My husband and I bought the Canon Rebel XSi because we wanted to learn how to take high - quality photos. We had only ever owned point and shoot cameras before, and we wanted to own a camera that would allow us to have more say in the photo-taking process. You know, bokeh versus crisp focus throughout, that sort of thing. The Rebel XSi has all kinds of settings and different levels you can use based on your comfort level and expertise. There's everything from full automatic to full manual, and everything in between. If you are going to lay down the big bucks for a nice camera, though, I recommend you at least take the time to learn the basics of how to run it in manual mode. Otherwise, all you've got is a glorified, super-bulky point and shoot. For an SLR camera, it is reasonably small and portable. I often tuck mine in my medium-sized purse. Oh, and for the record, we get great pictures with it. There's a learning curve, but it's worth the investment.

elledent

San Antonio, TX

This is really a good camera. I recommend it to others and it did not cost an arm and a leg. It not only easy to use, but takes great pictures as well. I also have gotten compliments on it when I have been at different family gatherings. I will always buy this brand of camera if I ever need another one. I will also be buying my Daughter one for Christmas so her and her Husband can take great pictures too. Image Quality Great image quality Performance Great performance Ease of Use Definitly easy to use. Durability Durable Battery Life Good battery life Portability very portable

kathybacc

Sikeston, MO

I got my Rebel a few years ago and I've taken tons of pictures and I really love it. The camera is easy to use. I had a little trouble at first getting the software on my computer, but once I did it's pretty slick. The pictures are good, and it's easy to download them to my computer and the program even sorts them by date. I have a zoom lens and it's easy to switch lenses. It has lots of options for pictures and it's easy to use. Image Quality The image quality is excellent. Performance It does everything I want it to do, and probably more. It's easy to take pics. It's easy to switch lenses. It's easy to move among the options. And the pictures are great. Ease of Use The hardest thing for me was getting the software on the computer. Taking pictures is easy. Switching lenses is easy. With the software, downloading pictures is easy, and the software sorts by date. It's not point and shoot, but it's as close as you're going to get on a dslr. Durability I've never had any issues with it. I've traveled with it on road trips, hiking, taken it on the plane, traveled domestically and to Central America, and I've got a case and I'm reasonably careful, but the camera seems perfect. Battery Life It's easy to charge the battery, but it seems to hold a charge for a long time. I have an extra so I can keep an extra charged in case I need to switch out, but I really haven't had to. The battery charge is great. And the charger is easy to use. Portability it's bigger than a point and shoot or than a cell phone, but I've taken it with me where ever I've traveled and it travels well.

tamiwhammy

Bellevue, NE

When I was in school for Graphic Design, I had a class on photography and the different styles of cameras from the very beginning to today's digital age. I had my fair share of film cameras, and also quite a few digital ones since they came out. I needed a camera for my projects where I didn't have to pay for all my images online and get the images I wanted exactly without having to manipulate them too much with software. My mother-in-law had gotten this one for Christmas one year, and my husband thought that this model would work well for me, too. It was on sale with an added bonus of another lens and I had some financial aid to help out acquiring the tools I needed for school and my future career. I fell in LOVE with it! Image Quality I am able to have high resolution images in very large sizes for work that requires a clear image for, say, a huge banner. I have not had the opportunity to use an image taken with my Canon for a billboard, but my fingers are crossed for the time to come! You are able to choose from a multitude of image sizes/quality for any occasion. Family gathering? Don't need the images to be HUGE for that! Taking snap-shots on a hike for your own personal stock photo file? You can have the quality set to high with the Image quality setting. Even the continuous shooting is clean, clear, and amazing! Performance The continuous shooting, pictures in the dark, landscaping, rain and snowflakes, portraits, and anything else you want to capture works well and fast. With what you are able to do, you will be amazed at how well images come out. It also has the capability of stabilizing the lens while shooting. The timer works so well, too! It is always difficult to get yourself in photos of the family when you are typically the only one behind the camera, so the timer allows that to change! Ease of Use Even if you don't know much about ISO's and apertures, it is still simple to use. On one half of the dial (mode dial for selecting the type of image to be taken), there are the basic images that everyday users will understand. It also has the capability to automatically choose a flash or not if needed. The other half needs some time to learn. Reading the manual and trial and error (that's what's great about digital! You are not wasting film while learning how it works!) will teach the user when to do certain things and select certain choices to capture something just right. The more you work with your Canon Rebel, the better you will get. Even my daughter has learned a great deal about it in the last 2 years of owning it. She has caught wonderful images of hummingbirds and bees in flight that made me feel awestruck! Durability I'm not sure about the durability part. I have never dropped it. I store it in the original bubble wrap the camera came in and foam covering the lens came in in a sturdy camera case. We are so careful with it, that I wouldn't be able to tell you if it is like a Timex! Just keep using lens filters to keep you original lens from getting scratched and use the neck strap if yours came with it. Battery Life I don't spend a lot of time charging the battery. Since the camera will shut off after a certain amount of time (that you can also set!), your battery will not be sucked dry. Portability When you use the camera with the lens it came it with, it is pretty easy to take along with you. When you add another lens that is larger and heavier, it tends to get more difficult. All in all, it is just how you want to carry it with you. I keep mine in a camera case with the lenses, and carry it around my neck when I'm using it. Also, transferring images is so EASY! Either plug it in to your computer via USB or take out the SD card. It is also so simple to view the images on a TV with the video cable! Love it!!

