Customer Reviews
Fine, but overpriced, camera 
2008-08-20
We are now seeing a real first...the first Digital EOS that hasn't got people flocking to the stores. Why? Price, and a lack of anything "innovative". However, on the good front, speaking with a Canon Sales Rep, he has told me to expect the gap between the XSi and XS to quickly go to $200, which is a more realistic valuation, and would probably warranty another star, as the XS is really a very nice camera.
You've probably seen many lists comparing the XS to the XSi, and noticed the shortcomings, which are too numerous for $100. However, compared to some of the competition, it's not all bad. Take as an example the Nikon D60. Both are 10mp, but the Canon is a CMOS sensor, that should produce a tad better photos in poor lighting conditions. You also get a 7-point AF system vs. 3-point.
Compared to the Sony Alpha 300, it's hard pay $100 premium, considering the Alpha has in camera stabalization, supports wireless flashes (with built-in flash) and has a 2.7" tiltable live-view. But the Canon kit lens is better optically, and the build quality appears to be slightly better on the XS. When the price drops, they'll be equally good values.
But as most people have said, the XSi is a 5-star camera worth $200 extra; therefore, the price of the XS needs to reflect that reality.
Don't lose out, get the XSi model instead! 
2008-08-16
If you want more bang for your buck, get the Canon EOS Rebel XSi instead of the Rebel XS. The XS is the "little brother" of the XSi which means they are both almost the same camera, but the XSi has more to offer than the XS. At the time of this writing, Amazon.com is currently selling the XSi for the same price as the XS! You would be foolish to buy the XS now instead of the XSi, especially on the fact that the XSi was released not long ago in April 2008. In other words, you have two very similar models that were both released in 2008, just four months apart, but yet the XSi has more capabilities and features than the XS and costs the same. The XS is just a trimmed-down version of the XSi.
Here are the notable similarities of the Rebel XSi and the Rebel XS:
* Both have practically the same large single-plate CMOS sensor and the Digic III Image Processor, except the XSi is 12.2MP while the XS is only 10.1MP (megapixels).
* Both have the Canon EOS Integrated Cleaning System.
* Both can be purchased with the same EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Kit Lens. If you buy the XSi camera body only, it's even cheaper than the XS with kit lens.
* Both have Live View Function with their LCD displays.
* Both are compatible with Canon EF and EF-S lenses.
* Both utilize SD and SDHC memory cards.
* Both use the same battery pack (LP-E5) and the same optional battery grip (BG-E5).
* The XS is compatible with most of the Canon EOS camera system accessories that can be used with the XSi.
Now here are the differences between the "newer" Rebel XS and the recently released Rebel XSi:
* The XSi has more megapixels at 12.2MP while the XS is 10.1MP.
* For JPEG, the XSi can continuously shoot at 3.5 fps while the XS can do 3.0 fps. But for RAW, the XSi is a lot better at 3.5 fps while the XS can only do 1.5 fps.
* The LCD monitor of the XSi measures 3.0 inches while the XS has a smaller screen at 2.5 inches.
* The XSi has a 9-point AF system while the XS has only a 7-point.
* The XSi has Spot metering while the XS does not. Both have Evaluative, Partial, and Center-weighted metering, however.
* XSi's RAW is 14-bit while the XS RAW is 12-bit.
* XSi has Highlight Tone Priority while the XS does not.
* The viewfinder of the XSi provides 0.87x magnification while the XS provides 0.81x.
* The XSi can utilize the RC-1 or the RC-5 wireless remote shutter release, but the XS is not compatible with either so you won't be able to use a wireless remote release.
The Canon EOS Rebel XSi clearly is the better choice and if you are buying your very first digital SLR camera, the XSi is a top model for entry-level compared to others currently out on the market. With the XSi and the XS being sold at the same price, why would you go for something that has less to offer?
* August 19, 2008 UPDATE: Amazon.com has lowered the price of the XS, which makes it somewhat cheaper than the XSi as of this update, but I still strongly feel that the XSi is a better value. Do know that the price of the XSi has dropped significantly throughout Summer 2008, so I'll bet that the XSi and the XS models will have a price war as time goes on.
