Canon EOS Rebel XSi vs Canon EOS Rebel XT

      Canon EOS Rebel XSi

      Canon EOS Rebel XT
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      54
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      Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

      Overview

      In this comparison, we will evaluate the Canon EOS Rebel XSi and the Canon EOS Rebel XT, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

      Canon EOS Rebel XSi was introduced in May 2008 and Canon EOS Rebel XT was introduced in April 2005. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Canon EOS Rebel XSi Highlights

      • 12.2 MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
      • 100 - 1,600 Native ISO
      • 9 Focus Points
      • 3.0" 230k dot Fixed Screen
      • Optical (pentamirror) Viewfinder
      • 3.5 fps Continuous Shooting
      • Built-in Flash

      Canon EOS Rebel XT Highlights

      • 8 MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
      • 100 - 1,600 Native ISO
      • 7 Focus Points
      • 1.8" 115k dot Fixed Screen
      • Optical (pentamirror) Viewfinder
      • 2.8 fps Continuous Shooting
      • Built-in Flash
      Table of Contents
      1. Overview
      2. Pros and Cons
      3. Advantage of Canon EOS Rebel XSi
      4. Common Strengths and Weaknesses
      5. Screen and Viewfinder
      6. Sensor
      7. Photography Features
      8. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
      9. Other Features
      10. Physical Parameters
      11. For Different Types of Photography
      12. Evaluations
      13. Specifications  

      Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Canon EOS Rebel XSi and Canon EOS Rebel XT.

      PROS

      Canon EOS Rebel XSi

      Canon EOS Rebel XT

      •   Built-in Flash
      •   Orientation Sensor
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   Orientation Sensor

      CONS

      Canon EOS Rebel XSi

      Canon EOS Rebel XT

      •   No Video Capture
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 12.2 Megapixel
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.5 fps
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   No Video Capture
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 8 Megapixel
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   7 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Small Screen - 1.8"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 115k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.8 fps
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing


      And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

      AVERAGE

      Canon EOS Rebel XSi

      Canon EOS Rebel XT

      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/200 sec
      •   DxO Overall Score - 61
      •   Weight - 524 g (1.16 lb / 18.48 oz)
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/200 sec
      •   DxO Overall Score - 60
      •   Weight - 540 g (1.19 lb / 19.05 oz)

      Advantage of Canon EOS Rebel XSi

      Canon Rebel XSi
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Canon EOS Rebel XSi over Canon EOS Rebel XT.

      Canon EOS Rebel XSi vs Canon EOS Rebel XT
      Higher Sensor Resolution 12.2 Megapixel vs 8 Megapixel
      Max Image Resolution 4272 x 2848 vs 3456 x 2304
      More Focus Points 9 vs 7
      Tracking Autofocus vs
      Contrast Detection for Autofocus vs
      Larger Screen 3.0" vs 1.8"
      Higher Resolution Screen 230k dot vs 115k dot
      Live View vs
      Higher Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent) 0.54x vs 0.50x
      Higher Max Continuous Shooting 3.5 fps vs 2.8 fps
      Higher DxO Low Light ISO 692 vs 637
      Higher DxO Color Depth 21.9 vs 21.8
      Higher DxO Overall Score 61 vs 60
      Lighter 524 g (1.16 lb / 18.48 oz) vs 540 g (1.19 lb / 19.05 oz)

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Canon EOS Rebel XSi.

      Canon Rebel XTi
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      APS-C

      10.0 MP

      Canon Rebel XS
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      APS-C

      10.1 MP

      Canon Rebel T1i
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      APS-C

      15.1 MP

      Canon 7D II
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      20.2 MP

      Pentax ist DS2
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      6 MP

      Sony a6400
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      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Canon M5
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Pentax K-7
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      APS-C

      15 MP

      Fujifilm X-M1
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      APS-C

      16.3 MP

      Canon 5DS
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      Full Frame

      50.6 MP

      Fujifilm X-T2
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      APS-C

      24.3 MP

      Leica M8
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      APS-H

      10.35 MP

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Canon EOS Rebel XT.

