Canon EOS Rebel XSi / 450D

The Rebel XSi, also sold as the EOS 450D, is an entry-level DSLR from 2008. Its 12.2 megapixel APS-C sensor and optical viewfinder make it a straightforward tool for learning photography, with a direct view through the lens rather than an electronic display.

At 524 g and 129 x 98 x 62 mm it is a light, compact body that is easy to carry for a day out. The EF-S mount ties it to Canon's APS-C lens range.

This is a stills-only camera: no video mode, no built-in wireless connectivity.

The APS-C CMOS sensor works alongside the Digic III processor. The Optics score of 42 out of 100 is a modest one, and the camera sits in the bottom 9% of cameras in our database for Optics.

Nine autofocus points and a maximum burst rate of 3.5 fps are enough for portraits, landscapes and family shots. Fast-moving subjects are harder to capture, since consecutive frames arrive slowly and the focus array is small. The top shutter speed is 1/4000s.

Sensitivity runs from ISO 100 to 1600. That top limit narrows options in dim interiors, where the built-in flash or steady support at slower shutter speeds becomes the practical fallback.

There is no in-body stabilisation, so slower shutter speeds rely on steady technique or support. Framing is through an optical pentamirror viewfinder, which shows the scene directly with no display lag.

The Rebel XSi does not record video in any form. It is a stills camera only, so it cannot add clips to a photography session.

There is no built-in timelapse function either. Interval-based sequences are not part of the camera's toolkit.

Buyers who need motion or automatic timelapse capture must plan on another device or an external interval solution.

The 3 inch LCD carries 230,000 dots, a resolution that suits menus and composition but shows limited fine detail when you review shots.

Live View lets you frame on the screen rather than the viewfinder, which helps for tripod work and still-life setups. The screen is fixed in place and has no touch input, so shooting angles are limited to what the viewfinder and the fixed display allow.

A built-in flash covers fill light, and the hot shoe accepts external flash units when you need more power and control.

There is no weather sealing and no GPS. Treat it as a fair-weather camera and keep it sheltered from rain and dust.

Cards go into a single SD slot that accepts SD, SDHC and SDXC media. SDXC support means large-capacity cards work, so carrying plenty of storage is straightforward.

The LP-E6 battery is rated at 500 shots, and your results will vary with flash and screen use, so a second battery is a sensible purchase for long days out.

There is no USB charging, so batteries cannot be topped up from a laptop or power bank and need charging before a shoot. With a single card slot and a 500-shot rating, these basics add up to a limited Storage & Battery score of 27 out of 100.