HELP!!! Canon 450D/Rebel XSi or 40D?

Question

I have had some experience in photography with compact cameras and now I am purchasing my first digital slr. I need to take high quality photographs of products (books and cds), architecture and landscapes. I will use the camera both during the day and night.

I was tossing up between the 450D/Rebel XSi and the 40D and have decided to go with Canon because my friends have a heap of Canon lenses I can borrow. From what I have gathered the 450D/Rebel XSi is roughly $320USD cheaper than the 40D. I would like to save as much money as I can but will buy the 40D if it is that much better for me. Please help me choose one...

Answer 1

The XSi is a fine camera and the slight differences between it and the 40D will not effect your work shooting products, in fact the auto-focus in the live view mode works on the XSi, but does not on the 40D ... Shooting products is the one application (other than shooting through a telescope or microscope) where the live view makes some sense.  For your application the XSi is the best choice.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_...

If you have any SD / SDHC cards left over from your days of using the P&S camera, you can use them in the XSi.

Answer 2

I'd say the XSi is the way to go for you sir, that camera has amazing capabilities that an experienced user needs and some new adaptations like the SDHC slot to make it more convient. The 40D can a couple more things for professional users because it has a stronger sensor that can do a faster film (sensor) speed up to 3200 ISO as the XSi can only do 1600, but that 1600 is one of the best quality at that speed.

You will be pleased with the XSi.

As far as pricing goes, it just went on sale at Future Shop to 899 for this weekend, lowest I've seen it go yet, and for an extra $100 we include the 75-300mm lense as a package.

Answer 3

Get the 450D and invest the extra money on the lenses.