Product Description: Ideal for a wide range of photographers from first-time digital SLR users to veteran photo enthusiasts, the new Canon EOS Rebel XS camera is designed to embody what you have come to expect from the EOS Rebel series -- a fast, non-intimidating, lightweight, easy-to-use camera that produces excellent images and starts emerging photographers off on the right foot. Immediately, photographers will take notice of the camera's Optical Image Stabilized kit lens for crisp focus, compensating for camera shake from unsteady hands or a moving vehicle. The new Rebel model also incorporates Canon's DIGIC III image processor, 10.1 megapixel CMOS sensor, Live View, Auto Lighting Optimizer, 7-point wide-area autofocus (AF) sensor and 3.0 frames per second continuous JPEG burst rate where the number of consecutive shots in a burst is only limited by the capacity of the flash memory card in the camera.
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - Outstanding DSLR for the price
This camera is an excellent choice for those who are taking their first steps into serious (SLR) photography. The "basic" zones give comfortable starting point for new photographers; selecting one of these puts the camera in full automatic mode, akin to a point-and-shoot camera.
The XS also has plenty of room for a new photographer to grow with 4 pseudo-manual modes, and full manual. Each of these modes, particularly manual, allows for much greater artistic expression and control than the automatic modes.
Another nice feature of the XS is the extremely low noise when using higher ISO values. I tend to keep my camera in ISO100, but when I've needed to venture to ISO800 or ISO1600, I've found very little need to post-process for noise. The XS works surprisingly well in low-light settings.
By virtue of being a Canon camera, it comes with E-TTL 2, which gives superb control of a hotshoe speedlight. The XS, like other Canon cameras, also has excellent lens support. When I was camera shopping, I brought along some old 35mm lenses just to see if they would work - one Nikon (from 1977) and one Canon (from 1979). The Nikon (which happened to be a D90) refused to work with my 28-200mm Vivitar lens. The XS, however, worked fine; it accepted the fact that I was willing to work with a fully manual lens. That compatibility can be very useful if you have some old lenses around, assuming you're willing to manually set aperture and focus.
The XS is very, very light. I'm not sure whether this is a good thing or a bad thing. SLR cameras are inherently bulkier and heavier than point-and-shoot; the super-light plastic shell on the XS leads me to believe that the case will most likely crack before the mirror gets knocked out of alignment. I do not recommend traveling with this camera without a good camera bag - this should be one of the first accessories you buy (along with a UV filter).
I do all of my photography in RAW, and use Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop CS4 for my post-processing, so I can't comment on the Canon software bundle.
Do not let these reviews sway you between cameras; rather use them as a starting point for going to the store to get a feel for the camera. Hold the camera, see how it feels in your hand, how it performs, etc and then decide what fits your needs best. I've found, at least in the case of the XS, that you can get it for 10%-15% less than at a retail store.
This camera has done nothing but impress me since I purchased it two months, and several thousand shots ago. The only other DSLR cameras I found in the "amateur" category that I found somewhat comparable were the Nikon D60/D90s and the Canon XTi.
Rating: - Fantastic Little Camera!!
I researched for some time to upgrade from a Canon A570 point and shoot...a nice camera but not up to my skill level at photography. So I came upon the Rebels and the new XS. I am very pleased with the outcomes so far. This is very easy to use, being familiar with Canon products and the autolevels are accurate.
Fantastic camera, everyone who has looked at my photos want to know what camera.
Rating: - Great Camera, Great Pics
I love this camera. Now, I am no expert but I am a picture fanatic and these pics are beautiful. It is my first SLR. I've wanted one for a while. And it was well worth it. The only thing I wish it had was a wireless remote. It has a remote that you connect to the camera with a wire, (bought seperatly), and it works great. I take alot of family photos, sometimes with me in them, and the wireless would be easier. Other than that, great product, great price, great pics.
Rating: - Excellent choice
This is my first DSLR since the days of film and the AE1. I owned various Canon point-and-shoot models and it was time for an upgrade. After many weeks of researched, I decided to go with the XS model and I am sooo glad I did. My other options was the XSi or the Nikon D60. However, the features and price Won me over.
This is an excellent camera for beginners as well as advance photographers. It is easy to learn and the photo quality and saturation are just perfect.
Go out buy it and shoot, shoot, shoot!
Rating: - A Lot of Camera for Not a Lot of Money
This camera is a FANTASTIC value...as long as you don't buy it for full retail price. I believe full retail for the kit with the EF-S 18-55mm IS lens is about $600, but I bought it on Amazon for about $460. There are deals to be had on this camera, so make sure you find them.
CNET has a good review of this camera, so I'll just list the pros and cons as I see them.
PROS
-Phenomenal photo quality/color fidelity
-Intuitive menu/user interface
-Sensor cleaner
-Lightweight, comfortable to hold
-Fast autofocus
-Basically non-existent shutter lag
-Takes only about 1 second to turn the camera on and take a picture
-Compatible with almost all recently (last 10-15 years) manufactured Canon lenses
-10.1 MP is PLENTY
-Poster size prints are excellent (as long as pictures are crisp)
CONS
-Relatively few photos per second (3 in ideal lighting conditions)
-Multiple frames per second requires ideal lighting conditions
-Lack of spot metering makes taking pictures with lots of contrast VERY difficult (i.e. sunlight through trees or behind landscape). This is my biggest complaint with the camera.
-Not compatible with wireless remote control
-Kit lens is not great in low light conditions
-Lenses with image stabilization are very expensive
Overall, this is, in my opinion a terrific starter's digital SLR.
