Having purchased a Canon G6, 7 MP camera (this is point and shoot camera) about 2 years ago, I found my picture taking experience lacking. Although you have features like auto-zoom and focus, I found that I was giving up quality for speed.
Having compared quality against the Pentax SLR 10D (sealed camera body from dust, cleaning system from dust, image stablization, the reviews have indicated the Canon XTI is still the clear winner. Having owned a Canon before, it makes the decision quite easy for me.
So about 1 months ago, I purchased the Canon XTI SLR Camera body and a separate lens (EFS 17-85mm Lens) since the standard lens does not come with Image Stabilization. For those who are not familar with the standard lens in the kit, it's a EF-S 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6 zoom lens.
Image Stablization reduces the likelihood your picture becoming blurry due to movement of the camera while taking a picture.
I purchased a CANON XTI (400D) SLR Camera (10.1 MP with a 2.5-inch LCD monitor, DIGIC II Image Processor with Self Cleaning Sensor and Canon's Picture Style technology) with the ESF 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens. It has ISO 1600 and 9-point Auto-Focus point.
The total billed is around $1500 with some extras.
So far, my experience with this camera is excellent. The pictures come out very clear and the built in flash is so much better than the ones in the Canon G6. Even though I lose the auto-zoom, I can still auto-focus and make use of the Image Stablization from the lens.
The LCD screen would turn off when you put your eye on the eyecup when taking pictures due to an infrared sensor. Pretty much the menus on the G6 is also on the XTI camera.
Here's what I found out thus far:
Advantages:
- SLR performance (you can now have the power to interchange lens and filters)
- Canon's DIGIC enables one to take pictures even at low light.
- Fast shutter speed. I can snap more pictures in a short time than the G6.
- With the better lens, I can also zoom better for close up pictures.
- Good Battery life.
- 10.1 MP. The more the better.
- Price (Although the price is around $800 for the camera, it still a big investment)
- The camera body is plastic. (must be a price thing)
- The camera grip is so and so. Some may prefer to buy the battery grip. (Canon BG-E3 Battery Grip) better grip.
- Heavier than most point and shot cameras.
- No remote for snapping pictures.
Hoya filters are great for filtering UV light.
Initially, I had trouble getting the camera to read the SanDisk Compact Flash. It just wouldn't read it or let me take any pictures. So I popped the SanDisk into my Canon G6 and snapped a picture. The G6 had no problems with it at all. After that my XTI had no other problems reading the CF or snapping pictures.
But with a 4GB CF, transferring pictures to the computer does indeed take longer since the files for the pictures are bigger :)
Conclusion:
This is a great camera to own. The biggest difference between the XT and XTI is that bigger LCD, cleaning system, and it's 10.1MP. The bigger jump is from the Powershot G6 to the entry level SLR.
But be prepared to open the wallet for around $1500 for one with some extras like lens, batteries and Compact Flash.
If you don't mind some of the newer features, the Canon XT (300D) would be better bargain. All the lens are compatible with each one.
If you can try one out, it would be best before you buy one.
IMO, I think standard lens is a not worth spending any money on. Buy the Canon XTI body and a better lens.
