#1. Cheap Canon Rebel XS 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens (Silver) by Canon

Canon Rebel XS 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens (Silver) Review

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In a nut shell (based on cameras in this price range):

* Great picture quality, especially if you know how to manipulate Raw format - software is included
* On the small side of DSLRs - can be a pro or con depending on your use
* Included software to control the camera with a computer is a major plus for me
* Lens is good for being included in a kit at this price, one of the best IMHO.
* Read online professional reviews. Really helpful for me.
* You can’t go wrong with a Canon DSLR
* This is a great entry level DSLR, if you can afford it and want more Megapixels and features, jump up to an XSi or TSi.
* battery life is good - but get a spare just incase

The Long Winded Stuff:

I am a Canon snob ever since my first digital camera, which was a point and shoot Canon S30 3.2 MP I paid over 0.00 for. That S30 took better pictures (as far as quality) than my wife’s Minolta 6 MP DSLR that I bought her years later. I must have bought at least 10 point and shoots and DSLRs for my family and work. All different brands. But every time I didn’t buy a Canon I was upset with the purchase. There have been some good Nikons but none better than the Canons. My biggest disapointment was the Minolta DSLR I bought for my wife. Against my better judgement the guy at the camera store talked me into it.

There are more qualified sites and people on the internet that will give you great professional reviews of the camera and all it’s features. Here is a few reasons I chose this one:

I was contemplating between the XS, XSi or TSi. I did a lot of research online before making my decision and in the end the price won out and I settled for a less megapixels and less $$$ (10.1 is plenty for what I needed). Like all Canon DSLRs this camera takes great photos and the kit lens that it comes with is a great lens for a DSLR in this price range. The body is on the small side and people with large hands may find it uncomfortable if they are taking pictures constently. But the small size also has the benefit of better portability.

Besides the picture quality, my favorite feature is that it comes with the software to control the camera and most of it’s features right from your computer. I actually use this feature a lot, because I do product pictures and indoor still life with it. I can set all aspects of the shot, aperature, sharpness, shooting mode, white balance, etc, then control the shutter right from the computer. The picture loads right to my computer, I can examine the shot adjust the raw photo or make any adjustments necessary and retake the photo without relying on the small LCD screen on the camera. The liveshot helps even more because I can view the shot live as I am setting up before I take the picture. Other copmpanies charge more $$$ for this benefit. I like to use Raw format and make adjustments then convert it to a user friendly format. If your not familiar with the Raw format, it is worth your time to do some research and learn about it, your pictures will be much better.

10.1-megapixel CMOS sensor captures enough detail for poster-size, photo-quality prints

Large 2.5-inch LCD display; includes Canon’s EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens

DIGIC III image processor provides fast, accurate image processing; Live View Function

EOS Integrated Cleaning system and Canon-designed Self Cleaning Sensor Unit, plus Dust Delete Data Detection in included software

Stores images on SD/SDHC memory cards (not included)

Customer Reviews

Great entry level DSLR! - Justin Lai -
In March, I decided to get into digital photography and purchase a DSLR. Because most of my friends are Canon users, I didn’t have to make the usual decision between brands. The advice I received was to invest money in lenses instead of the camera body. This way, I could continue to use lenses as I advanced and also get higher quality shots with better glass. Also, with the minimum investment, if I could master the basics on the basic DSLR, I could upgrade in the future.

~20,000 shots later I am more than satisfied with the use of the XS. Remember how much you are paying. I also purchased the nifty fifty, Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lens with the original purchase. Using that lens (along with the kit lens), I was able to learn a lot and develop my skills.

I had the dreaded Err99 problem about 1000 shots in, but within a week, I got my camera fixed from Canon. I’ve heard others with bad stories dealing with Canon customer service, but mine was perfect. I’ve now invested in other prime lenses. I may upgrade in the future for specs like better ISO noise management or faster shooting rates, but this camera is more than sufficient.

Regardless of the camera you end up choosing, just shoot (many) photos and learn from them. Learn from others. Learn from photographers all around the world (flickr, etc.) For me, Rebel XS was just the camera to bring me into the world of photography!

(don’t forget to purchase UV filters to protect your lenses!)

It will be a brick in a couple years - T. Lampron -
I always used to own Canon cameras, and I thought I always would. My 00 digital Rebel is useless now because Canon refuses to issue drivers for it anymore, and the old drivers are incompatible with Windows Vista or 7. Yes, there are workarounds, but I liked being able to take pictures through a direct computer connection, and I don’t want more peripherals cluttering up my house. So I went looking for a new camera. I got a new Rebel XS, but then explained to someone why I needed a new camera just a few years after buying an expensive new camera, and I realized, I don’t want another Canon, so back it went.

It’s an okay camera, a bit cheap feeling, better than my pocket Kodak (for enlargements, anyway), and, thankfully, the price has come down a lot. But it’s just a lousy value if Canon can’t be bothered to issue new drivers for new operating systems.

Awesome - Scott Tucker -
This is my first DSLR.
I did a ton of searching and reading before settling on this one. some friends on Facebook said they had one like this and they love it.
I couldn’t be happier with my choice. I been using it for about a month and I love it!
Awesome Photos
Awesome features
Awesome feel
Awesome price!

so yeah… I like it..

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