Canon EOS Rebel T1i (with 18-55mm IS lens)
Manufacturer: Canon USA Part number: 3818B002
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- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Product series
- Accessories
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- A solid, slightly better-than-basic dSLR, the Canon EOS Rebel T1i delivers photo quality and performance that adequately compensates for most of its annoyances.
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CNET editors' review
Canon EOS Rebel T1i (with 18-55mm IS lens) price range: $734.99 - $899.97
- Reviewed by: Lori Grunin
- Reviewed on: 05/01/2009
- Released on: 04/18/2009
The good: Fast performance; very nice photo quality; HD video capture.
The bad: Annoying viewfinder; video capture is its only better-than-basic feature.
The bottom line: A solid, slightly better-than-basic dSLR, the Canon EOS Rebel T1i delivers photo quality and performance that adequately compensates for most of its annoyances.
Slipping neatly into the company's dSLR product line between the XSi and the 40D, the Canon EOS Rebel T1i (aka the 500D elsewhere in the world) pushes the XTi off the edge of the bed into discontinuity. Joined by models like the Nikon D5000 and the Olympus E-620 in that $800-to-$900-with-lens market segment, it's not quite a budget model; more for the entry-level buyer who wants higher resolution and a better AF system, and perhaps video, than you can get for $700.
In addition to the kit with the veteran f3.5-5.6 18-55mm IS lens, Canon is shipping a body-only version for those of you who already have a lens or two lying around.
Since the body is almost identical to the XSi, including the 1.2-pound weight, the shooting experience is unsurprisingly similar. On that camera, I complained that the plastic body felt a bit cheap and I wasn't crazy about the grip, but I suppose I've gotten used to it for this class of camera in the year since that review. Overall, it's comfortable and feels solid enough. It keeps the same large, fixed 3-inch LCD; more models in this class are offering smaller but articulated LCDs, which is starting to make this seem like a competitive disadvantage. Almost all the buttons lie under your right hand, and each feels slightly different so that you can grope them without looking. None requires two-handed operation: when you push the button to change ISO, white balance, metering, and so on, the menu persists while you navigate the options.
While the modes on the dial remain mostly unchanged, there's now a dedicated movie selection. Having it on the dial makes jumping between stills and movies more awkward than necessary; the dedicated Live View button doubles as a record stop/start when in movie mode. Canon also added the Creative Auto mode that debuted in its higher-end models, but which makes a lot more sense in this one. CA is a semimanual mode with capabilities you can view as an advanced Auto mode or dumbed-down Program mode, depending upon your viewpoint. All functions in CA are automated, with a few exceptions. Notably, it replaces shutter and aperture adjustment options with two sliding scales--Exposure (brighter/darker) and Background (blurred/sharp)--that implicitly adjust shutter speed and aperture. It's an interesting approach for beginners who'd like to take some chances.
It also retains My Menu, which lets you build a go-to list of the most frequently accessed menu settings--in my case, for instance, format and metering settings. Canon has finally also adopted the capability to directly change most shooting settings via the information display on the LCD.
My biggest peeves still remain: Canon's Picture Styles, custom contrast, sharpness saturation, and color tone, unfortunately take precedence over the capability to save groups of custom exposure, white balance, metering, drive mode settings, and so on. And I'm beginning to hate the viewfinder. It offers the same 95 percent coverage as its competitors, but at a lower magnification than some, and it uses the same horribly annoying tiny focus points that don't actually tell you if it's in focus; locked or not, it simply blinks. I had to turn on the indicator beep. (Yes, there's a focus lock indicator in the viewfinder, but it's down on the bottom right where it's a bit of a strain on your peripheral vision.)
On some counts, the T1i offers some pretty nice specifications, highlighted by the 15-megapixel APS-C size CMOS sensor (for Canon's traditional 1.6x focal-length multiplier) and same nine-point user-selectable autofocus system as the XSi. Aside from new capabilities like movie capture and CA, the camera offers effectively the same feature set as the XSi, with its same strengths and holes. It lacks common perks Sony, Pentax, and Olympus include in their cameras, like in-body mechanical stabilization and a wireless flash controller in the body, a feature I occasionally find quite useful. The inclusion of an image-stabilizing kit lens doesn't quite compensate, since additional optically stabilized lenses tend to cost more in the long run. (For a complete accounting of the T1i's features, download the PDF manual.)
