canon eos digital rebel xsi digital slr camera
The 12-megapixel Canon Digital Rebel XSi, which targets entry-level digital SLR shooters, has all the features that novices expect–as well as an alluring array of advanced options that will appeal to more seasoned photographers. Priced at $900 (with kit lens, price as of 6/10/08), this camera may be the most expensive choice in its field, but it also offers the most versatility.
The Digital Rebel’s Live View mode allows you to compose shots on screen and employs the sensor for both image preview and capture duties, so what you see on the screen is what the camera is actually recording. This setup has its benefits, but given the display’s limitation of 30 frames per second, the performance of Canon’s Live View is slower in comparison to the Sony A350’s flashy tilt screen, which works in real time (thanks to the inclusion of a second sensor for rendering the live preview). Canon’s Live View mode lets you zoom in on your image as you’re composing it; you also can check on the focus in specific areas, a feature I appreciated when out in the field.
