T1i Reviews
Great product!
Before buying this camera I looked into the Nikon D5000 as well. Evetually, my best friend got the Nikon and I got the Canon. Picture quality is about the same, also their ability to shoot in low light conditions. The Canon is Lighter than the Nikon (about 100g) and smaller in dimensions. Additionally, the Canon has more function buttons which allow to change many settings without having to go through the Menu.
I would most definately recommend others to buy this product.
Best entry level DSLRI love my new camera! The pictures are very sharp and colors are amazing. I only have the kit lens and so far, I am really happy with the quality of the pictures. This is my first DSLR camera, and I purchased this one because of the HD video recording capability. I use an 8 gb Sandisk Extreme III SDHC with it (as recommended by another reviewer) and I have not had any problems with video recording or playback. I do suggest using a Speedlite 430EX with it if you intend to take a lot of indoor pictures or anywhere where there is poor lighting. The flash on this camera is powerful but can only do so much. I borrowed one from a friend and my pictures came out better with the Speedlite. As long as you don’t use live view, battery life is great. I was able to take pictures and videos all day long (about 12 hours) at Magic Kingdom without having to change the battery. If you are thinking about getting the XSi, get this one instead. It is a much better deal for a couple hundred more.
Great Camera over allI am very happy with this camera. The last time I owned a “real” camera was also a Rebel, but the 35mm version. Now I am amaze of the great features and the possibility to see what you shot right away. I am specially enjoying the connection to my HDTV at home. I can see the videos as well as the pictures via the mini HDMI connector. The possibility to change ISO on the fly makes low light conditions not an issue. The battery life is also very good. I am able to go for long walks and keep the camera on and ready all the time. Usually I turn de display off and just focus through the lenses. I probably should get the extension for the viewfinder, I hate to get my nose mark on the display glass. I am loving to use it with my new Macbook Pro, when shooting at the studio, I can control the camera with the laptop and see the image I am capturing in a big screen. Over all I love the camera I am happy I make a right choice, it is so light weight, that I can carry it all the time with no problem.
Incredible Camera! The Best of Both Worlds! (Canon 50D & Mark II)
I’m just an average guy who’s trying to break into the professional world of photography… I’ve been eyeing the Canon 50D and was so close to buying one when I heard of the T1i. So I compared notes and found the T1i was nearly identical to the Canon 50D minus a few things I couldn’t really notice (or care about) since I consider myself somewhat knowledgeable about photography.
After reading what few reviews there were on the internet because this item was new, I decided to take the plunge and buy this camera and lucky me, I ordered it the day it was released to the world so it came quickly!
The results? I LOVE IT! But before I say more…
Now, if you’re a big guy like me who has BIG HANDS, YOU WILL WANT THE BATTERY GRIP that is extra. TRUST ME… It’s a no-brainer… get it because it will make the camera feel so much better and make it look even more professional!
That, and the battery grip comes with 2 extra 1800mA batteries which will give you a total of 3 batteries all together. I’ve been playing with it for several days and still haven’t made a dent in draining these batteries!
How’s it operate? GREAT! Let me go into more detail…
It’s got several settings that I will sum up for you in Regular English, not Geek speak because I wish more people would speak this way instead of beating around the bush…
It’s got old fashioned digital camera settings (you know the little icons of the flower or mountain, sports guy, etc) so if you know how to use these settings, you’ll be able to use this quickly and comfortably.
It’s got a full auto mode (which I like to call “No Brainer Mode”) because this feature is a no-brainer! You just shoot and let it think for you! It will do EVERYTHING for you and do an incredible job! (NICE 
)
And it’s got the Advanced Modes so if you are a pro or want the controls of a professional camera (you know, to change the ISO settings or F-stops, etc) You can do that too!
They really put a lot of thinking into this camera and its nice, inside and out. One of the things I’ve discovered that’s extra credit is the software that comes with it called Digital Photo Professional.
If you’ve read some of these reviews that talks about a picture maybe soft somewhere or the ISO noise (for whatever reason)… Digital Photo Professional has some sweet settings that will get rid of that for you and enhance your pictures to STUNNING!
There’s so much potential in this camera and remember, it’s made by the same folks who made the 50D and all the other versions! So what if its got minor tweaks that others don’t… the bottom line is that this is an incredible camera!
I’m not crazy about the “Rebel” name in it because it makes it sound Amateurish… This should be called The Canon EOS AWESOME T1i because it looks, feels and is just that!