      Canon Rebel XS
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      APS-C

      10.1 MP

      Canon Rebel XTi
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      APS-C

      10.0 MP

      Canon Rebel
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      APS-C

      6 MP

      Canon R10
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      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Nikon D5500
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      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Pentax K-5 II
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      APS-C

      16.3 MP

      Canon 1D X II
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      Full Frame

      20.2 MP

      Canon 1D X III
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      Full Frame

      20.1 MP

      Panasonic GH5 II
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      Micro Four Thirds

      20.33 MP

      Sony SLT-A57
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      APS-C

      16.1 MP

      Leica M10
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      Full Frame

      24 MP

      Olympus E-520
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      Micro Four Thirds

      10.0 MP

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

      STRENGTHS Canon EOS Rebel XSi Canon EOS Rebel XT
        Built-in Flash
        Orientation Sensor
      WEAKNESSES Canon EOS Rebel XSi Canon EOS Rebel XT
        No Video Capture
        Low Resolution Sensor12.2 Megapixel8 Megapixel
        Low Native ISO1,6001,600
        Timelapse Recording
        Few Focus Points97
        No Face Detection
        No Image Stabilization
        Screen TypeFixedFixed
        Low Resolution Screen230k dot115k dot
        Low Max Continuous Shooting3.5 fps2.8 fps
        No HDMI Output
        No Microphone Input
        No Headphone Output
        No Built-in GPS
        No Built-In Wi-Fi
        No Built-In Bluetooth
        No Environmental Sealing

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Screen

      Canon EOS Rebel XSi has a 3.0" screen with 230k dot resolution and Canon EOS Rebel XT has a 1.8" screen with 115k dot resolution. Both have Fixed screens.


      Viewfinder

      Cameras have built-in Optical (pentamirror) viewfinders. They both have 95% coverage.

      Sensor

      Canon EOS Rebel XSi features a 12.2 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with dimensions of 22.2 x 14.8 mm and a total area of 328.6 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 1,600. Canon EOS Rebel XT features a 8 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with dimensions of 22.2 x 14.8 mm and a total area of 219 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 1,600.


      Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how different sensors compare with each other:

      Sensor size chart
      Sensor Dimensions Area Aspect Ratio Crop Factor
      Image cannot be displayedMedium Format44 x 33 mm1452 mm24:30.79x
      Image cannot be displayedFull Frame36 x 24 mm864 mm23:21x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-H27 x 18 mm486 mm23:21.3x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C23.6 x 15.6 mm368.2 mm23:21.5x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C (Canon)22.3 x 14.9 mm332.3 mm23:21.6x
      Image cannot be displayedMicro Four Thirds17.4 x 13 mm226.2 mm24:32x
      Image cannot be displayed1-inch13.2 x 8.8 mm116.2 mm23:22.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/1.7-inch7.44 x 5.58 mm41.5 mm24:34.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/2.3-inch6.17 x 4.55 mm28.1 mm24:35.6x

      Photography Features

      Canon EOS Rebel XSi can take pictures up to 4272 x 2848 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3088 x 2056, 2256 x 1504 with 3:2 aspect ratios. Canon EOS Rebel XT can take pictures up to 3456 x 2304 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 2496 x 1664, 1728 x 1152 with 3:2 aspect ratios.


      Lens Mount

      Cameras have Canon EF/EF-S lens mount. Due to their APS-C sensor their crop factor (also called lens multiplier) is equal to 1.6x. This means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 1.6.


      No Image Stabilization

      The cameras do not have image stabilization. On Canon EOS Rebel XSi it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Canon EOS Rebel XT nothing can be done. On Canon EOS Rebel XT it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Canon EOS Rebel XSi nothing can be done.

      Connectivity, Battery and Storage

      USB Inputs

      Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer.


      External Storage Slots

      Canon EOS Rebel XSi has a single SD/SDHC/MMC card slot. Canon EOS Rebel XT has a single CompactFlash (Type I/II) card slot.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Canon EOS Rebel XSi has Electronically-controlled Focal-plane shutter. Canon EOS Rebel XT has Electronically Controlled Vertical-travel Mechanical Focal-plane shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Canon EOS Rebel XSi, and up to 1/4000 sec on Canon EOS Rebel XT. Canon EOS Rebel XSi can shoot continuously up to 3.5 fps. Canon EOS Rebel XT can shoot continuously up to 2.8 fps.


      Focusing

      Both cameras have Dual Pixel CMOS AF system with Canon EOS Rebel XSi having 9 focusing points and with Canon EOS Rebel XT having 7 focusing points..


