Description
Canon Rebel T5i Overview
The EOS Rebel T5i DSLR Camera with 18-55mm Lens from Canon is an APS-C format digital SLR camera with an 18MP CMOS sensor and the DIGIC 5 image processor. It is combined with the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens for an effective range of wide-angle to standard focal length.
With 14-bit Analog/Digital conversion, an ISO range from 100-12800 (expandable to 25600) and Multi Shot Noise Reduction, the Rebel T5i offers sharp details, accurate colors and low-noise imaging in both bright and low-light shooting situations. Its 9-point all cross-type autofocus system provides fast focusing when shooting with the viewfinder, and Hybrid CMOS AF increases autofocus speeds when shooting in Live View. The Rebel T5i can continuously shoot up to 5 fps.
A 3.0″ Clear View II Vari-angle Touchscreen LCD with 1,040k-dot resolution provides composition and playback viewing. Its tilt and swivel capability makes it easy to compose your shots at odd angles, and a smudge-resistant coating keeps the monitor clear. Intuitive touchscreen operation includes Touch Autofocus.
Full HD 1080p at 30 fps and 24 fps is supported with Movie Servo for continuous autofocus during shooting. Manual exposure is provided in video mode and 60 fps is possible when shooting at 720p HD. A built-in stereo microphone with manual audio level adjustment is provided for quality audio recording with your videos.
Scene Intelligent Auto Mode automatically makes the optimal camera adjustments based on scene recognition and improved scene detection is particularly helpful when shooting night scenes. Advanced imaging features such as Handheld Night Scene and HDR Backlight Control make capturing difficult shots easy, and seven Creative Filters add expressive touches to your images and can even be viewed in real time during Live View shooting.
The EOS Rebel T5i is compatible with the full line of Canon EF and EF-S lenses. It is paired here with the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens, which offers wide-angle to standard focal length shooting specifically designed for APS-C cameras. It is equivalent to a 28.8-88mm focal length in the 35mm format, and its minimum focus distance is 9.8″. This lens features Canon’s Optical Image Stabilization system, providing 4-stops of compensation for blur caused by slow shutter speeds when shooting hand-held in low light or at longer focal lengths. An internal focusing system provides fast autofocus, and with a Stepping Motor (STM) and six-group zoom system it supports the Rebel T5i’s Movie Servo AF feature for smooth and quiet continuous autofocus during video recording. Manual focus override is possible. A high precision aspherical element reduces chromatic aberration throughout the zoom range for sharp imaging, and Canon lens coatings provide accurate color balance and minimal ghosting and flare.
frank –
The camera was received on time and as described online. Haven’t had any problems with it and it works as intended. I recommend this seller.
luis jah –
Por el precio esta cámara es perfecta. El display táctil es bastante útil además de que puede retirar a la hora de grabar video. Si bien no es la dslr mas completa, con practica y se me puede sacar mucho jugo.
5 people found this helpful
Monieskinny –
HISTORY_This is my first SLR camera of any kind. My first was a 1960s Brownie Kodak that used 110 film, then it was a 1980s Canon 35mm point n shoot, someone gave me a 1990s Fujifilm 2mp camera to get in the age of digital, the 2000s got more efficient with a Kodak P880 8mp semi-pro camera which was an awesome camera(they still sell for $100), and then Amazon forced me to get a Canon T5i. OK, not quite at gun point, but the deal was ridiculously good. After watching a YouTube review of the T3i vs. T5i, it was NO contest.
1st THOUGHTS_Canon almost got me on a 60x point n shoot at Costco, but I payed the bigger bucks, and am not sorry. I thought my Kodak pics with the nice S&K lens were great, but these are WOW. The only pictures that don’t turn out and look great are the ones I have been setting up on manual, which produces wonderful results with a little more trial and error.
