• APS-C 328.6mm2
  • 12.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 14.8 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400

Buy From

Differences

Canon XSi advantages over Sigma SD1 Merrill

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Less expensive
    $900 vs $2299 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Fast startup
    ~0.40 vs 4.5 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • More telephoto lens reach
    88 mm vs 75 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Lighter weight
    539g vs 796g
    Lighter weight
  • Less shutter lag
    0.16 vs 0.38 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    53 vs 7 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Sigma SD1 Merrill advantages over Canon XSi

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • More dots on screen
    460k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.63x vs 0.54x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    14.8 vs 12.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Doesn't require an AA filter
    Yes vs No
    A unique sensor design provides sharp photos without moiré
  • Wider angle kit lens
    26 mm vs 29 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    4.1 fps vs 3.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 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
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    Neither provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sigma SD1 Merrill

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D60

Canon XSi
Nikon D60
  • $649
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Less shutter lag
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
Sigma SD1 Merrill
Nikon D60
  • $8492
  • APS-C
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
  • More dots on screen
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compared to Pentax K2000

Canon XSi
Pentax K2000
  • $649
  • APS-C
  • More pixels
  • More AF points
  • $556
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
Sigma SD1 Merrill
Pentax K2000
  • $8492
  • APS-C
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
  • More dots on screen
  • $556
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Lens selection

Compared to Canon T1i

Canon XSi
Canon T1i
  • $649
  • APS-C
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • HDMI out
Sigma SD1 Merrill
Canon T1i
  • $8492
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compared to Nikon D300S

Canon XSi
Nikon D300S
  • $649
  • APS-C
  • Lighter weight
  • Less shutter lag
  • $1697
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup
Sigma SD1 Merrill
Nikon D300S
  • $8492
  • APS-C
  • More pixels
  • Doesn't require an AA filter
  • $1697
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compared to Nikon D500

Canon XSi
Nikon D500
  • $649
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Internal flash
  • $1598
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Shoot 4K video
Sigma SD1 Merrill
Nikon D500
  • $8492
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Internal flash
  • $1598
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Shoot 4K video
Compare Other Cameras?