Canon EOS Rebel XSi vs Canon EOS 50D

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS Rebel XSi and Canon EOS 50D. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Canon.

These two camera models were both released 2008.

Camera Released
Canon EOS Rebel XSi 2008
Canon EOS 50D 2008

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

Both these cameras have the same sorts of sensor (called "Canon APS-C") which means that if you compare these cameras side by side the lenses will also have the same experienced focal length. Neither of the cameras has a Full frame sensor which means that you will get a "crop factor" where the camera's sensor size affect the focal length with a multiplier.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Canon EOS Rebel XSi 80 mm
Canon APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6
Canon EOS 50D 80 mm
Canon APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)

Resolution

Canon EOS Rebel XSi has a 12,2 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS 50D has 15,1 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Canon EOS Rebel XSi 12,2 MP
12166656 pixels
4272 x 2848
Canon EOS 50D 15,1 MP
15054336 pixels
4752 x 3168

Canon EOS 50D has a 24 % larger resolution than Canon EOS Rebel XSi. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Canon EOS 50D has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS Rebel XSi. Canon EOS 50D has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 12800 while Canon EOS Rebel XSi has 100 to 1600.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS Rebel XSi 100-1600
Canon EOS 50D 100-12800

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 50D

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Canon EOS Rebel XSi can shoot up to 3,5 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 50D can shoot up to 6,3 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS Rebel XSi 3,5
Canon EOS 50D 6,3

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

Though, neither Canon EOS Rebel XSi or Canon EOS 50D can shoot movies so if that is a functionality that you are really looking for you should look elsewhere.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Canon EOS 50D weighs 822 gr (equal to 1.81 lb) which is 57% heavier than Canon EOS Rebel XSi and its 524 gr (or 1.16 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS Rebel XSi 524 gr
1.16 lb
Canon EOS 50D 822 gr
1.81 lb

Canon EOS Rebel XSi vs Canon EOS 50D Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS Rebel XSi and Canon EOS 50D, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Canon EOS 50D
Name Canon EOS Rebel XSi Canon EOS 50D
Manufacturer Canon Canon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Canon EOS 50D
Release Year 2008 2008
Release Date 2008-01-24 2008-08-26
MSRP 799 USD 1399 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Canon EOS 50D
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Canon EOS 50D
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm) APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4272 x 2848 pixels 4752 x 3168 pixels
Megapixels 12,2 MP 15,1 MP
Image Processor DIGIC 3 DIGIC 4
Image
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Canon EOS 50D
ISO Range 100 - 1600 100 - 12800
White Balance Presets 6 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Canon EOS 50D
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 9 9
Lens Mount Canon EF
Canon EF-S

See Compatible Lenses
Canon EF
Canon EF-S

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier APS-C Sensor
1.6x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 38 mm
50 mm becomes 80 mm
100 mm becomes 160 mm
200 mm becomes 320 mm
APS-C Sensor
1.6x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 38 mm
50 mm becomes 80 mm
100 mm becomes 160 mm
200 mm becomes 320 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Canon EOS 50D
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 230000 920000
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A TFT liquid-crystal color LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.87× (0.54× 35mm equiv.) 0.95× (0.59× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Canon EOS 50D
Frames per second 3,5 fps 6,3 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes Yes
Built-in Flash Range 13 meters 13 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Partial
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Canon EOS 50D
Video recording No No
Video format N/A N/A
Video resolution N/A N/A
Built-in Microphone No No
Built-in Speakers No No
Storage
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Canon EOS 50D
Memory Card SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Canon EOS 50D
HDMI Output No Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No No
Remote Control Yes (E3 connector, InfraRed) Yes (N3 connector)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Canon EOS 50D
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Battery Pack LP-E5
Lithium-Ion BP-511A rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 600 shots 800 shots
Width 129 mm 146 mm
Height 98 mm 108 mm
Depth 62 mm 74 mm
Weight 524 gram 822 gram