The T1i performs very well for this class of dSLR. It wakes and shoots in a quick 0.2 second. In bright conditions it can focus and shoot in a fast 0.3 second, and even in dim conditions maintains a 0.6 second shot lag--that makes it faster than the more expensive Nikon D90. Typical shot-to-shot time runs about 0.4 second, for both raw and JPEG, and throwing the pop-up flash into the mix bumps that to 0.7 second. Continuous shooting speed for this year's models in this price range are running between 3 and 4 frames per second, with the T1i coming in at a respectable, though not class-leading, 3.3fps. In practice, both the frame rate and nine-point AF system are certainly fast enough to keep up with children and pets.
It's always tricky to bump the resolution and not degrade photo quality--the pixels in the T1i's 15-megapixel sensor are, as you'd expect, smaller than those of the XSi's 12-megapixel version: 4.7 microns versus 5.2 microns--but the Digic 4 processor seems to compensate well for noise. Photos remain sharp with few artifacts as high as ISO 1,600--by the numbers as high as ISO 3,200--though sharp-eyed photographers will probably want to max out at ISO 400 for the cleanest photos. The extended sensitivity range goes up to ISO 12,800, and while that's not a setting I'd suggest for everyday use, as long as your subject isn't very detailed or dark it can work in a pinch. Canon seems to have tweaked its default exposure settings to be a bit brighter, more in keeping with consumer tastes, and the result is more clipped highlights than I expected but probably more crowd-pleasing midtones and shadows. The T1i also renders punchier color; bright and saturated, thankfully just shy of too much.
Though not quite as robust as on the EOS 5D Mark II, which supports 30fps for its 1080p capture, the T1i's video still surpasses that of the limited to 24fps 720p Nikon D5000. The movie quality is solid, but I'd stick with the 30fps 720p and avoid 1,920x1,080 mode--it's only 20fps, and motion looks a bit jerky. You can manually invoke AF while you're shooting, which is useful, but remember that it's slow and creaky. Initiating focus creates some jerkiness, but at least you don't have to stop, focus, and restart; I definitely prefer having the option. Like many of the low-end implementations, it uses mono audio (there's no mic input) and could benefit from a wind filter.
The T1i's improvement in low-light AF may be a compelling upgrade for current XSi owners; the higher resolution and video capture capability may provide some allure as well. If you're looking to buy an entry-level Canon, the EOS Rebel T1i won't disappoint, and if you need high resolution, good high ISO performance, or 30fps movie capture in this price range, it's the model to beat from any manufacturer.
(Shorter bars indicate better performance)
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Time to first shot | |
Raw shot-to-shot time | |
Shutter lag (dim light) | |
Shutter lag (typical) |
(Longer bars indicate better performance)
User reviews
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Incredible update of previous Canon dSLRs
by gkantz on May 3, 2009
Pros: Obvious improvement in colors, sharpness, contrast (probably due to Digic 4); Live View improved; movies at 1080p; tons of features
Cons: Live view mode "autofocus" means pressing a button to focus - annoying but otherwise minor in comparison to benefits.
Summary: Fourth dSLR I've owned and as far as consumer-based models are concerned, this is far and away the best. Tremendous results with color, crispness and contrast. LCD much improved ...
Summary: Fourth dSLR I've owned and as far as consumer-based models are concerned, this is far and away the best. Tremendous results with color, crispness and contrast. LCD much improved from prior models. Hate the tiny flash (that's why I have a Speedlite) but so be it. Face detection is good and other features are terrific. Seems like Canon (slightly) improved their menuing system as well. Movie mode is pretty good (although fps is low for 1080). But overall it was a great move from an anemic XS.
4 out of 4 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Excellent camera, especially if you're new to dSLR
by drbacle on August 10, 2009
Pros: Easy to use right out of the box. Excellent tutorials and support at canon.com
Cons: It would be better if I could shoot at slightly higher frames/sec in burst mode. Unless you're a pro, this should not be an issue.
Summary: I was considering three cameras: Canon T1i, Nikon 5000, and Nikon D90. Nikon 5000 already has a product recall, so I eliminated it immediately. The D90 was heavier and I ...
Summary: I was considering three cameras: Canon T1i, Nikon 5000, and Nikon D90. Nikon 5000 already has a product recall, so I eliminated it immediately. The D90 was heavier and I liked the user interface on the T1i better. BestBuy had a package deal, T1i, two lenses, and carrying case, all for around $100 less than the D90. The decision was easy.
