Anyone on NSOP shot with an XSi yet?

I had a thread in OT about the choice, and lots of people said to go for XTi + good glass > XSi. However, I'm still torn on the decision. I guess I really wish I could find a good XSi review (hopefully dpreview has one shortly).

Now I know the XTi is a GREAT, capable camera that takes amazing pictures. The one thing the XTi has going for it is price. Cheaper camera = more to spend on good glass, but I'm planning on buying the exact same starter lenses regardless of whether I get the XTi or XSi. I'm definately going to get the 18-55 IS (save $75 if I get with the XSi kit rather than XTi body+IS) and the nifty fifty. I'm also planning on getting a starter zoom sometime down the line, maybe the 70-300 non-IS. Now, I'll be getting the camera as a gift so price honestly is not that big of an issue. Just with the XSi, I may have to wait a little before I can get a zoom lens. But waiting may be a good thing because then I can learn the other lenses and save for a better quality zoom.

XSi pros(in my order of most important to least)
Live View
Viewfinder (larger, brighter)
LCD
AF
feel in hand (iso button too)
SD cards (have SD, don't have any CF)
battery
-/+ 3 EV
14bit Digic III

Now I LOVE shooting macros. I really think the live view will help a ton for tripod based stills, but I wonder how much I'll really use it. I really feel like the XSi is very close to the 40D, which I would LOVE owning. I just wonder if the XSi will keep me happy longer than the XTi.

This will be my first dSLR after many great shots with P&Ss (Canon S2 IS and Olympus C-8080 WZ). I also shoot a lot of landscapes and the occasional portrait or zoom.

Any thoughts or experience with the XSi would be greatly appreciated.

Based on what you've said, it sounds like the XSi is the way to go. If you already had an XTi, I'd say skip it. But you don't.

If you do a lot of macro, I could see you using live view a lot for precise focus. Just as Ben (Jacobsen1)--he just got a 40D and was using live view to focus moon shots.

I played with one a good bit, excellent new camera. I really like the improvements done. Its slightly bigger and much more comfortable. The new grips feel like my 30Ds and the the button placement is comfortable. Auto ISO works well as well as the live view on the camera. I was impressed. Id have no problems picking one up for a backup if it wernt for the SD card format. But if this is your first DSLR id have no hesitations on recommending one.

It does feel much more natural in my hand. With the XTi I almost feel like I have to contort my finger to press the shutter release.

Live View is one of the top reasons I want the XSi, but I wonder how much I will really use it. The "Why MF on dSLR sucks" thread really got me thinking. Will I only be able to use LV on stationary objects to get super sharp MF? Would it just be better to use the cam's AF and grip, rip and pray for a good sharp shot? In AF contrast mode LV takes a fair amount of time, or you can flip the mirror which is loud. I've seen some video reviews of Live View on the XSi. I guess I need to do more research on what exactly LV does.

For the difference in price on release, I'd do XTi personally and get more glass. We've seen it at $500 with kit lens. XSi is going to be what $900 on release?

Originally Posted by PhatheadWRX

XSi pros(in my order of most important to least)
Live View very nice
Viewfinder (larger, brighter) very nice
LCD complete crap
AF XTi is good, but better is always better.
feel in hand (iso button too) I didn't like the XTi's size so if the XSi is big enough then this would be huge for me
SD cards (have SD, don't have any CF) big negative to me
battery who cares.
-/+ 3 EV very nice
14bit Digic III you will only see this in prints (and ONLY if you shoot RAW), and even then how noticeable with it be? It can't hurt, but it's not a huge priority to me.

Originally Posted by PhatheadWRX

Live View is one of the top reasons I want the XSi, but I wonder how much I will really use it.