      Exposure

      Both cameras' exposure metering ranges from +1 to +20 EV and you can set the exposure compensation within the ±2 EV range. You can also do exposure lock, exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Canon EOS Rebel XSi and exposure lock, exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Canon EOS Rebel XT.


      Flash

      Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 13.00 m at ISO 100 on Canon EOS Rebel XSi and 12.00 m at ISO 100 on Canon EOS Rebel XT. They also accept external flash. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/200 sec on both cameras.

      Physical Parameters

      Canon EOS Rebel XSi body has dimensions of 129 x 98 x 62 mm (5.08 x 3.86 x 2.44") and Canon EOS Rebel XT body has dimensions of 127 x 94 x 64 mm (5 x 3.7 x 2.52"). Canon EOS Rebel XSi weighs 524 g (1.16 lb / 18.48 oz) and Canon EOS Rebel XT weighs 540 g (1.19 lb / 19.05 oz).

      Canon EOS Rebel XSi

      Canon EOS Rebel XT

      129 mm

      98 mm

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      127 mm

      94 mm

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      98 mm

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      94 mm

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      62 mm

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      64 mm

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      Size comparisons of Canon EOS Rebel XSi and Canon EOS Rebel XT

      Canon EOS Rebel XSi and Canon EOS Rebel XT for Different Types of Photography

      We give scores to the cameras for six types of photography based on their features and specifications. Let us see how suitable they are for each type of photography.

      Landscape Photography

      Canon EOS Rebel XSi

      Canon EOS Rebel XT

      AVERAGE
      68
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      AVERAGE
      63
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 115k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Canon EOS Rebel XSi

      Canon EOS Rebel XT

      AVERAGE
      59
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.5 fps
      •   Orientation Sensor
      POOR
      52
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   7 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 115k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.8 fps
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Wildlife Photography

      Canon EOS Rebel XSi

      Canon EOS Rebel XT

      AVERAGE
      58
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.5 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Orientation Sensor
      POOR
      51
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   7 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 115k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.8 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Portrait Photography

      Canon EOS Rebel XSi

      Canon EOS Rebel XT

      GOOD
      73
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/200 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor
      AVERAGE
      69
      •   7 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Small Screen - 1.8"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 115k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/200 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Street Photography

      Canon EOS Rebel XSi

      Canon EOS Rebel XT

      GOOD
      78
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 524 g (1.16 lb / 18.48 oz)
      GOOD
      77
      •   7 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 115k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 540 g (1.19 lb / 19.05 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Canon EOS Rebel XSi

      Canon EOS Rebel XT

      GOOD
      80
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 524 g (1.16 lb / 18.48 oz)
      GOOD
      80
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 115k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 540 g (1.19 lb / 19.05 oz)

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Canon EOS Rebel XSi and Canon EOS Rebel XT and give them scores of 56 and 54 out of 100 recpectively. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


      Canon EOS Rebel XSi

      Canon EOS Rebel XT

      OVERALL
      56
      OVERALL
      54

      Sensor

      Canon EOS Rebel XSi

      Canon EOS Rebel XT

      AVERAGE
      68
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 12.2 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   DxO Overall Score - 61
      AVERAGE
      68
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 8 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   DxO Overall Score - 60

      Photo

      Canon EOS Rebel XSi

      Canon EOS Rebel XT

      AVERAGE
      58
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.5 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/200 sec
      AVERAGE
      57
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.8 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/200 sec

      Video

      Canon EOS Rebel XSi

      Canon EOS Rebel XT

      BAD
      0
      •   No Image Stabilization
      BAD
      0
      •   No Image Stabilization

      Focusing

      Canon EOS Rebel XSi

      Canon EOS Rebel XT

      GOOD
      78
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      AVERAGE
      69
      •   7 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Canon EOS Rebel XSi

      Canon EOS Rebel XT

      AVERAGE
      66
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      AVERAGE
      60
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Small Screen - 1.8"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 115k dot

      Connectivity

      Canon EOS Rebel XSi

      Canon EOS Rebel XT

      POOR
      40
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      POOR
      41
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Canon EOS Rebel XSi

      Canon EOS Rebel XT

      POOR
      43
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 524 g (1.16 lb / 18.48 oz)
      POOR
      43
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 540 g (1.19 lb / 19.05 oz)


      For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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