Updated (February, 2011): Compare the Canon EOS 1100D vs Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi

Canon EOS 500D

54

Reasons to buy the Canon EOS 500D

Movie format
Full HD
1080p @ 20fps
Screen size
Large screen
3.0"
Screen resolution
High resolution screen
920k dots
Startup delay
Almost no delay when powering up
300 ms startup delay
Shutter lag
Barely any delay taking photos
159 ms shutter lag
Badge
Phase detection autofocus
fast and accurate
Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi

41

"Superb resolution, good per-pixel sharpness"
dpreview.com | talking about the Rebel XSi's image-quality
"Just like the EOS 400D the 450D is primarily made from three materials; a stainless steel chassis, the mirror box which is made of high-strength 'engineering plastic' and the body made of a special lightweight 'engineering plastic' which also provides some electromagnetic shielding. Construction is very good with no creaks or rattles."
dpreview.com | talking about the Rebel XSi's build-quality

Reasons to buy the Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi

Screen size
Large screen
3.0"
Shutter lag
Barely any delay taking photos
160 ms shutter lag
Badge
Phase detection autofocus
fast and accurate
Size
Really small
Prosumer size 129x98x62 mm
Badge
Built-in focus motor
Autofocuses with more lenses
Thickness
Thin
2.4"

differences

Advantages of the Canon 500D

Movie format Shoots movies 1080p @ 20fps vs None
Help
Shoots Full HD (1080p) video as well as still pictures
Screen resolution Much higher resolution screen 920k dots vs 230k dots
Help
4x higher resolution screen
Dynamic range More dynamic range 11.5 EV vs 10.8 EV
Help
0.7 f-stops more dynamic range
True resolution Higher true resolution 15.1 MP vs 12.2 MP
Help
Capture more than 20% more detail in your photos
Overall image quality Slightly better image quality 63.0 vs 61.0
Help
Almost the same
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity 3,200 ISO vs 800 ISO
Help
The 500D's maximum light sensitivity is 2 f-stops better
Light sensitivity (boost) Better boost ISO 12,800 ISO vs 1,600 ISO
Help
The 500D's boost ISO is 3 f-stops better
Startup delay Slightly less startup delay 300 ms vs 400 ms
Help
Around 30% less delay when turning on
Sensor size Slightly larger sensor APS-C 22.3x14.9mm vs APS-C 22.2x14.8mm
Help
Almost the same
Canon EOS 500D Learn more about
the Canon 500D

Advantages of the Canon Rebel XSi

Color depth Better color depth 21.9 bits vs 21.7 bits
Help
Distinguishes 0.2 more bits of color
Low light performance Slightly lower noise at high ISO 692 ISO vs 663 ISO
Help
The Rebel XSi has a slight edge (0.1 f-stops) in low noise, high ISO performance
Battery life Longer battery life 500 shots vs 400 shots
Help
Around 30% more shots per battery charge
Lowest price Slightly cheaper $467.50 vs $539.00
Help
The best price we've seen is $72 cheaper (more than 10% less)
Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi Learn more about
the Canon Rebel XSi
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent entry-level DSLRs, and ignoring price

Canon EOS 500D Canon EOS 500D
54 vs 41
Explain scores
Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Canon EOS 500D.

advice

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similarities

Compared to recent entry-level DSLRs

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Lens availability Many lenses available Help
162 lenses
Shutter lag Minimal shutter lag Help
500D:159 ms
Rebel XSi:160 ms
Size Very small Help
Prosumer size 129x98x62 mm
Startup delay Minimal startup delay Help
500D:300 ms
Rebel XSi:400 ms
Thickness Very thin Help
2.4"
Lowest price Inexpensive Help
500D:$539.00
Rebel XSi:$467.50
Weight Light weight Help
500D:520 g
Rebel XSi:524 g
Fastest shutter speed Slow max shutter speed Help
1/4000 of a second
Storage slots Fewer storage slots Help
1
Viewfinder coverage Below average viewfinder coverage Help
95%
Light sensitivity Poor maximum light sensitivity Help
500D:3,200 ISO
Rebel XSi:800 ISO
HDR Neither has in-camera HDR Help
You could do HDR manually
Autofocus No video autofocus Help
Manual focus only
Screen flips out No flip-out screens Help
Less flexible
Image stabilization No image stabilization Help
Risk of blur
Sensor size Very small sensors Help
500D:APS-C 22.3x14.9mm
Rebel XSi:APS-C 22.2x14.8mm
Cross type focus points Few cross-type focus points Help
1
Continuous shooting Slow continuous shooting Help
500D:3.4 fps
Rebel XSi:3.5 fps
Panorama Neither camera stitches together panoramas Help
You could stitch photos in post
3D Neither camera can take 3D photos Help
No 3d support
Focus points Few focus points Help
9
Color depth Poor color depth Help
500D:21.7 bits
Rebel XSi:21.9 bits
Weather sealed Neither is weather sealed Help
Need to shelter it from weather
Overall image quality Low image quality Help
500D:63.0
Rebel XSi:61.0
Dynamic range Poor dynamic range Help
500D:11.5 EV
Rebel XSi:10.8 EV
Low light performance Above average noise at high ISO Help
500D:663 ISO
Rebel XSi:692 ISO

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Canon EOS Rebel T2i

Canon Rebel T2i

Entry-level DSLR

$544 - $949 body only

$649 - $867 with 18-55mm lens

Color depth Has slightly more color depth
True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
Shutter lag Has significantly more shutter lag
Canon Rebel T3

Canon Rebel T3

Entry-level DSLR

$333 body only

$489 - $500 with 18-55mm lens

Light sensitivity Slightly higher maximum light sensitivity
Battery life Has a significantly longer battery life
Thickness Is thicker
Sensor cleaning Lacks a self cleaning sensor
Nikon D3100

Nikon D3100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $547 with 18-55mm lens

Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
Thickness Is thicker
Lens focus motor Doesn't have a built-in focus motor
Canon Rebel T3i

Canon Rebel T3i

Entry-level DSLR

$619 - $700 body only

$745 - $1,000 with 18-55mm lens

Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
Color depth Has slightly more color depth
Thickness Is thicker
Size Is significantly larger
Nikon D5100

Nikon D5100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $597 body only

$600 - $697 with 18-55mm lens

Low light performance Is much less noisy at high ISO
Overall image quality Has much better image quality
Thickness Is thicker
Lens focus motor Doesn't have a built-in focus motor
Canon EOS 60D

Canon EOS 60D

Pro DSLR

$848 - $1,304 body only

$1,177 - $1,342 with 18-135mm lens

Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
Color depth Has slightly more color depth
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Thickness Is thicker
Canon EOS Digital Rebel XS

Canon EOS Digital Rebel XS

Entry-level DSLR

$299 - $595 body only

$437 - $439 with 18-55mm lens

Color depth Has slightly more color depth
Autofocus Users slower contrast detection autofocus
True resolution Takes slightly lower resolution photos

Canon EOS 500D Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Canon EOS 500D.

Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Canon EOS Rebel T1i

Canon Rebel T1i

Entry-level DSLR

$475 - $629 body only

$549 - $580 with 18-55mm lens

Movie format Shoots movies
Screen resolution Much higher resolution screen
Color depth Worse color depth
Low light performance Slightly more noise at high ISO

appearance

Canon EOS 500D Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi
Canon EOS 500D Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi
Canon EOS 500D Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi

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