or Browse:
Type
Brand
Price
Need
Browse By Brand Find a digital camera from your favorite brand
Browse by Price Choose a max price using the slider below
Max Price
Any

$150.00

Any Price
0 Comments   Add Your Comment
Canon EOS Rebel T1i $539.00
By Tim Barribeau May 22, 2009
Canon EOS Rebel T1i
Review Highlights

Very accurate color results

Good ISO range

Poor sharpness with the kit lens

Noise levels a bit above average

Score Breakdown
4.7
5.3
6.4
-0.9

Introduction

Colors are accurate and strong. However, low light sensitivity is terrible, and the image comes out dark.

Comprehensive video testing and analysis by the staff of CamcorderInfo.com

The Canon T1i had a surprisingly difficult time with low light sensitivity and the numbers weren’t pretty—the camera required 26 lux of light to reach 50 IRE on our waveform monitor. This is more than twice the amount of light than the Nikon D5000 required (11 lux) and it is significantly worse than your average HD camcorder. Keep in mind, however, that all our video testing on the T1i was done with its kit lens, which has a maximum aperture of f/3.5. Using a faster lens with a wider aperture setting will likely produce better low light sensitivity results. More on how CamcorderInfo tests low light sensitivity.

The T1i’s poor performance in this test is shocking for a number of reasons. For starters, the camera includes a huge CMOS sensor that is far larger than what would be found in a regular camcorder. Generally speaking, a larger sensor means better low light sensitivity, but this was clearly not the case with the Canon T1i. We also expected the T1i to do well with this test because it records at such a slow frame rate (20p) when shooting full HD video. Interestingly, the camera showed no difference in low light sensitivity when we shot at 720/30p. This suggests that Canon has somehow programmed the T1i to stop boosting low light performance at around 26 lux or so. Since ISO, aperture, and shutter speed are all automated in video mode, there isn’t much leeway for you to boost the brightness on the T1i yourself. You can do a basic exposure adjustment, however, which we go over in more detail in the Manual Controls section of this review.

As you’ll see in the comparison images in the following sections, the Nikon D5000 consistently produced a brighter image than the Canon T1i. Unsurprisingly, it also had a much better low light sensitivity.

Low Light Sensitivity Comparison
Canon EOS Rebel T1i
0.55
Nikon D5000
6.3
0
2
4
6
8
Low Light Sensitivity Score

Shop for the Canon T1i

Advertisement

Shop for the Canon T1i

Loading Recently Viewed Products
Advertisement

Latest News
& Reviews

Top Rated Digital SLRs

  • Canon EOS 60D
    Canon EOS 60D
    $1,049.95
    1

    Canon EOS 60D

    The Canon EOS 60D is a top-notch camera in terms of performance, handling and flexibility. However, the performance of the kit lens leaves something to be desired. Read full 7-part review

    $1,049.95
    Types
    Prosumer
    Any Megapixels
    0,8
    < 8 Megapixels
    8,10
    8 to 10 Megapixels
    10,15
    10 to 15 Megapixels
    15,
    > 15 Megapixels
    19.00
  • Nikon D5100
    Nikon D5100
    $589.95
    2

    Nikon D5100

    The D5100 is the latest entry-level DSLR from Nikon, with full 1080/30p video, an articulated LCD, and the same image sensor as the D7000. It lacks an internal focus motor, but we found it produced some of the most accurate colors we've seen yet. Read full 7-part review

    $589.95
    Types
    Any Megapixels
    0,8
    < 8 Megapixels
    8,10
    8 to 10 Megapixels
    10,15
    10 to 15 Megapixels
    15,
    > 15 Megapixels
    16.2
  • Canon EOS 7D
    Canon EOS 7D
    $1,239.95
    3

    Canon EOS 7D

    The 18-megapixel Canon 7D delivers high resolution stills and full HD video in a well-built camera designed for serious photographers without the desire (or budget) for a full-frame model. Read full 7-part review

    $1,239.95
    Types
    Prosumer
    Any Megapixels
    0,8
    < 8 Megapixels
    8,10
    8 to 10 Megapixels
    10,15
    10 to 15 Megapixels
    15,
    > 15 Megapixels
    19.00
  • Nikon D7000
    Nikon D7000
    $1,199.00
    4

    Nikon D7000

    The Nikon D7000 is a powerhouse camera at an excellent price. It offers a huge range of features that will make shooting quicker and easier for the experienced shooter, with lots of customizable options and quick control access. Read full 7-part review

    $1,199.00
    Types
    Prosumer
    Any Megapixels
    0,8
    < 8 Megapixels
    8,10
    8 to 10 Megapixels
    10,15
    10 to 15 Megapixels
    15,
    > 15 Megapixels
    16.9
  • Sony Alpha SLT-A55V
    Sony Alpha SLT-A55V
    $569.99
    5

    Sony Alpha SLT-A55V

    The SLT-A55 is a well performing SLR, with a wide ISO range, good color and relatively low noise. . Read full 7-part review

    $569.99
    Types
    Consumer
    Any Megapixels
    0,8
    < 8 Megapixels
    8,10
    8 to 10 Megapixels
    10,15
    10 to 15 Megapixels
    15,
    > 15 Megapixels
    17

Features

Advertisement
Canon EOS Rebel T1i
Digital Camera Review

This review is organized into 25 pages

Next: Page 1

Sample Photos