Oh Lordy - Xt Vs. Xti

[SarahMD]

Oh Lordy!

Just when I was set in my ways with the XT and it's price they've got the XTi. Well after many months of proding my husband and a few empty promises he's decided its time to take the dive into the initial camera investment of my possible future business. I've been set on getting an XT but they've come out with the XTi. Now I've gone to a site and compared the two and their features. Clearly the 8.0 and the 10.1 MP difference - XTi (Multi-BASIS TTL, 9 focus points (EOS 30D AF) and the XT (Multi-BASIS TTL, 7 focus points (EOS 30 AF) **This is a little confusing - what does it mean???** - XT (Yes, 2.8 fps, 14 JPEG or 4 RAW frames) and the XTi (Yes, 3.0 fps, 27 JPEG or 10 RAW frames) **Can you explain this to me as well???**

Now - Those are really the only differences I seem to notice. I'm wanting to practice and get used to the camera and maybe sometime in 2007 begin PBing will the XT be sufficient for me? I'm wanting to just get used to this kind of power, lol. I will be doing mostly Natural Light Portraits at first and I'm going to invest in one or two lenses after Christmas. I hope that when I really begin a business venture that I'll upgrade to a Canon 30D...but as a beginner will the XT be sufficient. We've really only budgeted on spending 600 to 700 on the camera and the XTi is about 200 more. I know that doesn't seem like a lot when you're purchasing a camera at that price already...but our budget is thin at the moment and christmas IS on its way...will the XT be all I need until I'm ready to take the ULTIMATE step??

Please Please help me out!

BTW - Hopefully in a little over a week you'll be seeing some photos from it. His paycheck next week (12/08) will be what we're going to use................ ****SO EXCITED****

[mamakimberly]

The XT will be fine for ya girl!

Some differences are--- the speed of frames per second you can take (FPS) (non-issue for me), the # of points you can choose from as your focus point if you are auto-focusing or back-button focusing.

Save your money for FAT lenses! That's my opinion! :)

[SarahMD]

Thanks Kimberly! Question - does the XT have like a Light Meter built in? or is that something I need to purchase along with my 50mm 1.8 lens? lol

[seebee]

I'm pretty sure it has an internal light meter. I'll put it this way: I don't own any kind of light meter and things have been fine. :) In fact, I've noticed that I'm getting more evenly, better exposed photos from my XT than I did from my old point & shoot.

I also at one point had to make the choice btwn. XT & XTi. I chose the XT for a couple of reasons: I didn't need the extra megapixels, since I usually don't print too large a photo (8 x 10 for a single photo is my usual maximum), plus my hard drive space is already at a premium. And, while I do use the burst mode occasionally, I didn't feel I would benefit much from having the extra fps. And while the XTi has the larger LCD screen, it's no problem for me to zoom in to check my focus on the smaller screen. (I'd do that even with a larger screen, anyway.)

I didn't realize that there were more AF points in the XTi; I like the idea of that. But the 7 points in the XT are fine. :)

I've been very pleased with my camera so far; I've had it for about 3 weeks now. Whichever one of those cameras you choose, you'll likely be happy!

[Pachimac]

The focus points help you to get better pictures. I used my FIL's XT before I got my XTi and I found the extra 2 focal points do help. It means that the camera has more spots to choose focusing for you to get your automatic pictures crystal clear. If you're going to be using it on manual most of the time, this won't be a big issue to you.

The frames per second is how many pictures the camera can take in quick succession. the higher the number, the better. Also, the camera flash speed is something to look at. If the flash can't recycle quickly, you won't get your picture. I've noticed that there are times when I have to wait for the flash, so I am thinking about upgrading to the speed flash or getting my butt in gear and learning the manual mode a little faster! LOL!

I chose the XTi for these reasons over the XT:

1. Automatic Sensor cleaner. This is a God send to a lot of photographers that I have talked to. Some have even chosen the XTi route instead of the 30D as studio professionals. One of my photographer friends is actually going to switch from her Nikon to the XTi because of this feature alone. That speaks volumes to me.

2. more mega pixels on the Xti. It really does make a difference in print quality - even if you're not going to print larger than 8 x 10.

3. The LCD screen is larger and much crisper and brighter on the XTi and gives you more information at a glance than the XT. It automatically shuts off when your eye goes to the camera.

4. The in view finder information is more detailed in the XTi.

5. I liked the way the body looked better. LOL - it just felt better in my hand - I can't explain it but when I picked up the XT and then the XTi my mind just said, "I like this better".

Either way you go you'll get an awesome camera. I was really looking into the 30D as well and really, there was not that much appreciable difference between the XTi and the 30D to justify the added expense for me, so perhaps you're the same with the XT versus the XTi.

[Lauren]

The XT is 3FPS, I'm not sure why it's been listed as 2.8. Either way, the difference between these two is marginal. What the XTi does have though is a larger buffer, so you can take about twice the number of photos in burst mode than you could with the XT.

More focus points do help... unless you decide to choose your focus points manually or strictly use the center point as it is more precise. But the entire AF system is supposed to have been improved, not just more points. I haven't really noticed that much improved focus between my XT and 5D (my XT had good focus - I have heard some complaints about it though) but this will depend on your subject and light levels more than anything else - the XTi *should* hold up better in difficult conditions.


Ok, I'm going to weigh in specifically on the points above because they are good points, but have flip sides as well...

1... Personally, I don't like this feature. Unless your sensor dust is REALLY bad, you shouldn't notice it unless you frequently shoot at small (f/16+) apertures. I'd rather have good lens changing techniques (since this is when the majority of dust enters the camera) than an in-camera cleaning system.

2... 8 vs 10 MP is not a big jump. It's about 400 pixels on the long edge, 300 on the short. It does allow a bit more cropping room, but not really a feature that matters, IMO.

3... I do like the larger LCD that I have on the 5D. But in order to get it on the XTi, they removed the separate status LCD. Whether this is important to you or not is a personal decision, but I couldn't live without the dual screens.

4... I haven't seen the XTi viewfinder and can't remember the XT (lol, that's bad!) but from reading on dpreview, the new information isn't something I'd use much - white balance adjustment and flash exposure. But again, this is personal... I'm sure there's people that can't live without this.

5... Definitely choose which one feels better - there is a subtle change in the grip which could make them feel entirely diffferent to you.



Out of the two, I personally would choose the XT because the added features on the XTi aren't enough to make up for the removed/unwanted features. But it is very much a personal decision. I agree that you'll get an awesome camera either way, so choose the one you like the best and what suits your budget. The extra $200 is your 50mm lens, memory card, etc or the downpayment on that 30D! (BTW - don't be surprised if the 40D comes out around March next year)

ETA: Both the XT and XTi have built in light meters. The XT's light meter is actually quite good, the only thing it lacks is a spot meter but I'm sure the XTi doesn't have this either.

[SarahMD]

Thanks ladies! I really appreciate the info and perspectives. I do think I'll be going for the XT instead of XTi because not only do I want the camera I want the 50mm lens to go with it. I think that if that 40D comes out in March I might just take the plunge for latest equipment then when I am more comfortable with the functions of a DSLR. Again THANK YOU THANK YOU!!