[inkista]

Originally Posted by Photoform

Anyway, our friend used a Canon EOS XSi (I believe, maybe Xs) and she took very nice pictures and I was generally impressed and after some time I want to get one as well now.

Ok, fallacy #1: having the same camera means you'll get pictures just as good. Remember that the lens and more importantly the photographer will also have a lot to do with how good the picture is. A really good photographer could probably take better pics with a P&S than you could with a dSLR, starting out. That's not to say they'd want to. But quality isn't the sole reason to move to an SLR: versatility is (imho) higher on the list.

I am looking to purchase the Canon T1i because it has video, although from what I've read it really isn't worth the ~$200 price increase over the Rebel XSi when it comes to picture quality. Does this sound accurate?

Not in my book. Having video and isos above 1600 to me makes the $200 price increase worth it. Yes, the image quality will be roughly equivalent, but the gains in usability are more than $200 worth, to me.

Also, I plan to keep this camera for years, probably 5+ since I am only using this as a hobby and don't need the latest, greatest technology (I just want very nice pictures). Is it reasonable that it should last this long?

Yes. But remember that this is digital electronic equipment, like a cellphone, ipod, or computer. If you upgrade those types of devices more frequently than that, chances are good you may want to upgrade a camera body faster, too.

Also, I have seen the T1i in packages (online) ... what can I expect just from the "base" lens that all these packages seem to come with?

Low cost, consumer quality. Good enough to get by, great training wheels, but rarely top of the line lenses. If you know it's what you want, go for it, but these packages rarely price out better than getting the lenses separately and often weigh you down with extra junk you'll never use. I say, before going for the package, price out the lens separately to see if you're getting the deal you think you are.

Is it HIGHLY recommended to buy an extra battery? I would think these batteries would last a while for obvious reasons, but I'd rather not be on a trip with a dead battery, thus effectively no camera.

Exactly the reason you want at least two: to swap, and charge while you're using the other one.

What should I expect to pay for a tripod and what should I look for? In one newegg package I saw the t1i came with a tripod although it's tough to judge how nice a tripod is from merely pictures.

A good inexpensive one will be around $100. Remember that a tripod can be two of the following three things: sturdy, light, inexpensive. You can never get all three. Figure out how you want to use the tripod and your priorities. Also, a good quality tripod lets you change the head.

What's the general consensus when buying a digital camera online as far as returns, reputable companies, and warranty concerns?

Better deals are to be found online at places like Amazon, B&H, and Adorama. You can often avoid paying sales tax, too. If the price you're finding online is much lower than at those three sites, you're almost certainly looking at a bait'n'switch scam. resellerratings.com is a good way to check out an online seller. I've purchased numerous bits of things from Amazon, B&H, Adorama, and KEH. I've been very happy with all of them, and their return policies are clearly stated on the websites.