There have been rumors about a new Canon Rebel digital SLR with video for a couple of weeks now. Tonight the rumors have been confirmed. The new Canon EOS Rebel T1i digital SLR (EOS 500D outside the US) has a 15.1-megapixel CMOS sensor, HD video capture, DIGIC 4 processor and a high-resolution 3-inch LCD display.
Canon’s DIGIC 4 processor allows the Rebel T1i to capture 720p HD video at 30 frames-per-second and 1080p video at 20 frames-per-second. It captures still images at up to 3.4 frames-per-second and offers sensitivity from ISO 100 to ISO 3200 with expanded ISO 6400 and ISO 12800 settings. In the official press release, Canon calls the new Rebel T1i an “entry-level juggernaut.” It really is a hell of a lot of camera – especially considering the estimated $799.99 price tag. Two to three years ago a 15-megapixel entry-level digital SLR for under $1000 would have seemed like a crazy fantasy. But a 15-megapixel “entry-level” DSLR with ISO 3200 and HD video was unimaginable. No doubt, Canon wants to sell some cameras to photographers who are looking at the Nikon D90 or even the upcoming Panasonic GH1 Lumix G Micro System camera. Yesterday they didn’t really have anything to compete with those two cameras. Now they do.
The truth is, digital SLRs have been very good for a few years now. Camera companies really need something new to help sell cameras. Better image quality and high ISO performance are nice. But most people don’t really need better than what we already had a couple of years ago. But digital SLRs with video offer the opportunity to have it all in one device. That’s something that camera company marketing people can (and will) get behind and sell. Even grumpy traditional still photographers like myself are starting to get interested in video now. I was never interested in buying a dedicated video camera. But show me a digital SLR with great performance and image quality that can also capture video for less than $1000? Now I’m starting to wonder how I can live without it.
Canon says the new EOS Rebel T1i will be available for $799.99 in early May. That price is for the body alone. It will also be available as a kit with the Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS zoom lens for $899.99. No matter how you buy it, it will be well under $1000. To go with the Rebel T1i, Canon is also introducing a compact new flash, the Speedlite 270EX. The new 270EX only uses two AA batteries and has bounce capabilities.
Official Canon EOS Rebel T1i Press Release >>
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I didn’t say anything about this in the article, but I am wondering about the 20 FPS frame rate for 1080p capture. I don’t know much about video. But I do know that 24 FPS is the broadcast standard and most digital video cameras are doing 30 FPS. The Canon EOS 5D Mark II captures 1080p at 30 FPS. So will the 20 FPS frame rate be a real problem if you want to shoot 1080p video? Will the quality be noticably poorer than 24 or 30 FPS video? Anyone know or have an opinion?
I’m still trying to sort out my own feelings about video in a DSLR, as well as understand all of the technical issues involved. So I’ve been reading some other articles on the new Canon EOS 500D / Rebel T1i and DSLR video in general. Here are a couple of other interesting and informative pieces I read today:
Canon EOS Rebel T1i HD Video Misses the Mark
Attention Canon, Nikon: Video DSLRs Are Not For Who You Think
For the rest of you who are like me, trying to figure this stuff out, I think those articles will help. If you’re still photographer who’s never shot video but getting curious, then there’s a lot of stuff to learn. Since I’m trying to figure it all out too, I’ll do my best to find and pass along useful information on the subject.
Guys, keep in mind, this is an entry-level system, and it will do plenty for most people out there shooting vacation or kids doing sports. If you are a pro, you know that your pro-level gear will cost thousands, and this is not something you’d use to earn money.
I must say, I was anticipating this after seeing 5D MkII last year, everything was in place, and Nikon was asking for a challenge. Good job Canon! Keep on improving!
20 fps makes video unusable. I suspect Canon deliberately restricted 1080p to 20 fps in this case. Fortunately 720p at 30 fps is very good.
Sam-
This is something I’ve been really curious about. Does 20 FPS really make the 1080p video unusable or are you being dramatic? I know it’s less than broadcast quality. But can’t it still be interpolated or whatever the video equivalent is? I have no doubt that it’s not as good as a full 24 or 30 FPS frame rate would be. But I don’t know enough to know how big of a problem it is.
canon eos rebel t1i is good modify camera from canon xsi
Yes, 20fps 1080p video is VERY disappointing.
20fps means the 1080p mode is only a toy.
I suspect Canon crippled this camera to make the EOS 5D Mark II more enticing.
Sad, really. If it had 24fps, I’d buy one for sure. I also can’t justify buying a 5D Mark II if I can’t switch the 1080p from 30fps down to 24fps.
Perhaps I’ll buy the 500D and wait it out for the next generation which will perhaps have more video options.
Better yet, maybe someone will hack the firmware and give us all a 24p upgrade.
Please,.. Please…
i’m a canon rebel t1i owner and i find that 20fps 1080p is still decent ( but not excellent). It just look jerky when you make a heavy pan or record fast-moving objects. So please stop making comments about 20fps 1080p unless you have used this camera before.
At least Canon Rebel T1i is better than Nikon D5000 in movie mode. Canon rebel T1i is still a great camera.
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