• APS-C 328.6mm2
  • 10.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 21.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400

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Differences

Canon XS advantages over Canon 5D Mark II

  • Fast startup
    ~0.30 vs 0.4 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Lighter weight
    710g vs 1588g
    Lighter weight

Canon 5D Mark II advantages over Canon XS

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 850 vs 500 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    105 mm vs 88 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    920k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.71x vs 0.51x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    21.1 vs 10.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • More AF points
    15 vs 7
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 29 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    3.9 fps vs 2.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    75 vs 7 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K200D

Canon XS
Pentax K200D
  • $440
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Canon 5D Mark II
Pentax K200D
  • $1200
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Internal flash

Compared to Sony DSLR-A230

Canon XS
Sony DSLR-A230
  • $440
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
Canon 5D Mark II
Sony DSLR-A230
  • $1200
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Internal flash

Compared to Nikon D3000

Canon XS
Nikon D3000
  • $440
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Less shutter lag
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
Canon 5D Mark II
Nikon D3000
  • $1200
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Internal flash

Compared to Nikon D600

Canon XS
Nikon D600
  • $440
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $1900
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Longer stills battery life
Canon 5D Mark II
Nikon D600
  • $1200
  • 35mm
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $1900
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO

Compared to Canon 6D

Canon XS
Canon 6D
  • $440
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Internal flash
  • $1499
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Canon 5D Mark II
Canon 6D
  • $1200
  • 35mm
  • Less shutter lag
  • More AF points
  • $1499
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
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