2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Reviewer forgot to note increase in screen resolution
by joellowsky on May 3, 2009
Pros: CNET editor wrote: "It keeps the same large, fixed 3-inch LCD," In fact it is the 3" 920,000 pixel screen found on the higher end Canon dSLRs, a substantial improvement over previous Rebel-line cameras.
Cons: CNET editor wrote: "It keeps the same large, fixed 3-inch LCD," In fact it is the 3" 920,000 pixel screen found on the higher end Canon dSLRs, a substantial improvement over previous Rebel-line cameras.
Summary: I haven't played with the camera but I believe the difference in screen resolution not mentioned in the review will be an important feature to consider. Five star rating ...
Summary: I haven't played with the camera but I believe the difference in screen resolution not mentioned in the review will be an important feature to consider. Five star rating assigned only because I had to pick something ... and I want the camera to be great.
1 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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One third of pictures are out of focus.
by gmzaks on October 18, 2009
Pros: Ok... I can take the time to list many good features about this camera. It does have them. But the bottom line is that the bad news in the next section MUST convince you to not make the same mistake I made.
Cons: #1 con.... it does not focus well. At least one third of the pictures are out of focus.
Summary: I have the Canon 18-50 and the Canon 50-250 zoom lens. I've had the camera for about 2 months now. Taken it to Alaska, and to a family reunion ...
Summary: I have the Canon 18-50 and the Canon 50-250 zoom lens. I've had the camera for about 2 months now. Taken it to Alaska, and to a family reunion and numerous "photo days out" to test, play and learn the camera. I am not a professional but I do know what I am doing. The auto focus function of both lens is simply unreliable. Full auto mode, program mode, especially in video mode, the focus simply goes nuts. I know the camera has many focus modes and capabilities, but I am not talking about the special stuff. With all the great functions, there are too many times when I just want to take a simple picture of a group of people. Even if I force the aperture as small as possible (to get the widest depth of field) and if the 3 people are in a straight line next to each other.... it simply does not get them in focus. Some pictures are just GREAT. But too many simple ones just stink, and never knowing is killing the enjoyment of using this camera. The $300 SONY point and shoot which this replaced simply took better pictures.
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Half star for being a paper weight
by barkhuff on September 16, 2009
Pros: The camera with the optional grip has a good feel to it
Cons: Do searches against canon camera for water damage. Their cases leak like the first **** ever made.
Summary: I took my camera to london for vacation. It rains frequently so I tucked it into my coat while it was raining to keep it dry. My body heat steamed ...
Summary: I took my camera to london for vacation. It rains frequently so I tucked it into my coat while it was raining to keep it dry. My body heat steamed up the lens. I let it dry out and it would not power on. Canon warranty support says "severe water damage" and will cost more to repair than to buy new. I now get to pay another 20 dollars to have a paper weight shipped back. I can think of so many better ways to spend 1000 dollars for 4 days worth of shooting.
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Wonderful DSLR with fair video capture capability
by pavanravela on September 10, 2009
Pros: - 15.1 mp crystal clear images.
- Solid build (even much better than XSi)
- Excellent LCD with 920k resolution
- Creative Auto mode for beginners.Cons: - View finder.
- Fixed LCD Screen (I really like the Nikon D5000 tiltable screen)
- Menu options -
Readable Screen!
by Samuijimmy on August 22, 2009
Pros: The three inch screen with lettering you can actually read & understand! A clear image on the screen.
So far pleased with image results, but used all setting situations yet. The set up screen easy too.Cons: The flash pops up, which if you are wearing a hat, hits agains the rim! That's annoying!
RAW is only with "L" image, eats up space quickly... it would have been better to have other choices.
Not found too much to find against this camera...Summary: This is replacing Canon EOS 30... I think a definate improvement... although some may say a down grade.... but I am pleased so far...... Had it not been for lenses ...
Summary: This is replacing Canon EOS 30... I think a definate improvement... although some may say a down grade.... but I am pleased so far...... Had it not been for lenses I have, I perhaps would have considered Nikon?
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Spectacular camera for the price, beautiful photos, A++
by jfiney on August 16, 2009
Pros: Amazing photos. Seriously. Photo quality is incredible. Color balance, exposure, and image clarity all top notch for the money
Cons: No live view in a few modes (but seriously dosn't matter that much), video stutters for half a second when you take a picture, but that's normal
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Great camera, great pictures, poor video playback
by gblindsay on July 14, 2009
Pros: Easy to use
Cons: The video playback is jerky when loaded on a computer at all three modes (Full HD, HD & Std)
Summary: Also .MOV files are not recognized by Windows Movie Maker so you can't edit with that program and I'm having difficulty editing with Pinnacle Studio Ultimate 12.1 ...
