Canon's EOS Rebel XS DSLR gets official, a price tag

We've already seen and heard a handful concerning Canon's new entry-level DSLR, but now the company has finally given us some hard facts and figures to tear into like the rabid animals we are. The camera -- which ships in August -- will clock in at $699.99, and comes bundled with the EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS zoom lens, rechargeable battery pack and charger, a handful of cables, and the assurance that your pictures will look markedly better than the ones you took with that camera you bought on vacation that was bright yellow and housed in cardboard. Check out the gallery below for a closer look at both the black and silver versions.

Gallery: Canon's EOS Rebel XS DSLR gets official, a price tag

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[Metkis @ Jul 8th 2008 10:40AM]

More affordable than the Nikon for sure... but I still want that D700 (or D300)/

[chych @ Jul 8th 2008 10:52AM]

Quite expensive for a low end DSLR. Just looking around Amazon for current low-end DSLRs:

Canon XS - $699 (little lower street price likely)
Nikon D60 - $629
Sony A200 - $499
Sony A300 - $599
Pentax K200D - $646

With only the Canon/Sony a300 having live view. I'm surprised that Sony is actually cheaper.

[Rex @ Jul 8th 2008 11:21AM]

The K200D from Pentax also has live view.

[chych @ Jul 8th 2008 1:10PM]

Can't seem to find anywhere that says the K200D has live view!

[onin @ Jul 8th 2008 1:26PM]

I have a K200D it doesn't have live view.

[Nick @ Jul 8th 2008 2:26PM]

I think the Nikon D40 is still the best deal for a low-end DSLR. It can be had for $470. If that's not enough camera for you, then you might as well step up to a Canon 40D. There's no reason to shop for anything in between.

[gad get @ Jul 8th 2008 8:05PM]

Sony DSLR's are crap compared to Nikons and Canons. The XS is actually a reasonable enough price when you compare it to the Nikon D60.

[Jukka @ Jul 8th 2008 10:52AM]

Where's the news in here? EOS 1000D has been on sale in Europe for almost a month now, with a price and all. Shipping will begin early next month.

[David Susilo @ Jul 8th 2008 10:53AM]

if it streets at $599 Canadian, then there is no point for anybody buying a bridge camera such as the S5IS, G9, or anything else.

[teamrican @ Jul 8th 2008 11:49AM]

The advantage of the G9 is size. If I'm wearing shorts or a swimsuit it fits in the front pocket. The chick can easily fit it in her purse. You can't do that with the XS. If the G9 is going to be obsoleted it is going to be from the other direction, with smaller, better pocket cams that support RAW.

[DvS @ Jul 8th 2008 11:05PM]

Because it's basically a POS, you can also get the G9 into concerts and shows, which won't always allow an SLR unless you have credentials.

[Patrick @ Jul 8th 2008 10:54AM]

Good to see that these things are finally coming with a decent kit lens. (With my XTi, I got body-only and bought this one, the 18-55 mm IS and am quite happy with it.)

[BW @ Jul 8th 2008 10:55AM]

Withe the current discount at Circuitcity you could get the Xsi with same lens for about 130 more - seems to be worth the upgrade

[HTCMogul.Info @ Jul 8th 2008 11:10AM]

I was hoping it would be cheaper...I guess they still want to be able to get rid of their left over XTi's without dropping their price by much.

[Will H. @ Jul 8th 2008 11:23AM]

I still like the XSi and the XTi, but this could be a good camera. Some have compared it to Sony and Pentax, which isn't really a good comparison, as in the long run Canon tends to be much higher quality. The lens, of course, is pretty shocking, but it is what it is.

Personally I think if you can afford a DSLR you should consider getting one that's a little better, maybe a nice Nikon or a nicer Canon. Lenses can be expensive too, but it all depends on your budget and interests. If you're only half keen on a DLSR then it's also possible that you're looking for something else.

I'm gonna check out the reviews of this one and see how it stacks up to others in the field, should be interesting!

[Optigrab @ Jul 8th 2008 12:41PM]

"Some have compared it to Sony and Pentax, which isn't really a good comparison, as in the long run Canon tends to be much higher quality." Based upon what?

