Canon's new Digital Rebel brings a 12.2MP image sensor and 3" Live View LCD

When it comes to D-SLR cameras, Canon and Nikon are usually the first companies to come to mind. Both companies trade blows back and forth year after year as they release new models with more advanced features.

In late 2006, Canon introduced its Digital Rebel XTi to much fanfare. The XTi brought a 10.1MP image sensor, 2.5" LCD screen and the EOS Integrated Cleaning System (ICS) to the Digital Rebel line.

Today, Canon is going one step further with the Digital Rebel XSi. The XSi brings a new 12.2MP APS-C CMOS sensor, 3.0" LCD screen with Live View, a 9-point autofocus system, DIGIC III image processor, larger viewfinder, higher-capacity battery and a 3.5 FPS burst mode (53 JPEG or 6 RAW). Canon also made the move to SD/SDHC memory cards with the XSi -- it is the first Canon D-SLR with this capability.



"The EOS 450D bears the fruits of more than 20 years of ongoing investment into EOS," said Canon's Mogens Jensen. "This camera continues Canon’s policy of taking technologies proven in the professional arena and putting them within reach of a wider market of amateur photographers."

The new XSi measures 5.1" x 3.9" x 2.4" and weighs one pound without the battery. Dimensionally, the XSi is slightly larger than its XTi predecessor.

The Canon Digital Rebel XSi will be available soon for $799 in a body-only version. The kit version of the XSi with an 18-55 mm IS lens will cost $899.

Digital Photography Review has a hands-on preview of the Digital Rebel XSi for those who want to take a closer look.