Summary: Also .MOV files are not recognized by Windows Movie Maker so you can't edit with that program and I'm having difficulty editing with Pinnacle Studio Ultimate 12.1 Bought the camera for the movie/video mode capability and not pleased with results on playback on my computer or my editing attempts...picture seems to freeze in editing although the sound is good. Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated.
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High performance at a reasonable price.
Pros: Snappy, responsive, GREAT LCD, focus assist in liveview works very well, video capture is impressive, mods in manual mode are fairly intuitive, wonderful metadata on playback
Cons: Viewfinder is not very useful, no mic input for audio, slightly awkward video implementation, the kit lens is OK, but I'd prefer to have a 18-85mm instead.
Summary: Bought the T1i at Costco b/c the D90 was not available and I knew I could return it if I wasn't happy. I'm very pleased w/ the ...
Summary: Bought the T1i at Costco b/c the D90 was not available and I knew I could return it if I wasn't happy. I'm very pleased w/ the T1i and I think it's the first dSLR that delivers so many pro features at a reasonable price point. The reviewer needs to remember that not everyone owns a Rebel XSi so while feature updates are important, they should not drive the review as they did here. On it's own merits, this is a very impressive camera.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Canon USA
- Part number: 3818B002
- Description: Canon's EOS Rebel T1i is packed with features, both refined and new. In addition to its admirable performance with a 15.1-megapixel Canon CMOS sensor, DIGIC 4 image processor, a 3.0-inch clear view LCD with anti-reflective and scratch-resistant coating, and compatibility with the EOS system of lenses and speedlites, the EOS Rebel T1i adds remarkable Full HD video capture at resolutions up to 1920 x 1080. An HDMI port allows for quick connections to high definition TVs and monitors for easy viewing of your stills and video. The entire operation is simple and easy even if you are a beginner. You'll have uncompromised EOS digital performance with power and flexibility right in the palm of your hand.
General
- Product Type Digital camera - SLR with Live View mode, with Movie recording
- Width 5.1 in
- Depth 2.4 in
- Height 3.9 in
- Weight 16.9 oz
Main Features
- Resolution 15.1 megapixels
- Color Support Color
- Optical Sensor Type CMOS
- Total Pixels 15,500,000 pixels
- Effective Sensor Resolution 15,100,000 pixels
- Field of View Crop Factor 1.6
- Sensor Dust Reduction Yes
- Sensor Features Self Cleaning Sensor Unit, EOS Integrated Cleaning System
- Light Sensitivity ISO 6400, ISO 12800, ISO 100-3200, ISO auto (100-3200)
- Shooting Programs Close-up, Landscape, Sports mode, Portrait mode, Night portrait
- Special Effects Neutral, Faithful, Portrait, Landscape, Monochrome
- Image Stabilizer Optical
- Image stabilizer feature Optical stabilization helps prevent blurry pictures, especially for handheld cameras at slow shutter speeds or when using high optical zoom.
