Canon EOS Rebel T1i dSLR: 1080p HD video for under $900

The big buzz about the Canon EOS Rebel T1i announced yesterday is that it's the cheapest dSLR that shoots video (and 1080p HD video at that), but there's plenty more to recommend it. With virtually the same body as its predecessor, the Canon Rebel EOS XSi,  the new Rebel T1i is no slouch in the specs department. In fact, it actually sports some features of big brother Canon EOS 50D ($1,299, body-only), such as the same 15.1 megapixel CMOS sensor; Canon's latest Digic 4 processor; the 3-inch, high resolution LCD; as well as the 50D's easy-to-use Creative Auto Mode which helps make the T1i a good camera for advanced point-and-shooters looking to step up to a dSLR. Add the new video mode that it inherits from even bigger brother Canon EOS 5D Mark II ($2,699, body-only) and you've got the makings of a category winner. Here's a quick specs comparison between the new Rebel T1i and its likely competition, the less expensive (and recently announced) Olympus E-620 and the more expensive Nikon D90.

	Olympus E-620	Canon EOS Rebel T1i	Nikon D90
Price	$799.99 (with 14-42mm lens)	$899.99 (with 18-55mm lens)	$999.95 (body-only)
Sensor	12.3 megapixels, 17.3x13mm Live MOS	15.1 megapixels, 14.9x22.3mm CMOS	12.3 megapixels, 15.8x23.6mm CMOS
Continuous Shooting Speed	4 fps	3.4 fps	4.5 fps
LCD	2.7-inch, 230,000 pixels (articulated)	3-inch, 920,000 pixels (fixed)	3-inch, 920,000 pixels (fixed)
Autofocus	7-point	9-point	11-point
Sensitivity	ISO 100-3200	ISO 100-3200	ISO 100-6400
Live View (with Face Detection)	Yes	Yes	Yes
Storage Media	Compact Flash Type I/II (UDMA), Microdrive, xD-Picture Card	SD memory card, SDHC memory card	SD memory card, SDHC memory card
Movie Mode	None	1920×1080 (20 fps)/1280×720 (30 fps)/640x480 (30 fps)	1280×720 (24 fps)/640x424 (24 fps)/320x216 (24 fps)
Dimensions	5.11x3.7x2.36 inches	5.1x3.8x2.4 inches	5.2x4.1x3.0inches
Weight (body)	16.6 oz	16.9 oz	22 oz

Can't wait until the T1i starts shipping in May? Check out Lori Grunin's video preview and DPreview's detailed hands-on preview.