Even better is the High Definition Video you can record if you want to. Sure its not equal to a dedicated HD camcorder but its nice to have if you want to record something important and look sharp too! Personally, I can’t tell the difference between the 1080p and 720p so don’t let these little nit-pickers bother you.
Go with your gut and DO GET A GOOD LENS to compliment the one it comes with. Your next best bet is to get a 28mm to 200mm LENS so you can do those zoom and up close shots.
With so many lenses, it will just open up all kinds of creative things you can do. I hope my review answered your questions! I’m glad I bought it and look forward to all the possibilities! So if you’re looking to be a professional, this is a great start! If you’re looking to have a nice camera that you want to enjoy as a hobby, this is also for you!
As I said in the title… the best of both worlds! 
UPDATE: While I’ve had it for about a month now, I’m very impressed with its performance and battery life! And to the person who commented, I’m a happy customer who’s good at wording. I don’t work for anyone but myself. Check my website in my profile if you want proof. I just call it as it is.
SO Glad I upgraded my XTi!I have been very happy with my XTi, purchased 2 years ago and a really great camera. I was having a hard time justifying upgrading it to another model without jumping from a 3-digit model to a 2-digit model. I went with a friend to look at cameras, and he was looking at the T1i. I got a chance to hold it and fell in love. The design upgrades, the speed, the weight, all sold me. I love love love this camera, and I’m very glad I took the leap to upgrade from my XTi.
Review for the non-newbies
I’ll tell you – when my wife first gave me the okay to upgrade from my Rebel Xti, I didn’t know whether to hug her or take her to the hospital. Then came the greatest question of all time – which one?
Luckily, all options were available to me since the 7D had already shipped. My budget was $3K so, cost (to some extent) wasn’t a issue. So began my journey.
I looked at the following camera bodies:
1. Canon 5D Mark II – Too pricey. Bulky and can’t use my 10-22 EF-S UWA.
2. Canon 5D – Can’t use my 10-22 EF-S UWA.
3. Canon 7D – Great camera w/ Video, APS-C sensor, two (count em TWO) Digic4 processor, 100% coverage pentaprism viewfinder, totally upgraded AF system, it Brand Spankin NEW!
4. Canon 50D – This camera was obsolete as soon as it was introduced. No thanks.
5. Canon T1i – What’s with the stupid name? (Thanks Agassi, jerk.) Same sensor as 50D, Video, 920K screen, light weight, more $$ leftover for lenses.
6. Nikon D700 – Too pricey, control are too difficult to learn (I’m sorry, but to me IT IS).
7. Nikon D300s – Too pricey for using APS-C sensor. Might as well get the 7D.
8. Nikon D5000 – Nice IQ, but no motor on body, 230K screen, swivel screen sucks.
* Also, Nikon is no doubt a great camera company, but I still prefer the different lenses available through Canon.
So, after two months of going back-and-forth between the 7D and T1i – I decided to pick the T1i and spend the extra $1k on the sweet new 100mm f2.8L IS macro. The more and more I think about it, more and more it becomes clear that camera’s ability is pretty limited to the operator’s talent & imagination. And since camera bodies don’t hold their value so well, I figure I can upgrade to the 7D or 5D Mk2 in a couple of years at a fraction of the price.
This is what I had for the last 3 years:
Canon Rebel Xti, 18-55 kit lens, 10-22mm EF-S UWA, 50mm f1.8
This is what I have now:
Canon Rebel X1i, 18-55 IS kit lens (which is awesome), 10-22mm EF-S UWA, 50mm f1.8, 100mm f2.8L IS macro, 70-200mm f4L IS
I can say with confidence that I’m happy with my decision. Although the 7D might of given me bragging rights, I’d much rather have an L lens.
Great SLR!!I rarely write reviews for anything I buy online, but for this camera it’s a different story. This is an easy to use and very high quality SLR. The body is solid, does not feel cheap, but it is much lighter than you’d expect, which is a great plus when you have to carry it around. The supplied lens are of excellent quality and image stabilization makes a big difference.
I’ve had the opportunity to shoot with Nikon’s D90, but the Canon 500D in my opinion is the better of the two. The functions are easy to navigate and very clear, the display is bright, has anti-glare and anti-scratch coating. The 1080p video capture is a great plus. If you’re a novice or have some experience with SLR’s, this camera is a perfect fit.
