[eVitO]

I'm in the market for a new camera, and I have a dilemma:

I have a limited amount of money (I know, how original), and I was debating between the t1i and t2i. The kicker is that the t1i comes w/ a whole kit: 18-55, 55-250, 4GB SD card, and a case for $850.
OR, I can just get the basic t2i, with the kit 18-55, for slightly more, but not much of a difference.


SO, is the quality of the t2i worth it, or should I just get my 2 lenses and not worry about anything?

TYIA

[Dan in PA]

Is the kit on eBay? They're usually rip-offs. I have a T1i which I'll be eBaying sometime in the future (getting a D700) and it's been a great camera. Shutter is kind of noisy, but not bad. My humble opinion is that Canon has squeezed too many megapixels into the T2i/7D sensor, having owned and returned a 7D, I experienced very much noise. 10 megapixels is fine if you aren't printing 48" prints, I'd be more concerned about photosite diameter.

[eVitO]

No, the kit is from Costco. You don't think I'd be missing out w/ the 3 less megapixels?

[Dan in PA]

Originally Posted by eVitO

No, the kit is from Costco. You don't think I'd be missing out w/ the 3 less megapixels?

In my opinion, not one bit. Others may disagree. I'd rather have a 15 megapixel APS-C sized sensor than an 18 megapixel one simply for larger photosites and less noise. I'm not very fond of Canon's 18mp APS-C sensor due to my 7D experiences (lots of noise all the time, fuzzy details, my t1i outperformed it imho) Also, I think it's better to put your money into more and better glass than the camera body itself.

[NoVA X1]

I have the T2i (replaced a 5 year old XT with it). Get the T2i. Double the ISO of the T1i, more Mega Pixels and the T2i will shoot full HD video. Vastly superior product for not a lot more...

If you want to save money, buy a used XT or XS on eBay. It'll take good pictures and you'll be able to get it for <$250.

[Feyd]

I got a t2i a few weeks back and love it.

Great camera... the full HD Video was a plus for me as well.

[Labrada_Exoticz]

I was in the same dilemma as you a few weeks ago. I ended up getting the T1i and I love it. I got it from costco too so I got the same exact kit your talking about. Like Dan said above, the difference isn't huge. I thought it would be better to save a bit and get the t1i and buy better glass.

[Dan in PA]

Originally Posted by NoVa328xi

Double the ISO of the T1i, more Mega Pixels and the T2i will shoot full HD video. Vastly superior product for not a lot more...

Ugh.

Did you do a side-by-side comparison of RAW files from the t1i and t2i before claiming it's a vastly superior camera? I did (7D has the same sensor), having owned both for a month, and found that:

-noise was worse with t2i under every ISO speed (even 100) and lighting condition
-sharpness was better with t1i in many cases
-extra 3 megapixels are totally useless for me, I never print above 8x10 and don't do heavy cropping

Yes, the t2i has higher ISO settings, but the sensor is so crammed with photosites that the images are going to be very noisy. When do we ever shoot above 3200, anyway? Never?

Megapixels are so, so, so overrated. If 1D mk. III shooters can live with 10 and still produce professional-quality images for newspapers/magazines/whatever, I'm willing to bet 15 is just fine as well.

Full HD is kind of nice once you get past the rolling shutter artifacts. Unless Canon has added an audio in jack, the camera's microphone is just utter crap. You're much, much better off with a camcorder.

[eVitO]

Thank you kindly for your inputs, especially you Dan.

I think I'm just going to get the t1i. $50 less, and I get a second lens. I'm only an amateur photographer anyway, so I don't think I'll need the 3 megapixels.

[Dan in PA]

Originally Posted by eVitO

Thank you kindly for your inputs, especially you Dan.

I think I'm just going to get the t1i. $50 less, and I get a second lens. I'm only an amateur photographer anyway, so I don't think I'll need the 3 megapixels.

Honestly, I'd do the same thing. I'm not a t1i fanboy or anything, as previously stated I'm selling mine to upgrade to full-frame. I just feel that an additional lens will be much more useful than a slight megapixel advantage.

[TWiTCHY]

Originally Posted by Dan in PA

I'd rather have a 15 megapixel APS-C sized sensor than an 18 megapixel one simply for larger photosites and less noise. Also, I think it's better to put your money into more and better glass than the camera body itself.

+1!

[Black Sheep]

Ive got the t1i and have had no problems.

[khaye1]

why not get the t2i body and a better lens (used of course)...the difference on price is minimal but there's actually several things that are better than the t1i

*better metering
*better ISO
*faster frames for continuous drive
*better video quality
*better resolution on the LCD
*better exposure compensation
*compatible with sdxc cards

[UdubBadger]

buy a gently used 40d or 50d
and use the money towards nice glass and a speedlight. Those kit lenses aren't worth much anyway. I'd rather see you get a 28-135 IS (which might come on a 40 or 50d kit) or possibly even pony up for a 17-55 2.8 IS or L glass

[kloh]

Buy the best lens you can afford (preferably an L lens), then it doesn't matter whether you go with t1i or t2i. Both are entry level cameras you will want to replace eventually. You can keep the lens for your next body. Don't buy the kit lens.

[Dan in PA]

Originally Posted by kloh

Buy the best lens you can afford (preferably an L lens), then it doesn't matter whether you go with t1i or t2i. Both are entry level cameras you will want to replace eventually. You can keep the lens for your next body. Don't buy the kit lens.

This.