from Amazon, Adorama, Buydig/Beach Camera; stay away from Broadway Photo and TriState).
Canons are popular for the excellent image processing. Nikons for their Nikor lenses. Olympus, some say, for the color of some of the pictures they take.
The Olympus E-510 has important flaws, e.g., the average performance in high ISO speeds and highlight blowing. Also, its inconsistency with good results is worth noting.
The Nikon D40 lacks important features, e.g., image stabilization in their kit lens. The D60 is lacking the high picture quality ratings of the Canon XS. Both Nikons are nice looking, which is a selling factor I usually consider; but picture quality should be your top criterion for the long run.
Don’t go through the extensive research I have already done (months, and intense debating). The Canon XS is a winner (specially with the new IS lens kit), even more with its current price (Dec. ‘08: $480). It is feature rich (you can even add 3 of your preferred defined Picture Style modes), good/professional looking (black body), even the sound of the shooter is nicer than the others. Bottom line: Excellent picture quality, high ISO/low light remarkable performance, and relevant features and space for customization make the Canon XS a winner for months and even years to come.
