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The Canon EOS 450D, also known as the Digital Rebel Xsi, boasts a superb 3.5 frames per second in continuous shooting mode and Live View comes with not the usual one mode but rather two options, one being Auto Focus with Contract Detection, unlike other brands the Digital Rebel XSi can run the Contrast Detection Auto Focus with any of the Canon lenses without needing the firmware to be updated.

An incredible 3 inch, crisp, clear LCD gave me perfect visual satisfaction and the lens has the usual anti dust measures built in in the form of an anti static coating as well as a vibrating filter which will shake loose the dust that has managed to settle on the lens. Once again (as in one of my previous review) the camera is equipped with software that apparently ‘maps’ the dust on the lens and then puts it to memory to remove it on the next vibration run, but I didn’t really spend any time playing with that.

I really enjoyed the built in Image Stabilization (which comes with the kit lens I tried out) which counters camera shake, great for beginners. I found the 9 point auto focus system worked well and didn’t take too long to snap into action.

The Digital Rebel Xsi takes SD cards instead of Compact Flash, has 14 bit processing and taking a picture in the best quality available resulted in a JPEG of between maximum 6.9 megabytes and minimum 3.4 megabytes each. Taking RAW files resulted in each image being between 17 and 20 megabytes. There is no button allocated specifically for quality settings, but the options are at the top of the first page of the menu.

I was very surprised to find that, while the same level SLRs in competition to the Digital Rebel, usually max at an ISO of 3200, the Digital Rebel only tops at 1600 ISO. Falling 50% short of its competitors. (ISO determines how sensitive the camera’s lens is to the light, the higher the number the faster the shutter speed and in darker light you want that number as high as possible) However, I didn’t have any problem taking pictures with the ISO maxed at 1600 and I was happy with the results of my images while playing around with the ISO.

In the Custom Functions you will find two noise reduction modes. High ISO Noise Reduction and Long Exposure Noise Reduction.
High Noise Reduction mode is applied throughout the entire range but is more in play at higher sensitivities. Long Exposure Reduction makes use of dark frame subtraction. Both of these modes are turned off by default. You will find them in the menu. They were both great functions and aided in creating really smooth images.

I thought a great added feature was the utility software that allowed me to use the remote control for the camera while it was plugged into a USB connection (my laptop) so that I could record my images directly to my computers memory. Doing this allowed me to create some great time-lapse photography, leaving my camera and laptop unattended once I’d set it up so that they could do their own thing. The only thing that I thought could have been changed when adding this feature was that the USB did not charge the camera, so I had to keep the cameras AC adapter plugged in as well (not a train smash though).

When handling the Digital Rebel I was happy to find that the texture of the grip and thumb rest was comfortable and made for easy holding. There was plenty finger space around the grip. The upper left of the body is relatively free of buttons while most of the settings are changeable on the right hand side, even having said that thought, the right side is not crowded - only sufficient. The Digital Rebel weighs in at less than 500 grams.

I enjoyed the feel of the camera and my pictures came out crisp and clear. I am going to give the Digital Rebel XSi a rating of 3.5 stars, it is a great camera and definitly recommended for a beginner… Upgrade the lens to a Macro lens are you suddendly handling an incredible device that even a more experienced photograper would be happy with.