I commented on you list of the pros. For me the size of the XTi along with the layout of the controls killed it for me. It was too small and the lack of a back wheel made it very hard for me to use alongside my 5D. I just couldn't get used to the lack of a wheel on the back. Live view is AWESOME in use, but only if you're going to use it. Realistically it's not worth the upgrade alone, but with the other things that comes with it, it's nice to have. A bigger viewfinder would also be very nice to have. That's a big deal IMHO. The XTi's AF was fine, but better can't hurt there. +/-3EV would also be nice. I really miss that on both my 5D and 40D (it's a 1 series spec coming into the other lines now). I HATE SD cards because they're so small and fragile. I avoid them like the plague and hate using them with my P&S. That alone rules the XSi out for me, but you have them and know what they're like, so it's no big deal for you.

Basically the way I look at it is this. If you know you'll be upgrading out of the rebel line in a year or two, get the XTi. If you think you'll be happy with a rebel for years then get the XSi. I have zero issues with rebels in terms of IQ, they're GREAT cameras. My issues lie in that they're too small for me and their controls are soo different from the next step up, it's very hard to adjust to (I've had better luck figuring things out on a Nikon D40 over the XTi). They do this on purpose and it works on me....

Either is great, just see how badly you need the improvements. And a big +1 to you for not listing the 12mp -vs- 10mp as one of the pluses. I'm wondering how the noise will be with the XSi...

That point is one that I have toiled over a ton. Honestly, I've seen the XTi body for $320 @ slickdeals. If I can find that plus a new 18-55 IS would be $500.

The XSi kit is $900 now.

BUT
#1 the XTi does not feel as good in my hands.
#2 I'm worried I'll really want the additional features of the XSi (LV, VF, LCD)

I know they'll both take great pictures. I think I'll be happier with the XSi for longer.

Ben, thanks for chiming in!! I'd love to move up to a XXD series in a few years, but that would depend on too many variables for me to know now. I want to be sure that I purchase a dSLR that will last me 5+ years if need be.

I do suggest that you hold the XSi. To me it feels much better and more natural in my had. Who wants to shoot with a camera that you have to contort your hand to use the functions?

I know you hate SD, but I really enjoy them. Plenty durable for me. Small size. Super cheap if you can find a slickdeal. And most importantly, I have multiple GBs now (I'll still want a 4GB or two for camera use specifically).

As for the LCD, I know its the same res over a larger area. But I think the main adv for the LCD is that it relates to my P&S days.
I know on a SLR I need to learn to love the VF. Thats one of the reasons that I really like the larger and brighter VF on the XSi. Many reviews compare it to the XXD line VFs.

I tell myself that LiveView is super important, but like you said I have to use it. Without having either camera, its hard to tell whether I will use it or the lack of would be a killer. I'm torn as I don't want to get the XTi and hate the lack of LV, nor do I want to spend the extra on the XSi and not use LV.

The 10 vs 12 MP is a joke, especially since I normally post to web or the occasional 8x10 max print. I am anxiously awaiting a good XSi review to see how the noise is.

XSi kit lens is better than the old 18-55 and now has IS. if it wasnt mentioned yet.

Originally Posted by PhatheadWRX

I want to be sure that I purchase a dSLR that will last me 5+ years if need be.

To me it feels much better and more natural in my had. Who wants to shoot with a camera that you have to contort your hand to use the functions?

SD, but I really enjoy them. Plenty durable for me. Small size. I have multiple GBs now (I'll still want a 4GB or two for camera use specifically).

sounds to me like you should get the XSi....

Thanks Matt, Iidjit convinced me long ago to get the new 18-55 IS over the old. Much better glass and IS = win!

If I were going to get the XTi, I was going to get body only and pick up the 18-55 IS.

I've been watching your thread dan. Dang UPS and their slips
I'm going to try to get my hands on an XTi to shot to see what I think. I think that would be the best way for me to make an educated decision if the $400 more for the XSi is worth it.

If I were buying a camera now I'd probably go with the XSi over the XTi for the new features which really do seem worthwhile.

^ egg z. When the released it as a feature I was like "what's the point of that?" but it's awesome if you manually focus. Way better than a split screen. I wouldn't have though twice about it, now a 5DmII is almost worth the upgrade JUST for liveview.