Help deciding between XS and XSi

xsi or the T1i i regret not spending the little extra money for either of those two but i love my XS

For me, it came down to the AF. I got the XS as my first DSLR, and it's produced some excellent images. What it can't do, however, is track anything in servo to save its life. If you're just doing landscapes, still life, etc., then that's fine, but if you're doing any sports, it simply won't work. It also doesn't help that it can only manage1.5 fps in raw... Due to these, I added a 1D classic to the line-up (for $300, which is an awesome deal if you're doing a lot of sports).

Comparing the XS and the 1D, the XS has worse low-light performance, is noticeably (but not terribly) softer, and feels like a disposable camera in comparison (not that that should be a deal breaker by any means!), but that's about all there is to moan about; everything else is a pleasure!

And on the subject of grip size, I have massive hands and find the XS very comfortable to hold for long periods of time. I have one finger on the shutter, one on the grip, and the other two under the base of the camera.

drdiesel1 wrote in post #8642168
I understand you want to simplify the camera choice, but you should check out the Nikon line also. IMO...The Nikon entry level cameras are much better with a great AF system that wont have you second guessing your purchase.
Look at the D5000 and the D40 or even a D90 before you spend your money.

i have to disagree to this... the main reason i chose the canon entry level cameras is because of the lack of internal motors of the nikon entry levels (except the d90/80 models upward). making lens purchases limited and more expensive.

i have the XS. but you will not go wrong with either. Go get that camera and start using it

Neither; used 30D or 40D. You won't regret that purchase.

jasongraaf wrote in post #8644404
Comparing the two, the XS has worse low-light performance, is noticeably (but not terribly) softer, and feels like a disposable camera in comparison (not that that should be a deal breaker by any means!), but that's about all there is to moan about; everything else is a pleasure!

Is the low light performance really that bad?..... I'm not gonna be doing sports photography, mainly still, so I'm not too worried about that aspect...

JC32 wrote in post #8644818
Is the low light performance really that bad?..... I'm not gonna be doing sports photography, mainly still, so I'm not too worried about that aspect...

if you are going to be doing sports photography, i dont think the XS will fit the bill... its burst rate is really low. the iso performance will be least of your worries. this changes your choices to the xxD line...

^
I think he said that he WON'T be doing sports photography.

pageisgod85 wrote in post #8644938
^
I think he said that he WON'T be doing sports photography.

oh crap!! was reading too fast! my bad

JC32 wrote in post #8644818
Is the low light performance really that bad?..... I'm not gonna be doing sports photography, mainly still, so I'm not too worried about that aspect...

No, it's not terrible, especially when you get over the pixel-peeping and noise obsessing.

jasongraaf wrote in post #8644404
Comparing the two, the XS has worse low-light performance, is noticeably (but not terribly) softer,

This isn't right. The XS and XSi have practically the same low-light performance and image quality.

JC32 wrote in post #8644818
Is the low light performance really that bad?..... I'm not gonna be doing sports photography, mainly still, so I'm not too worried about that aspect...

It isn't bad at all! I only wish that it had ISO 3200, but then again, I wish for a lot of things :P

jasongraaf wrote in post #8644404
For me, it came down to the AF. I got the XS as my first DSLR, and it's produced some excellent images. What it can't do, however, is track anything in servo to save its life. If you're just doing landscapes, still life, etc., then that's fine, but if you're doing any sports, it simply won't work. It also doesn't help that it can only manage1.5 fps in raw... Due to these, I added a 1D classic to the line-up (for $300, which is an awesome deal if you're doing a lot of sports).

. There are no tests that prove that the XSI tracks any better than the XS. 2 extra AF points, sure, but the coverage area is the same. I track my children with AI servo all the time, including some pretty fast moving shots with bikes and fast playground action. Is it a 50D or MK3? No. But the XSi is not any better. Neither are going to be the top choice for college football. The only real difference is the extra precision assist points at the center, which do nothing for tracking and may help a tiny bit with faster lenses.

Completely false. the ISO noise tests are exactly the same, or even sway slightly in favor of the XS. The XS also has a slightly weaker AA filter which means sharper images. Do you have any tests that led you to believe the XSI is better for image quality?

I'm not sure you have held an XSi and an XS side by side recently. The contruction is identical except for some extra texture on the front grip and a rubber thumbrest. I hardly think that makes the XS like a disposable in comparison.

Sorry, my original post wasn't clear at all.... I was comparing the XS and the 1D, as those are the two cameras that I own. I have no experience at all with the XSi. Sorry for the confusion, I'll fix the original post.

Like someone else has said, though, if it were up to me, I'd buy a better used camera without hesitation.

jasongraaf wrote in post #8645307
Sorry, my original post wasn't clear at all.... I was comparing the XS and the 1D, as those are the two cameras that I own. I have no experience at all with the XSi. Sorry for the confusion, I'll fix the original post.

Like someone else has said, though, if it were up to me, I'd buy a better used camera without hesitation.

That makes more sense then! Sorry.

FWIW, I agree, now, but as a newbie the thought of a used camera scared the heck out of me. If I had to do it again, I would have bought a Used 30D or 40D instead for that little tiny bit extra that I probably don't need, but think I do!

Although, I will say that my XS has not limited me in any way, other than maybe RAW burst. The rest is all down to me exposing and composing wrong.

tkbslc wrote in post #8645336
Although, I will say that my XS has not limited me in any way, other than maybe RAW burst. The rest is all down to me exposing and composing wrong.

I completely agree. In any case where I can set up the tripod and use live-view to focus on something stationary, this camera produces awesome results! Put nice glass on the front and it gets even better.

Every now and then I get lucky and completely surprise myself: (Hope you don't mind me posting a pic in your advice thread)