Thinking about buying an XSi

[VML]

Hi-
I have owned a Minolta 7D for the past 3 years and it is not working right. Since Minolta is no longer, I am in the market for a new camera and am looking at the XSi as my next purchase.
A few questions I have...
Is that the best choice?
I currenty have Compact flash Type 1 media cards and would like to be able to use them, however if I follow the lingo, it does not look like they are compatible??

Guess I should say I mostly take wildlife, scenery and some action pictures, as well as family

I am all ears!
Thanks

[number six]

The XSi with kit 18-55 IS lens is an excellent entry level DSLR. It can take very high quality pictures and has lots of features.

One thing, though - it's pretty small. Not as small as a typical P&S, but too small for me. Maybe fine for you.

You'll have to use SD cards, not your CF cards. But they're cheap.

-js

[VML]

Thanks for the input.
Thoughts on other DSLR choices? What about the 40D? That does take the CF cards as I read it?
I went with Minolta because I had a 33mm Minolta and loved being able to use my lens I had.. I have some tamarons.. can they be used with Canon?
Thank you again

[number six]

The 40D is an excellent camera - larger body, better ergonomics, about the same image quality as the XSi. It does take CF cards.

Your Tamron lenses will have the Minolta mount, which won't work on Canon bodies.

-js

[LowSpark420]

I am a newbie, just bought the XSi and love it!

[zerovision]

If you are debating between a XSi and a 40D, why not an T1i? True it does not have the same hard shell body as the 40D, but the features are probably the best for a starting photographer. For the price you get a lot of features that some of the Pro bodies have. Digic 4, 15.5mpixel, high ISO settings etc. You even get 1080 full HD capability all for under $1k retail. That's pretty impressive.

[Naturalist]

XSi is a very capable camera. I was with my dad when he picked up his and, after looking it over real well, I must say I am quite impressed - especially for the relatively low cost.

Great value.

[DStanic]

As far as your compact flash cards go, your old camera was only 6.1mp so if you only have 2gb cards or smaller, that won't get you too far with newer cameras (mainly if you are shooting RAW). SD cards are so cheap it's not really an issue anyways.

The XSi is a good camera for sure. The T1i looks like an excellent camera and has an improvement at high-ISOs as well as video feature. If that is something important to you only you can decide.

There will be a size difference with a Rebel, you may want to consider a 40D which is only slightly more expensive. As you can see the 40D is much more similar in size to your Minolta:

Minolta: 150 x 106 x 78 mm
Canon 40D: 146 x 108 x 74 mm mm
Rebel XSi: 129 x 98 x 62 mm

[VML]

Wow- Big size difference- and very hard to tell from pictures online. No camera shops unless I drive 3 hours to get to the biggest city closest to where I live!!
Still looking for opions, and I appreciate the ones given.
Thanks

[DStanic]

Wow- Big size difference- and very hard to tell from pictures online. No camera shops unless I drive 3 hours to get to the biggest city closest to where I live!!
Still looking for opions, and I appreciate the ones given.
Thanks

Yes, I'd highly suggest you play with a Rebel and a 40D/50D in the store to see how they feel. Rebels are okay with a grip, but then you are looking to add another $150 or whatever onto the price. I got my 30D after my XTi, and while they both are capable of almost identical pictures, I will never get a Rebel again due to the size difference and better controls on the xxD.