The Canon EOS Rebel T1i (500D)is the 6th generation of Canon's popular entry-level DSLR camera series and it improves upon earlier Rebels by incorporating many features that up till now could only be found on Canon's pricier mid-level DSLRs. Among the Rebel T1i's key attributes are a 15.1Mp CMOS sensor (similar to the sensor found in the EOS 50D) for detailed, full volume prints, Live View for accurate pre-focusing and editing, continuous burst-rates of up to 3.4 fps, a DIGIC 4 image processor, and a scratch and glare-resistant high-resolution (920,000-dot) 3" Clear View LCD that allows for easy 100% image viewing from angles up to 170° off-center from the screen.

The big news, however, is the Rebel T1i's ability to record a choice of full HD 1080p, 720p, and VGA video capture, which places it among the few DSLRs currently available that can capture true high-resolution video that beats or meets the image quality of far costlier pro camcorders

To help reduce retouching time, the Rebel T1i features an EOS Integrated Cleaning System that combats dust through the use of high-frequency vibrations that shake dust loose from the sensor's front-mounted IR filter every time you power up and power down. There are also anti-static coatings on the low-pass filter to keep it dust-free, and a body cap designed not to 'shed' particles that can possibly find their way into the mirror chamber.

To better enable successful imaging under the most challenging of lighting conditions, the camera's DIGIC 4 Image Processor allows you to set the ISO rating from ISO 100 through 3200 in standard mode, and from 6400 to 12,800 in expanded mode. Once the 9-point wide-area AF system (with cross-type center point) nails the focus you can fire up to 3.4 fps for up to 170 exposures, allowing you the option of capturing longer image sequences.