Canon EOS Rebel T1i

	Video: Color & Noise Summary
Comprehensive video testing and analysis by Jeremy Stamas and the staff of
• Color accuracy on par with Nikon D5000, but Ti1 had more saturated, vivid image • Noise levels were low, but not as low as the D5000 • Testing results come from 1080/20p footage
	Design & Handling	Page 12 of 21	Video: Motion & Sharpness

Video: Color Performance (8.52)

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The Canon T1i produced strong, deep colors in our bright light video testing, but the accuracy of its color reproduction was only average. The camera measured a color error of 4.11, which is statistically identical to the Nikon D5000's performance in this same test. Both the Canon HF S100 and Sanyo VPC-HD2000 had slightly more accurate colors than the two DSLR cameras. Also in our testing, the Canon T1i produced a saturation level of 110.3%. Click here for more on how CamcorderInfo.com tests color performance.

Color Accuracy Performance
Color Test Chart (above), Color Error Map (right)
The Canon Rebel T1i produced a color error of 4.11 and a saturation level of 110.3% in our bright light color testing. (The map on the right is a diagram of the color error. The length and direction of each line indicates how the camera processed each particular color while capturing video.)

The Color Error Map above shows you exactly what colors the T1i had trouble capturing faithfully. The camera didn't do well with reds or browns, but most of the other colors tested quite accurately. This is the opposite of the Nikon D5000, which had problems with greens and yellows, but did well with the rest of the colors. Take a good look at the Canon T1i's Color Test Chart (also above) as well. Notice how dark the camera's image is in this bright light test—the grayscale bars blend together at the darkest points.Below, are some sample images showing the various color modes available on the T1i.

Canon T1i Color Modes
Auto 1080/20p	100% Crop
Portrait	100% Crop
Landscape	100% Crop
Neutral	100% Crop
Faithful	100% Crop
Auto 720/30p	100% Crop

None of the color modes above provided a significant boost in color accuracy on the Canon Rebel T1i. The camera recorded slightly more accurate colors when using its 720/30p resolution and frame rate, but even this was just barely better than auto mode and the 1080p setting. The camera consistently had trouble with red colors in all these color modes.

Canon Rebel T1i Color Comparisons
Canon Rebel T1i	Nikon D5000
Canon HF S100	Sanyo VPC-HD200

The T1i captured a much darker image than the Nikon D5000. Notice how the black bars on the grayscale section of our test chart appear to blend together at the far right and far left. The Nikon D5000, as well as the two HD camcorders we used as comparisons, did not have this problem. Some people may like the darker image of the T1i, however, as it gives the colors more depth and contrast. The Close-Up Color Comparisons below give you a better look at just how different the colors from all these models are captured.

	Close-Up Color Comparisons
	Ideal	Canon Rebel T1i	Nikon D5000	Canon HF S100	Sanyo VPC-HD200
Red
	Ideal	Canon Rebel T1i	Nikon D5000	Canon HF S100	Sanyo VPC-HD200
Green
	Ideal	Canon Rebel T1i	Nikon D5000	Canon HF S100	Sanyo VPC-HD200
Blue
	Ideal	Canon Rebel T1i	Nikon D5000	Canon HF S100	Sanyo VPC-HD200
Light Skin
	Ideal	Canon Rebel T1i	Nikon D5000	Canon HF S100	Sanyo VPC-HD200
Dark Skin

Looking at the red, blue, and dark skin patches you can easily see how much darker the Canon T1i produces those colors in comparison to the Nikon D5000. Again, a lot of determining color quality is based on personal preference. Some users may really like the vivid red and blue captured by the T1i, while others may prefer the brighter tones of the Nikon D5000.

Video: Color Score Comparison

 

Video: Noise Performance (12.24)

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We have seen a pattern of very low noise levels coming from DSLR cameras that record HD video. The Nikon D5000 and D90 both showed this and the Canon T1i continues this trend. The camera averaged only 0.36% noise in our bright light testing. Now, this is nearly double what the D5000 measured (0.19% noise), but it is still very low compared to your average consumer camcorder. Click here for more on how CamcorderInfo.com tests noise performance.

Video: Noise Comparisons
Canon Rebel T1i 100% Crop	Nikon D5000 100% Crop	Canon HF S100 100% Crop	Sanyo VPC-HD200 100% Crop

In the crops above, the Nikon D5000 should immediately jump out as being less sharp than the rest of the camcorders in this set. The D5000 does not record full HD video and it tops out with a 1280 x 720 video resolution. Because of this, the camera is not able to capture the level of detail or sharpness that a 1920 x 1080 camcorder is capable of. The Canon T1i does have a 1080p setting, which is what the 100% crop above is taken from. The T1i's 1080p mode only captures video at 20 frames per second, however, which is very slow and may not be desirable for some users. Continue onto the Motion & Sharpness section of our review for more information about the frame rates offered on the T1i.

Video: Noise Score Comparison

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