Canon EOS Digital
Rebel XSi
 vs
Canon Rebel
T2i

Updated (February, 2011): Compare the Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi vs Canon Rebel T3i

Canon EOS Rebel T2i

59
"Excellent detail and resolution"
dpreview.com | talking about the T2i's image-quality
"Since the body shell is virtually identical to the EOS 500D that it replaces, the handling is also virtually identical, meaning the grip still feels a bit fiddly unless you're got very delicate hands."
dpreview.com | talking about the T2i's feel

Reasons to buy the Canon Rebel T2i

Screen resolution
 High resolution screen
1,040k dots
True resolution
 High true resolution
17.9 MP
External mic jack
 External mic jack
Record higher quality audio with a microphone
Size
 Really small
Prosumer size 129x98x62 mm
Badge
 Built-in focus motor
Autofocuses with more lenses
Thickness
 Thin
2.4"
Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi

40
"Superb resolution, good per-pixel sharpness"
dpreview.com | talking about the Rebel XSi's image-quality
"Lots of external controls including new ISO button give instant access to commonly changed functions"
dpreview.com | talking about the Rebel XSi's button-layout

Reasons to buy the Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi

Shutter lag
 Barely any delay taking photos
160 ms shutter lag
Size
 Really small
Prosumer size 129x98x62 mm
Badge
 Built-in focus motor
Autofocuses with more lenses
Thickness
 Thin
2.4"
Weight
 Light-weight
524 g
Built-in flash
 Built-in flash
External flash not needed

differences

Advantages of the Canon Rebel XSi
Shutter lag Significantly less shutter lag 160 ms vs 252 ms
Help
 Around 40% less delay when taking photos
Battery life Slightly longer battery life 500 shots vs 440 shots
Help
 More than 10% more shots per battery charge
Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi Learn more about
the Canon Rebel XSi

Advantages of the Canon T2i
Movie format Shoots movies 1080p @ 30fps vs None
Help
 Shoots Full HD (1080p) video as well as still pictures
Screen resolution Much higher resolution screen 1,040k dots vs 230k dots
Help
 More than 4.5x higher resolution screen
Overall image quality Better image quality 66.0 vs 61.0
Help
 Around 10% better image quality
Dynamic range More dynamic range 11.5 EV vs 10.8 EV
Help
 0.7 f-stops more dynamic range
True resolution Much higher true resolution 17.9 MP vs 12.2 MP
Help
 Capture around 50% more detail in your photos
Low light performance Lower noise at high ISO 784 ISO vs 692 ISO
Help
 The T2i has a slight edge (0.2 f-stops) in low noise, high ISO performance
Color depth Better color depth 22.1 bits vs 21.9 bits
Help
 Distinguishes 0.2 more bits of color
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity 6,400 ISO vs 1,600 ISO
Help
 The T2i's maximum light sensitivity is 2 f-stops better
Light sensitivity (boost) Has boost ISO 12,800 ISO vs None
Help
 Allows taking photos in darker situations, often at the cost of additional noise in the image
Sensor size Slightly larger sensor APS-C 22.3x14.9mm vs APS-C 22.2x14.8mm
Help
 Almost the same
Canon EOS Rebel T2i Learn more about
the Canon T2i
vs

recommendations

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

Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi
40 vs 59
Explain scores
Canon Rebel T2i Canon EOS Rebel T2i
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Canon EOS Rebel T2i.

performance Which camera has better performance? Cast your vote!

CanonEOS Digital Rebel XSi
 Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi vs Canon EOS Rebel T2i
CanonRebel T2i
Uses Travel score Travel
On holiday or vacation
7
7
Vote Vote
Sports score Sports
Fast action, sometimes indoors
6
7
Vote Vote
Features Color accuracy Color accuracy
White balance in varied lighting
6
7
Vote Vote
Autofocus peformance Still image focusing
Speed and accuracy
7
7
Vote Vote
Manual controls Manual settings
How quickly and easily you can change settings
8
7
Vote Vote
Build quality Build quality
Is it sturdy, well made, plastic or metal
6
8
Vote Vote
Green arrow Join in the discussion below!

