UPDATE: Our full review of the XSi is now available here.
Watch our video preview of the Digital Rebel XSi by clicking on the play button below.
Front The Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi's front looks much like its predecessor, with a compact SLR look and feel. The updated SLR does, however, show changes in the right hand grip. It has an improved, textured rubber coating for better handling, compared to the smooth rubber grip on the earlier Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi. Above the grip is a sloped platform that holds the shutter button and mode dial. Next to the grip is a circular assist lamp.
At the center on a high top is the Canon brand name and the tip of the pop-up flash. To the right of the lens is the barrel release button for switching lens. The “EOS” and “Rebel XSi” logos line the top and the bottom corners of the camera’s right side. Much of the front design mimics the predecessor model, but in general, the change in grip should be an improvement.
Back The back of the Digital Rebel XSi shows changes when compared to the earlier XTi. The XSi now features a larger 3-inch LCD screen versus the older 2.5-inch screen. To accommodate the larger screen, Canon removed the left hand controls and scattered them about the back of the camera, as the manufacturer did with the 40D. The LCD is now flush to the left.
To the top left of the LCD is the Canon logo, also a deviation from the earlier model. Above the LCD is the new position for the menu and display functions in two uniform circular buttons. At the top center is the viewfinder, with a cushioned eyecup and a slightly bigger diopter control. The camera borrows the Display Off sensor below the viewfinder from the earlier XTi. The Display Off shuts the LCD off when the shooter looks through the viewfinder and covers the sensor.
To the right of the LCD is a four-way controller. While the size of the controller is much like the XTi, the buttons now accommodate more functions, represented by more icons on the camera. To the top of the controller is an exposure button, followed by a white balance control. Below the multi-selector are the play and trash buttons, also a change in position from the earlier model.
Like the front right hand grip, the XSi’s back thumb grip is updated with a textured rubber versus the smooth rubber on the XTi. The two thumbnail and magnify buttons remain in place. Also visible from the back is the mode dial, located at the top right.
Right Side The right side of the Digital Rebel XSi shows off the change in memory card format, from CompactFlash to SD/SDHC. The CF card slot has been replaced with a smaller compartment for the SD media. The memory card door wraps around to the back to be accessed from the back or side of the camera.
Left Side The left side of the Rebel XSi is nearly identical to its older sibling, the XTi. The left side contains the cover for the port system of Video Out, USB connection, and AV port, which provides a good seal against dust and dirt. At the top is the eyelet for the strap in the same place as the older model. Users can control the pop-up flash and lens release from this left surface.
Top The top borrows the design from its predecessor. Most of the controls are clustered on the right side of the center pop-up flash and hot shoe. Controls include a rotary dial for the PASM, A-DEP, and custom image preset modes (Portrait, Landscape, Close-up, Sports, Night Portrait, Flash Off).
The on/off switch, like the XTi, juts out from the main mode dial. On a slanted slope platform is another mode dial, as well as the shutter release. The slope allows users to comfortably access those controls from the top or right side of the camera and helps in extended shooting conditions.
Bottom
The bottom of the XSi is much like the XTi, except the battery compartment underneath the right hand grip is more rectangular to accommodate the new battery. At the center is the tripod socket with serial information above.
