Canon XTI Body Digital Rebel 10.1MP SLR Camera (Body Only)

The Canon Digital Rebel XTi occupies the place in many photographers' histories that the first DSLR always does — the camera that made the exposure triangle click. Designed for entry-level shooters stepping up from point-and-shoots, it delivers 10.1 megapixels on an APS-C CCD sensor with enough resolution for large-format prints and enough latitude in RAW files to survive post-processing. Canon's Picture Style system gives shooters a meaningful creative lever in-camera, useful for journalists who need clean JPEGs out of the gate and for portrait photographers who want to standardize their skin tone rendering across a full shoot day.

The body is notably compact and light for a DSLR — a genuine asset during events where you're carrying the camera for eight hours. The 2.5-inch LCD is large for its era and reads well for chimping exposures. The integrated cleaning system is a practical feature that reduces the friction of lens changes in dusty outdoor environments. For photographers building their first serious kit on the Canon EF ecosystem, the XTi remains an honest starting point — pair it with a fast 50mm prime and the sensor has more than enough character to make compelling images.