PICTURES_I got it with only the stock 18-55mm lens and some of the Macro shots of spring blossoms fill an HDTV space with jaw dropping colorific pics. I just ordered the $10 macro reversing ring to play around with some superduper close-ups without having to spend $3-400 on the real macro stuff. Just about everything set on auto that I’ve taken turns out sharp and clear, and seemed dud-proof. My friends are not the SLR owning crowd and have been very praising of the few shots I have shared.
CAMERA BODY_I’m a big guy, the camera is surprisingly light, and is not a problem to wander around with this hanging about your neck or in a side bag. Construction seems to be of strong gauge plastic with not much metal visible. Strap is very comfy too. There is NO(?) connector string for the lens cap. Spinning and flipout color screen is very useful. I have already used it for taking pics at goofy angles which make using the eye piece impossible. Controls, buttons, and switches are layed out nicely, The on-off switch and selector wheels literally feel like a Fisher-Price Toy they are so solidly built, and seem like they may last a while. Nothing on the camera feels flimsy. The battery is doubled locked in it’s compartment, which I thought was an impressive touch. One drop and most batteries will barge their way out of a camera and damage the door.
WHAT’S INSIDE_Having read many reviews before purchasing this unit, I really liked the difference between the Canon and Nikon, and the ones that put me over to Canon, fast action photography and ease of controls use. Watch any sporting event and the only lenses you see on the sidelines are white Canon lenses for fast action play. The reviews appear to be correct. I read the manual on my Kindle, computer, and the book for the first week. I tried to get up to speed, and the software and controls on the camera were very simple to follow. The camera actually gives you multiple ways to accomplish a software change with wheels, direction buttons, and a super nice touch screen display. Touch screen is one of the best parts of the camera. I tell people to read directions, do they listen, no. I do, and it makes difference no matter what the electronics. Go to YouTube and watch videos, it helps a lot.
The battery charges fully in 1-2 hours. Having had the Kodak P880 before this did help ease into learning how to operate the camera. Read the directions and take pictures of anything as you go and see what they look like. I poked my head out the front door and took a handheld 3 second night exposure of streaky car traffic lights. A little unfocused but I learned how to do it when I have tripod in hand. I went back through some initial pics and post effected them with grainy BW or amped colors for some very nice artsy visuals. The software also defaults to save your original pic. The software discs that comes in the box provide manuals, and very good picture editing tools. They call them professional, but it isn’t Adobe, I know that much, and does all I need it to do.
HD VIDEO_I may add to this later. The STM lens focusing system is a must for video. I watched a YouTube video and the focusing is silent compared to lenses of the past. Even the USM lenses were adding noise to the video, just like my old Kodak did. I have turned it on, and the STM focusing is as advertised, quiet! The T5i is STM approved. T3i…NOT.
FINAL NOTES_Even if you just use the no-brainer settings, the camera is well worth it. With IS(image stabilization), new STM(works on a sliding principle) lens focusing, and other Canon technology, the T5i will make your memories foolproof. There are pros doing reviews here on more technical items and I will not try to offer that level of reflection. I know how to build a great computer, but have no where near mastered what this T5i is capable of. Many reviews say this is a good starter $700 camera, and I believe them now, but like the computers I build, you need to do more than check mail. AND read the directions!! Professional photographers are spending thousands on just the body of a camera. I’m not there yet, or maybe never. Right now, the T5i, looks pro enough.
UPDATE 2015-06-24: I still really like my T5i!! After a year and a half of use and several thousand clicks to boot, I know what it can and can’t do well. I have even started doing some research into the 70D, but not the LCD tiltless 7D, which is the top of the line APS-C. I’m going to update some pictures here also. The T5i pictures are always downloaded to my computer and HDTV. These are ridiculously awesome viewed on a big screen. My friend has a very nice iMac Apple computer and they do not measure up to the HDTV at 46 inches or larger.
