Technology Blog

Canon has done it again. Last year the Canon EOS Rebel T1i ($899.99, ) along with the Nikon D5000 ($729.95, ) led the D-SLR revolution by being the first sub-$1,000 models to offer high-definition video. Capture is limited to 720p, but both cameras are capable of broadcast-quality video. The new EOS Rebel T2i ($899.pp list with 18-55mm IS kit lens) is Canon's update to the T1i, and is currently the only sub-$1,000 D-SLR to offer 1080p30, 1080p24 and 720p60 HD video capture. Its spectacular image quality, versatile video recording options, and relatively low price earn the T2i our Editors' Choice award. 

Design and Features
The T2i features the same APS-C size (22.3 by 14.9mm) 18-megapixel image sensor used in the pricier Canon EOS 7D ($1,699, ), allowing the camera to deliver similar image quality and video capture options. Just keep in mind, the 7D still offers several key advantages over the T2i: Its larger body has more physical controls; it captures 8 frames per second (compared to the T2i's 3.7 fps) in continuous mode; and offers more than double the number of autofocus points as the T2i (19 vs. 8).
The body of the T2i looks much like the T1i. Both cameras are similar in size, with the T2i measuring 3.8 by 5.1 by 3 inches (HWD). The T2i weighs 1.6 lbs with its included 18-55mm lens, and 1.14 lbs without. The body is smaller than the 7D, however, sacrificing controls like the large scroll wheel that makes cruising through menus such a pleasure on the 7D. Instead, button layouts look more like a compact point and shoot camera, with up, down, left and right buttons. This layout worked just fine for me, however, and the T2i is still comfortable to hold.
The T2i's 3-inch LCD is the largest and sharpest display on any D-SLR camera to date, offering VGA resolution (1.04 million dots). The top-of-the-line $4,999 Canon EOS-1D Mark IV has a 920K-dot LCD screen with a 4:3 aspect ratio, measuring 1.75 by 2.38 inches (HW), while the T2i's display has a 3:2 aspect ratio and measures 1.75 by 2.5 (HW) inches.
Canon sticks with the same user interface (UI) on all of its Rebel cameras, which is nearly identical to its mid-range and professional line. The UI is simple and intuitive, but you need to be familiar with D-SLRs in order to use many of the camera's features. (An Auto mode is offered for beginners, however.) D-SLR cameras from Sony offer even more intuitive user interfaces, going as far as to teach beginners to use some of the cameras' advanced features—the Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 ($549.99, ) features this interface. Olympus also makes a similar attempt with its new Micro Four thirds camera, the E-PL1 ($599.99, ).

Performance Tests 



Though the T2i can power on and snap its first shot in an average of just 1.38 seconds, its continuous shooting speed is limited to 3.7 frames per second (fps). The camera is unable to process images more quickly, due to its 18-megapixel sensor. By comparison, the 12.4-megapixel Pentax K-x captures images at 4.7 fps and 12.3-megapixel Nikon D5000 shoots 4 fps.
After testing the T2i using the Imatest suite in PC Labs, I found the image quality comparable to the 7D. The 18-55mm kit lens that ships with the T2i produced very sharp images, slightly sharper than the 17-85mm lens I used when testing the 7D. The 18-55mm kit lens that ships with the T2i produced very sharp images that were actually slightly sharper than the 17-85mm lens I used when testing the 7D. At the T2i's sharpest f-stop (f/5.6), the camera averaged 2,296; 2,258; and 1,885 lines per picture height at ISO 100, 200 and 400, respectively. The Canon 7D averaged 1,999; 1,975; and 1,882 lines at the same ISO sensitivities.
Also like the 7D, the T2i can shoot at up to ISO 6400, but our test results indicated that images shot at ISO 6400 showed distracting amounts of noise. You can shoot at ISO 3200 without noticeable noise, however. In this regard, the camera truly excels, letting you shoot without the flash in low-light situations.
HD Video Capture
The Canon T2i is without a doubt the best sub-$1,000 D-SLR for recording videos—it offers all the popular HD resolutions and frame rates, including 1080p30, 1080p24, 720p60. Until the T2i was released, the only camera to offer these video capture options was the twice-the-price Canon 7D.
Video captured with the T2i is suitable for professional use, and advanced options (such as manual control of shutter speed, aperture, etc.) make this an excellent choice for pros. Other photographers may prefer the intuitive feel of a camcorder, however—using a D-SLR to capture video can be difficult, considering that D-SLR cameras were originally designed with still photography in mind, not video. As a result, the built-in microphone often picks up lens noise, and autofocus is very sluggish while recording video (or capturing stills in live view mode), since the otherwise speedy phase detection AF system is bypassed in these modes. The only cameras to overcome this hurdle are Micro Four Thirds models, including the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 ($899.95, ) and the Olympus E-PL1 ($599.99, ).
Unlike the 7D, which shoots to CF memory cards, the T2i can write to SD/SDHC memory cards. In fact, the T2i is the first Canon Rebel to offer support for SDXC cards, which are identical in physical size to SD cards but theoretically will be able to store up to 2 terabytes of data while achieving read and write speeds of up to 300 Mbps. SDXC cards have a long way to go before they live up to their full potential, however—cards are currently only available in 48 and 64 GB sizes with 10Mbps read and write speeds, and prices are exorbitant.
The T2i includes mini-HDMI and mini-USB ports—the inclusion of these standard ports means you won't need to search high and low to find a replacement, especially when traveling overseas, where proprietary cables will likely not be available. The mini-HDMI port also supports Consumer Electronics Control (CEC)—if your HDTV also supports this feature, your television remote will be able to control the camera without the need for programming. Also, when you power on the camera, your HDTV will power on and switch to the corresponding input the T2i is plugged into. When the camera is turned off, it will turn off the HDTV too.
At $899, the Canon EOS Rebel T2i is an extraordinary value. It offers excellent image quality and all of the mainstream HD video recording resolutions. Overall, the majority of the T2i's improvements over its predecessor are video-related, though. So if HD video versatility is not a priority for you, consider purchasing a Canon T1i or Nikon D5000—both cameras can shoot 720p HD video and have come down in price since they were released, making them a better value for photographers primarily interested in shooting stills.