The larger LCD on the XSi necessitated a change of layout for the controls on the back from that of the XTi. Overall, I think I like it better than the older design with Menu, Disp, Review, Jump, and Delete buttons down the left side.
Like all the entry-level models, the XSi provides a full-auto option and a handful of scene modes, in addition to dSLR-class manual and semimanual exposure modes.
Like Nikon, Canon ships the XSi with an optically stabilized update of its 18-55mm kit lens. Although optical stabilization lets you preview the stabilized results, sensor-shift stabilization allows for cheaper comparable lenses in the long run.
ISO 100 and ISO 800 are the XSi's sweet spots when it comes to noise, but for a budget model the camera does quite a good job across the entire range.
As with many kit lenses, the XSi's is relatively slow, which necessitated shooting this at ISO 800 (1/100 sec, f/5.6). As you can see, however, the results are quite sharp.
Visually and by our test numbers, the XSi renders accurate, consistent color. For example, this was shot at ISO 800, and there's no color shift or any notable artifacts.
Of course, if accurate color isn't your thing, you can play with Canon's Picture Styles and tweak reality. Frankly, I think you're always better off shooting the most accurate color possible--you can always pump it up later, but you can never recreate reality from a tweaked original. That's why I tend to discount features like this.
You can bring up the exposure on the XSi's photos without inflicting excessive noise on them. The flash didn't fire for this shot of Kendra, but I was able to fix the exposure suitably for Web use. I don't think I'll be printing it at 13x19, though.
An inexpensive but longer model with many of the same characteristics of the 18-55mm kit lens, the 55-250mm comes in handy as a supplement if you want to roll your own two-lens kit.
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