I just returned form Yosemite, Kings Canyon, Lassen volcano, and several zoos, with picture you can only stare at in amazement. Vacation photos and video never looked so good. The T5i has a 4 second video snapshot feature that stiches all the clips together for one movie. Your friends will love you, because they don’t need to watch home movies lasting more than a few minutes. At zoos, this is a huge bonus. The T5i is not the pinnacle of cameras but it can make you look like a pro to your non techie friends, and easily. One more tip on video, and this is fun. Load the supplied software, connect your camera to the PC, convert some of your favorite music to WAV(only), download the WAV files to your SD card via the usb cable, and voila, you hear your music instead of the low quality sound picked up by the in-camera mike. Turn off the mike so that it is silent. Also, turn on the audio wind filter if you want that sound. I listen to my videos with the new Sherlock Holmes BBC soundtrack, goes with everything.
I really thought the versatile LCD screen would be really nice for photo taking, but is just useful for some video and video viewing. The eye piece viewer is still the best for picture taking. One thing I just learned, I have always left the image stabilizer on. I have started using the camera without it and have had some revelating(new word) results. The image stabilizer holds the camera back from doing instant focus. Getting a picture of a bee has been impossible with the IS on, but off, the T5i will focus instantly, instead of hunting for AF, and then it is too late. This is also the dilemma for video on the T5i, and has tendency to hunt for focus. If you do the 4 second clip video, sometimes half the clip is horribly blurred before snapping into clarity.
Look at a guy like Ansel Adams(genius), the guy could out shoot 99.9 percent of the waking camera public with a shoe box pinhole camera. His favorite ’til the day he died was not a very a fancy camera in the least. It will always boil down to how good and persistent you are with whatever tool you have in the box.
The t4i and t5i in the hands of real pros can produce stunning pictures, but again, one is older than the other. The main reason Canon dumped the t4i, and you won’t get them to admit it, was too much zinc in the rubber grip handles. This produced several episodes of allergic skin reactions/discoloration of the grip itself, and corporations run away from potential lawsuits with track shoes laced up. Since the t4i was dumped hurriedly, Canon decided to add a few new great wrinkles to the mix, mainly the STM lens line up, and the battery will get you another 100 shots per charge(big plus). I think those two and no lawsuits are winners.
The 70d and 7d(top o’ line of APS-C) are just above this T5i in one and two position. Canon’s 6D is the entry level full frame(non APS-C) but suffers the same video problems as the t5i, or so I hear. The HD video performance on the 7’s is outstandingly better than the t5i which sometimes has a tendency to hunt for focus with the image stabilizer on. 70d is another $300 more than the t5i and has better specs. 70d is $1,100 with two lenses, plus extras. It even has the new dual AF, which really helps on the video end. I purchased the 55-250mm and it has been the biggest boost to my picture abilities. Only until a recent camping trip did I long for a 400mm, when I got some decent pics of an Osprey across the river and high on a branch. My best nature shot so far. Generally, the 250mm range gets you almost everything, and nicely, I will do a separate review of that lens. Some reviewers claim it is in L glass class, and I believe it, but have not used L myself.
The T5i with two lenses, and extras sells for $800, which is an unbelievable deal. The 70D is $1,100-1,200 and sports better specs than the T5i, with two lenses and extras. For $300-400 more, if the piggy bank allows, buy the 70D, with the new dual AF system, wifi, and more. So much for this update.
consumereagleh –
I decided to update from my ten year old DSLR, and I’m actually disappointed that the finer points of a camera are lost in the Canon Rebel T5i/T5 models. The body is lighter in weight, yes, but that’s because it’s all plastic now. Many of the less apparent but still critical features are missing. The small circular focus cross-hatch in the view finder that allowed you to manually focus with precision is gone, and the auto-focus is utterly unreliable. Even shooting with center/spot manual focus doesn’t guarantee your object will be in focus once you take the shot–the camera still wants to keep “adjusting” and focus on what it thinks is the subject. There may be more megapixels and a supposedly-improved sensor, but if you are on the fence about whether or not you need to update your camera, I’d say no. With good lenses and knowing how to use manual controls and photo editing software, an older camera will still be more reliable and perfectly fine for small and moderate sized prints.
