Canon XSi Design

Canon XSi Design

Roll-over the various controls and features with your mouse for a brief description.

Front. Though most of the essentials that make up a Rebel are still in place, the new Canon XSi has been restyled to better match the design trends that started with the Canon EOS 5D. The trend is toward a taller body with more steeply sloping shoulders and a smoother overall look. From the front you can see the slightly taller stature of the Canon Rebel XSi, measuring 3.8 inches (98mm), compared to the Rebel XTi's 3.7 inches (94mm). On the grip you can see the shutter button and the infrared sensor for use with the RC-1 remote controller. The grip is a little bigger, and it has a leather-like texture. To the right of lens mount is the lens release button.

Left (with kit lens). From the left you can see the AF and Stabilizer switches on the lens, the flash pop-up button, and the Depth-of-field Preview button. The strap lug is recessed into the shoulder and the port cover is below that.

Right (with kit lens). The major element of difference here is the smaller SD card door on the back side of the grip. The shutter button is more aggressively angled as well.

Top. The top deck of the Canon XSi appears smoother than the Canon XTi, and the hotshoe is silver instead of black, just as it is on the 40D. The new ISO button is in a better place here behind the Main dial, where it's less likely to be accidentally activated while holding the Canon XSi. The pop up flash seems wider and mates with the body more smoothly, but the flash tube itself is unchanged, according to our sources at Canon.

Back. As on the Canon 40D, the 3-inch LCD pushed out the buttons that were lined up on the left, forcing them to other locations. The Canon XSi's Menu and Display buttons rose up above the LCD, while the Playback and Delete buttons landed under the Cross keys. The Jump function is now integrated into the Metering mode / Up button. Note also the nicer graphics on the Status display, with a more three-dimensional appearance. The rear grip pad is textured like the front grip, and covers a wider area than on the Rebel XTi.
The card write LED is closer to the SD card door, which is better placement to keep you from opening and ejecting the card mid-write, which can damage cards and certainly damages photos that have not yet been written.

Bottom. On the bottom we find the new simplified battery door and the metal tripod socket.