CouponFreak0412

USA

I have had this camera for about a year now, it is easy to use and learn on. It takes great photos, even on auto mode. For the price you are getting a great piece of equipment. With a little practice the photos look professional. The battery life is great, it will take thousands of photos on one charge. I really can't think of any drawbacks to this camera. As with any dslr you do have to practice a bit to learn which settings are best for each situation. It can be intimidating at first, and you're going to have to read and practice to learn how to use it properly. It is my second dslr and while I have loved using this camera, I think I am ready for an upgraded model. Image Quality Great quality images. Ease of Use Can easily be left in auto and work as simply as a regular camera, but it is easy to learn the more advanced settings as well. Battery Life Couldn't be better. Portability Same as any dslr, they are bulky but worth it for the photos you can capture.

TerraJones

USA

I always loved to take different pictures of kids, family, landscape and all the different events, so we decided to get a good camera but not spend a fortune since I didn't own a business or anything. So we went ahead and bought this camera. I am very glad we did!! I enjoy taking pictures with this camera because it takes excellent pictures when in motion, farther away or up close the pictures turn out great all the time, and with busy toddlers around the house this has been a lifesaver. I have also used this camera for a blog but this is more for a beginner, you definitely would want to upgrade to a better camera in the long run for even better picture quality but for now, I am satisfied with this, I recommend this camera to anyone. Image Quality Image quality is excellent, I can capture while my kids are moving around and still get a great picture! Ease of Use It is very simple and easy to use and will be great for any beginner. Durability It is a very durable camera it will last you a good amount of time

dmozhelyuk

USA

I recently had the opportunity to use this camera to take some candid photos of my family and all I can say is "WOW" , what a difference from my cheapie little camera that I was used to using! This took fantastic super crisp pictures, compensated for the little bit of shake that seems to make so many of my pictures look crappy! Image Quality Nice and crisp, no complaints, and I just used simple settings, I am sure this is capable of so much more! Ease of Use It took a little playing around to figure things out, but that's half the fun of picture taking anyways, isn't it? Durability Seems to be rugged enough to stand up to frequent use, nice to have something substantial to hold onto as opposed to s small cell phone sized cameral. Battery Life We spent hours taking pictures all afternoon and didn't manage to kill the battery. Portability obviously not as portable as the cell phone you can stick in your pocket, but a nice sized item that is easily taken on the go.

NewBeginningsBou

USA

I LOVE this camera! We replaced an average digital with this and the difference is night and day. The picture quality is so crisp and very high quaility. You can purchase additional flashes or lense as well. I love all it can do and I am just starting out. There are so many features you almost need to take a class as a beginner lol!

Jrevolt

USA

I think this camera is great. Very good quality for pictures. The possibilities are endless. Lots and lots of settings to learn and you will want to take the time. We bought this camera because I wanted to learn more about photography and also so we can take our own pictures and not pay an arm and a leg for them. I will admit, sometimes you do pay for peoples talent, but if you take some time to learn your camera and look for some ideas, you can come up with some pretty cool pictures of your own. Image Quality I love the quality of pics on this camera. I also love that it has a fast pace setting so if I am taking it of the kids moving around, they are not blurry. Performance Never have been disappointed. Whenever we take pictures with friends everyone wants me to email them the pic that I took with our camera. Love that I can film also, so easy to switch back and forth. Ease of Use It is easy to use once you have learned all the settings and features, which takes time for sure. Durability I have been really careful with it, so I would hope it is durable but it is not a cheap camera so I would take care of it. Battery Life Seems to last a very long time and very easy to charge, charges fairly quickly. Portability Now on the downside, this camera is heavy and large, so you cannot just slip it into your pocket and go. I have a bag and that can be bulky. I never take it when we are doing stuff with water, just to be safe and you want to keep an eye on it so someone does not swipe it.

HollyAdams

USA

I've had this camera for 3 years now and have never been disappointed. It is so easy to use, my kids use it. It takes excellent pictures. The lenses are easy to change. The pictures are easy to upload. I don't have a single complaint!

vacation4mom1

USA