Digital Camera Gift Ideas

Canon Rebel XS 10 1MP Digital SLR Camera with EF S 18 55mm f 3 5 5 6 IS Lens Black

Ideal for a wide range of photographers from first-time digital SLR users to veteran photo enthusiasts, the new Canon EOS Rebel XS camera is designed to embody what you have come to expect from the EOS Rebel series — a fast, non-intimidating, lightweight, easy-to-use camera that produces excellent images and starts emerging photographers off on the right foot. Immediately, photographers will take notice of the camera’s Optical Image Stabilized kit lens for crisp focus, compensating for camera shake from unsteady hands or a moving vehicle. The new Rebel model also incorporates Canon’s DIGIC III image processor, 10.1 megapixel CMOS sensor, Live View, Auto Lighting Optimizer, 7-point wide-area autofocus (AF) sensor and 3.0 frames per second continuous JPEG burst rate where the number of consecutive shots in a burst is only limited by the capacity of the flash memory card in the camera.

User Ratings and Reviews

3 Stars Canon XS is adequate
I purchased the Canon XS as a Christmas present for my wife. But after playing around with it myself, decided to return it and purchase the XSi instead. Three reasons why…1) 3″ vs 2.5″ display. I think this makes a big difference. I shoot semi-pro with some 40D bodies and appreciate the extra 0.5″ of screen myself. 2) Spot metering. This feature is not on the XS and I really miss it since I tend to shoot in manual mode a lot. 3) The biggest reason is the proximity sensor for the LCD. This is huge! I use the Rebels to shoot at night when I don’t want to bring the big bodies. When shooting at night, the display on the LCD stays on with the XS; on the XSi as your face gets close to the viewfinder, it shuts off, then turns on again after you move away from it. Shooting at night with the bright LCD is a big distraction.

There are other differences such as the higher resolution and other stuff that really didnt factor in. If you’re deciding on XS vs XSi, get the XSi. Now if you’re going from P&S to SLR and need the very basics, then the XS will fit your needs perfectly. For those people, I would highly recommend the XS.

4 Stars Great dLSR for a good price
I’m still learning about all of the camera’s possibilities. Got some great stop-motion pictures of small birds and dogs. Picture quality is excellent.

I did a lot of research before I bought this camera. I don’t find the focus dots to be a problem. I like the controls on the right side, they’re easy to operate and the camera fits my hand just fine.

There were a few reviews talking about the camera getting damp and never operating again. To prevent condensation, I follow the Canon recommendation of removing the lens from the body when coming in from the cold to a warm room. I’ve even done it (carefully) after getting back into a warm car. The camera and lens don’t take long to warm up.

This is one of the lightest dSLRs on the market, a real plus when adding a telephoto lens.

5 Stars Bought for the speed
Those of you upgrading from a Point and Shoot camera can relate to the lag time between photos. We got so tired of waiting for our PNS to spool up to take another photo we finally upgraded to this DSLR. Wish I had done it 3 years ago. This Rebel is so easy to use and the pictures are great and best of all it is super fast. I am a total Neophyte when it comes to cameras; I just want a good picture. This product delivers and I think the cost is spot on.

5 Stars I LOVE THIS CAMERA
I was going back and forth whether to purchase a DSLR camera that is more than a point n shoot as a non professional and I absolutely love this camera. I wanted a camera that I can take pictures of my baby and not miss that smile. The point n shoots are too slow and I have no pictures of her smiling- well I can not say that any longer- I am able to capture all the smiles. The camera handles wonderful and I have no complaints. I bought this camera on a special day from Amazon and was able to save more money. I would recommend this camera to anyone that wants to move away from the point n shoot and be able to capture all the important memories.

5 Stars 4th Bought for This Family
This is an excellent camera that takes pictures of high quality. It meets the needs of this grandma who prefers a simple camera to use yet has all the features that the expert photographer in the family might want. Our family has purchased 4 of these cameras and would recommend it highly.

