Canon EOS Rebel T1i or EOS 500D Buying Guide

January 17, 2010 · 4 comments

in Accessories, Camera Buying Guides, Canon EF L Lens, Canon EF-S Lens, Canon Rebel T1i, DSLR Cameras, DSLR Lens

Canon Rebel T1i (also called as Canon EOS 500D) is one of the best selling DSLRs in the market now. I will refer to it as the Canon Rebel T1i in this post for brevity.

If you are considering buying a Canon Rebel T1i, you already are ahead in the game than others. I am going to attempt to equip you with enough information so you can make an informed decision in this purchase.

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We will briefly look at the features in this excellent entry level Digital SLR camera. We will then follow up with links to some of the comprehensive reviews for Canon Rebel T1i. Be prepared to spend a couple of hours pouring through this information.

After reading the reviews, you might decide to purchase the Canon Rebet T1i or Canon EOS 500D. If you just did, congratulations on becoming an owner of one of the best Digital SLR cameras.

Getting a great DSLR is only the first step into establishing a well-rounded photography kit. As you can see the choices are mind-boggling and we highlight some of the best choices in each category.

We will finish this buying guide off with a roundup of some useful Photography books you may find interesting to improve your photography skills with your brand new Digital SLR camera.

Canon Rebel T1i or 500D Key Features

  • 15.1 megapixel CMOS sensor with DIGIC 4 image processor
  • Full HD video capture at 1080p resolution
  • 14 bit A/D conversion
  • Live view function for stills and video
  • Wide ISO range setting of 100-3200 (with extended ISO at 6400 & 12800)
  • 3 inch high resolution LCD screen (920,000 dots) with brightness adjustment
  • Continuous shooting mode 3.4 shots/sec
  • Built-in popup flash unit
  • Supports SD/SDHC memory cards
  • Compatible with over 60 Canon EF/EF-S lenses

Best Canon Rebel T1i Reviews

The above features are more like a teaser than a full on review of this feature packed DSLR.

As much as these professional extensive reviews are helpful and informational they could sometime be a little too technical for someone getting their feet wet with DSLRs.

I usually find a lot of practical information from folks who have bought it and used it. Amazon user reviews have hands-on information about the likes and dislikes about the camera.

Here are some very detailed reviews on Canon Rebel T1i or Canon EOS 500D

PSA: All product links in this article are affiliate links but we have compiled this list from our own experience and those shared by professionals through their blogs and podcasts.
If you choose to purchase any products through our links, thank you for supporting Camerani! If you choose not to, that is 222% fine with us. We love you either way! :-)

Canon Rebel T1i Lenses

If you bought the Canon Rebel T1i with the Canon 18-55mm kit lens you already have a good starter lens to learn your camera.

The Canon EF-S 55-250mm IS Telephoto lens will extend your zoom range a lot without breaking your bank. In addition to this, a cheap but must-have prime lens like the nifty-fifty Canon 50mm f/1.8 Lens could make for a great start.

Having said that, if you are serious about photography – investing in a good glass usually goes a long way. Camera bodies go through refresh every few years but lenses last for a long time.

Good starter lenses

More choices

With over 60 EF/EF-S Canon lenses compatible with the 500D or T1i, you might wonder why would want to consider other lens makers such as Sigma or Tamron. Budget.

You could find similar lenses at affordable prices with Sigma or Tamron. But, you need to do enough research as the quality/price compromise varies lens to lens.

DSLR Accessories

You have stepped into the wonderful world of DSLR photography. As you are going to see you could purchase DSLR accessories to your whim and sky is the limit.

We have grouped Canon Rebel T1i accessories into the following categories.

  • Starter kits
  • Camera bags
  • SD/SDHC cards
  • Tripods
  • Battery grip
  • External flash
  • Flash Remote control
  • Filters & Polarizers

Know your budget and your needs and shop wisely! Bookmark and check our Camera deals section often to save big bucks on photography purchases.

Starter Kits

Starter Kits sometimes provide the greatest value by throwing in all DSLR essentials in one neat package giving you a good bang for the buck.

Camera Bags

One of the most important accessories you will purchase to protect your DSLR investment is a good camera bag. The case that comes with the starter kit is great but I find the Lowepro Slingshot series provide a quick access to your DSLR than a traditional backpack kind also providing all weather protection to your camera gear.

I have lined to both a slingshot bag and a backpack bag so you can choose one based on your preference.

SD/SDHC Cards

You need atleast 2 SDHC cards with your camera. Faster the card is, the better for recording HD video and for taking continuous action shots.

Tripods

Just like lenses, if you are serious about photography, a good tripod will always be a good investment.

Battery Grip

External Flash

The built-in popup flash is great in the T1i but is a little limiting. An external flash that you can mount on the camera hotshoe expands your photography horizons.

Remote Control

One of my favorite features in this DSLR is the ability to control the camera timer with a remote. This is great for taking group photos or to avoid shake while pressing the shutter.

Filters & Polarizers

An UV filter offers great protection to your expensive lens and is a must have. Polarizers cuts off glare and generally give you better image quality in difficult conditions.

Good Canon Rebel T1i Books

The best book on the Canon Rebel T1i is the User Manual that comes with the camera. I highly recommend you read and learn all the features that your camera comes with.

Here are a few good books on Canon Rebel T1i that make this task a little bit easier.

As you can see we have just seen the tip of the iceberg when it comes to accessorizing a Canon Rebel T1i or EOS 500D.

We hope to keep this guide as an evolving document as we come across better products and recommendations.

Please bookmark this page and leave a comment with your experiences, suggestions and recommendations!

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Tagged as: Camera Buying Guides, canon digital cameras, canon dslr, Canon EF-S Lens, canon L lens

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