Advice: I need help choosing a dSLR!

[PH0T0GEEK]

Hello!

I'm a beginner photographer who have taken a photography class in high school and was vice president of my high school photography club for two years. With that said, I'm looking to invest in a dSLR. I just bought the Canon Rebel XS, but I'm planning to get the Canon Rebel T2i instead. Is the price difference worth the investment? ..or should I invest in other dSLRs? My budget is $600 (and the T2i when on a good deal is around $600 or less). I would love to hear your opinions! Thank you.

[bigben6]

Are you married to Cannon? What do you intend to shoot?

[inkista]

Ok, this is just me, but why do you want to upgrade from the XS? What are the (lack) of features that bother you? And what lenses do you have?

Lenses stay with you. Bodies don't. If the XS isn't severely hampering you in some way, I'd say your bucks are better spent on glass, software, a tripod, or a flash.

[ceremus]

Getting a DSLR is more about the lenses that you want than the body, although the XS was the lowest-rung budget Rebel camera back when it was introduced in 2008, so a T2i would be a nice multi-generational step up from that, especially in terms of ISO range and noise performance.

[Doug Pardee]

Originally Posted by PH0T0GEEK

I'm looking to invest in a dSLR.

A DSLR isn't an investment. It's an expense. In a couple of years, it'll be worth a fraction of what you paid for it.

Don't buy more than you need right now. Since it sounds like you don't have any particular need for anything better, the XS should do fine for you. Why waste your money?

[bigben6]

Even though i shoot nikon, I will back what others have said when you really LOOK at the differences: Canon Rebel XS vs T2i

All i see as a SIGNIFICANT improvement is video capability (which should be icing on the cake NOT a priotirty) and a better LCD, everything else is as close as makes no difference. Yes t2i has more MP but unless your planning to print regularly at 11x14 or larger you don't need it, ISO, IQ, FPS, are all so close as to make a change more of a luxury than a necessary purchase.

I would look to some fun glass for your money as well, shoot im on a entry level just like you, and while the alure of a D3100 is nice, I'll wait till my D40 stops firing OR the next generation to justify a new body.

[PH0T0GEEK]

Originally Posted by bigben6

Are you married to Cannon? What do you intend to shoot?

I'm planning to shoot more nature/scenery/object shots rather than portrait shots.

[PH0T0GEEK]

Originally Posted by inkista

Ok, this is just me, but why do you want to upgrade from the XS? What are the (lack) of features that bother you? And what lenses do you have?

Lenses stay with you. Bodies don't. If the XS isn't severely hampering you in some way, I'd say your bucks are better spent on glass, software, a tripod, or a flash.

I guess I'm just assuming since photography is a hobby I will be doing for a while, I should put in that extra ~$250 to invest in a better body since the T2i is newer and it does have higher ISO setting, video, MP, and other stuff ...but even then, I'm still a beginner photographer so I can't really tell if those things are worth the investment.

XS: Compare Canon Rebel XS (black, with 18-55mm lens) - Digital cameras - CNET Reviews
T2i: Canon EOS Rebel T2i Specs (with 18-55mm lens) - Digital cameras - CNET Reviews

[PH0T0GEEK]

Originally Posted by ceremus

Getting a DSLR is more about the lenses that you want than the body, although the XS was the lowest-rung budget Rebel camera back when it was introduced in 2008, so a T2i would be a nice multi-generational step up from that, especially in terms of ISO range and noise performance.

Do you think the higher ISO setting and other differences are worth the ~$250 investment?

[PH0T0GEEK]

Originally Posted by bigben6

Even though i shoot nikon, I will back what others have said when you really LOOK at the differences: Canon Rebel XS vs T2i

All i see as a SIGNIFICANT improvement is video capability (which should be icing on the cake NOT a priotirty) and a better LCD, everything else is as close as makes no difference. Yes t2i has more MP but unless your planning to print regularly at 11x14 or larger you don't need it, ISO, IQ, FPS, are all so close as to make a change more of a luxury than a necessary purchase.

I would look to some fun glass for your money as well, shoot im on a entry level just like you, and while the alure of a D3100 is nice, I'll wait till my D40 stops firing OR the next generation to justify a new body.

I compared them and saw the differences between the ISO, FPS, IQ, etc., but being a beginner photographer, I can't tell if those things are worth the ~$250 investment.