"XSi Build quality = 8.0" (same as Pentax's K100d) - dpreview
"In terms of build quality, the XTi has more of a "plastic" feel than other entry-level SLRs." - dcresource
"...I find the XSi's body and general layout to be the least appealing of any of the current generation of entry-level cameras from the big players." - digitalcamerareview.com
"the (XTi's) plastic build quality feels cheap compared to Canon's 20/30/40D/5D bodies" -photographybay.com

[Razor @ Jul 8th 2008 2:16PM]

I have to agree with Optigrab (and those reviews), the Canon low-end bodies have an incredibly cheap plastic feel. Whatever Nikon, Pentax and Sony are using simply feels better.

Then again, I've never been impressed with Canon ergonomics either, particularly in their high-end models.

I know that's not scientific analysis by any means, but perception is a strong motivator when an average Joe buys a product.

[blcskate @ Jul 8th 2008 11:33AM]

I purchased the XSi as Best Buy on sale for 750 and they gave me 12 % off with a coupon (reward zone members get this all the time). They said they don't normally combine offers but did it anyway. So I got the XSi w/lens for $660. I also bought a 40D w/lens at the same time and got that for $1143. The XS will have to have a lot lower street cost or the XSi will hands down be a better deal.

I have seen similar deals at Circuit City as well with 10% off coupon instead of 12%. If you are in the market the XSi is a great starter camera or backup camera (as in my case). The XS looks like another good camera, but I cannot see it being worth the price until it has been on the market a few months and drops a bunch on street price.

[blcskate @ Jul 8th 2008 11:44AM]

Sorry I re-read my post. I got the XSI body for $660. I didn't get a lens with that. I had the lens that came with the 40D so I didn't need it. Besides the 18-55mm lens from Canon is very cheap. I would recommend something better.

XSi Body 799 on sales 750 - 12% = $660
XSi w/lens 899 on sale 850 - 12% = $748
40D w/lens 1499 on sale 1299 - 12% = 1143

If you looking for a camera keep these in mind with Best Buy. I have seen these deals come up twice in the last 2 months.

[Karl Hackswell @ Jul 8th 2008 11:52AM]

Why are they still making dSLRs in SILVER!!!???

No one wants a silver camera, its so cheap looking. For the money I would rather buy a sony alpha.

[gad get @ Jul 8th 2008 8:12PM]

Apparently, people agree with you and the commenter below. Personally, I don't care about the color, as long as it's either silver or black.

[RobJ @ Jul 8th 2008 12:01PM]

I've never understood how Canon manages to sell the silver versions of their rebel cameras. Those things look straight out of the 80s. Or maybe the 90s. I'm picturing Andre Agassi with the long hair.

[Will @ Jul 8th 2008 12:18PM]

Does image stabilization suggest that the kit len isn't garbage, or is a garbage lens with a good feature thrown in?

Canon isn't known for including decent lenses, so needing so spend $500 on an accessory is relevant to my purchasing decision. Maybe they're finally hit "good enough".

[RobJ @ Jul 8th 2008 12:50PM]

Kit lenses have come a long way... both Canon and Nikon's 18-55mm lenses are considered pretty good, or at least good enough for the average user. Here's a review:

http://www.dpreview.com/lensreviews/canon_18-55_3p5-5p6_is_c16/

[Razor @ Jul 8th 2008 2:15PM]

It's all POV. 4 of my 5 lenses are f2.8 or better, so as you can guess this isn't a lens that I would be remotely happy with. But for the person just starting out with DSLRs they prolly won't care about or understand the difference, especially since the price of a good lens can easily cost more than this entire kit.

My biggest peeve with this lens would be the focus ring. Rotates on focus (pain for filter use, 3mm thin, no M/A override option. These are all deal breakers for me.

[Maple @ Jul 8th 2008 11:12PM]

Silver is for Costco.

Canon®
Digital Rebel XT Silver also silver.

[Kindle Books @ Jul 29th 2008 11:19AM]

New Canon Digital Rebel XS Detail
http://www.bestbuycp.com/canon-rebel-xs-101mp-digital-slr-camera/