- Max Shutter Speed 1/4000 sec
- Min Shutter Speed 30 sec
- X-sync Speed 1/200 sec
- Exposure Metering Spot (4%), Evaluative, Partial (9%), Center-weighted
- Exposure Modes Bulb, Manual, Program, Automatic, Depth-of-field, Shutter-priority, Aperture-priority, E-TTL II program flash
- Exposure Range EV 0-20 ( ISO 100 )
- Exposure Compensation ±2 EV range, in 1/2 or 1/3 EV steps
- Auto Exposure Bracketing 3 steps in 1/2 or 1/3 EV steps
- Exposure Metering Zones 35
- Face Detection Yes
- White Balance Custom, Presets, Automatic
- White Balance Presets Flash, Shade, Cloudy, Daylight, Fluorescent, Tungsten light
- White Balance Bracketing Yes
- Digital Video Format H.264
- Still Image Format RAW, JPEG, RAW + JPEG
- Remote Control Optional
- TV Tuner None
- Video Capture H.264 - 1920 x 1080, H.264 - 1280 x 720, H.264 - 640 x 480
Memory / Storage
- Supported Flash Memory SD Memory Card
- Floppy Drive None
- Digital Storage Media None
- Image Storage RAW 4752 x 3168 - 20.2 MB, Fine JPEG 4752 x 3168 - 5 MB, Normal JPEG 4752 x 3168 - 2.5 MB, Fine JPEG 3456 x 2304 - 3 MB, Normal JPEG 3456 x 2304 - 1.6 MB, Fine JPEG 2352 x 1568 - 1.7 MB, Normal JPEG 2352 x 1568 - 0.9 MB
Camera Flash
- Camera Flash Pop-up flash
- Guide Number (m / ISO 100) 13
- Flash Modes Auto mode, Fill-in mode, Flash OFF mode, Red-eye reduction
- Red Eye Reduction Yes
- Features AF illuminator, Flash +/- compensation, Flash exposure bracketing
Lens System
- Type Zoom lens - 18 mm - 55 mm - F/3.5-5.6 Canon EF-S
- Focal Length 18 mm - 55 mm
- Focal Length Equivalent to 35mm Camera 29 - 88 mm
- Focus Adjustment Manual, Automatic
- Auto Focus TTL phase detection
- Auto Focus Points (Zones) 9
- Min Focus Range 9.8 in
- Max View Angle 74.3 degrees
- Lens Aperture F/3.5-5.6
- Optical Zoom 3 x
- Zoom Adjustment Manual
- Lens Construction 9 group(s) / 11 element(s)
- Filter Size 58 mm
- Lens System Mounting Canon EF-S
- Features Aspherical lens
Additional Features
- Self Timer Yes
- Self Timer Delay 2 sec, 10 sec
- Flash Terminal Hot shoe
- Additional Features AE lock, AF lock, FE lock, Mirror lock, DPOF support, Direct print, Auto power save, Built-in speaker, Remote live view, Histogram display, LCD live view mode, PictBridge support, USB 2.0 compatibility, Digital image rotation, Auto Lighting Optimizer, Digital noise reduction, Highlight point display, Highlight tone priority, RGB primary color filter, Display brightness control, Camera orientation detection, Depth-of-field preview button
Viewfinder
- Viewfinder Type Optical - Eye-level mirror pentaprism
- Field Coverage 95%
- Magnification 0.87x
- Dioptric Correction Range -3 to +1
- Viewfinder Frames Autofocus frame
- LCD Display Information AE lock, FE lock, Aperture, AF-in-focus, Exposure mode, Shutter speed, White balance, ISO sensitivity, Red-eye reduction, Memory card status, Exposure compensation, Flash charge completion, Flash compensation on/off, High-speed sync indicator
Display
- Type LCD display - TFT active matrix - 3 in - Color
- Display Form Factor Built-in
- Display Format 920,000 pixels
Digital Player (Recorder)
- Type None
Microphone
- Type Microphone - Built-in
- Microphone Technology Electret condenser
- Microphone Operation Mode Mono
Connections
- Connector Type 1 x USB, 1 x Composite video/audio output, 1 x HDMI output, 1 x Remote control
- Expansion Slot(s) 1 x SD Memory Card
Software
- Software Canon ImageBrowser, Drivers & Utilities, Canon ZoomBrowser EX, Canon Digital Photo Professional
System Requirements for PC Connection
- Operating System Support MS Windows XP, Apple Mac OS X, MS Windows Vista
- Peripheral Devices USB port, CD-ROM drive
Miscellaneous
- Included Accessories Eyecup, Body cap, Dust cap, Lens cap, Neck strap
- Cables Included USB cable, A/V cable
Power
- Power Device Battery charger - External
Battery
- Supported Battery Canon LP-E5
- Supported Battery 1 x Li-ion rechargeable battery - 1080 mAh ( Included )
Environmental Parameters
- Min Operating Temperature 32 °F
- Max Operating Temperature 104 °F
Product series
-
Canon EOS Rebel T1i (with 18-55mm IS lens)
Manufacturer: Canon USA
Specs: SLR, 15.1 megapixels, 3 x, 3 in LCD display
-
Canon EOS Rebel T1i (body only)
Manufacturer: Canon USA
Specs: SLR, 15.1 megapixels, 3 in LCD display
Accessories
Manufacturer info
- Canon USA
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Canon USA products on Shopper.com
-
- Website: http://estore.usa.canon.com/
- Address:
One Canon Plaza, Lake Success, NY 11042 - Phone: 516-328-5000
- Email: mediacontact@cusa.canon.com
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