First off, I searched to see if someone posted anything about this but didn't find anything, so sorry if this is somewhat of a repost.

The past six months or so, I've been excited just waiting until the right time to buy the DSLR that I wanted, the Nikon D80. The D80 is an excellent camera with great features and what not, and just as I was going back to look at them and do a little more research this morning, I stumbled across Canon. They are introducing a new camera called the XSi. Not sure if many of you have heard of it yet, but it is the next step above the XTi. 12.2 MP sensor, Live View, and some really good performance aspects that generally are found on cameras more expensive than it. It has yet to be released, but I was curious what everyone thought about the XSi if you have heard about it. It sounds like a great camera as well, and another reason I am somewhat attracted to it, is they converted over to SD/SDHC memory, and I have a couple fairly high capacity SD cards from previous Exilim P&S cameras I've had.


Anybody want to drop in their worth?

 

It's going to be a very nice camera, too small for my hands. It's a good choice.

 

That's what I'm thinking might be the only 'hinderance' for me. If it is similar in size to the XTi which I don't see why it wouldn't be, I'm gonna feel cramped. The D80 just.....feels good holding it. Hopefully the XSi has more 'substance' feel to it though. The XTi feels cheap and plastic-y IMHO. I'll definitely go and check the think out for myself before I would actually buy one though.

 

get the battery grip for the canon if you need a bit more bulk

 

XSi...just a couple threads below this one...

https://acurazine.com/forums/cameras-photography-44/new-canon-eos-digital-rebel-xsi-383350/

 

I've heard complaints about how 'cheap' and 'plasticy' cameras are since the D60 came out, which I had no problems with. It's a lame complaint.

I'd get the Xsi over the Xti purely for the increase in dynamic range.
I assume you'll see as much of a jump as between the 40D -> 30/20D, which is surprisingly notable, especially if you shoot in RAW.

 

Well I wouldn't have to worry about the cheapy or plasticy feel if it has only been since the introduction of the D60...the D80 came out before it. And I have taken due diligence to go out and look at the cameras at local retailers as well, and the D80 just feels nice and 'solid'. I think part of the reason I do not like the current Canon's is because they are small and they have that cheap feel you are talking about.

 

Don't let a memory card format steer the way. I have an XTi and love it, I will stay in the Canon family (mainly because of lenses at this point)

 

I'm not letting the memory card feature steer me because I know that memory cards have dropped exponentially in prices the past year or so; I have always liked canon's with the exception of the way they feel in my hand, but the Nikon D80 just seemed that little step up from the XTi, but now that the XSi, it is definitely a worthy competitor with the D80 in my eyes, and memory card issue is just another one out of the way. I know Canon is the king of lenses and that's what really makes the pictures...so that is a good thing. The only thing I still have against them is their feel.

 

all i can say is the Nikon D80 is more expensive for a reason...

(i'm not going to mention why because last time i said this two guys took it way too serious...and i'm just busting some balls)

 

Argh. I'm talking about the Canon D60, which came out in 2002.
Although I will admit, the original rebel felt a little clunky.

I can't believe I didn't notice Nikon had a D60 now.
By the way, are these camera companies so freakin' retarded that they can't come up with better camera names? Freakin' D60 30D D80 300D D200
THERE ARE LETTERS BESIDE D FOR GODS SAKE

/rant

 

BTW, the XSi is in some stores now. I know my local shops have already sold out of their first shipment, but they all have demos to play with. It's still on the small side, but for some reason it felt better in my hand that the XTi did. Perhaps they changed the grip slightly...

I still think I'd mostly use it with the extended battery grip most of the time, especially with long/heavy lenses. With a short prime and no grip, it would be a great walk-around body when you want to travel light.