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Canon Rebel XS 10 1MP Digital SLR Camera with EF S 18 55mm f 3 5 5 6 IS Lens Black

Ideal for a wide range of photographers from first-time digital SLR users to veteran photo enthusiasts, the new Canon EOS Rebel XS camera is designed to embody what you have come to expect from the EOS Rebel series — a fast, non-intimidating, lightweight, easy-to-use camera that produces excellent images and starts emerging photographers off on the right foot. Immediately, photographers will take notice of the camera’s Optical Image Stabilized kit lens for crisp focus, compensating for camera shake from unsteady hands or a moving vehicle. The new Rebel model also incorporates Canon’s DIGIC III image processor, 10.1 megapixel CMOS sensor, Live View, Auto Lighting Optimizer, 7-point wide-area autofocus (AF) sensor and 3.0 frames per second continuous JPEG burst rate where the number of consecutive shots in a burst is only limited by the capacity of the flash memory card in the camera.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars OK, I’m a Canon Snob
In a nut shell (based on cameras in this price range):

* Great picture quality, especially if you know how to manipulate Raw format – software is included

* On the small side of DSLRs – can be a pro or con depending on your use

* Included software to control the camera with a computer is a major plus for me

* Lens is good for being included in a kit at this price, one of the best IMHO.

* Read online professional reviews. Really helpful for me.

* You can’t go wrong with a Canon DSLR

* This is a great entry level DSLR, if you can afford it and want more Megapixels and features, jump up to an XSi or TSi.

* battery life is good – but get a spare just incase

The Long Winded Stuff:

I am a Canon snob ever since my first digital camera, which was a point and shoot Canon S30 3.2 MP I paid over $500.00 for. That S30 took better pictures (as far as quality) than my wife’s Minolta 6 MP DSLR that I bought her years later. I must have bought at least 10 point and shoots and DSLRs for my family and work. All different brands. But every time I didn’t buy a Canon I was upset with the purchase. There have been some good Nikons but none better than the Canons. My biggest disapointment was the Minolta DSLR I bought for my wife. Against my better judgement the guy at the camera store talked me into it.

There are more qualified sites and people on the internet that will give you great professional reviews of the camera and all it’s features. Here is a few reasons I chose this one:

I was contemplating between the XS, XSi or TSi. I did a lot of research online before making my decision and in the end the price won out and I settled for a less megapixels and less $$$ (10.1 is plenty for what I needed). Like all Canon DSLRs this camera takes great photos and the kit lens that it comes with is a great lens for a DSLR in this price range. The body is on the small side and people with large hands may find it uncomfortable if they are taking pictures constently. But the small size also has the benefit of better portability.

Besides the picture quality, my favorite feature is that it comes with the software to control the camera and most of it’s features right from your computer. I actually use this feature a lot, because I do product pictures and indoor still life with it. I can set all aspects of the shot, aperature, sharpness, shooting mode, white balance, etc, then control the shutter right from the computer. The picture loads right to my computer, I can examine the shot adjust the raw photo or make any adjustments necessary and retake the photo without relying on the small LCD screen on the camera. The liveshot helps even more because I can view the shot live as I am setting up before I take the picture. Other copmpanies charge more $$$ for this benefit. I like to use Raw format and make adjustments then convert it to a user friendly format. If your not familiar with the Raw format, it is worth your time to do some research and learn about it, your pictures will be much better.

5 Stars Very pleased
I recently purchased the Rebel XS as a Christmas present for my wife and myself, and we both love it. We mostly use the auto modes. We are not advanced photographers. We mostly just take pictures of our baby daughter. But it has done great for that. We love that when you press the shutter button, it take the photo immediately, unlike with point’n’shoots. And when I want to have more manual control, it is easy. For a beginner, it is everything we need and more. Can’t comment on more advanced use because we don’t know enough to use more advanced features

5 Stars It’s good to have it
This is good camera with reasonable price to compare with other models.

I recommend that everyone should have one like this. Don’t waste money for PnS cameras

4 Stars A gift given.
I bought this as a gift after doing many hours of research to find a good value on this great Digital SLR. The giftee says I did a wonderful job. It is highly rated in the consumers magazine I subscribe to. I have seen some wonderful pictures taken with this camera.

4 Stars Great for a first time DSLR
After having it for a couple of days, I can say that the image quality on just the auto shots are amazing. I bought the book for “dummies” for the xs to help with the advanced exposure options. But for now the auto is damn good. Then again I’m coming from a point and shoot.

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