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Just like the brave soldiers of the Confederate South, the Canon EOS Rebel T2i camera charged onto the entry-level DSLR camera battlefield during February 2010 to grab its share of glory. It has been able to do just that ever since. Well-equipped with better-than-average features to wage war against its competitors, the Rebel T2i has impressed experts and consumers alike with the consistency of its performance. Being well-designed and -manufactured, this camera has already proven to have considerable staying power, so it will remain relevant for many years.
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The Canon EOS Rebel T2i may cost a bit more than its discontinued predecessors and some competitors, but that makes it an excellent value choice. A review of its capabilities reveals that it has more in common with the much higher-priced and mid-range Canon EOS 7D DSLR. A clever move on the part of Canon because the T2i will appeal to many serious enthusiasts and professionals as a secondary camera, thus enlarging its market reach.
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What the serious digital photography crowd may notice rather quickly (which should also attract entry-level DSLR buyers) is the quality of the construction: a stainless steel frame covered with a special lightweight polycarbonate resin with glass fiber. DSLR beginners will like the longevity this brings to the T2i and the pros will appreciate the strength and durability for the many unforgiving environments in which they shoot.
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Another detail that will have many photographers yelling with joy is that the proportions (3:2 ratio) of the rear LCD screen is the same as the still photos taken with the camera. Images aren’t cropped or part of the screen obliterated with black bars. Plus, the screen’s viewing ratio comes very close to the 16:9 ratio for video. With more than 1 million pixels, 7 brightness levels and dual anti-reflection, anti-smudge design, the rear screen provides a very sharp, clear view of whatever you’re shooting.
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If you purchase a Rebel T2i in a camera store, then please try to muffle your excited screams when you see the 18-MP CMOS sensor paired with Canon’s DIGIC 4 processor. Although not identical to the sensor in the 7D, the T2i’s is more like that camera’s sensor than its predecessor or many competitors. The T2i’s sensor also includes gapless micro lenses, which hikes the efficiency of each pixel.
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The feature that is identical to the 7D is the Rebel T2i’s iFCL metering sensor with a 63-zone dual layer. Each layer gives this DSLR camera better control of how light reflects from subjects that are red in color, which often results in overexposures. One layer responds to red and green light, while the other to blue and green light. The metering system is capable of evaluating each for a more precise meter reading.
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The video capabilities of the Canon EOS Rebel T2i are also the same as the 7D, with 1080p Full-HD at 30, 25 and 20 frames per second and 720p at 60 or 50 frames per second. In addition, there is a connection for an external microphone, so you can record in stereo. The in-camera editing feature is also a function you might expect in a more expensive camera. Better yet, third-party tests show that the quality of video from the T2i is every bit the equal of what comes from the EOS 7D.
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Ultimately, the most important measures of a DSLR camera are performance and image quality. Although performance is one category in which the Rebel T2i isn’t capable of matching the 7D, it’s a vast improvement over older entry-level DSLRs. Shoot with the T2i under common amateur situations and its speed and responsiveness is clearly an asset.
The performance of the camera’s phase-detection auto-focus system also tested from very good to excellent compared to similar entry-level DSLRs. Either phase-detection or contrast-detection AF modes can be selected when in Live View mode. Contrast-detection does reduce the speed of the AF system significantly, which is not unusual for this level of camera, but the system still is quite precise when focusing on stationary subjects.
In terms of image quality, the Rebel EOS 2Ti scores very high, especially in the consistency of the images it produces in the shooting situations of most entry-level DSLR users. The image quality is particularly noteworthy in raw mode for detail and resolution.
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Both DSLR beginners and second-camera buyers will have to give the Canon EOS Rebel 2Ti serious consideration, especially when this PhotographyTalk article was written. The camera (with a Canon EF-S 18–55mm IS II zoom lens) is available from B&H Photo Video for a special price of $579.95, which is $50 off the regular price; however, this special offer ends March 3, 2012. Order yours at http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=canon+eos+rebel+t2i&N=0&InitialSearch=yes.
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Photograph by 2012 Canon U.S.A., Inc.