William Fredette-Hufmann –
I decided that this year would be the year that I learn photography and stop point and shooting. I went round and round with which camera to buy. I researched, altered my budget, researched some more. I made the mistake of not taking any online classes before buying my camera. Look up some You tube videos on equipment and how to choose the best one for you. There are no regreets with this purchase, but I may have changed my strategy a bit if I knew then what I know now.
I bought this camera over Nikon based on the “live view mode” and because most reviews stated that the Canon would be better for those trying to learn the various modes. I can say this this is indeed true, and this camera takes GREAT pictures. I am completely happy. I also bought it for the video capability, although the 70D was rated a little higher for video, it was out of my budget.
Some advice for fellow first time DSLR buyers:
1. Spend the extra money for the 18-135 STM. This was an instant regret that continues to haunt me. This lens is phenomenal, and takes GREAT pics, but the added flexibility would be worth the extra money. 55mm is great for close up portraits, this is a great wide angle lens, but 55mm is short and I find that I have to change lenses more often than I would like.
2. Budget for lenses, not the camera body. Camera bodies change like cell phones, every few years there is an opportunity to upgrade. Nice lenses will outlive multiple bodies. The more classes I take, the more I wish I had budgeted for lenses, and every class, video, review will echo this.
3. If you can find a package deal that includes the 55-250 STM lens, it will save you $200…do it!!
4. Buy a book besides the manual, it really helped me to understand how the camera really works. Also there is a great set of videos from “The great courses”. It is taught by a National Geographic photographer and at $80 has been really eye opening as far as taking great pictures.
This T5i is a great camera for beginners and enthusiasts. There is not much difference in this camera and the T4i. I think touch screen is the biggest upgrade, the touchscreen is awesome, by the way. The controls are easy to learn and use. I have not tested it, but this camera may not tolerate wet weather like the 70D will. Live view works well. I have not used the video too much, it worked well with 18-55STM, but when I tried it with an older 70-300 kit lens it was very noisy and never focused right. This was the lens not the camera, hence my suggestion #3 above. These kit Canon lenses have changed the game, and they take great images. You will not be disappointed, but you may want to upgrade to more expensive lenses if you are doing more than chasing the kids around. A few review web sites even say that the images from these lenses rival more expensive ones.
Whether you are delving into the world of exposure and trying to take wonderful images, or this is to document vacations and family moments, you will love this camera.
Pros:
1. Easy to use out of the box on “green” setting.
2. Easy to learn exposure on in “live view” mode
3. Screen is big, bright and customizable
4. Light enough everyday family use
5. Video capable, Multiple frame rates.
6. Touch screen works like my iPhone
7. New Canon kit lenses take very sharp pictures compared to older kit lenses.
Cons
None really.
koyotesings –
It just arrived today and already shooting some very nice photos of my cats before I even need to open the manual. My first DSLR, used a great Minolta 35mm SLR for years. The first thing I noticed was how much lighter this camera and the lenses are compared to my old Minolta 35mm. I got it with the free accessories, mostly for the extra 2 batteries and the backpack. I like the car charger except that it will only work with the Wasabi charger The Canon charger only plugs into the wall. Guess we know which one won’t be going with me on my next trip … However, having 3 batteries is always a good thing, however they’re charged. My international plug set will work out of country just fine with such small items. I’m not jazzed about the Canon neck strap, but the small slots on the camera are too small for my old strap to hook on to. I’ll be shopping for a new strap that will work with the Canon. The backpack isn’t large but it opens up wide for access to the camera and accessories. It has enough space for me to use this as my carry on when traveling by air. I don’t need much inside the aircraft, and usually only a change of underclothes and my medications and a few other small items. With this camera being so light weight I can definitely see using the backpack as my carry on bag and maybe a travel purse as a second item. Like my canon point and shoots (3 of them!) the auto settings are quite varied and easy to figure out. There is also the manual setting for those who like to experiment or change effects. The camera has a pop up flash but also a hot shot flash port on top so you can use your own flash. I love this feature, I will be shopping for a high quality hot shoe flash. My old minolta flash works fine but not to the quality that I want. I cannot attest to the differences between this camera and the T4i, only that I wanted something a bit more current. I ordered a 64GB flash card to use in place of the 16GB card that came with the package. I plan to take thousands of photos and a lot of video in the near future and will need the space. Overall I found this to be a good value considering the items that I will be using from the free stuff. Nice starter camera for the budding photographer, excellent midrange camera for those of us who like taking great photos but also like the convenience of a point and shoot.
