Review: Canon Rebel T2i

By STEPHEN REGENOLD

Panoramas, summit shots, trailhead embarkations, sunsets, and battle wounds — the photographic proof is a requisite for any grand adventure. As such, I rarely under-pack in the camera department. For more than a decade, starting with a Pentax K1000 camera and then moving up to a Canon digital SLR, I have hauled lenses and bulky camera bodies to literal ends of the Earth.

The latest camera in the line, Canon’s Rebel T2i, is a vast upgrade from my former photographic companions. Released this spring, the digital single-lens-reflex (SLR) camera offers 18 megapixels of resolution and HD-video capability.

In the past, I shied away from Canon’s EOS Rebel line, as it is a step below the company’s professional cameras. But the T2i offers all the pro-level features I need, including video, the massive resolution for still photos, and fast capture at 3.7 frames per second.

Increased sensitivity and high ISO settings are great for low-light photography. The camera can shoot in full-manual mode. Or, conversely, when I want to go on autopilot, the T2i has a litany of preset functions and modes to help maximize a picture in almost any situation.

At $799.99 retail for the T2i camera body, it is a relative bargain. I can use my existing Canon lenses on the T2i, as the camera is compatible with all Canon EF and EF-S lenses.

For years, I shot with Canon’s EOS 20D camera. This stout SLR has captured tens of thousands of photos for me, and it has never skipped a beat. The T2i, which will replace my 20D, is a significantly better camera.

The video mode alone makes the T2i stand out. Its HD-video capability, at 1920 × 1080 resolution, lets you shoot film-like segments. I have had fun shooting short videos with a 50mm lens. A wide aperture allows for beautiful, cinematic-like footage that has depth of field to keep the subject matter sharp and the background pleasantly blurred.

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