Canon Digital Rebel T1i SLR Review

More digital SLRs these days are adding video recording functionality to their already advanced feature set. The ability to record high-definition video with amazing prime lenses is a videographer’s dream. Today we’re taking a look at the Canon EOS Digital Rebel T1i.

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The Rebel T1i is a 15-megapixel digital SLR with the latest DIGIC 4 image processor, a 3-inch LCD screen, and full HD video capture up to 1080p (1920×1080) resolution. The T1i uses the 3-inch LCD screen to display information such as F-stop, exposure, and ISO settings. This important information is also displayed inside the viewfinder. Sensors located below the viewfinder turn off the LCD screen to save battery life and reduce glare.

The camera has a wide ISO range from ISO 100 to ISO 3200, and thanks to the DIGIC 4 image processor, you won’t regret using that ISO 3200 setting in low-light situations. The T1i also has Canon’s Live View function which allow you to zoom in and compose your shot similar to a standard digital camera. The feature works in both still and video modes.

The 15.1-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor shoots images at a resolution of 4752×3168 pixels, and can capture 3.4 frames per second in burst mode to an SD or SDHC card.

Controls were easy to use, especially for me (a Nikon shooter), with auto-focus, white balance, and ISO settings all within a finger’s reach. Focusing is quick and accurate with the 9-point autofocus and burst mode worked great in our testing. Canon also has added a Creative Auto feature, which basically dumbs down the advanced controls so you can learn which settings make the background of a subject softer or sharper, and the exposure brighter or darker.

In our ISO tests, images up to ISO 400 were noise-free, and noise started appearing at ISO 800 up until ISO 3200 where noise began saturating the images (although still usable). Overall, image quality was excellent.

When it came down to testing the video functionality, we paired the T1i with Canon’s 85mm f1.2 prime lens, one of the best on the market. You have the option of shooting at 20 frames per second at 1080p or 30 frames per second at 720p, which is equal to what something like a Flip Mino HD would record at.

Video quality was decent, certainly a step-up from a portable Flash camera like the Mino HD, but not nearly the quality of a higher-end DSLR with video like the EOS 7D or 5D Mark II. There is no microphone input, so you’re stuck with the built-in mono microphone on the front of the camera. There are also no manual exposure controls available to the user while shooting video, and ISO is stuck in auto mode. We can only hope that this will be added in a firmware upgrade like it was to the 5D Mark II.

Overall, the Rebel T1i is a great choice for anyone looking to step up from their first digital SLR looking for a somewhat more advanced feature set. However, at the time of writing this review, Canon has introduced the Rebel T2i B0035FZJHQ which has a 18-megapixel sensor, a microphone input jack, and capturing 30 frames per second at the 1080p movie setting. If you don’t need any of those, the T1i is a great cheaper alternative.

Pros