JohnNinGN –
I would consider myself a complete amateur photographer but with the desire to become better. In my college years I took a lot of pictures with a 35mm Canon and loved doing it so I am a bit biased in the brand. However I have used several Nikons and other brands as well so I have a bit of experience with the other brands.
What I like about this camera is that it is easy to use if you want it to be, and has quite a bit of adjustments if you want to try your hand at semi-professional photography. Of course it is not full-framed but I really can not tell that much of a difference.
You can set it to fully automatic and use it as a relatively easy point and shoot type or you can change the settings to suit your needs. I tend to play around with different settings and see what works the best. All my shots are in Raw mode so you do have some adjustments when you go to ‘develop’ the pictures. It gives you a bit of more flexibility.
Overall I like the shots that it takes. I have taken some great shots with this and the color detail and clarity have been exactly what I wanted in a mid-range DSLR. Usually I take outdoor shots so the lens is fine for what I am doing, but if you want to take more indoor and portrait shots then definitely invest in a 50mm f1.4 or better lens. Low light conditions with the kit lens will almost always require the flash and if you cant use flash will be a little dark.
The video mode is great too. So far I like the tracking feature of the autofocus and how quiet the lens is. I have been experimenting with some different situations and like the quality of the videos. Most of the video has been of recitals and indoor use, and they have been good quality. The mic works well although it might be better to have a separate mic for better quality.
I give the product four stars because it pretty much does everything that I wanted in a camera, however the kit lens is only so good. It is perfect for what I need right now, but as I get to be a better photography I am sure I will find its limitations. As far as the difference between the T4i and the T5i, I have heard there is not much other than the lens. If you are purchasing this for video use, I would recommend this over the T4i, other than that I believe they are very similar.
Harret –
Canon has gotten a lot of flak for releasing the T5i as an “upgrade” to the T4i while not changing much to write home about. While I agree that it’s a silly move, and understand why T4i users might be miffed, for the price it’s still a fantastic buy. It was my first DSLR, and after more than 10k shutter actuations and moving on to a full frame camera, I can honestly say I don’t regret it. There are already plenty of good reviews on this, so I won’t bore you by repeating that. Instead, here are a few observations from a beginner turned enthusiast:
* The camera’s light, plastic body makes it VERY easy to take with you out on hikes. While you might think you need to be really careful with it, it is surprisingly robust and can take a few knocks. Carrying this, even with 3 lenses in my bag, I never really felt it on my shoulder.
* The image quality is great in good light. I have taken some of my best landscape shots with this camera. However, I haven’t gotten much in the way of low light performance. At ISO 1600, images are usable, but I am not comfortable with 3200 or higher. Unfortunately, this means that even in a summer dusk, I’m pretty much SOL unless I can find some street lights.
* I took the T5i out with me during the Colorado floods last year. It got a bit wet, and got some mud on it, but after a few wipe downs it’s still like new. I wouldn’t take it out in the pouring rain, but drizzle and minor splashes seem to be alright.
* With flashes, you can get some really great portraits out of just this body and the kit lens. Find a used copy and throw in the CowboyStudio 320w lighting kit and a background, and you may have yourself a sub-$1,000 portrait set up.
* The touch screen is not just a stupid gimmick. Although I have moved on to a camera that’s better in almost every way, I still miss that touch screen. Setting up a custom menu for frequently used commands made using my camera much quicker and easier.
If you’re looking for your first DSLR, this is a pretty solid choice. Take care of it and it will last you a long time, but don’t be afraid to take it out and really use it, too.