I’ve gone through a 2GB card which is full of beautiful pictures all taken with this Canon 500D.
I highly recommend it
Good dSLRThe Canon EOS Rebel T1i (or 500D) is a very nice dSLR, especially when you consider the price point. Image quality is good, and so is the build and ergonomics.
The 930,000 dot screen is absolutely gorgeous. It is viewable just about everywhere, and the quality is sufficient for confirmation of focus — something the XSi’s screen simply didn’t really do very well.
If you liked the XSi’s handling and ergonomics, the T1i feels very much the same. Having tried out a 50d in comparison, I prefer the Rebel’s handling better. The only thing I wish the Rebel series had is a scroll wheel instead of simply four directional arrows. Otherwise the placement, weight, and grip are perfect for me.
The quick set feature of the T1i is also quite nice — a big improvement over the XSi. No longer does one have to root through the menus or leave the info display to change your flash exposure compensation — just press SET, arrow around a couple times, and change the setting.
The 15.1 megapixel sensor does a good job at rendering images and keeping noise low. It isn’t quite as low as the XSi’s 12 megapixel sensor, but that’s expected. What is welcome is the addition of 3200 ISO, as well as 6400/12800 ISO (though these are really just 3200 ISO with processing applied). Shockingly, 3200 ISO isn’t absolutely horrible; though anything beyond that is for emergency use only.
The other major feature to be added to the Rebel series is video. Video recording is serviceable, if not mostly automatic — aside from focusing. Focus is manual (though you can auto-focus with a button press), but aperture control is automatic (you can lock it, however), as is ISO control. There is no audio-in capability, so the microphone picks up everything the camera does, and besides that, it isn’t that great of a microphone anyway. Other than that, the video capability works, although you’ll need fast cards for it (class 6). Since most of my work is still photography, I haven’t played with it more than just to get a very basic feel for it.
PROS: Nice image quality, even with the increase in megapixels. Improved usability with the quick set feature. (If you consider the Rebel’s ergonomics a pro, then the T1i will not disappoint.) Video. Decent build quality (esp. for price). Gorgeous 930k LCD. Expanded ISO range.
CONS: No manual control over the aperture or ISO when recording video. No external audio input. A little more noise than the XSi. (If you consider the Rebel’s ergonomics a con, then the T1i will be no different.)
CONCLUSION: Try it. It’s a nice camera, especially at the price. Image quality is good, and that screen is simply gorgeous. That said, hold it. Play with the controls. If you are uncomfortable with where things are, or the build of the camera, you’ll probably want to go for a 50d or higher. If you’ve used and liked the XSi or previous versions, you’ll like this camera.
If you’ve already got an XSi, there’s only a few reasons to upgrade: improved screen, quick set, and video. If none of those are all that important to you, stick with the XSi. For me, I purchased the T1i so my XSi could be my second body, so you might want to consider that. (Alternatively, you could just buy another XSi – they are fairly cheap now.)
great cameraDon’t think I can describe all the goodies better than what everyone else here.
Bottom line: If you’re a newbie and are looking to get your feet wet with dSLR, get this camera. You won’t regret it.
It’s much more portable (than 40D, 50D..the new 7D)
takes great pictures
the video function turned out MUCH more convenient than I expected. (1080p would be nice, but that’s too greedy to expect in a $800 camera)
Overall: great camera. If you’re thinking about it, get it.
Best picture and bang for your buck
Had the Nikon D5000 for a month and it won’t power on. Issues on this. Sending it to Nikon for repair.I researched for a small, comparable camera that is similar to Nikon as backup. Found the T1i a much better camera. Pictures are vivid than that of Nikon D5000 , just be sure to use only Lens with IS (VR, HSM or DC features) for Canon doesn’t have any built in stabilization in any new camera body. I paired it to a Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 L USM Lens and a new Sigma 18-250mm HSM lens and couldn’t be happier. My friends are envious including a neighbor that has a BULKY and butt ugly Nikon D90(looks old). With d T1i’s gorgeous 920k LCD lens for live view and superior pictures , I don’t even want to touch my antiquated 230k LCD NIkon D5000 again. The Nikon is going to ebay and my T1i is here to stay. See for yourself . The T1i is even better than the bulkier canon 50d wich has the same CMOS but lacks video. Just use the right lens. I have been in photography for more than 20 years and can’t be happier . Again get a good lens for this amazing baby. Way to go Canon.
