Canon XSi: 12.2 Megapixels, Image Stabilized Lens, and Double Live View

Resolution and Sensitivity Tests

All crops represent a view of 230x300 actual pixels cropped from the larger 12.2, 10.1, or 14.2MP images. The crop area on the 1.5X multiplier Sony and Nikon are represented by the red rectangle on the full image above. The Canon XSi is a 1.6x sensor so the coverage is slightly less than the 1.5X sensors at the same resolution.

Since the crops represent actual image pixels, the covered area for the crop varies with the resolution changes. On 14.2 and 12.2MP sensors the crop area represents a smaller (more enlarged) portion of the scene than on the 10.1MP crops. This is because there are more pixels in the image area. However, you can view the full-size images by clicking on the crops and the field of view is the same among 1.6x sensors since the crop factor, sensor multiplier, and shooting position is the same.

In all images the tripod is mounted in the same location relative to the scene being photographed. Therefore, any field of view variations are a result of the different sensors and multipliers for each camera.

To eliminate variations in lens quality as much as possible, all images were photographed using the manufacturers 50mm f/1.4 normal lens. All ISO sequences were shot in Aperture Priority with a fixed aperture of f/4.0. Focusing was manual with the crop area as the focus target.  Lighting was a worst-case single 100W tungsten bulb high and to the right of the scene. All cameras were set to the TUNGSTEN white-balance preset so any color variations are a result of the manner in which the camera implements the Tungsten preset.

Links to the full JPEG images are available on each camera sensitivity crop. These files are huge, but they can be downloaded for those who wish to view the actual images or explore EXIF data embedded in each image. A shareware EXIF viewer, Opanda IEXIP 2, is available at for download at Opanda.

Page 8 compares the Canon XSi, XTi, and 40D over each camera's ISO range. Page 9 compares the Canon XSi to the Nikon D60. Page 10 compares the XSi to its most likely competitor, the Sony A350, which has the same street price as the Canon XSi.