Pre-PMA 2008: We had a quick chance to get our hands on Canon's latest DSLR, the EOS 450D (Rebel XSi). It's a bigger step forward than the 400D was from the 350D, adding a host of useful improvements as well as the predictable feature tweaks. Based on our brief look at it, here's a rundown of the new features. UPDATED: Now includes battery grip information
Canon EOS 450D / Rebel XSi brief hands-on
Pre-PMA 2008: We had a quick chance to get our hands on Canon's latest DSLR, the EOS 450D (Rebel XSi). It's a bigger step forward than the 400D was from the 350D, adding a host of useful improvements as well as the predictable feature tweaks. Based on our brief look at it, here's a rundown of the new features. UPDATED: Now includes battery grip information.
Canon EOS 450D brief 'Hands on'
The EOS 450D (Rebel XSi) is the latest incarnation of Canon's hugely popular entry-level digital SLR. Since the launch of the first truly affordable digital SLR (the EOS 300D) in late 2003 Canon hasn't tinkered too much with the basic concept, but each revision has seen a gradual 'beefing up' of the rather paltry feature set of the 300D (which was intentionally crippled to avoid cannibalizing sales of more expensive models).
After the slightly limp reception given to the 400D, which was seen by many as a rather uninspired upgrade, it's perhaps inevitable that its succesor is a much more significant - though still very conservative - step forward. Canon was never going to re-invent the wheel; the 400D and its predecessors have been best-sellers since the range was introduced, and contribute a significant amount to the company's botton line.
Thus the 450D is about refining features (and the list of improvements is impressive), improving image quality and speed of operation and, naturally of course, adding Live View (with contrast detect autofocus as an option).
We'll be publishing a fullly detailed preview (and of course a review) in due course, but for today here's a quick run-down of some of the new features and design changes.
Canon EOS 450D / Rebel XSi brief hands-on
Pre-PMA 2008: We had a quick chance to get our hands on Canon's latest DSLR, the EOS 450D (Rebel XSi). It's a bigger step forward than the 400D was from the 350D, adding a host of useful improvements as well as the predictable feature tweaks. Based on our brief look at it, here's a rundown of the new features. UPDATED: Now includes battery grip information.
Canon EOS 450D brief 'Hands on'
The EOS 450D (Rebel XSi) is the latest incarnation of Canon's hugely popular entry-level digital SLR. Since the launch of the first truly affordable digital SLR (the EOS 300D) in late 2003 Canon hasn't tinkered too much with the basic concept, but each revision has seen a gradual 'beefing up' of the rather paltry feature set of the 300D (which was intentionally crippled to avoid cannibalizing sales of more expensive models).
After the slightly limp reception given to the 400D, which was seen by many as a rather uninspired upgrade, it's perhaps inevitable that its succesor is a much more significant - though still very conservative - step forward. Canon was never going to re-invent the wheel; the 400D and its predecessors have been best-sellers since the range was introduced, and contribute a significant amount to the company's botton line.
Thus the 450D is about refining features (and the list of improvements is impressive), improving image quality and speed of operation and, naturally of course, adding Live View (with contrast detect autofocus as an option).
We'll be publishing a fullly detailed preview (and of course a review) in due course, but for today here's a quick run-down of some of the new features and design changes.
The larger screen at the back of the 450D is the most immediately obvious change but the differences run a lot deeper than that. Let's take a look at the key changes:
12.2 megapixel CMOS sensor
SD/SDHC cards
Larger viewfinder
Live view mode, including contrast-detect AF
Improved 9-point AF system
Spot metering
3.0" LCD monitor
Redesigned menus (including My Menu as seen in 40D)
Slightly redesigned info display
Continuous shooting at 3.5fps for up to 53 JPEG (6 RAW)
ISO setting displays in viewfinder and ISO button
New, larger, higher capacity battery
14 bit A/D converter and processing
Multi-shot self-timer mode
Highlight Tone Priority (from 40D)
Auto Lighting Optimiser (boosts shadows after shooting)
Redesigned battery grip (BG-E5)
As well as the "bigger, faster, more!" changes that new models tend to bring (more pixel-dense sensor, larger screen, faster continuous shooting), there are a host of alterations that will appeal to photographers as well as the tech-heads and gadget lovers. The viewfinder is now nearly as big as the one that graced Canon's 30D (The 450D uses mirrors rather than a ground glass prism, but also costs around half the 30D's launch price). It also gains spot-metering - a first for one of Canon's baby DSLRs. Neither of these improvements will shift units by looking sexy on in-store displays but will make the photographic experience more pleasant for anyone willing to venture away from auto mode.
The 450D also adds this season's "must-have" feature - live view. We've had a play with an early sample of the 450D and the large screen shows a bright, clear preview image (though our sample seemed a bit laggy due to a relatively low frame rate). One useul option is the ability to switch from phase detect AF (with the usual mirror flipping wig-out every time you re-focus) to a more user-friendly, though slower contrast detect autofocus sytem (using the sensor). It works, though as we're playing with a beta camera we'll reserve judgement on the speed of operation. Unlike the Panasonic L10 the contrast detect AF system works with any Canon AF lens.The other major change to the specification is the inclusion of a different kit lens (which we'd expect most people to buy). The standard 450D kit will include a redesigned, image stabilized version of Canon's 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 lens which will help it compete with the increasing number of competitors offering in-body anti-shake systems
12.2 megapixel CMOS sensor
SD/SDHC cards
Larger viewfinder
Live view mode, including contrast-detect AF
Improved 9-point AF system
Spot metering
3.0" LCD monitor
Redesigned menus (including My Menu as seen in 40D)
Slightly redesigned info display
Continuous shooting at 3.5fps for up to 53 JPEG (6 RAW)
ISO setting displays in viewfinder and ISO button
New, larger, higher capacity battery
14 bit A/D converter and processing
Multi-shot self-timer mode
Highlight Tone Priority (from 40D)
Auto Lighting Optimiser (boosts shadows after shooting)
Redesigned battery grip (BG-E5)
As well as the "bigger, faster, more!" changes that new models tend to bring (more pixel-dense sensor, larger screen, faster continuous shooting), there are a host of alterations that will appeal to photographers as well as the tech-heads and gadget lovers. The viewfinder is now nearly as big as the one that graced Canon's 30D (The 450D uses mirrors rather than a ground glass prism, but also costs around half the 30D's launch price). It also gains spot-metering - a first for one of Canon's baby DSLRs. Neither of these improvements will shift units by looking sexy on in-store displays but will make the photographic experience more pleasant for anyone willing to venture away from auto mode.
The 450D also adds this season's "must-have" feature - live view. We've had a play with an early sample of the 450D and the large screen shows a bright, clear preview image (though our sample seemed a bit laggy due to a relatively low frame rate). One useul option is the ability to switch from phase detect AF (with the usual mirror flipping wig-out every time you re-focus) to a more user-friendly, though slower contrast detect autofocus sytem (using the sensor). It works, though as we're playing with a beta camera we'll reserve judgement on the speed of operation. Unlike the Panasonic L10 the contrast detect AF system works with any Canon AF lens.The other major change to the specification is the inclusion of a different kit lens (which we'd expect most people to buy). The standard 450D kit will include a redesigned, image stabilized version of Canon's 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 lens which will help it compete with the increasing number of competitors offering in-body anti-shake systems