similarities

Compared to recent entry-level DSLRs

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Lens availability Many lenses available Help
162 lenses
Screen size Larger than average screens Help
3.0"
Startup delay Minimal startup delay Help
400 ms startup delay
Size Fairly small Help
Prosumer size 129x98x62 mm
Thickness Very thin Help
2.4"
Weight Light weight Help
Rebel XSi:524 g
T2i:530 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%
HDR Neither has in-camera HDR Help
You could do HDR manually
Screen flips out No flip-out screens Help
Less flexible
Image stabilization No image stabilization Help
Risk of blur
Cross type focus points Few cross-type focus points Help
1
Continuous shooting Slow continuous shooting Help
Rebel XSi:3.5 fps
T2i:3.7 fps
Autofocus No video autofocus Help
Manual focus only
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
Sensor size Very small sensors Help
Rebel XSi:APS-C 22.2x14.8mm
T2i:APS-C 22.3x14.9mm
Light sensitivity Poor maximum light sensitivity Help
Rebel XSi:1,600 ISO
T2i:6,400 ISO
Dynamic range Poor dynamic range Help
Rebel XSi:10.8 EV
T2i:11.5 EV

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Canon Rebel T3i

Canon Rebel T3i

Entry-level DSLR

$609 - $800 body only

$888 - $1,100 with 18-135mm lens
Screen flips out Has a screen which flips out
Thickness Is thicker
Size Is significantly larger
Compare the Rebel T3i vs the EOS Digital Rebel XSi
Compare the Rebel T3i vs the Rebel T2i
Nikon D5100

Nikon D5100

Entry-level DSLR

$650 - $749 body only

$600 - $750 with 18-55mm lens
Low light performance Is significantly less noisy at high ISO
Overall image quality Has significantly better image quality
Thickness Is thicker
Lens focus motor Doesn't have a built-in focus motor
Compare the D5100 vs the EOS Digital Rebel XSi
Compare the D5100 vs the Rebel T2i
Nikon D3100

Nikon D3100

Entry-level DSLR

$834 body only

$500 - $984 with 18-55mm lens
Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
Sensor size Has a marginally larger sensor
Thickness Is thicker
Lens focus motor Doesn't have a built-in focus motor
Compare the D3100 vs the EOS Digital Rebel XSi
Compare the D3100 vs the Rebel T2i
Canon Rebel T3

Canon Rebel T3

Entry-level DSLR

$379 body only

$460 - $550 with 18-55mm lens
Battery life Has a slightly longer battery life
Weight Is slightly lighter
Thickness Is thicker
Sensor cleaning Lacks a self cleaning sensor
Compare the Rebel T3 vs the EOS Digital Rebel XSi
Compare the Rebel T3 vs the Rebel T2i
Canon EOS Rebel T1i

Canon Rebel T1i

Entry-level DSLR

$445 - $629 body only

$503 - $609 with 18-55mm lens
External mic jack Lacks and external mic jack
Supports 24p Doesn't record movies in 24p
Compare the Rebel T1i vs the EOS Digital Rebel XSi
Compare the Rebel T1i vs the Rebel T2i
Canon EOS 60D

Canon EOS 60D

Pro DSLR

$899 - $1,304 body only

$1,139 - $1,342 with 18-135mm lens
Viewfinder size Slightly larger viewfinder
Continuous shooting Shoots faster continuously
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is much heavier
Compare the EOS 60D vs the EOS Digital Rebel XSi
Compare the EOS 60D vs the Rebel T2i
Nikon D90

Nikon D90

Entry-level DSLR

$869 - $897 body only

$1,099 - $1,200 with 18-105mm lens
Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is significantly heavier
Compare the D90 vs the EOS Digital Rebel XSi
Compare the D90 vs the Rebel T2i

Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi.

Canon EOS Rebel T2i Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Canon EOS Rebel T2i.

appearance

Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi Canon EOS Rebel T2i
Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi Canon EOS Rebel T2i
Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi Canon EOS Rebel T2i

Find similar cameras

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discussion Which do you think is better?

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