• APS-C 328.6mm2
  • 12.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 1440.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Canon XSi advantages over Nikon P610

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.20 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 500 vs 360 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    61 mm vs 106 mm
    Thinner
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    53 vs 7 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Nikon P610 advantages over Canon XSi

  • Less expensive
    $500 vs $900 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Newer
    10 years vs 17 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 12.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    7.0 fps vs 3.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.

Common Weaknesses

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon XSi

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon P610
Nikon P610 (Black)
  • Nikon P610 (Black)
  • Nikon P610 (Red)
All P610 Deals

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D60

Canon XSi
Nikon D60
  • $649
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Less shutter lag
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon XSi vs Nikon D60

Nikon P610
Nikon D60
  • $599
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon P610 vs Nikon D60

Compared to Pentax K2000

Canon XSi
Pentax K2000
  • $649
  • APS-C
  • More pixels
  • More AF points
  • $556
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon XSi vs Pentax K2000

Nikon P610
Pentax K2000
  • $599
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $556
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon P610 vs Pentax K2000

Compared to Canon T1i

Canon XSi
Canon T1i
  • $649
  • APS-C
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • HDMI out

Compare Canon XSi vs Canon T1i

Nikon P610
Canon T1i
  • $599
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon P610 vs Canon T1i

Compared to Nikon P600

Canon XSi
Nikon P600
  • $649
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $345
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive

Compare Canon XSi vs Nikon P600

Nikon P610
Nikon P600
  • $599
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • $345
  • 1/2.3 inch

Compare Nikon P610 vs Nikon P600

Compared to Nikon B700

Canon XSi
Nikon B700
  • $649
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $499
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Canon XSi vs Nikon B700

Nikon P610
Nikon B700
  • $599
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $499
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • RAW file ability

Compare Nikon P610 vs Nikon B700

Compare Other Cameras?