Canon Rebel T1i Digital Camera Review

Canon has brought the ability to record video in an SLR to their newest entry-level camera: the Rebel T1i. For a $899 sticker price, the T1i ships with an 18-55mm f/3.5 IS lens, and can shoot 15-megapixel images and high-definition video at 1920x1080 (at a relatively low 20 frames per second) or 1280 by 720 at a full 30 frames per second. Like most

Canon entry-level SLRs, the T1i is compact and light, with a slightly plasticky feel. The grip is a bit on the small side, and you'll end up having to purchase a significantly more expensive model if you want a more robust body.

One of the other primary differences between an entry-level and slightly higher-end SLR is that the less expensive models only have a back LCD, not one on the top. They also have a single dial for altering settings, where a pricier unit will have two, which allows for changing multiple settings at a time.

One nice hardware touch on the T1i is the 920,000-dot LCD, which is large, bright and razor sharp. Just below the viewfinder is a little sensor which detects when you hold the camera to your eye, and turns off the LCD.

The control scheme on the T1i is quite easy to use, and designed to be new-user friendly. It has scene modes, full auto mode, and a Creative Auto mode which explains some settings in simple English. The ISO range is impressive -- it runs ISO 100-12,800, including the extended-range settings. However, the T1i lacks some of the more expansive controls we've come to expect from SLRs, like exposure compensation beyond ±2 stops and advanced flash controls, plus there is almost no user control offered in video mode beyond pointing and shooting. We also dislike the Canon manual white balance system, as it requires a saved image to take a reading.


Performance (read in-depth performance coverage at DigitalCameraInfo.com)

In our color testing, the T1i maintained the Canon tradition of excellent color accuracy.
 
In our long exposure test, we look at color accuracy and image noise at low light levels and exposures up to 30 seconds. The Rebel T1i scored lower than average on this test, with slightly high noise and color that was just a touch inaccurate.

With noise reduction turned off, the T1i image noise was on the high side, and a bit above most of the competition, peaking at just over 2% at ISO 3200. With noise reduction cranked all the way up, the image noise was far more reasonable, but fine details is sacrificed.

The big disappointment in testing this camera was its resolution score. While the chromatic aberration was more-or-less normal from an inexpensive kit lens, the sharpness was very low, leaving the camera with visibly soft images. What's interesting is that the Nikon D5000, the other sub-$1000 video DSLR that was introduced recently, also suffered sharpness issues, though not to the same extent.

The T1i dynamic range was also a bit below what we would expect, meaning a loss of detail in high-contrast images. While dynamic range was acceptable at ISO 100 and 200, after that it dropped significantly.Our results wth t
The lens-based image stabilization system were a mixed bag. In general, sharpness improved around 1/30 of a second and slower, but this was inconsistent. When the system did kick in, it managed to make a significant improvement.

Our white balance testing looks at how accurate both custom and automatic white balance perform under daylight, incandescent and fluorescent lights. In automatic mode, the T1i handled fluorescent and daylight well enough, but struggled more than most with incandescent illumination. When using a custom white balance under these light sources, the T1i was less accurate than many other SLRs, but not so much that you'd notice it only you directly compared images from two different cameras.

In continuous shooting mode, the T1i can capture 3.4 shots per second, which isn't the fastest camera on the block, but not too sluggish either.

In conjunction with Camcorderinfo.com, extensive video testing was undertaken to see how well the new movie modes on the T1i handled. We found color reproduction was quite accurate, and video noise was low, but not as low as the Nikon D5000. The T1i's motion capture in 1080p HD mode was a jerky 20fps, but this improved substantially when the resolution was lowered to 780p.

For video sharpness, the T1i handled well, on-par with a consumer HD camcorder. Its low-light sensitivity was decidedly poor, requiring a higher level of illumination than other tested cameras. However, color and noise performance were good under low light.

Comparisons (read in-depth comparisons at DigitalCameraInfo.com)

We compared the T1i to four other cameras currently on the market: The Canon Rebel XS, which is the lowest cost Canon on the market; the Nikon D5000, the only other sub-$1000 video SLR on the market currently; the Nikon D90 which offers video recording and slightly higher-end still photo capabilities; and the Pentax K2000 which is one of the most affordable new SLRs available.

The two Rebel models handle very similarly, and have almost identical bodies. The advantage goes to the T1i for having a large LCD, plus a much wider ISO range (100-12,800, as opposed to 100-1600), and a higher megapixel count (15 vs 10). However, the Rebel XS outperformed the newer camera on every still image test except burst speed, and its priced $300 lower. The XS testing produced sharper images, with more accurate color, a wider dynamic range and lower noise. Unless you need the video and low-light performance, the XS is a very competent camera for a much lower sticker price.

Nikon put out the D5000 at almost exactly the same time as the Canon Rebel T1i, both entry-level, sub-$1000 SLRs with video capability. Physically there's not a huge difference between the two. The Canon has a higher resolution LCD, but the Nikon display is hinged, so it can move around. The Nikon is also a little tougher, with a bigger grip. The Canon's movie mode tested better, but the Nikon's has more control. In our still image testing, the D5000 outscored the T1i pretty consistently, though both had issues with image sharpness. While lacking in the extensive ISO range of the T1i, the D5000 has more autofocus points, wider exposure compensation range, better flash controls and more self-timer options.

The Nikon D90 will set you back $400 more than the T1i, if you buy it with a kit lens. That extra cost gets you a better lens, more robust body (with a top monochrome LCD), more accurate viewfinder, controls, and autofocus points. In terms of performance, the T1i scored higher for video and color accuracy, but the D90 came out ahead in most other areas, especially dynamic range and resolution.

The Pentax K2000 is a straightforward, inexpensive SLR. It comes in a bundle with flash and lens for $600, or two lenses for $680. The T1i has some major advantages over the K2000. The Pentax doesn't offer Live View for lining up shots using the LCD screen, or a video mode. It shoots at a lower resolution and offers a smaller, lower-resolution LCD. The Rebel T1i outperformed the K2000 in color accuracy, long exposure, image noise and burst mode speed. That said, the plucky little Pentax managed to deliver sharper images and a better dynamic range, especially at high ISOs. While the T1i has more controls and the heavily discussed video mode, the Pentax is a competent little shooter, for a very low price.

For a more in-depth review, visit the Canon EOS Rebel T1i Review at our partner DigitalCameraInfo.com