The Canon T2i – Hands On First Impressions
How We Are Getting Value For Our Digital Camera Dollars
Taking a little trip yesterday to the local camera store (unfortunately a dying breed) I had the surprise to see the new Canon T2i on the shelves. Canon is just starting to ship their initial orders. The owner of the store told me he already sold out of his first shipment of 20, but kept one on display, and thats when I went to play.
I only played with the camera for about 15 minutes, pretty much because the owner begged me to. He
probably thought I was going to order one right there as I’ve purchased a lot of my lenses, flashes and accessories over the years there (I still like to give the local guys my business from time to time). Whenever I first touch a digital camera, the first thing I want to to do is figure out the menu system, and to see if I can figure out how to set it up to my type of use. No problem with the T2i. Like its predecessors, the T2i maintains the easy to use Digital Rebel menu system. I breezed through that in a few minutes, giving myself a little more time to shoot.
The biggest impression I initially had with the camera though, was the live preview in the LCD. The last Digital Rebel I owned didn’t have that capability, nor does the Nikon gear I use on a regular basis. Prior digital cameras didn’t, and most still don’t have the live preview, but its becoming standard equipment. I also loved the feel of a small DSLR in my hands. Thoughts of having an everyday carry around like the Canon EOS T2i came into thought. Its small, convenient, and can do as much as many more advanced models can, at a fraction of the price of more advanced models. As a reminder, this isn’t an in-depth review here, just initial thoughts.
This digital camera is starting to be referred to as the “baby Canon EOS 7D“. It has an APS-C 18mp sensor, very similar to the 7D. It has an updated Digic4 processor, which is needed to process the extra pixels this camera has over previous models, especially needed to keep the image noise down given the fact that they are cramming more megapixels in the same amount of sensor space. Additionally, and this is a sales make or break for me, is the update to full HD video in this model, with a socket for an external stereo mic. For still shooters, that might not be as important as it is for those who use a DSLR for vacation pics, and now video of the family. Remember, this camera is aimed at the consumer, not the pro photographer (even though photographers like me can’t resist). Given the fact that I am now shooting HD video on my photo expeditions to go along with my stills, this is an important addition.
Final Thoughts
Lets face it, if you’re shooting at the EOS 7D level or higher, the Canon EOS T2i could serve most of your needs at the least at half the price if you’re an enthusiast, with HD video capability to-boot, which spurred another thought. Ten years ago the state-of-the-art was the compact 5 megapixel digital camera. I spent $1000 U.S. on my Sony DSC-707. It had a 5MP sensor, a great Carl Zeiss lens, no video. The same year I purchased the Sony DSC-707, I also purchased a video camera for an additional $1000 U.S. That’s 2K worth of equipment. With the Sony, I could get great 8 X 10″ prints from that camera, but couldn’t use it to shoot a portrait session or a wedding, it just couldn’t keep up with the demand. Now, we’re getting 18mp DSLR and HD video capabilities for the same money in the same device, and that’s in a DSLR, not a compact digital camera. I’m impressed. That is value for the dollar.
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